The Student Room Group

Tips for incoming student’s how to have a great student life.

I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.
Hey!

Think this is a great idea so just wanted to add a couple things :smile:




- Don't be afraid to talk to people on your course/in your halls (especially in the first few weeks/months of first year): everyone is in the same boat and is just as keen to make friends as you, some people are just more shy than others!

- If you live in halls, try not to shut yourself away all day/all night: try to spend as much time as possible in communal areas or make little plans with individual or a few flatmates (even if it's just a couple of you watching a film one evening) - this will help with bonding and loneliness!

- Enjoy your alone time when you do have it: it will likely be the first time living alone for most people, so treat your alone time as precious self-care time and try to enjoy it so you don't feel too down when you are alone - maybe go for a little walk every morning or something! Understand that it's okay to feel a bit homesick/lonely, but try to frame your alone time in a more positive light to minimise these feelings.


Also in terms of actual work...

- Keep a big to-do list: I used (and still use!) a website called Todoist where you can create different lists for each topic - put all of your assignments on there and their due dates so you are always on top of things and never miss a deadline!

- Split big assignments into small tasks: I have always found starting assignments very overwhelming - try to split up each assignment in to very small tasks (e.g. reading in a certain area one day, another area another day, planning your essay, writing one paragraph at a time .etc) - this helps it seem much less stressful when trying to get going!


Best of luck with everything to all incoming/future uni students!

Natalie
University of Kent Student Rep (2nd year PhD Psychology)
Hello,

My name is Haya and I am a final year medical student at UCLan.

University is a very exciting time! My biggest tips would be the following:

Financial:

Download Unidays and Student Beans to discover discounts

Buy a railcard if you travel !

Download a budgeting app


Educational:

Use an online organiser/ database like Notion (that you can open on different devices)

Check academic writing services in Uni (helpful for assignments)

If you like to write notes, it might be helpful to purchase an IPad to annotate the lecture powerpoints.


Social:

Hang out in social spaces and common rooms to make friends

Join societies & Facebook groups


Best of Luck,
Haya - MBBS 5
Original post by Anonymous
I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.

Hiya!

This sounds like a great idea, and I am loving the suggestions so far, they are definitely useful to new and even current students! The best advice I always give out is you get as much out of university as you put in so don't be afraid to put yourself out there because the outcomes can be amazing!

Social Tips

For me the best thing I have done is get a job with the university. I am a student ambassador for the university and it's an incredible rewarding job which has helped me develop as a student here. The job offers flexible shifts so I can earn whilst studying, a chance to develop new and valuable skills, and I also get to network with current students, staff and even companies.

It's okay to feel a bit lonely the odd day at university it happens to all of us - treat it as a time to have a self-care day and just enjoy your own company, prioritise your own wellbeing and not to be too disheartened as we are all individuals who all have different lives with lots of stuff going on. Just to be sure on days like these you do try and get out of the house/ accommodation, so you are not stuck inside all day, even if that's just a short walk or doing the food shop and if you feel like it happens too often then you can always speak to well-being teams at the university which can support you.

To meet new people as already suggested above do join societies / sports teams, talk to people on your course and accommodations. One thing I would suggest is looking at Facebook groups for universities and try to find people within that sometimes people will say what course they do/ and what accommodation they are staying in perhaps this way you can meet potential classmates or people that live in the same accommodation as yourself.

See what events are happening on campus and don’t be afraid to go alone as there is a good chance you will meet others there and you can socialise with new people. Universities will always try and plan events for the students to enjoy themselves as well as meet others so have a look at what’s happening on campus at your student union.

Education

Dealing with deadlines for assessments can be stressful and overwhelming. For myself I set mini deadlines so I try and stay ahead each week, you can also split the task up so you can do a piece every day and give yourself a break after it has been completed.

Attendance. I know we are all adults here and it isn’t secondary school but attendance is still important especially when you are paying to attend university so do try and attend all your lectures (if it can be helped) because If you start telling yourself that you don’t fancy this one today or don’t want to get up for a 9am lecture you will fall into bad habits, miss information and feel overwhelmed when facing assessments.

General

Keep a diary / and a to do list. Having it written down gives you a better chance to remember what is happening on that day and allows yourself to become more organised. You don’t want to double book yourself but also make sure there is time to meet deadlines and not to miss any lectures.

Student discount, as a university student you will be entitled to this so download free apps such as Unidays and Student beans to find out what discounts you are entitled to! One I forgot myself for almost a whole year was Spotify! Every little helps.

Learn life skills if you haven't done so already! Know how to use certain household appliances, learn at least the basics for cooking and a few meals, know how to do a food-shop and how to do laundry. Honestly these seem obvious but not everyone knows them and they really help in the first few weeks. But I also recommend learning these incase you feel too embarrassed to ask flatmates and I also felt more pre-pared and happy that I learnt these in advance before moving out as overall I think it made me less stressed and overwhelmed by these new adult responsibilities.

Hope this helps - let us know how you are getting on!

-Maddie, second year health and well-being student at De Montfort University
(edited 5 months ago)
Original post by Anonymous
I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.

Hi,

This is a great idea!

Here are my top tips for incoming students as a final year student in London

Budget from day 1! Work out how much you can safely allocate yourself weekly once you have incorporated your SFE and for health students NHS LSF. Ensure that you have enough money to keep you going for the entire year while eating well and looking after yourself both physically and mentally.

Stay on top of your studies from the start. Do the blended learning before and post lectures. Do a study timetable and stick to it to ensure you don't fall behind

Make time for socialising with friends. Studies are important but you want to remember your university days for more than just your studying. Enjoy the nights out, society get together and breakfast dates with friends and family

Meal prep if possible - This tip is especially relevant for those of us on healthcare courses that undertake placements. Meal prepping means that you can allow yourself to have healthy, nourishing meals that will help you get through those long, placement and university days.


I hope this helps some future students as they embark on their university journey!

Mary
London South Bank University Student Rep (3rd-year Children's Nursing)
Reply 5
Original post by Anonymous #1
I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.

Welcome to the exciting journey of student life! Firstly, embrace the opportunity to meet new people and build connections. Join clubs, attend events, and engage in activities that align with your interests; friendships formed during college often become lifelong bonds. Secondly, find a healthy balance between academics and personal life. Effective time management is key; create a schedule that allows for focused study sessions, but also make time for relaxation and socializing. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, explore new subjects, and discover passions you never knew you had. Lastly, seek support when needed, whether it's from professors, classmates, or campus resources. College is a transformative period, so savor every moment, learn, grow, and enjoy the unique experience that student life has to offer!
Original post by Anonymous #1
I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.

Hey!

This is a great idea! There are so many tips I could give to incoming students, but here are a few key ones:

It is really important to come to university with a good game plan for your finances as this is often an exciting time where you'd love to try everything and end up spending a lot. I personally use Excel to track my spending, but there are loads of great budgeting tools out there. Also, be sure to do research on the discounts you can get as a student (Unidays, Student Beans, a railcard) and don't be afraid to ask if a place offers a student discount!

While it is important to be comfortable with spending time alone and to enjoy your independence, it is equally as important to be social. Talk to people in your halls, on your course, and at events. Join a sport or society, get a part-time job, or find volunteering opportunities. Put yourself out there as much as you can - university is a great place to do this!

In terms of academics, I think it is really important to keep a good planner/to-do list to keep on top of your schedule. Writing out each assignment and it's due date will help you to stay on track, and you can then plan out your days with other things you need to get done and enjoy doing. This makes university (and life in general) so much less stressful!

Best of luck!
Isabella 🙂
Original post by Anonymous #1
I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.

Hi,

What a great idea, here are a few tips when starting university 😊

Arrive with an open mind and don't be afraid to meet new people, remember almost every first-year student is in the same boat.

If you are living in student accomodation, make your room feel like home, bring some photos of family and friends, some cushions and other personal items to help make the place more comfortable

Create a budget, work out how much you need for your living expenses and how much is leftover for spending and saving

Shop at budget-friendly supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl or a local market in your area

Take part in freshers week, this will be the best way for you to meet new students when starting at university, there will be plenty of activities for you to get involved with


I hope this helps, best of luck 😊
Sarah
Fabulous idea!

I would say, join societies you are interested in! It is the easiest way to make friends who have similar interests to you and gives you something to do through the week if there are regular meetings.

Also, make sure not to do too much too quickly, its easy to get burned out and find the work too much- little and often is best!

Don't worry if you are finding the transition into uni really tricky, everyone does! It is a strange environment and everything changes really quickly, stick with it and it will become the best experience of your life


Ellen
Uni of Sunderland
Here are my top tips!

1.

Join societies, you may find a society that does something you already do, or to try something new. Don't be afraid to try something new even if its a sport you've never even considered before. University is a great opportunity to explore new hobbies and make friends.

2.

Stay in touch with your friends from home but make sure you have time to meet new people and make the most of events at university too! Especially if you are moving far away.

3.

Take as many opportunities as you can, whether that's talks, taster sessions, placements, internships, part time jobs.. everything can help grow your skills and CV, as well as yourself as a person.

4.

Have fun!!!!!!!!!! University is a time to get a degree, but its also a time to find yourself and your own identity. Don't get so stuck into your work that you don't make time to socialise or have hobbies. There is time for everything!

-Kat (2nd year psychology student at Lancaster University)
Original post by Anonymous #1
I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.

Hey! These are great, so I thought I’d add my own piece!

1.

Don’t hermit.
It can be super tempting to go to your lectures and then immediately leave and go back into your accommodation, but if you’re looking for a fulfilling student life, I don’t think this is a productive approach, because you’re going to be missing out on lots of potential interaction opportunities. Especially because universities often hold events everyday, such as talks or introductions to cultural events etc. There’s so so much going on with so much opportunity to meet new people and talk to them 🙂

2.

Do your work ASAP.
A bit of a boring one, I know, but being on time with your work means you won’t find yourself having to spend all-nighters holed away trying to quickly finish your work.

Others here mentioned some really good tips so also have a look at those!

I hope these helped!

Estelle
Third Year Psychology
University of Huddersfield

Original post by Anonymous #1
I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.

Hello all,

I think this is a lovely idea so I'll make some suggestions too...

Tip One: look into part time jobs you may be able to get alongside your studies - such as student ambassador roles and conference assistant roles. This can help you earn money whilst also working with the members of staff in your department.
Tip Two: find out which hours work best for you and stick to these. For example, I know I work best in the mornings so I usually do my 'biggest' tasks in these hours
Tip Three: use a calendar to keep organised - I use Google Calendar which works well for me. This can help organise when you have academic activites and when you may have a society event! I think it also helps to be able to visualise the weeks in each term so you can see when deadlines are etc.

Best of luck to everyone with their studies and applications!
Holly B
(Psychology Student Ambassador at Lancaster Uni)
Original post by Anonymous #1
I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.

Hi!
The best piece of advice I received when I was starting university is to get involved with as much as possible. Wether this is societies, events or parties, the more you get involved with the more opportunities you have to make friends and grow as a person.

Hope this helps, Faye :smile:
I'm loving all the advice so far!

I'd add that one of my biggest tips for new or incoming students is not to spend loads of money on certain things in advance:

You probably don't need loads of new notebooks for each module, or any binders/folders - they're cute for sure, but universities these days are really moving away from paper handouts, so you probably won't have much to put in them! It's also so much easier to keep up with making notes in lectures and following along with the slides with a laptop/tablet, rather than just bringing a notebook and pen to class (I know loads of people, me included, who did this in first year - needless to say, we lasted about a week before we all started just lugging our laptops to lectures with us! It's worth it!).


That being said, you totally don't need to be buying loads of fancy new tech. Unless you've already got an iPad you know how to work and you know works effectively for you, you really don't need to be splashing out on anything. Or any software either, for that matter! There's loads of free software that works perfectly for me, like Notion (sign up with your student email for extra benefits!), Google Drive, etc. The most important thing is to give it some time to figure out what works for you and is the most effective before you make any big purchases.


And on a similar note... a classic piece of advice, but always worth re-iterating - you don't need to buy any massive textbooks! Your university library likely has access to everything for free online, that you can access on any device, as well as probably having physical copies in the actual library building. Unless your professor directly tells you "you need to go out and buy this specific book", you probably don't need to! Save yourself the money!


Hope this helps!

Millie
Lancaster Student Ambassador, 3rd Year Psychology BSc
Original post by Anonymous #1
I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.

Hi!

I also thought I'd add my tips here on how to make the most of university!

1) Firstly, I would say to just get involved! Whether this be societies, going out with friends, going shopping or going out for food, try and say yes to as much as you can. This will allow you to meet so many new people and see what kind of things you enjoy doing.

2) Don't feel pressured to say yes to everything though, it's okay to have time to yourself too if you need it.

3) Try and get on top of your uni work. A lot of people leave their work to the last minute, especially in first year but you will end up with so much to do at once and it can be really hard to do it all in time if you have deadlines which are close to each other.

4) Don't worry about rushing into a house with people. There will still be houses available after Christmas and you want to make sure you are living with people who you actually want to live with. There's no point rushing it and then regretting it!

5) Try and budget your money from the start. it can be easy to spend all your money in freshers week but you will be stuck afterwards if you have none left! Try and make a budget plan before you go and this way it's easier to stick to it rather than getting caught up in freshers.

Hope some of these help!

Lucy-SHU student ambassador
Original post by Anonymous #1
I Just thought this of us at uni could give some tips to incoming students how to have a great time at uni. I’ll start.

Join societies they are so fun there you’ll meet people with a common interest you could pursue a current interest or sport of try something completely new there are often taters cessions and in my experience they have always been really welcoming.

Stay in halls you miss out on so much if you not in halls I always say “you go to school but your at uni” so be there I could go into detail but that is so long it would warrant it’s own thread.

Take advantage of all the opportunities available to you there will be stuff like talks training sessions (with professional athletes) and things you won’t have even considered.

Don’t do a long commute (more than an hour a day total) you’ll end up hating it.

Hi!

These are all really great suggestions! I thought I would add to this with some of my biggest tips!

1) Definitely try to join a society if you can! There will be loads of different societies on offer and will allow you to have something to do outside of your degree!

2) Don’t feel pressured to go out or drink if you don’t want to! It’s a very stereotypical culture for universities but there are many students who don’t take part in this! I’m not sure about other universities but at Lancaster Uni, the societies and colleges make an effort to have chill/non-drinking socials!

3) Make sure to make notes of any deadlines you may have, and to try and keep on top of all your work!

4) It’s helpful to have a laptop or iPad but it’s definitely not essential! You can easily use library facilities if you need to borrow a laptop or print out any notes/lecture slides you may need!

Hope this helps! :smile:

Jamimah
(Lancaster University Student Ambassador)
Reply 16
Embarking on your journey as an incoming student? Here are some valuable tips to ensure you make the most of your student life. Embrace the excitement of new beginnings by striking a balance between academic success and personal well-being. Engage in campus activities, join clubs, and build connections with fellow students to foster a sense of community.
[start]One key aspect is time management—create a realistic schedule that accommodates your academic responsibilities and allows for leisure. Speaking of leisure, video games can be a fantastic way to unwind and de-stress. However, moderation is key; use gaming as a reward after completing tasks or as a social activity to bond with friends. Set boundaries to ensure your gaming hobby enhances rather than hinders your overall college experience.[/start]
[start]Remember, self-care is crucial. Prioritize your mental and physical health by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and maintaining a balanced diet. Seek support when needed, whether from friends, family, or campus resources.[/start]
[start]Lastly, stay open-minded and embrace the diversity of college life. Be open to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. By following these tips, you'll not only excel academically but also cultivate a fulfilling and enjoyable student life.[/start]
(edited 4 months ago)
Hello,

My name is Haya and I am a final year medical student.

My top tips for first year is to try your best to immerse yourself in all sorts of activities, including societies, sports, and university activities.

I would also strongly stuggest learning your study habit, whether you like to make notes or annotate, first year is a great time to discover yourself.

Spend some time looking into spatial repetition and active recall and these are the methods that helped me get the highest grades.

Best of luck,
Haya
MBBS 5

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