ESL Blogs

Have you ever got lost at a street? What a terrible feeling! You have no idea where to go or whom you ask for help. People at the street may or may not be able to help you. You are all alone sitting on the curb thinking: “Can I get to my destination?”

As a first year student in Toronto University, I had so many ups and downs. This may give you some idea how studying looks like in U of T.

When everything goes wrong!

As a computer science student, for the first semester, I had calculus, Mathematical Proofs, computer programming and an elective course. Mathematical Proofs was extremely difficult. Since I hadn’t study math for a long time, simple calculations was a hassle. Then, the subject itself was really complicated. Every day, I was going to “Math Help” room_ where you can ask for help from math teaching assistants _ to ask about my problems. Every week, we had to do some assignments and prepare ourselves for the quiz in the next coming week. This was too much work. The TAs and professors were so peaky to grade the quizzes and assignments. One tiny mistake results in losing half of the mark. I was up until 1 or 3 at night to solve only 1 or 2 questions.

The computer programming course was even worse. Not only the subject was super complicated but I also could not understand what my professor was talking about. I had to look up each technical term to realize what the topic is about. This was also time-consuming in addition to practicing all the taught materials. Therefore, I could not keep up with the pace of the class. Finally, one day, I was about to cry in front of my professor.

_“Professor! What should I do?”

_“Don’t be disappointed. Programming takes time. Only work on that”, he kindly responded.

I was almost always at his office to ask questions. The funny thing was I could not understand his explanations either. Later, I realized this is not only my problem. Other students had the same problem not understanding the materials in the class.

The first quiz was really intimidating!

A big digital clock was on the wall showing how much time left. The clock was giving me a bad feeling. First, it was really big covering the whole wall. Second, the monstrous digits were changing so fast putting me under pressure. In thirty minutes, I had to finish the questions. My brain didn’t function very well.

The lecture hall had the capacity for almost 356 students making you feel how small you are.

_ “Put your pen down! Time is over! Don’t move until all sheets are collected.”

I got number one!

October came so fast. It was time for midterm exams. The first exam was computer programming consisting of 16 questions each worth 1 mark. I read the first questions many times to understand what I am supposed to do. Then, writing a code took a lot of time. I couldn’t answer some of the questions and finally got one out of 16! Yes! I am number one!

How my classmates look like:

Each class contains almost 300 students. Sometimes, you don’t even know whom your classmates are. Students don’t have time to talk. They are busy studying all the time. Since the first week of September when the university began, library was packed with students. No seat after 10 o’clock in the morning. Sometimes, they sit on the floor in the middle of the library’s corridor or among expandable library shelves. Chit-chatting would be just for a short period of time before the professor came to the class. Students are mostly shy. They barely talk. In the math class a slim short friendly girl sat beside me. She was smiling all the time. I liked to talk to her. Two brunette girls in the front row believed we were cousins.

_”Oh! You think we are cousins?! I barely know her!”

 _”yes, you look alike. Maybe you have something in common.”

_”Maybe!”

Finally, I realized what we have in common. Her father is Iranian, but she brought up in Canada. I told her about two important cities in Iran and how universities look like there. She is studying chemistry and physics. Her bag pack is always heavy filled with books, different pens and highlighters in its net pocket. She studies even when she is walking. To block any disturbing noise, she wears ear plugs while walking! One day she told me: “Finally everything is going to be fine. It is supposed to be like this!” She is really inspiring and motivating!

Embarrassing moment!

I had a math quiz again. Before the quiz, students must put their bag pack and jackets on the floor, in the front area of the lecture hall. Cell phones must be turned off and placed in the bag. Placing a cell phone even in the pocket is an academic offence and has serious punishment.

I put my cell phone in my bag pack, but forgot to turn it off. I was solving one of my quiz problems that I heard my cell phone ringing. Jumped up, one of the teaching assistants was looking for the noise.

_”Where does the noise come from?”

_”Maybe, it’s in this bag.”

_”oh! No! It’s not from here. It must be there. Yes!”

I put my head down and hid myself. They couldn’t see me even if I didn’t do so, but I was so embarrassed that I wanted planet earth to swallow me and bury me underground. I didn’t look at them while they were looking for my bag.

After finishing the quiz, I found a bag exactly look like mine. However, due to boredom, I didn’t realize it’s not my bag. I put my pencil case inside it, but my cell phone wasn’t there. I thought maybe they took my phone. I asked the TA who was looking for my bag.

_”Excuse me! Where is my cell phone? It was MY cell phone.”

_”I don’t know. It is in the bag. I didn’t touch it. I just put your bag in the room.”

Suddenly, I looked at the bag in my hand. I thought to myself, “Whose bag is it then? “The color of the bag was exactly like mine. No wonder when I opened the bag, it seemed pretty strange to me. But, I was so tired I didn’t realize it’s not mine. Finally, I found both my bag and cell phone. They put my bag in a separate room. But, when I got home, I realized I do not have any pen or pencils to write with. I wrongfully left them in the bag that wasn’t mine!

“OHHH! Nooooo! Godddd! My poor nice pencils and pens!!!!

After that, one of my important jobs was to see whose bag looks like mine. Maybe I could find the owner of the bag in which I put my pencil case. I was looking at all my classmates’ bags. Finally, one day, I saw a tall thin boy whose bag was exactly like mine. I didn’t ask him whether he has found a pencil case in his bag or not!

Study Tips suggested by my professors:

• Know what kind of learner you are. This way you can adopt your own way of learning based on how you learn effectively. There are three categories of learner. 1-Audio learners: learn mostly by listening 2-Visual learners: learn by looking at a picture, figure, chart, illustration, etc. 3-Kinestheic learners: learn mostly by moving their body or hands. 4-Some use the combination of all mentioned ways to learn.
• Most students believe they should study their books once. However, this is not true at all. Your study books should be read more than once to be understood well. The first time, just skim through the book, looking at the titles, headlines, bold lines and “summary” parts. This helps you to get a whole picture of the content. It also sticks to your memory way better. Then, read the whole context. Try to find new English words. Some English words that you know may have completely different meaning in the context. Be aware of those words. Check them on the glossary located usually in the back of the book. Learn them and try to use them by summarizing what you read. Have a different notebook that you can write your summary there.
• try to use mind maps, doodles, stickers or any tools and methods that can help you learn effectively.
• Prepare yourself since the first day of school. Don’t put your assignments or essay till the last minute. You won’t be able to keep up with the class.  If you have any problems, ask!

Making a big decision:

Marks weren’t so good and I was making progress very slowly. I wouldn’t be so good at programming by the end of December when it’s time for the final exams. Thus, I dropped my computer course which meant I was not in any program. I had to find another program for myself, which made me feel I totally wasted my money and time during these three months. Moreover, I didn’t know what programs I like or what interests me. How do I know I am in love with one particular program? How can I be so sure? What should I do? I felt I got lost since all my dreams flew away and I had no idea what to do or where to begin.

What I learned:

Nothing better than this quote below can describe the lesson I learned from the first semester. I got this quote from my friend, Martin. It says: “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But, whatever you do, you have to keep moving.”

I got the worst marks and had tough time. But, I tried to keep moving and doing my best each time I faced a problem. I tried to think positively and just to do what I was able to do. My dedicated professors and friends helped me so much. Therefore, I don’t have anything to regret.

However, I haven’t decided for sure what I am going to study. How do you know what you are interested in? How can you be so sure your major fits your personality and you like your future job?