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Any tips for first years for uni?

Im going university this year does anyone have any tip. Im a guy who is 20 and im going to be moving out aswell.

Ask for help if and when you need it.

Try to keep up with the reading.

Work as much as you need to, party as much as you have time for. Try to keep the balance.

Try new things and sign up for stuff you mightn't have done before.

Reply 2

Anonymous #2

If you are moving into uni accom sit and eat in the kitchen and ask to play card games and stuff in the kitchen or dining area eith your flatmates, especially during the first week, even if you feel uncomfortable to.

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

Original post by Anonymous

To socailise more with my flatmates and stuff?

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

Original post by gjd800

Yeah sounds about right.
What kinda of things can i sign up for?

Reply 5

Anonymous #3

Original post by Anonymous

Im going university this year does anyone have any tip. Im a guy who is 20 and im going to be moving out aswell.

Also looking for tips as I'm starting uni this year too. What subject you studying?

Reply 6

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Im going university this year does anyone have any tip. Im a guy who is 20 and im going to be moving out aswell.

Hey there!
If I had to give my three top tips for university, they would be:

1: Make the most of every opportunity! Uni is one of the best places and times to try new things. For example, I started playing rugby and have enjoyed it so much I have found a team to play for after uni!

2: Actually make an effort to stay on top of your work. Especially in the first few weeks of term it can be easy to think 'I'll do it tomorrow' but it soon builds up.

3: Everyone who starts wants to make friends! Don't be scared to try and socialise with everyone. Even if you don't find your group straight away there are so many people to meet at uni.

Hope that helps,

Kat

Reply 7

University of Kent Reps

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Im going university this year does anyone have any tip. Im a guy who is 20 and im going to be moving out aswell.

Hi there

Here are some of my general top tips for starting uni:

- Make the most of freshers week. Try and attend the day events like the freshers fair not just the evening ones as you will likely find that this is when you bond the most with other people. Keen an eye out on your unis socials to see when they announce the freshers timetable and be open to trying new activities
- On a similar note, I would recommend joining a society as this can be a great way to develop a skill and meet likeminded people. I waited until my final year to join a society and I wish I had done so sooner. There are usually hundreds to choose from so its definitely worth picking a few and attending some of the taster sessions at the start of the year (even if its just to meet people)
- Home sickness - This isn't to say that you will or wont feel a certain way but you are moving away from home and this can be extremely daunting. Remember that it is completely normal for it to take some time to settle in. Everyone around you will be going through a similar experience so talk to them if you ever feel like you are struggling or just need a chat.
- In terms on your room - Make the most of storage. Not all rooms have a lot of storage so it's up to you to be clever with it. I bought a set of plastic drawers that could slot under my desk. This extra bit of storage really made all the difference. Don't worry too much about buying lots of decorations and nic nacs for your room straight away as you will likely accumulate things throughout the year. Just bring a few things that make your room feel homely e.g. some LEDs or photos from home
- It will also take time to get on top of your uni work so try and keep as organised as you can as early as possible. It is perfectly normal to have no idea what you are doing at the start but try and stay on top of your work. It can be easy to say i'll just do it tomorrow but uni work can really creep up on you suddenly. If you every start to feel burnt out then make sure to take some time away from working and do something that you enjoy or find relaxing e.g. go on a walk, play a sport, watch a film etc

Hope this helps a bit. If you have any specific questions then let me know!

Best of luck

Joanna
-Uni of Kent Rep

Reply 8

ARUStudents

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Im going university this year does anyone have any tip. Im a guy who is 20 and im going to be moving out aswell.

Hiya,

Good question that probably has a lot of answers!

I didn’t move out for uni but I know there will be a fair amount of shopping for things that you will need. Hopefully some one on here can help you with that!

I personally would suggest, going to your welcome week and getting involved. It’s great fun way to start university and to makes some new friends. I’d also have a look at some of the societies and join any that you feel you’ll enjoy.

I wouldn’t worry too much about buying books just yet. At ARU we have an awesome library on campus and online. I’m sure the uni you’re going to will offer the same and your lectures should provide a reading list for each term.

If you don’t already have one, I’d suggest getting a diary. It’s a great way to keep on top of your studies and assignments.

Make sure you have some weekends booked to come home. Although I didn’t move for uni, I moved away from home at 18 and although it’s great to have independence and start a new life I did miss my family and friends. Having some weekends booked in to see everyone and enjoy home comforts helped with any home sickness I had.

Definitely don’t spend the next few months worrying! Enjoy your free time before you start. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure of anything before you start either. This will help to settle any anxiety you might have.

I hope this helps! Good luck on your exciting new journey. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

Sophie (ARU) :smile:

Reply 9

FayeYSJ

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Im going university this year does anyone have any tip. Im a guy who is 20 and im going to be moving out aswell.

Hi!
I would say the best advice I received for starting uni was to get involved with as much as possible, it's a great way to meet people. During freshers week there will be loads of events you can attend (not all related to drinking and clubbing, although there is plenty of opportunity for this). There will also be many societies you can get involved with, you will be able to find out about these during freshers week.
Hope this helps! Faye :smile:

Reply 10

Anonymous #2

Original post by Anonymous

To socailise more with my flatmates and stuff?

yh
the key is in the first few weeks. if you don't get on with them don't ask them later on

Reply 11

University of Huddersfield

Official Rep

Anon,

It will take time to get used to your timetable, where everything is, who your lecturers are and the work you are expected to do in between lectures and seminars. Be prepared to identify gaps in your own knowledge and to do the necessary work between lectures and seminars – don't expect lecturers to always tell you what extra reading you should do. Read slides ahead of lectures.

Be familiar with your modules and how you are going to be assessed. The first year generally does not count but you will need to pass and its the foundation for the second year when it is a step up in terms of work and learning. Pay attention in class, ask questions (the rest of the class most probably wants to ask the same thing) and go over anything you are unclear on. There might be some things that are a bit confusing, but try to be clear on the main things.

Don't be self-conscious about your age. There will likely be other people who have taken a gap year, have a late birthday or who have chosen to go to uni later on or who are doing a second degree. Make the most of the opportunity to get to know new people: attend university events, societies and socials.

Budget. It is easy to just spend, spend, spend and to quickly loose track of how much you are spending. You might have to spend a lot during the first few weeks as you buy additional stuff that you need, as you make the most of student deals and book tickets to travel home in a few weeks' time, but try to keep an eye out on your financial outgoings and ways you can reduce your spending e.g. eating cereal or toast for breakfast instead of buying a fry-up.

Hope that helps,

Oluwatosin – 2nd year student – University of Huddersfield

Reply 12

WrexhamUniReps

Official Rep

Hey!
My top tips would be to make the most out of freshers week, to get to know your surroundings and to make new friends.
To get to know your timetable and make a plan of your week ahead to be as organised as possible.
To go to lectures prepared!
Not to worry - nerves are normal and everyone will be feeling the same!
But to also enjoy yourself, make time to socialise and do fun things :smile:

Sophie
WrexhamUniReps

Reply 13

Yipiyap_Brooke

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous #1

Im going university this year does anyone have any tip. Im a guy who is 20 and im going to be moving out aswell.

Hi!

Well done for getting in, I hope you're looking forward to uni!

1) Look up what you'll need to take, as you'll be moving out from home. Pots and pans, towells, bedding, hangers, winter clothes... Tiktok will have lots of videos on essentials on things you might forget to take! I know for me the most useful thing was slippers/crocs to wear around my halls! Don't forget photos of family/friends and posters to put up, anything to make your space feel more like home 🙂

2) Join a society! Be open minded to a hobby/sport you've not experienced before, and just follow where the nice people are! I set off to a society fair with art club in mind and ended up at rock climbing because they seemed like my sort of people!

3) Learn some easy recipes before you go! No ones expecting you to be Gordon Ramsey in the kitchen, but knowing your way around how to rustle up some pasta or a lasagne or salad will go a long way!

Have fun and if you have any more questions I'd love to help!

Reply 14

UCLan Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous #1

Im going university this year does anyone have any tip. Im a guy who is 20 and im going to be moving out aswell.

Hey! 👋

Amazing to hear that you are going to be starting university! What course are you studying?

I thought I'd share some of my tips on here for those who are looking to start university.

•

Get involved with as much as possible, go along to welcome week join in with events that are on, try something new, this is the best way for you to meet new people. Hang out in social spaces and common rooms to make friends

•

Feeling homesick is completely normal and don't feel bad about needing to go home on weekends to see loved ones

•

Don't worry if you feel like you haven't made many friends within the first couple of months, there's plenty of time and opportunities to find your people

•

Try to stay on top of deadlines early on, set yourself small targets across the week and make sure to have breaks in-between studying

•

Get to know the area you will be living in, go for walks and explore local shops and cafes, invite friends to meet up in the local town

•

Create a monthly budget. It's important once you know your monthly income to deduct your essential expenses (rent, travel, bills), this will leave you with how much money you've got to spend on non-essential things.

Hope this helps and best wishes on your new adventure, 😊
Sarah

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 15

University of Sunderland Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous #3

Also looking for tips as I'm starting uni this year too. What subject you studying?

Hello there,
First and foremost, congratulations on your forthcoming university studies! It's an exciting period, full of new experiences and opportunity for personal and intellectual development. As a fellow second-year film Production student, I'm here to offer you some advice and insights to help you make the transition easier.
Moving out and starting university can feel like a big move, but it's also an excellent opportunity to test your independence and learn new things about yourself. Here are a few pointers that may be useful as it helped me in my first year. Before you move, ensure your items are organized and packed properly. Label boxes, prioritize basics, and don't forget to add some personal touches to make your new place seem like home.
A university is a melting pot of people with different backgrounds and ideas. Take advantage of orientation activities, club fairs, and social gatherings to make new acquaintances and contacts. Do not be scared to move beyond your comfort zone and engage in conversations with your peers. Balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and personal life can be difficult but doable with proper time management skills. Invest in a planner or digital calendar to keep organized, prioritize work, and set aside time for studying, socializing, and self-care.
University provides numerous opportunities to pursue your passions and interests outside of the classroom. Whether it's joining a sports team, joining a student group, or attending campus activities, don't be afraid to try new things and find out what works for you. Adjusting to university life can be difficult at times, and it is acceptable to seek assistance when needed. If you are having difficulty or feeling overwhelmed, contact your academic advisor, student support services, or counseling facility. Remember that you are not alone, and there are tools available to help you thrive.
Above all, remember to appreciate the journey and the opportunity to study and grow in this lively academic environment. If you have any questions or need support along the process, please free contact. We are here to support you and make your academic experience memorable.
Best wishes as you embark on this great trip!
I hope this is helpful.
Kind regards,
Mrunali Kalbhor,
University of Sunderland Student ambassador