University of British Columbia

Transferring to UBC was the best move for me. The campus is huge and packed with opportunities—academically and socially. I've made friends easily through clubs and events, and being close to home means I can visit family on long weekends. I've learned to say yes to new experiences, and it's helped me grow. If you're on the fence, go for it; time flies in such a vibrant place.

In my first year, I had to rush between classes. It's definitely doable if you fast-walk and even sprint a bit. I also recommend sitting in the back of the classroom so you can leave quickly and save time.

I found that for one of my courses, you really need the textbook because pre-reading is required and the book covers much more detail than the lectures. It helped a lot with studying and understanding the material. For another chemistry course, there was an optional online textbook, but I don't think many people used it. It's up to you when you start the course.

I had a scary experience on campus recently. I was driving through an intersection with a green light, turning left, when a cyclist blew through a red light right in front of my car. I bike myself, so I get that stopping takes effort, but on a low-speed road like that, a less careful driver could have hit them. It's a real safety issue here.

It's an online class and I still haven't received any instructions or course materials. No emails, no updates—just silence. I guess I'll have to track down the professor's email and ask for info myself. Not the best start.