The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of Canada's oldest and largest institutions, renowned for its excellent educational quality and research achievements. This article compiles five things you need to know for your four-year undergraduate journey, aiming to provide valuable guidance and advice for international students heading abroad. From maintaining a high GPA to using exchange programs to broaden your horizons and developing independent thinking and communication skills, these experiences will help freshmen enjoy a wonderful university life at UBC.
1. Maintain a High GPA and Study Hard
The importance of GPA is self-evident; it determines the schools and opportunities you can apply for in the future. Strive for high scores and don't miss any chance to improve. If you can get an 81, don't settle for a 79; if you can achieve an 85, don't stop at 83. Although the difference in scores may seem small, whether it's WES conversion or the choice of application tiers, it will have a significant impact on you. Especially for students hoping to apply for programs related to Computer Science, Data Science, or Business Analysis, high scores are key to securing top opportunities.
2. Make Good Use of the Go Global Exchange Program
UBC offers a wide range of exchange program options, which can greatly enhance your applications. If you plan to pursue graduate studies in the UK, you can choose exchange programs in the UK or Hong Kong. If you aim for graduate school in the US, you can apply to schools through US-Canada programs! Getting a recommendation letter from a professor during the exchange is also a bonus. Therefore, before going on exchange, pay attention to the transferable credits in advance to ensure a smooth transition. Knowing these exchange opportunities will help you in the future.
https://global.ubc.ca/go-global
3. Cultivate Independent Thinking and Communication Skills
University life places great emphasis on cultivating independent thinking. Whether it's course materials, requirements, emails, messages, or essays, it's important to read carefully and have the ability to plan and complete tasks independently. If you encounter any confusion, be sure to bravely ask your professors—schedule a meeting during their office hours or communicate via email. Getting professors to remember you is a way to achieve high grades, and it will also make it easier to ask them for recommendation letters when applying to graduate school.
*Office hours are designated times when professors or teaching assistants offer face-to-face consultation and discussion for students. By appointment or by visiting the instructor's office, students can communicate face-to-face, ask questions, seek help, or receive guidance.
4. Plan Ahead for Graduate School Applications
Once you've determined your direction for graduate school, be sure to early on understand the background and prerequisite course requirements of the programs and schools you're targeting, such as whether the GRE is needed. If there are collaborative programs, also pay attention to language test score requirements. Meanwhile, it's very important to start internships in your freshman and sophomore years—don't wait until summer approaches to look for opportunities. If you want to pursue research or apply for STEM fields, securing an RA position at the university early on and actively communicating with professors can play a significant role.
5. Don't Forget to Slow Down
During the four years of university, we are often pressured by various plans and schedules that tell us how we should spend this time. People emphasize maintaining a high GPA, completing multiple internships in advance, preparing research projects, and starting GRE prep in sophomore year, and so on. These plans fill the entire university experience because future development seems especially important. However, amidst this busyness, we should occasionally slow down. Take a stroll along Main Mall, admire the IKB lights at night, explore the natural scenery of small islands around Vancouver, or apply for a US visa to experience the American vibe in New York. After all, university life is both long and short; while staying busy, remember to fully enjoy these precious in-between moments.
Finally, I hope everyone can smoothly step into a new stage of life and have a colorful campus life at UBC! Add a CheersYou（清柚教育） advisor to join the freshman group~
