I'm going to be commuting to McMaster everyday from Mississauga for the next four years. I'm planning to do a combined honours in communication studies & multimedia. I really want to join clubs in MSU, but I'm uncertain if I should participate in them during my first year. Any advice?

Participate for sure! Your only issue will be when you sign up to attend or contribute to events etc, you might be late/have to leave early/cant make it at all, because of your commuting - just let people know that.

Joining a club that you're interested in will help you meet friends, study buddys, and relax!

Originally Posted by Melanieee

Participate for sure! Your only issue will be when you sign up to attend or contribute to events etc, you might be late/have to leave early/cant make it at all, because of your commuting - just let people know that.

Joining a club that you're interested in will help you meet friends, study buddys, and relax!

The question is if I should join in first year or wait until second?

What would be your reason of waiting until second?
You might meet people in first year that will help you get a good footing in university, people who share your interests and can help you with school or invite you to social gatherings etc. And if you start in first year, by second year you might be able to help organize the club, and run events etc.

The problem is I want to focus on my studies in first year. That is the only thing that is stopping me bro.... Because I know I will get distracted.

Originally Posted by hamza4000

The problem is I want to focus on my studies in first year. That is the only thing that is stopping me bro.... Because I know I will get distracted.

Melanie is a girl (just so you know...), and I was in the same boat first year.

Commuting is soft tings. Get involved as early as you can! I made the mistake of only doing the "go to school, go to class, go home" routine first year, and coupled with my shyness/introversion, I'm a loner for the rest of uni. So yea, don't be me!

Commuting from sauga too.
My brother and such suggest joining the clubs that interest you - you'll meet tons of people and since we're not on res, it's better because we get to meet a wide variety of people.
As well, with respect to marks and such.. I hear its best to balance it now as opposed to when your work load gets heavier and heavier. As well, you'll meet people in upper year that might be able to help you with studying, questions, your classes, advice, etc. Always good to have that

Originally Posted by Afsha-noon

Commuting from sauga too.
My brother and such suggest joining the clubs that interest you - you'll meet tons of people and since we're not on res, it's better because we get to meet a wide variety of people.
As well, with respect to marks and such.. I hear its best to balance it now as opposed to when your work load gets heavier and heavier. As well, you'll meet people in upper year that might be able to help you with studying, questions, your classes, advice, etc. Always good to have that

But I hear from a lot of people that first year is the hardest.

thats a goddamn lie

You can't get involved in these clubs during summer can you.

Freshmen..

Why are you worrying so much about school already?! D:
Yes, you should be studying, but if that studying time is mainly surfing facebook, or other activities, then....go and socialize. I'm not sure what you're schedule is like (as I mostly know science majors and engineers) but you'll have time to socialize. Also, you'll probably have breaks between class, so study at that time.

Join clubs you like, attend them during the first few weeks (you'll have so little to do then), and if it's too much, then stop showing up >>;;

Why don't you wait until you actually start school before making these decisions??? You don't even know what it will really be like...

Like others have said, join something that will interest you. Even if you're busy, I guarantee that you will be able find time for it if it's something you really like. That being said, I doubt your workload will be that hard in first year. There'll still be lots of time to do school work.

If you're really worried about school work, you can always join a club in the second term of school. By then you'll hopefully have adjusted to university and know how much time you can spare.
Or join a club right from the start and "drop" it if you don't find it worthwhile to make time for.

Originally Posted by hamza4000

But I hear from a lot of people that first year is the hardest.

Obviously everyone is different. Going to first year myself, I'm nervous, but the thing I've heard from everyone is:

1. You have a LOT of free time in university, which IMO brings a lot of responsibility

2. Learn to manage your time if you don't already know how to. And as typical as it sounds: if you don't talk to people, you can't expect to "do well" in university

3. Just have a good time! I mean sure do your work on time, DON'T procrastinate, and in the time you have left over, do what makes YOU happy join whatever clubs/teams you want without putting your grades at stake!

Alright, that's it for me. Hope that helps!