The Student Room Group

Any advice for Uni???

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Original post by Anonymous
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Hi,
I's say my main advice would be about time management as you need to make the most of your time there with studying and having fun. Make sure you don't overwork yourself as burn out early on can make you fall behind, therefore, ensure you take breaks and leave yourself time to go out with your friends and socialise alongside staying on top of your readings and assignments.
During freshers week there will be many activities for you to find others with similar interests and to join societies. Societies can be a great way to unwind and interact with those who have similar interests to you.
Once you arrive at university, you may feel nervous or homesick and you can try to tackle this by making your room your own (if you are staying on campus) you can decorate your space to make you feel more comfortable there. I also advise to budget and to be quite strict with what you spend as it can be very easy to spend a lot on takeaways and going out which may cause you to struggle with things such as food or rent later on.
Hope this helps!
-Malek
University of Kent Rep
Original post by Anonymous
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Hiya!

I'd say learn how to cook easy 3/4 dishes before you leave! I'd say breakfast, a lunch or two, and dinner. Of course the more the better but having a few good ones is a good base to learn more in the future. Your brain is the organ that burns the most calories so you want to make sure it's well fed!

Remember that during Freshers Week all of the freshers are in the exact same boat, and the friend groups you see are probably just flat mates that mat the day before! So don't be afraid to just approach people and chat!

If you live and student accommodation different universities have different types of chats such as private FB groups, TSR threads and more where you can find your flat mates. I did that in my first year so even though we didn't meet until move in day they didn't feel like strangers!

put your wellbeing (mental and physical) and your studies above everything else. True friends will wait for you and support you.

Hope this helps,
~Michelle, placement student
Original post by Anonymous
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hey there!
The best advice I can give you is to make the most of everything the university offers you. You're not just paying for the teaching, you're paying for the facilities and the buildings and the lecturer's extra time to ensure you pass. Check out your university's student union to ensure you're making the most of that as well. I'd at least try and join one society at the start of the year, even if you end up hating it you can say you've had a go. It's one of the best ways to make friends and puts you in a good position socially. You are going to find there's people at university that you don't get on with, but that's the same at every place and I'm sure there's going to be people like that in your future career. At university you have to be more willing to look past things that probably wouldn't slide in your household. Everyone has been raised differently and you'll find that quite a lot of people see university as their first experience living away from home so they use that to their full advantage. Yes there may be messy people, yes they may irritate you but that's just all part of the university experience and there will be people like that.

My advice is to make it a goal of yours to try something new in every year you study. For example, in first year I made it my mission to go on nights-out and socialise more as I turned 18 in lockdown and I come from a small town so there's not really the opportunity to do that. Plus, sports society nights at university are a great way to meet people and bond with your flatmates/coursemates at the same time. In second year, I wanted to try more foods and cuisines that I never had the chance to. My family tend to eat rather plain due to personal choice and I wanted to broaden my horizons when it came to what I was eating. I went out for food at new places, started cooking new recipes I never had before and gradually upped my spice tolerance throughout the year as it was very weak when I first came to uni. In third year my goal is to do more things by myself. I've booked a weekend away and a concert by myself as I wanted to put myself first more of the time now that I'm an adult living away from home. This will all happen in due course but it means I have something to look forward to. Uni is all about trying new things you don't necessarily get the chance to try when you come from a small town or have the chance to live in a city centre. Take full advantage of every event or social occasion that is offered to you and if you don't know where they are then go and look for them! Contact your student union to see what events they have on and have a read of posters and leaflets around the city.

Hope this helped!
Lucy - Digital Student Ambassador SHU
Original post by Anonymous
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hi,

There have already been some great responses but I'd like to add a few more to the list.

1. Don't pack everything you own when moving to uni. It's a big mistake I made because I had way too much stuff for my one uni room. Make sure to take all the essentials and some stuff to make your room comfy but honestly you won't need everything. Loads of my stuff just ended up under my bed. I've seen lots of lists online and on the student room which detail what to take with you if you need help with knowing what to pack.

2. Manage your finances well. University can be stressful enough without worrying about money. I'm not saying don't treat yourself or don't go out and spend money with your friends but make sure to leave enough money for buying the essentials like food or train tickets home. During my first term at uni, I made this mistake and my food shopping at the end of term was a struggle! I know some people who keep spreadsheets of their income and outgoings so if that works for you I'd say definitely do it.

3. Be confident. Comparing yourself to others and worrying about what they are doing can massively impact how you view yourself and your happiness. You deserve to be where you are so you should own it as you are the only person that will show up for yourself every single day of your life. Other people are focusing on themselves and their progress so you need to focus on your own. After all, you are working towards your future and you don't need to let yourself get in the way.

Hope this is helpful
-Beth (Lancaster Student Ambassador)
Anon,

1. Look after yourself. Eat well ( try to eat some decent meals), sleep well ( make sure you're giving yourself enough hours to have the energy that you need for the next day) and try to do some weekly exercise, whether that's walking, going to the gym or joining a sports society.

2. Talk to different people. Sit next to different people in lectures and seminars. Make an effort to learn people's names. Attend some social activities. The more you get to know people, the easier it will be for you to adjust and to feel more at home at university.

3. Put in the hours for your studies. It's great to be independent and to be free to do what you want to do, but you are at uni for a reason.
You don't want to have regrets at the end of your year or your degree, so do give enough time to your studies, revise throughout the year and do visit the library.

All the best,

Oluwatosin 2nd year student University of Huddersfield
Original post by Anonymous
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hey!
I'd be happy to share some advice for your university experience. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time at university:

Set clear goals: Define your academic and personal goals early on. This will give you a sense of direction and motivation throughout your university journey.

Get involved on campus: Join clubs, societies, or student organizations that align with your interests. It's a great way to meet like-minded people, develop new skills, and enhance your overall university experience.

Manage your time effectively: University life can be quite demanding, with numerous assignments, projects, and social activities. Develop good time management skills to balance your academic commitments and personal life. Use tools like calendars, to-do lists, and prioritization techniques to stay organized.

Build relationships with professors and advisors: Take the initiative to connect with your professors and academic advisors. They can provide valuable guidance, mentorship, and support throughout your academic journey. Don't hesitate to ask questions or seek their assistance when needed.

Actively participate in classes: Engage in class discussions, ask questions, and take thorough notes. Active participation not only helps you understand the material better but also shows your professors that you're invested in your education.

Take care of yourself: University life can be stressful, so prioritize self-care. Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and find healthy ways to manage stress. Make time for activities you enjoy outside of academics.

Network and build connections: University is an excellent opportunity to network and build connections with fellow students, professors, alumni, and professionals in your field of interest. Attend career fairs, networking events, and alumni gatherings to expand your professional network.

Explore internship and research opportunities: Look for internships or research positions related to your field of study. These experiences can provide valuable practical knowledge, enhance your resume, and help you make informed career choices.

Have fun and embrace new experiences: University is not just about academics; it's also a time to explore new interests, try new things, and make lasting memories. Take advantage of the diverse opportunities available on campus and make the most of your university years.

Remember, everyone's university experience is unique, so find what works best for you and enjoy the journey. Good luck with your studies!

Best Wishes
Priya :smile:
Postgraduate Ambassador
University of Southampton
Hey, my main advice is to try and enjoy the experience.

Be as organised as you can as last-minute cramming and essay writing can majorly cause student stress and anxiety. I found that joining in with activities on offer at the university helped me to feel part of where I am. If you can try and make contact with students that are going to be at your university on social media. My university has a group of Facebook for students to meet each other.

When you start look after your well-being, take time for yourself when studying and this will help you to have a good experience.

Enjoy University :-)

ARU Dee
Student Digital Ambassador
Reply 8
Don't go
Original post by Anonymous
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hey! Hey! Hey!

My biggest advice to university is don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone!

University is a new life experience where you find out what you like in life, the ability to try a new sport or a new hobby, and make friends from around the world. You'll be surprised by how much you'll enjoy stepping outside your comfort zone. It will be hard at first but once you get the hang of it, keep trying new things, volunteer, or even take a global trip with your university. This academic year I decided to step all the way outside of my comfort zone and joined the American Football team. I've never played a sport in my life and if the younger me could see me now he would be very surprised :lol:. I've fallen in love with the sport and I'm actually pretty good at it too.

All the best on your university journey. Enjoy every bit of it!

- Dennis :biggrin: (PhD Air Transport Management student)

Quick Reply

Latest

Trending

Trending