I’m worried I might struggle with studying at uni

14

Just for context, I was good at A level and got A*AA but I was often very anxious and struggled to keep up with the work. I had tuition but I didn’t do their homework and I regularly felt too much stress at A level. I am going to university this September.

I wonder whether I might feel the same at uni? If you already go to university, how hard is the studying? I don’t really like to work hard at all because it’s just something I hate.

Also please don’t send motivational messages because they don’t motivate me, they only make me feel more frustrated I hope you get what I’m feeling.

Reply 1

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post

by SpanishGonkey

Just for context, I was good at A level and got A*AA but I was often very anxious and struggled to keep up with the work. I had tuition but I didn’t do their homework and I regularly felt too much stress at A level. I am going to university this September.

I wonder whether I might feel the same at uni? If you already go to university, how hard is the studying? I don’t really like to work hard at all because it’s just something I hate.

Also please don’t send motivational messages because they don’t motivate me, they only make me feel more frustrated I hope you get what I’m feeling.

Hi there,

The first thing to remember is that University is a whole different ball game to school- the focus is on independent study, and you will not have lecturers holding you accountable in the same way teachers do. For some people, not having people calling you out every step of the way can actually improve motivation, as you've only got yourself to impress and answer to. While you don't have the same forced relationship with tutors and lecturers that you do with teachers, there is still plenty of support available at uni including specific academic skills support and scope for reasonable adjustments to be put in place. The difference here is that you need to be able to recognise when you need help and reach out yourself.

To achieve such fab a level results, you clearly have the motivation to do well academically. You will need to work hard at uni, but that doesn't mean overworking yourself. If you are passionate about your course, willing to ask for help when you need it and create a sensible timetable for yourself, hard work will feel a lot easier :smile:

Best of luck with starting uni, I hope this helps!
Yasmin (Lancaster University student ambassador)

Reply 2

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

16

Original post

by SpanishGonkey

Just for context, I was good at A level and got A*AA but I was often very anxious and struggled to keep up with the work. I had tuition but I didn’t do their homework and I regularly felt too much stress at A level. I am going to university this September.

I wonder whether I might feel the same at uni? If you already go to university, how hard is the studying? I don’t really like to work hard at all because it’s just something I hate.

Also please don’t send motivational messages because they don’t motivate me, they only make me feel more frustrated I hope you get what I’m feeling.

Hi @SpanishGonkey!

To be honest, I am same as you. I got all A's at my A-level, but I was last minute with everything, half-assed a lot of it and everything was done with a ton of stress, anxiety and tears. I also hate working hard and my assignments tended to be done very last minute with all my efforts concentrated in a short space of time since I hate having to schedule time and work properly. But university did help me to get all of that in order since you have more prep to do for your assignments (like reading and research for essays or data collection for reports). Personally, I honestly did not find uni harder than my A-levels, but I did my A-levels in a different country than England.

Uni was a lot more focused, since you only focus on one subject rather than 4 others or 8 others like you do in secondary school. But the workload is a lot more, since you have to do your readings and prep for classes. So to be quite honest, you will be working hard but it won't be something conscious but since you're guided through your time at uni, it simply becomes a part of your routine. It's a difficult question to answer since everyone has different opinions and works differently, but I hope I did give you some insight.

Jade :smile:

Official University of Southampton Rep

Reply 3

KirstinTMH

15

Original post

by SpanishGonkey

Just for context, I was good at A level and got A*AA but I was often very anxious and struggled to keep up with the work. I had tuition but I didn’t do their homework and I regularly felt too much stress at A level. I am going to university this September.

I wonder whether I might feel the same at uni? If you already go to university, how hard is the studying? I don’t really like to work hard at all because it’s just something I hate.

Also please don’t send motivational messages because they don’t motivate me, they only make me feel more frustrated I hope you get what I’m feeling.

I’m the same, even got the same grades lol. Uni was a lot harder than sixth form. You have less contact hours but a lot more content than at a level, most unis do 4 modules a term (8 total per year) which to me always felt a bit like taking 4 a levels as often there isn’t much overlap in content, especially in first year. I do have ADHD and finally got my diagnosis this summer so I’m hoping second year will be easier for me in that regard.

You don’t have to answer if you’re uncomfortable, I was wondering if you have any MH problems or are ND? If so there is support you can apply for that may be able to help with your motivation and study skills, and software to make the time you are studying more productive.

Reply 4

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post

by SpanishGonkey

Just for context, I was good at A level and got A*AA but I was often very anxious and struggled to keep up with the work. I had tuition but I didn’t do their homework and I regularly felt too much stress at A level. I am going to university this September.

I wonder whether I might feel the same at uni? If you already go to university, how hard is the studying? I don’t really like to work hard at all because it’s just something I hate.

Also please don’t send motivational messages because they don’t motivate me, they only make me feel more frustrated I hope you get what I’m feeling.

Hey @SpanishGonkey

As Yasmin mentioned, university is very different to A level. I got the same grades at A level but struggled with my mental health and motivation. I'm finding university much easier as I control my own time and can catch up on a lecture or two if I have a rough day and can't make myself get ready to leave. The studying depends on what you need. I write notes in the lectures to save time, if I could go back and do first year again I would have summarised the lectures more and tried to learn them a bit earlier in the year. In second year I will have to do further reading around my lectures - so a bit of extra effort. Some coursework I found really easy and some I got stuck on for several days. While you may not have to study hard all the time, sometimes it is necessary. What degree are you you planning on studying?

Rebecca :smile:

Reply 5

username5874344

OP

14

Hi there, thanks for all the support. I didn't expect so many people to reply so quickly. It really makes me feel better knowing that other people had similar experiences to me. I will do chemical engineering MEng with a year in industry. It's 5 years in total.

Reply 6

Pr3mium

3

Original post

by SpanishGonkey

Just for context, I was good at A level and got A*AA but I was often very anxious and struggled to keep up with the work. I had tuition but I didn’t do their homework and I regularly felt too much stress at A level. I am going to university this September.

I wonder whether I might feel the same at uni? If you already go to university, how hard is the studying? I don’t really like to work hard at all because it’s just something I hate.

Also please don’t send motivational messages because they don’t motivate me, they only make me feel more frustrated I hope you get what I’m feeling.

Just work hard with everything and that's all that matters

Reply 7

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post

by SpanishGonkey

Just for context, I was good at A level and got A*AA but I was often very anxious and struggled to keep up with the work. I had tuition but I didn’t do their homework and I regularly felt too much stress at A level. I am going to university this September.

I wonder whether I might feel the same at uni? If you already go to university, how hard is the studying? I don’t really like to work hard at all because it’s just something I hate.

Also please don’t send motivational messages because they don’t motivate me, they only make me feel more frustrated I hope you get what I’m feeling.

The big thing with university is taking responsibility as it’s far more independent.

You will probably have periods of intensity which can be stressful but it’s about building a schedule & having good organisation to manage this.

Your clearly capable as you have excellent A-level grades. I would surround yourself with the right type of student at uni such that you find it easier to stay motivated with them.

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

I think being independent and knowing how to manage your time and work flow will really help you.
And knowing when to take a break rather than force yourself to do work.

Reply 9

username5874344

OP

14

Original post

by Anonymous

I think being independent and knowing how to manage your time and work flow will really help you.
And knowing when to take a break rather than force yourself to do work.

Thank you

Reply 10

University of Portsmouth Student Rep

17

Hi @SpanishGonkey

It is completely normal to feel anxious and as many have said uni is mostly focused on independent study, which is about finding a way to work and study that suits you and works for you.

There are also services in uni that can help out such as an academic skills team who would be able to give you tips and advice around work and study and help you to explore different ways of working. They helped me with essay planning as this was not something I was particularly strong at, and provided me with some useful tools and resources that I have been able to use in all my essays.

I would also say that the uni has a wellbeing service that if you are feeling stressed and anxious they may be worth speaking to. they would be able to help with different techniques that would hopefully reduce stress and also they are great to talk to if you have any worries or concerns.

I am sure you will get on great and wish you all the best at uni

Luke - Portsmouth Student Rep

Reply 11

username5874344

OP

14

Original post

by University of Portsmouth Student Rep

Hi @SpanishGonkey

It is completely normal to feel anxious and as many have said uni is mostly focused on independent study, which is about finding a way to work and study that suits you and works for you.

There are also services in uni that can help out such as an academic skills team who would be able to give you tips and advice around work and study and help you to explore different ways of working. They helped me with essay planning as this was not something I was particularly strong at, and provided me with some useful tools and resources that I have been able to use in all my essays.

I would also say that the uni has a wellbeing service that if you are feeling stressed and anxious they may be worth speaking to. they would be able to help with different techniques that would hopefully reduce stress and also they are great to talk to if you have any worries or concerns.

I am sure you will get on great and wish you all the best at uni

Luke - Portsmouth Student Rep

HI thanks for the reply.
My main issue is because when I was in school I had to satisfy my parents and get outstanding grades just to make them feel happy. I started school in year 3 and finished year 13, so I spent like 10 years in school trying to be outstanding because that is what would make my parents happy.

I am absolutely tired of being academically outstanding and trying to excel at everything. Now that I left school, I wish I were less intelligent back then so I would be less capable.

(edited 3 years ago)

I’m worried I might struggle with studying at uni

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