The Student Room Group

What did we do before starting University?

Hi everyone! :hello:

I hope you're all doing well :smile: . Has anyone finished their exams yet, or do you still have a few more to go :question:

As DMU priority clearing is now open, and some of you may be joining us at De Montfort University soon. We wanted to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves- those of us who work on this platform. We're here to answer any questions you might have and to share our own experiences from when we were in your position before coming to university.

Hi, my name is Madeleine :heart: I am currently studying an Undergraduate course, Health and Well-being in Society and I have just finished second year. I am from the county Warwickshire and moved to Leicester to live in accommodation for my studies. One of my favourite things about DMU is the campus. The campus is very pretty and modern, yet rich with history and, offers many great facilities for students.

After finishing college at 18, I planned to spend a lot of time with friends, family and loved ones :grouphugs: Some of my friends were a year above and home for the summer, so I asked them about their university experiences and what I should pack for accommodation. I tried to make plenty of plans with friends, knowing that many of them would be returning to university or starting their first year in September or October. Some of my friends chose universities further away, like Sheffield, Cardiff, Chester, and Leeds, so I knew I wouldn't be seeing them as often. One of the highlights, was that during the summer I went on a week-long cruise with my two dearest friends and whilst having an amazing time travelling it was lovely to make some memories before all of us took our different paths :heart: During the summer break, I also worked extra hours at my part-time job since I had no more exams and wanted to save up more money before I started University. Looking back now, I wouldn’t have changed how I spent my summer, I worked very hard at college, especially during the final year, and I enjoyed a well-deserved, fun break. However, one thing I wish I had done differently is engaging with current students on platforms like The Student Room (TSR) and The Ambassador Platform (TAP) to learn more about the university :cyber: Before working on these platforms, I didn’t know they existed or that DMU had official accounts with these companies. In case you are interested to look at The Ambassador Platform here is the link where you can check out our current content and ask any questions.

https://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/chat-with-a-student/index.aspx


What helped me prepare for my journey the most was speaking to my friends who had already been to university and hearing about their experiences. Additionally, attending a college with a relaxed environment made the transition to university easier, as there wasn't in my opinion and experiences much of a difference between the two institutions. I also had a few essential skills, such as good time management, basic cooking, cleaning, and I was also quite independent and knew how to look after myself.

I hope this has been insightful, and please feel free to engage with this post

-Maddie, :heart: Second year Health and Well-being in Society at De Montfort University
Nice tips
Original post by De Montfort University
Hi everyone! :hello:
I hope you're all doing well :smile: . Has anyone finished their exams yet, or do you still have a few more to go :question:
As DMU priority clearing is now open, and some of you may be joining us at De Montfort University soon. We wanted to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves- those of us who work on this platform. We're here to answer any questions you might have and to share our own experiences from when we were in your position before coming to university.
Hi, my name is Madeleine :heart: I am currently studying an Undergraduate course, Health and Well-being in Society and I have just finished second year. I am from the county Warwickshire and moved to Leicester to live in accommodation for my studies. One of my favourite things about DMU is the campus. The campus is very pretty and modern, yet rich with history and, offers many great facilities for students.
After finishing college at 18, I planned to spend a lot of time with friends, family and loved ones :grouphugs: Some of my friends were a year above and home for the summer, so I asked them about their university experiences and what I should pack for accommodation. I tried to make plenty of plans with friends, knowing that many of them would be returning to university or starting their first year in September or October. Some of my friends chose universities further away, like Sheffield, Cardiff, Chester, and Leeds, so I knew I wouldn't be seeing them as often. One of the highlights, was that during the summer I went on a week-long cruise with my two dearest friends and whilst having an amazing time travelling it was lovely to make some memories before all of us took our different paths :heart: During the summer break, I also worked extra hours at my part-time job since I had no more exams and wanted to save up more money before I started University. Looking back now, I wouldn’t have changed how I spent my summer, I worked very hard at college, especially during the final year, and I enjoyed a well-deserved, fun break. However, one thing I wish I had done differently is engaging with current students on platforms like The Student Room (TSR) and The Ambassador Platform (TAP) to learn more about the university :cyber: Before working on these platforms, I didn’t know they existed or that DMU had official accounts with these companies. In case you are interested to look at The Ambassador Platform here is the link where you can check out our current content and ask any questions.
https://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/chat-with-a-student/index.aspx
What helped me prepare for my journey the most was speaking to my friends who had already been to university and hearing about their experiences. Additionally, attending a college with a relaxed environment made the transition to university easier, as there wasn't in my opinion and experiences much of a difference between the two institutions. I also had a few essential skills, such as good time management, basic cooking, cleaning, and I was also quite independent and knew how to look after myself.
I hope this has been insightful, and please feel free to engage with this post
-Maddie, :heart: Second year Health and Well-being in Society at De Montfort University

Hey there 😀

I amm Julia, and I will be starting my third year of Psychology at DMU in October. I am an international student from Poland, and I chose to study abroad to find more developmental and work opportunities. And guess what? My expectations have been met and exceeded!

Before diving into my Psychology degree, I completed a foundation year at De Montfort University International College (DMUIC), which was the best decision ever. The Polish educational system is quite different from the British one, so DMUIC helped me get familiar with the academic style, assessment methods, and essential university skills, and it also improved my English. It was the perfect prep for my Psychology journey at DMU.

Since coming to the UK for personal and professional growth, I have been making the most of my university experience. One of the recent highlights is finishing a student exchange with DMUGlobal in Spain! I spent a year soaking up the Spanish sun and culture, improving my Spanish, and studying at the University of Deusto in Bilbao. It was an amazing experience, filled with lifelong international friendships and a boost in confidence and adaptability. And that's just one of the many great things I have done at DMU, so do not waste any time - reach for the stars during your university years!

Thanks for this lovely post, Maddie! 🥰 I love the idea and will definitely support this initiative.

You are completely right. Spending as much time as possible with family and friends before university is crucial, especially if you are moving away from your hometown.

I also did not know about TSR and TAP before, but these platforms are awesome and can be incredibly helpful. We are here to support you throughout your journey, sharing friendly advice and our experiences. Looking forward to connecting with all of you! 💖

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions guys 😉 Chat with me or other DMU students directly through The Ambassador Platform.

Take care,

Julia
Psychology student
De Montfort University
Hey Maddie, what a great idea for a thread!

I was in a similar position to you. Lots of my friends had chosen universities fairly far away (Stirling, Liverpool, Manchester) from where I was heading, so I knew I wouldn't see them until at least Christmas. Before starting university, we organised a few days out together to the cinema and checked out some local restaurants we'd always wanted to visit but never had the chance to try before. I also got a part-time job in the city centre to earn some money ahead of university, and spent some time with my family watching movies and just chatting. I think it was time well-spent - although looking back I think I spent most of those savings in the first few weeks! 🤣

Eve (Kingston Rep).

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