If there was one genuine piece of advice...

So fresher’s week is well underway and I thought it’d be good to create a thread for those students starting or returning back to University.
University is a step up from A-Levels not only in terms of studying but also in one’s independence. Thus many students look forward to university, but once in the thick of it, it can be a shock to the system. Some may find difficulties in getting up to speed with the work ethic others with the social aspects (or both).

So...

If there was one genuine piece of advice you could give to a person starting Uni/in their 2^nd/or in their 3^rd year...what would it be (and why - if personal experience)?

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 1

King Max

Don't go in expecting to get laid.
Don't go in expecting EVERYONE to like you.
Don't pretend to be someone you're not. If you don't enjoy drugs, (heavy) drinking or smoking, don't partake to be "cool".
DO talk to your neighbours.
Don't be other people's slave - they can do their own laundry, no matter how hot they are!
Don't get TOO attached to the people you meet in the first week. Unless you all feel very connected, chances are you'll drift off within the next month or so.
DO have fun and study in equal measure.
DO be respectful of others beliefs.
Don't get drunk and get stupid stuff tattooed on your butt. Alcohol makes your blood thinner so you'll bleed more. Also, no respectful tattooist will work on a drunk person, so that leaves you with the guy who blagged his way to getting a certificate and "forgets" to sterilize his equipment.
DO ask your professors if you have questions and/or find a particular topic difficult. For one thing, ITS THEIR JOB.
Don't feel obliged to go out if you're bogged down with work. Certain subjects have a lot more extra reading or essays than others.
Don't make an ass of yourself at freshers. Everyone will remember and laugh at the guy who danced around campus naked singing Let it go, but not for the right reasons. Try not to be that guy.
Don't try and be the class clown. It wasn't funny in year 9, and it CERTAINLY won't be funny now.

Reply 2

DiddyDec01

Work hard, play even harder.

Reply 3

RadioHawk

Don't start watching a new TV series when exams hit...
2 years in a row, never learned

Reply 4

bubadeeboop

Avoid relationship drama, seriously if it's drawn out constant drama and its effecting your studies then IT'S NOT WORTH IT it will be better for both parties to terminate the relationship, especially during exams.

Reply 5

Cate1976

Time management, get the study socialising balance right. If you've got work to do, don't let others distract you. The big jump in how hard work is isn't from A Level/BTEC level to first year, but from 1st year to 2nd year in my experience last time I was at uni. I failed my final year for various reasons, better time management might have meant having enough credits left to resit the modules I failed.

Reply 6

cole-slaw

Its the best time of your life, the most opportunities in your life, so don't spend it sitting in your underpants playing computer games like a ****ing loser.

Reply 7

Tom78

Try and experience lots of things, there will be massive highs and lows but it will be probably the biggest learning curve of your life so far. Have fun and balance work and play and yeah don't be a hermit.