volume ii letters from indoor voices

MetamorphosisLetters from Indoor Voices

Volume II

Notes from the Editors

as much as this book is filled with warm fuzzies and stories of resilience, we recognize that university can be a very difficult time

there are some challenges that can permanently alter plans that we had for a career, for relationships, or even our view of ourselves

many of our peers have changed their mind about their major, taken time off of school, and then maybe changed their mind again

but as cliche as it sounds it is the journey and what we have learned that defines us, not the letters behind our name or the paper we are handed at the end of this chapter

we hope this collection of words from upper years helps you find a sense of direction in your journey

A Brief Note from the Curators

Indoor voice is a digital

art initiative started by two friends who have unexpectedly found some extra time on their hands for the next several months. Check out our website for more exciting projects: www.indoorvoice.weebly.com

http://www.indoorvoice.weebly.com

http://www.indoorvoice.weebly.com

Where are we from?

*potential sampling bias the survey was primarily distributed at McMaster University and this is reflect in our results. However we have taken effort to include as many voices as possible

What are our Degrees?

What did we do this summer?

ParasailingVacationFamilySports

Chatting

The Start of“ Like many people, I had difficulty coming out of my shell. I was nervous and scared to be in a new environment with people I didn't know. It became more frustrating when I didn't receive the grades I wanted. To start, I tried to get involved in clubs and events with people who shared similar interests. The students I met helped me develop confidence to be myself around others. I visited office hours to ask for

help; actually this was where met my best friend.”

- Alisha

a beautiful friendship

“ I met my best friend Alisha at during the teacher’s office hours of our first year chemistry class. We really clicked and ended up doing our online modules together, eating together and eventually moved into the same student house together the next year. We weathered many big changes and developmental milestones, from adulting to relationships to academic challenges. Five years later, she is in the U.S. studying dentistry and I am at McMaster studying medicine and we still keep in touch a few times a week and the distance

doesn’t feel so far apart.”- Betty

Bal

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Don't be afraid to strike up a conversation!! It can be as simple as asking if they got an answer for a difficult question in class, everyone is nervous going into university and will definitely be open to creating new friendships.

- Anonymous (McMaster C2023)

Be open to making any type of friend. The first week/month will involve meeting lots of people: don't tie yourself down to a few people or personality types. You never know who ends up staying for the long-run.

- Jamil

Experiences of a Commuter

“I’m not the party type, and I was a commuter. Those two didn’t mesh together very well when it came to my social life. Though I struggled, I still managed to get to know people on my commute, and in my classrooms. If you remember to recognize and accept your emotions and treat yourself when need be, you’ll be okay.”

- Daniella

On independence from parents:

My parents were really strict so I never had to regulate myself socially in high school. Coming to university, it was really hard to hold myself back from partying too much. Luckily, my friends were academically-focused and kept me in check - but we still partied pretty often (but still put grades first!) :)

- Anonymous (McMaster 2020)

The biggest transition was being away from some of my old friends. I was fortunate enough to have some of my friends come over to Waterloo, but some weren't. Building a new social network was something that was a challenge, since there was few people that I knew. It helps to make friends in your year/program during O-Week, and then to leverage clubs and such. A good social network can help a lot with mental health and studies.

- Daniel

Board Games and Nerf Wars on Campus:

Hanging out in a house full of my friends on a stormy night, playing dungeons and dragons together in our basement. Having a good group of friends I could do things together with is one of my biggest sources of fond memories.

I got involved in an activity called Humans Vs Zombies. It involved running around campus with nerf guns and trying to survive the zombie apocalypse between classes. It was a fun way to get involved and stay fit with the minimal extra time I had in undergrad. I highly recommend it if your school has it!

- Anonymous (U of Waterloo c2020)

Love and Relationships

The dating game isn't a single-player game. It can't be all about the other person and it can't be all about you. Go in with some top-notch communication skills and have your heart in the right place, please.

- LanSpotted on (insert your school’s name) is a great platform to stay up to date about news on campus. They have also been used to send anonymous love notes and many students have used it to find someone they passed by on campus!

- The editors

Favourite Memories

It's only been a year since I've started university, but my favourite memory of that year was eating lunch almost everyday with my new friends. I didn't care much for the food (it all tasted the same after a while haha), but the people were always relaxing to be around. Almost therapeutic. We shared some of the same struggles adjusting to uni and in our courses as well. Surprisingly, I found myself opening up in a short amount of time, and they were really accepting of me. Thinking back, I must've been blessed to find these people

- IzzyIf possible, live in residence! It's essentially a pool of people who are all looking for friends situated in one small location. Join clubs - and don't just show up and come a few times. Instead, try and stay faithful to attending for at least a term so you have the chance to establish some meaningful friendships. Become friends with people you admire - over my five years of uni I found that I usually became the sum of who I was hanging out with at the time (some were notably better influences than others).

- ErinHanging out with my friends in my program after our classes. We cooked, gamed, studied and laughed together be it in someone's residence or in a study room.

- Anonymous (McMaster, c2023)

My favorite memory was being a Residence Orientation leader for first year students in residence during welcome week! It was wonderful to give back to incoming McMaster students as they transition from high school to university!

- Anonymous (McMaster c2021)Transitioning to university was awkward at first. I was really embarrassed of who I was so I was always overthinking. It really helps knowing another person going to the same university as you beforehand, it took a lot of stress off my shoulders knowing I wasn't alone. It also helps attending events that the university holds because I met a lot fun people and I would have regretted missing the events anyway. It also helps to join social media groups so you know a few people in advance!

- Anonymous (MCMaster c2023)

We often stayed up late in the common room or in one of our rooms to play games and talk until we all fell asleep. In second year, only one of us stayed in residence. So we spent one night in the residence common room again, playing games, having thorough conversation, deep talk. And I was glad to be where I was, to have found a group of friends that made it all so meaningful. That night was the best.

- LanMy favourite memory of undergrad was going on a camping trip with camp outlook in my second year of university. We went to Frontenac Park for one night with 2 campers and 4 staff. It was nice to escape school for a while.

- MacKenzie

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Be brave and try something new! I made some of my closest friends by going out of my comfort zone, putting away my phone when a stranger spoke to me, and saying "yes" (first rule of improv). What started as a way to destress after a horrific exam introduced me to a wonderful group of people who really cared about me. From bake sales to showdown battles to afternoons of company, I discovered and strengthened a part of my identity that didn't resolve around academics, which helped with my wellbeing because in a university and program where everyone is super smart, just being smart isn't enough anymore.

- Anonymous (McMaster c2021)

Focus on yourself, and be patient. Join clubs, and from there things will happen naturally. You’ll learn more about yourself in these clubs and connect with people you would never think to connect with.- Daniella

My favourite non-study related memory is joining an on-campus club (Acapella) where I met a lot of amazing people, and some of my best friends and girlfriend. I improved a lot on many skills, and eventually ended up running two of the groups as the musical director. Having a creative outlet really helps when your program is something like Computer Science, which tends to lack a creative side.(The Water Boys plug: https://www.youtube.com/user/waterboysacappella)

- Daniel

Things that overcame usovercame usovercame usovercame usovercame us

After having academics come easily to me throughout my entire life, I was surprised to be struggling academically in my first year Microbiology class. After failing the midterm, I met with the professor to see if he had suggestions on how to learn the content better, and he said that I "needed to try harder." This was incredibly frustrating to me, as I was spending so much time studying for his class. After speaking with some of my peers, I learned the importance of working smarter, not harder, and began group-studying with my peers.

- JacquelineI'm halfway through undergrad and I've had a lot of wonderful experiences that definitely outweigh the lonely, frustrating days and nights crying myself to sleep. University can be tough--multiple choice exams aren't like the high school ones that practically put the right answer in boldface--but remember, you're stronger than what they throw at you, and you're not alone.

- Anonymous (McMaster c2021)Before entering university, the difference in academic learning was already anticipated. And it's real. Failure really tested me and affected my mental health. Mental health may not have been something that you took care of before entering university, but when you get there, it should be your priority. My mental health took a turn for the worse the longer I was in school. I'd neglected it for work. Only until I gave myself a huge break, took care of myself, and had someone to talk to, did I realize how much better I felt than before. Take care of yourself.

- LanGot a 60 on my first ever exam and thought my career plan was finished. Spent many long nights to get the knowledge I needed to do better, and treated myself to 1AM PS3 sessions with floormates when I was done.

- Conor

Things we’ve overcom

e

Overwhelmed with midterms, tests, lab reports, essays - I overcame this by stopping procrastination habits such as social media, found a great study spot in the library...having a good study environment is very important, would make a study schedule so I could hold myself accountable for studying/assignments and also feel accomplished when I completed my list, times when I wasn't in the most productive mood I would get things done that required less brain power so that my time was still being used efficiently.

- Anonymous (Laurier c2011)

Things will not always go your way and that's totally fine, so make sure you expect the unexpected. And on a side note: everyone in university is doing their own thing so there is no need for competition. Never compare your success with anyone else. Your success is yours so be proud of whatever you accomplish because that's your hard work!


I was very insecure and believed that everyone around me was smarter and more successful than I was. I heavily depended on my social supports outside of my program and it took me an entire year to overcome these insecurities. In the end, I gradually allowed myself to open up to a few friends. I also realized that part of the reason why I had such a hard time is also because I never gave them a chance.

- Elieen

Networking, career, employmentMy senior thesis poster was the product of countless hours of work delving into a topic I was very interested in - protagonist psychology in fairy tales. Sharing the process and results with others by presenting it to judges and my peers was one of the most rewarding moments of undergrad.Part of discovering yourself is not knowing what you are looking for and learning about the different possibilities. At McMaster, I realized I wanted to combine my interests in music and psychology so I pursued a Music Cognition specialization. Don't be afraid to take chances. Alisha

I found the co-op experience to be really great. In my last term, I ended up finding an internship in California. Being able to go out, and see new things and experience a slightly different culture was really great (especially since I was getting paid).Daniel

Either you a) love your major, do extremely well in it, and network hard to ensure employment, or b) find a very, very employable subject to major in. Don't make my mistake of switching out of Math and into Philosophy without a plan for employment. Be very careful how these four years are spent, as they'll determine a very large part of the next 40. Talk to recent graduates and ask them questions (e.g. via LinkedIn). Enjoy your time in school, learn about yourself and make lifelong friends.Jamil

University will be a time when you get to explore new fields of interest, connect with life-long friends and meet amazing mentors! Be excited about the world of opportunity that awaits you! Realize that if you experience any type of challenge at university (person, academic, etc.), there is always someone to support you, whether that be university staff, or peers!Anonymous (McMaster 2022)

One of the challenges I experienced was adjusting to huge class sizes. In high school, with a class size of only 30 people, it is easy to connect with your teachers for help. In much larger university classes, I made the assumption that my professors were not as available for one-on-one help. However, this is definitely not the case! They love meeting with students one-on-one during office hours. Do not be afraid to reach out to them!


be receptive to feedback (without taking it personally) of professors and colleagues such as during group projects or assignments. that will help you discover your strengths and weaknesses.

- Abdullah

Do what you're really interested in! And if you think you're unqualified for something, apply anyways. If you're painfully shy like me, just pretend you're outgoing lol and as you get older you'll slowly get more used to putting yourself out there. It'll be worth it, I promise!


Socialize, don't be scared to approach your professors with questions, do some kind of physical activity every week, make a schedule, and plan ahead in terms of your courses as much as possible!

- Ammar

Time Management 101Definitely time management!! Since I lived away from my parents, everything became more independent, I had to cook, grocery shop and do many more chores by myself. It's very important to prioritize your time to fit in school related activities too, especially if you're involved in multiple clubs or teams! I was able to work past my struggles by having a set curfew and organize my activities through Google Calendar, so I would know when I have free time and when I am unavailable.


Finding that happy medium between working and taking breaks can be tricky, especially during busy times throughout the school year. I would say it is a constant process, and that it takes time to moderate yourself between knowing what you want to do and what you should do.


One challenge I experienced was adjusting to a new way of studying. The techniques I used in high school to be successful didn't work as well with the heavier content and higher expectations of university classes. I overcame this by trying new methods, such as using cue cards and reviewing concepts with friends. Everyone has different study techniques that work for their learning. If you find what you've done in the past isn't working as well anymore, reach out to classmates and see what they do to be successful. Try these new techniques and see if they work with your personal learning style.


My biggest recommendation would be to ensure that you are staying on top of your class readings and assignments, ensuring that you are eating healthy and exercising (to help make your study sessions more efficient), and to not be afraid to reach out to your teaching assistant (TA)s and upper year undergraduate students. I remember being very intimidated by my TAs, and was nervous to ask them questions. Remember that they are happy to help, and are there to support you - just remember to ask them for help earlier on, if possible! (rather than the night before an assignment is due). I've even had the chance to gain some experience relevant for my CV/resume, by getting involved with the Executive Board for the city!

- Jacqueline

Try your best to not overload yourself with work, whether it be school work, volunteering, or a job. Go at your own pace and follow your own path. Set realistic expectations and don’t get involved with something/someone if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Trust your gut, and be kind to yourself.

- Daniella

Homesickness

The loneliness for sure, and trying to fit in. I didn't know anyone coming into university since everyone from my high school went somewhere else, so it was really like starting over again. Which isn't a bad thing, but if you're an introvert like me, it can be tiring. I didn't get used to university life/campus until around late October or early November, but I think you just have to power through the feeling. All I have to say is, it gets better!

- Izzy

Missing my family and friends - I overcame this by meeting lots of new friends and make sure I had lots of scheduled home visits throughout the year.


You might feel alone sometimes, and think that no one understands where you are. Whether it be your social life, academic life, home life, know that there was someone else just like you who's been there before. And they're not there now. You'll get through it, and you'll be another person who's overcome those hardships

- Lan

for first year, being away from home and living on residence was tough at the beginning. i suggest keeping in touch with family such as through FaceTime. and if you feel like going back home during the weekend, go for it and that break will be really useful for your mental health and wellbeing :)

- Abdullah

Adulting and Autonomy

The autonomy - for the first time in my life I was in charge of my studying habits, eating habits, and work life balance. There's no perfect advice for getting the hang of it as each person develops these skills on their own, but one tip that universal to everyone is knowing its OK to ask for help. Whether that be a professor or a friend or for me - an upper year mentor that has become one of closest friends today; these are all people you can ask for help and don't hesitate to!

- Anonymous

3 am blues

During first year me and my friends went into the soccer field, it was 1 am in the morning. We were just playing tag and running around the field like we were kids and listening the music while dancing with each other. Then we laid down and watched the stars.

- McMaster 2023

From a group project:

We stayed up until two in the morning it was due, editing to bring our paper to the word count, while other first years went to the first formal of the year; it's funny because we're in our pajamas while everyone else wore high heels and full-length dresses. When we got our essay to the word count, one of my group members screamed and ran circles around the common room until she tripped over a cable, faceplanted, and then kept screaming in triumph.

- Anonymous

IDENTI

TY an

d FAIT

HMy life changed the most and I developed the strongest community of friends when I started taking my faith more seriously. Would highly recommend attending a local church with university students or a campus ministry :)

- Erin

Words of CautionNear test/exam season, try to log out of any entertainment apps on your phone and laptop. When I'm studying, I also either put my phone in my bag or put it somewhere out of my line of sight, on do not disturb mode. Also, unless you're an early bird, don't register for more than one 8:30/9:30 class, you'll end up regretting it. Also, make sure to do all the questions your professor assigns you, it'll actually help you in your midterms and finals.


Don't compare yourself to other people too much. Everyone is running their own race and you never know what other people have going on. Also, focus all your energy on ECs and activities that you really enjoy and aren't just doing for the CV. Not only will you learn a lot more and enjoy yourself, but it may also open up doors to careers/life paths that you had been initially unaware of. (Also: HAVE FUN!)


Take time to go on walks around campus. go on a walk or bike around town. Take the time to know where the nearby amenities are. also scheduling is super important. stick with the schedule and have a routine. Also try to eat healthy and avoid junk food as much as you can. try to learn how to cook or find places that serve healthy meals. finally, try to be social and go out to as many events as you can without harming your studies.

- Abdullah (McMaster, C2019)

Comparison is the theft of joy. Do your best and focus on what you can achieve. There will be people better than you, and there will be people worse than you. Don't focus on that, and instead focus on being the best you can be and helping others around you!

- Anonymous (U of Waterloo c2020)

To university and beyond!

Even after undergrad, I still feel like there is a lot to learn, and a lot of time to grow. I'm still continuing to find myself as an individual. So remember, the future is bright, and it's there for you to take!

- Karen

First year is a learning experience for many students. Most of my friends did significantly worse in first and second year than third and fourth. However everyone I know were still successful in whatever they wanted to pursue post undergrad

- McKenzie

Last..Words

Although many schools may be transitioning to online studies, try to search and see if the program at your school has a facebook group that you can join or get in contact with classmates! You are all going through a shared experience and it is important to stay social and support each other. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there even though it can be scary at times.


Get close with your roommates BELIEVE ME! You’ll thank me later. It also helps saying hi or smiling at the person beside you at your lectures on the first week.


Really try to get to know people, you belong in the program you worked so hard to get into, and cherish each moment. University will be some of the best and most challenging times of your life and it is hard to see that in the moment, but you'll one day look back and really long to relive those moments.

- Al

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