Chelsea Sketchbook Stories

I Messed up. Semester-long depression

I wish someone had tattooed on my forehead when I was in Tim Hortons eating my muffin right after my flight from Chicago. Don’t waste your time like I did. College is hyped as the best time of your life, but no one warns you about how easy it is to waste your potential

Adjust to your new environment before it adjusts you. I walked onto campus acting like I didn’t need to settle in. I ignored the importance of exploring, meeting people, or even finding where the library was. This left me feeling disoriented and out of place for months. Don’t do this—spend the first week getting comfortable, asking questions, and actually learning your surroundings.

I used to shrug off assignments like they were optional appetizers. “Losing 3-4% here and there won’t kill me,” I thought. But skipping assignments killed my confidence and rhythm. Turns out, completing small tasks builds momentum and makes the bigger challenges easier. Don’t be lazy; every point matters.

Pulling all-nighters for exams made me feel like a warrior—until I saw my grades and the brain fog that followed. Trying to learn a semester’s worth of material in one night is stupid.

Asian students are the unsung geniuses of campus. They’re disciplined, efficient, and often incredibly generous with their help. Befriending them will improve not only your academics but also your perspective on hard work. Surround yourself with smart, inspiring people—it’s contagious.