University Doesn’t Come With Instructions

Written By: Tabarak Alahmed

So you made it to university…. Now what?

That’s exactly how I felt when my family dropped me off at my off-campus apartment at the start of the year.

As a first-generation student, stepping onto campus felt completely overwhelming. I didn’t know the unwritten rules of how university worked, how to navigate onQ, or what to expect in lectures. I lived off-campus, had no idea where anything was, and worst of all, I didn’t even know how to cook. I still don’t. I’ve mostly evolved into a snack goblin who eats whatever is in sight.

Because I wasn’t living in a traditional residence surrounded by other first-years in the exact same boat, I felt completely isolated, like I was floating in a cloud with zero sense of direction.

I didn’t know what resources were available to me, and being the first person in my family to attend post-secondary made it even harder to know where to turn or what my next step should be. Looking back, I realize that university doesn’t come with an instruction manual.

But here’s the most important thing I wish I knew when I started:

You are not supposed to know everything, and asking for help is always an option.

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You Don’t Have to Figure Everything Out Alone

It’s easy to tell yourself, “Everyone else seems to know what they’re doing, so why can’t I?”

You might feel embarrassed about not knowing something that feels like it “should” be obvious. You might try to figure it out yourself and hope the problem goes away.

Spoiler alert: small problems usually turn into big ones if you ignore them.

I learned that from experience.

During my second semester, I was struggling with one of my classes. I was worried about how dropping it might affect my GPA, but I didn’t know who to ask or whether dropping the course was even the right decision.

So I waited.

I ended up keeping the class, and by the time I finally spoke with an academic advisor, I realized I should have dropped it weeks earlier. At that point, it was too late.

That entire situation could have been avoided if I had simply asked a question when I first started struggling.

You don’t need to wait until something becomes a crisis to reach out.

Whether you’re confused about degree requirements, struggling academically, or just trying to adjust to university life, normalize asking questions early.

 

You Just Need a Starting Point

One of the biggest differences between high school and university is figuring out who to ask for help.

In high school, you had homeroom teachers or guidance counsellors you could turn to. At Queen’s, you suddenly have professors, teaching assistants (TAs), academic advisors, and different support services across campus.

It can feel overwhelming trying to navigate it all, but you don’t need to memorize every single resource on campus, you just need a starting point:

For course content, assignments, or grades

Start closest to the source.

Try reaching out to your professor or TA. TAs can be especially helpful for questions about tutorials, labs, assignments, and course material.

For course planning, degree requirements, or academic decisions

Connect with an academic advisor.

Each faculty at Queen’s has resources available to help you understand your course options, degree requirements, academic standing, and next steps. Visit your faculty’s academic advising page or student services office to find the right contact for your program.

For study skills, exam prep, or time management

Check out Student Academic Success Services (SASS).

SASS offers support for students looking to strengthen their study habits, manage their time, prepare for exams, or improve their academic skills.

Pro Tip

If you still have no idea who to ask, just start somewhere.

Approach a professor, TA, advisor, or another campus support and ask:

“Is this something you can help me with?”

Even if they can’t, they can usually point you in the right direction.

 

What Academic Advisors Want You to Know

To get an insider’s perspective, we reached out to Queen’s Academic Advisors and asked them what they want students to know before reaching out:

You don’t need to have everything figured out

“You don’t need to have everything figured out before meeting with an advisor. Whether you have a specific question or simply want to talk through your situation, we’re happy to help.”

— Kerri Andrews, Academic Advisor

No question is too small

“We genuinely want to help and hope students don’t feel shy or insecure about needing help. Reaching out early is encouraged, but we can always find ways to help support a student even if it feels like the problem has gotten too large. And there are no silly questions – we’re always glad to help demystify a process, explain regulations or come up with creative solutions.’

— Daralyn, Academic Advisor

Advising is for EVERYONE:

“Advising resources are for all students in all types of situations… whether a student is struggling or whether they’re feeling pretty strong, advisors can help clarify options and decision-making.”

— Kathryn, Academic Advisor

 

Your First Step

Now that you know your first step doesn’t have to be complicated, here are a few simple and practical things you can do today.

Send an email.

Draft a quick message to your TA or professor and ask for clarification about something you’re unsure about.

Go to office hours.

Drop by your professor’s or TA’s office hours. Even introducing yourself can make it easier to reach out later when you have a question.

Book an advising appointment.

Visit your faculty’s academic advising page and set up a time to talk about your course load, degree requirements, or options.

Explore SASS.

Check out SASS resources for study strategies, time management, academic skills, and one-on-one support.

 

Independence Doesn’t Mean Isolation

University requires independence, but independence does not mean doing everything alone.

As Kathryn from Academic Advising put it:

“Being independent is not the same as being isolated. Help is here for you! Take advantage of that network.”

Daralyn also added an important reminder:

“Your journey is your own. It’s okay to change your mind, take more time, or switch up your classes… be gentle on yourself.”

 

So, What Should You Do Right Now?

Think of one thing you’re confused about this week.

Maybe it’s an assignment deadline. Maybe you don’t understand a course concept. Maybe you’re unsure whether you’re taking the right courses or what your degree plan should look like.

Pick one thing and reach out to one person about it.

You don’t need to know the answer today.

Sometimes, asking the first question is all it takes to start finding your direction.

 

Helpful Links

Not sure where to start? Here are a few resources you can bookmark for when you need support:

Academic Advising
Visit your faculty’s website to find advising information, appointment options, and contact details.

Student Academic Success Services (SASS)
Get support with studying, time management, exam preparation, writing, and other academic skills.

onQ Support
Having trouble navigating onQ or finding your course materials? Queen’s provides resources to help students learn how to use the platform and troubleshoot common issues.

Your Professor or TA
Check your course syllabus or onQ page for their contact information and office hours.

Not sure who to contact?
That’s okay. Start with the person or service that seems closest to your question. Even if they aren’t the right person, they can usually help point you in the right direction.