Uni tips & advice!

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Reply 1

Lancaster Student Ambassador

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15

Original post by hcyune

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Hey @hcyune

I currently study biochemistry at university but I did 7 chemistry modules in year 1 so can offer some advice, however the course will vary depending on university.

If possible, learn to make full, neat, lecture notes in the lecture so you don't have to make them in your free time.

Pay attention in workshops, the lecturer will not have time to explain formulas and concepts fully in lectures and in my experience some lectures would make very little sense until I'd done the related workshop. The questions we worked through in these workshops were incredibly similar to the questions in coursework and exams, so writing thorough notes and asking lots of questions is really helpful.

Don't stress too much about practicals. Be sensible, don't endanger others, and respect the lab staff, but don't panic if something accidently goes wrong - it happens to everyone!

I hope I could help!
Rebecca :smile:

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 2

University of Kent Reps

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Original post by hcyune

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Hi,
Whilst I am not studying chemistry I can give you some general advice :smile:

Firstly, try to keep on top of your work, missing even one lecture or reading ect. can put you behind a lot and start habits of you missing out on good opportunities to learn.
Secondly, try to socialise as much as you can, especially during your first week as during freshers week is when everyone is out and looking for friendships.
Next, don't get carried away with spending as the your loan will disappear quicker than you think, try to budget your money and be strict with it as once you start to get lenient you'll keep dipping into your spending.
Also, try to balance your work with your free time as you can burn out quickly if you don't manage this, take time to spend with friends, go out and live the full university experience! (of course while working hard)
Finally, when you arrive you may feel lonely or home sick (if you are staying in the university accommodation), to manage this you can decorate you room to make it feel like home and interact with your flatmates so you are comfortable straying there.
Hope this helps!
-Malek
University of Kent Rep

Reply 3

alishaadjei

4

definitely join societies and make sure you balance your time well, well done for making it this far and achieving thissss, good luck with your exams!

Reply 4

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

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Original post by hcyune

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Hello @hcyune

I hope you're well. I am now in my 4th and final year of university! I would say to make the most out of your university experience have a good work-life balance. Make friends and go out with them doing fun activities, explore the city of your university, join societies and make friends there! Any hobbies you currently have there make sure to be able to do that whilst you're studying at university because it is easy to forget about things you enjoy doing when you do university sometimes. If an internship would benefit your future career I would say go for it! :smile:

Best of luck
Jade :smile:

Cov Uni Student Ambassador

Reply 5

Jh2204

1

Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. I am a current first year imperial chemist and all of my lectures this year have been online recordings from 3+ years ago. I knew nothing about this before I started and do not know if it will be different next year or not. I would recommend asking the admissions team if they can provide more information as it would have changed my decision to come here if I had known

Original post by hcyune

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Hey there @hcyune !
I currently study in second year at Sheffield Hallam. I'd consider myself someone who was very passive when I started university in the sense that I wanted everything to come to me rather than me going out and doing things for myself. This is something that I'd definitely do differently if I went back now as most people have that exact same mindset and then you get absolutely no where. When I first started I went to the sports societies fair and because I'm not majorly into team sports, it was a quick decision for me not to bother. Looking back I should have looked at what non-sports related societies there were on offer because it's not an exaggeration to say that societies are the best way you'll make friends at university. I'd say pick more than one you're going to at least have a go at and then whittle it down once you've tried them all out because even if you don't stay, you'll at least have met the people there and it's a good starting point.

One other thing I wish I'd taken seriously was the importance of work experience. It's always subtly mentioned but at university level it's something you have to take into your own hands and sort out. Now, nearly going into third year I've secured a placement year but feel this isn't something that's stressed to students enough as it is important in this day and age where experience is a good advantage to have on your application. Even if it starts off as unpaid work experience alongside your studies, it's always something good to have in your back pocket.

I have just recently started taking more advantage of the facilities that the university offers. It's a common misconception that the 9k a year only goes on your teaching time but it also pays for everything that comes with it. I've started using the library more as a start but from now on I want to take advantage of other things such as the empty classrooms to study in in my free time, the careers advisors and placement officers that are available and the thing you don't even think of like printing. At the end of the day you're paying for everything so everyone is there to help you. I also would advise you to do the set reading, sometimes in first year i didn't bother but it did make things more difficult when it came to completing the assessments.

Hope this helped! Let me know if you have any more questions.
Lucy - Digital Student Ambassador SHU

Reply 7

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

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Original post by hcyune

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Hello hcyune,

Greeting! Hope you are doing well.

To make the most of your time in College, start engaging in clubs and societies, attend networking events to meet more people, make sure you are open-minded to opinions, and be a good listener. The best way to know about any school is to be a part of a social group through any social media platform.

College is a huge experience in it itself. Don't forget to have lots of fun and make lots of memories.

Warm Regards,
Megha Sharma
Student Ambassador
MSc Business Analytics
Coventry University

Reply 8

logan234566

1

Original post by hcyune

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Congratulations on starting your undergrad at Imperial. I'm a student at the London Interdisciplinary school so I can offer some general advice on making the most of university especially in London.

Firstly ake advantage of all the resources available to you: universities have so many resources available to students, including academic support services, career services, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities. Be sure to make use of these resources to help you grow and succeed academically and personally.
Get involved in societies and clubs: Joining a society or club can help you meet new people, develop different friend groups from the get go, develop new skills, and explore your interests. These are the years of your life where you are supposed to go out and explore and societies make that an easier journey
Thinking ahead for your career but also as chance for you to apply what you've been learning through-out the year and get a taste of what might be waiting for you after university, seek out internships and work experience: Practical work experience is highly valued by employers. Look for opportunities to gain work experience through internships, co-op programs, or part-time jobs.
Make connections with your professors and peers: Building relationships with your professors and peers can be beneficial in many ways, from getting academic support and career advice to making new friends and networking for future opportunities.
Take care of yourself. University can be challenging, both academically and personally, so it's important to take care of yourself. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and seeking support if you need it.
Make the most of being in London, explore the city,meet new people, enjoy the exposure to diverse cultures.

A lot of the value of being at university is derived from the things that are available to you but you need to make the first step towards taking advantage of. Don't be scared to grab all everything by the horns and give as many things as you can a try. You never know what you might like

Reply 9

De Montfort University

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Original post by hcyune

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Hi,

Hopefully you meet the conditions to get into your University of choice. I have been at University for almost 3 years now and I have really had an amazing time. I study Psychology and I have found my course very interesting and got involved with lots of different things.

If there was something I wish that I done, that would of been to join a sports society, I am already part of the psychology society and we have done lots of fun events like a murder mystery party and going to mini golf and bowling which are really good ways of getting out and socialising with different people. But if I joined a sports society, I could of been more active for a start of but also had the chance to get involved in competitions with other Universities and meet even more new people. I did want to join the cheerleading society but I never got round to it! I also wanted to try pole fitness.

Another good way to make the most out of your experience is to consider being a student ambassador, because you get to help out on lots of different events and develop on your communication skills. I became one in my final year and as a result of it my confidence is so much higher and I have had lots of different experiences, for example helping out at a UK University search event, going to a school and delivering a Psychology talk. I have really come far as a person this year! I have also met some really lovely people who I will carry on talking to after I finish University at the end of may.

One of the best things to do, if you do attend University in September do as many fresher activities as you can because this is a great way of building connections with people at Uni to see if you make some friends before starting your course. DMU had lots of different things going on such as the society fair which gives you the opportunity to join a society and meet people through that, also we had a movie on our big screen on campus and they played Shrek 2 which seemed really fun! So if your chosen university has those kind of events, definitely attend them.

Of course there is also the academic side of things. My advice to you would be to definitely keep on top of your work because the reality is that it can be challenging at times. Keep your notes organised too, it makes it a lot easier for you when working on assignments and possibly revising for exams.

I hope this has helped and best wishes for your future,
Tianna :smile:

Original post by hcyune

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Hello, I am a nursing student and can help even though I am not studying Chemistry. I have made the most of my time by throwing myself into every opportunity I can do. University is a great way to meet and learn from other students on other courses as well as the course you are studying. I attended freshers' week to find out about the different clubs and societies that were open to me.

Get to know the library and the library team, they are great when it comes to assignments and assistance with study skills and referencing. Explore your campus and find the areas where you will meet others, can study quietly, or relax with your friends. Some students will stick to their subject areas but I find exploring other subjects inspiring, for example, I walked through the art area on campus and was inspired by other students' work.

I have found work through the university and this has enabled me to learn new skills and experiences for my future CV.

When in a lecture never be afraid to ask if you need further understanding as there will be someone else with the same questions as you. Prepare for your lectures and explore the topics as I find I get more out of the lectures this way. Stay in touch regularly with your personal tutor they are a great source of knowledge and help.

Lastly, enjoy university and embrace the challenges as time flies by when you are there :-)

Reply 11

Manchester Met - Student Rep

Official Rep

15

Original post by hcyune

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Hi @hcyune [br] i don’t study chemistry however I have some general tips for making the most of uni !!
1. Go to any or every society you even have the slightest interest in. Uni is the place to explore new passions, re spark old passions and you can do it cheaper by using societies at uni ! Also societies mean you meet so many new people with similar interests. It gives people an excuse to mingle due to the socials so is a fab idea to get stuck into.

2. Don’t worry if you don’t like your flat mates! Some people love their flat mates, some people not so much . DO NOT WORRY if you don’t :smile:

I think lots of students go in with the intention of being really close and having a little squad in their accommodation. This sometimes is the case BUT this is defo ok if it’s not ! There’s lots of other lovely people out there.

3. libraries are a life saver. They are amazing, ours at Manchester met are 24/7 and a very good place to get stuck into work in. At uni it’s a brilliant idea to get to grips with the library and being comfortable to focus in there.

4. personal one, always bring a hot drink to lectures ( if it’s ur thing) having a flask at uni is a life saver I love it :smile:

It helps so much on those cold 9am mornings!

those are just a few hope they help

Emily <3

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 12

University of Huddersfield Student Rep

Official Rep

14

Original post by hcyune

I'm starting an undergrad in Chemistry at Imperial this September (if I meet the conditions) and for 9k a year, I'd like to know how to make the most out of my time there.
Current students/graduates, what do you wish you had done during university? Any tips/advice on internships, societies, academics? Thanks!

Hi @hcyune

Like some others, although I am not a chemistry student I am able to give you some advice and tips for university!

Try and keep on track with your lectures, try not to become behind on them as it can be quite overwhelming and stressful trying to catch up. To help keep up to date with the lectures you could try and make some of your notes prior to the lectures and anything extra mentioned by the lecturers in the lecture. That will give you free time at the end of the day to start preparing for any workshops and exams.

This leads on to another piece of advice, try to start learning content as soon as possible. I completely understand that it is hard to remember things, however, if you are taught a lot of content it would be best to start as early as possible. That way, you are not cramming near exam season. Also, it will allow you to regurgitate the content and have a better understanding which may help you feel calmer.
Make sure you have a good revision technique as well which would you help retain the content, some are examples are flashcards, mind maps and posters!

You could also, like others have mentioned join a society! This may help with having a healthy work-life balance and also help with making friends and taking part in activities and hobbies you are interested in.

I hope this has been of some help!
Please don't hesitate to ask any questions :smile:

Aaliya ~ 4th year pharmacy student ~ University of Huddersfield

Reply 13

Jh2204

1

Hi @hcyune, I just wanted to let you know that I have seen the message you sent me but I cant reply because I haven't been active for long enough on here or something. If you want to send me one of your socials I can message you on a different platform, or if you just want to use this forum page thats fine I just won't talk about personal things as much. Completely up to you so just send me another message if you want.

Uni tips & advice!

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