things you wish you knew before uni
hey guys ! hopefully going uni in two months nd i was wondering what are certain things you knew or wish you were told before you went to uni <3
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Original post by Hiyiii
Congrats! I wish i knew to take it easy. It's actually easier in many ways than high school but I stressed a lot because I really expected it to be so hard.
i’ve heard it’s easier than a levels pls tell me that’s actually true 🙏🏽
Original post by giveonsupremacy
hey guys ! hopefully going uni in two months nd i was wondering what are certain things you knew or wish you were told before you went to uni <3
Check what the course requirements are to pass in your module handbook. Attend everything that's mandatory. Don't overthink first year and spend the whole time thinking you're going to fail, although it was good for motivation (me in all 4 years lol).
Prioritise assessments with a highest % towards the module, prioritise modules with the high number of credits, but dint forget the other modules.
If you have the choice of optional modules double check the assessment methods of the modules you're interested in. Conside whether you are a coursework person or exam person.
Find a lecturer in your department you can go to if you're feeling worried about something. Usually this will be your academic tutor, but at least in my uni's department most the lecturers had an 'open door' type environment so if they were free you could just email them or go and knock.
Good luck!
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by giveonsupremacy
hey guys ! hopefully going uni in two months nd i was wondering what are certain things you knew or wish you were told before you went to uni <3
Hey there,
Congratulation on starting a new page in your life! I hope your university journey will be wonderful.
My main advice is to engage as much as possible even during your first year. When I joined university I used to think that it was too early to join a society or a sport club – but I was very wrong! It is never too early to start engaging with other like-minded people.
Second advice is to use all resources available at university. Make sure to use library when you want to read a book. You can also attend a lot of different events where you will be able to learn some important skills like building personal brand, time-management, etc.
I hope you will find my advice useful 😊
Good luck!
Ilya
Original post by giveonsupremacy
hey guys ! hopefully going uni in two months nd i was wondering what are certain things you knew or wish you were told before you went to uni <3
Hiya,
I think this is a great question to ask!
I’d say getting used to using a diary has been a massive help for me! It’s great way to keep on top of your studies. I write in it each day, planning smalls goals for me to achieve.
I also use it to make ‘me’ days. On these days I don’t do any uni work or studying. It’s important to have these days in my opinion. Of course most of us love to go out socialising with friends in our spare time, but in my first year I realised I was never just relaxing and doing things I enjoyed for myself. So now I book in these days, just a couple a month where I can do whatever I want for myself!
I’d also say, attending every mandatory class and taking notes that will help you with your assignments. Start your assignments early! Leaving it last minute only ends up stressful and it’s just not worth it.
If you’re struggling, reach out. Don’t suffer in silence! Speak to your friends or family for support. Don’t forget about your university wellbeing team - these teams are especially helpful in tough times!
Last thing….enjoy it and try not to stress too much! Yes uni and our studies is important and we all want to do well but uni is also a life experience. One that you might not do again! Embrace what uni has to offer and enjoy it all 🙂
I hope this helps and good luck starting uni, you’ll love it!
Sophie (ARU)
Original post by giveonsupremacy
hey guys ! hopefully going uni in two months nd i was wondering what are certain things you knew or wish you were told before you went to uni <3
Hi @giveonsupremacy
How exciting! I wish you all the best starting this new chapter in your life!
Things I wish I'd known before starting university... I'd say get involved with something, either something to do with your course, your accommodation, or student union. There are plenty of extracurricular activities to get involved in that will not only give you something to take part in and meet new people but also will look great on your cv!
Secondly, go to your lectures and seminars, get in a routine of attending your classes and staying on top of your reading and seminar prep. Reflecting back on my time at university, seminars were so useful for asking questions and getting tips on essay and exam technique.
Lastly, enjoy yourself! It is the best few years!
Katie- Roehampton Rep
Original post by Chronoscope
Check what the course requirements are to pass in your module handbook. Attend everything that's mandatory. Don't overthink first year and spend the whole time thinking you're going to fail, although it was good for motivation (me in all 4 years lol).
Prioritise assessments with a highest % towards the module, prioritise modules with the high number of credits, but dint forget the other modules.
If you have the choice of optional modules double check the assessment methods of the modules you're interested in. Conside whether you are a coursework person or exam person.
Find a lecturer in your department you can go to if you're feeling worried about something. Usually this will be your academic tutor, but at least in my uni's department most the lecturers had an 'open door' type environment so if they were free you could just email them or go and knock.
Good luck!
Prioritise assessments with a highest % towards the module, prioritise modules with the high number of credits, but dint forget the other modules.
If you have the choice of optional modules double check the assessment methods of the modules you're interested in. Conside whether you are a coursework person or exam person.
Find a lecturer in your department you can go to if you're feeling worried about something. Usually this will be your academic tutor, but at least in my uni's department most the lecturers had an 'open door' type environment so if they were free you could just email them or go and knock.
Good luck!
thank you that’s so useful!! since there’s no like past papers of stuff to revise from how do you actually revise like is it jus from watching lectures?
Original post by De Montfort University
Hey there,
Congratulation on starting a new page in your life! I hope your university journey will be wonderful.
My main advice is to engage as much as possible even during your first year. When I joined university I used to think that it was too early to join a society or a sport club – but I was very wrong! It is never too early to start engaging with other like-minded people.
Second advice is to use all resources available at university. Make sure to use library when you want to read a book. You can also attend a lot of different events where you will be able to learn some important skills like building personal brand, time-management, etc.
I hope you will find my advice useful 😊
Good luck!
Ilya
Congratulation on starting a new page in your life! I hope your university journey will be wonderful.
My main advice is to engage as much as possible even during your first year. When I joined university I used to think that it was too early to join a society or a sport club – but I was very wrong! It is never too early to start engaging with other like-minded people.
Second advice is to use all resources available at university. Make sure to use library when you want to read a book. You can also attend a lot of different events where you will be able to learn some important skills like building personal brand, time-management, etc.
I hope you will find my advice useful 😊
Good luck!
Ilya
thank you so much !! i’m actually hoping to go uni in leicester so what what places or activities would u recommend in leicester and how do u find the city?
Original post by ARUSophie
Hiya,
I think this is a great question to ask!
I’d say getting used to using a diary has been a massive help for me! It’s great way to keep on top of your studies. I write in it each day, planning smalls goals for me to achieve.
I also use it to make ‘me’ days. On these days I don’t do any uni work or studying. It’s important to have these days in my opinion. Of course most of us love to go out socialising with friends in our spare time, but in my first year I realised I was never just relaxing and doing things I enjoyed for myself. So now I book in these days, just a couple a month where I can do whatever I want for myself!
I’d also say, attending every mandatory class and taking notes that will help you with your assignments. Start your assignments early! Leaving it last minute only ends up stressful and it’s just not worth it.
If you’re struggling, reach out. Don’t suffer in silence! Speak to your friends or family for support. Don’t forget about your university wellbeing team - these teams are especially helpful in tough times!
Last thing….enjoy it and try not to stress too much! Yes uni and our studies is important and we all want to do well but uni is also a life experience. One that you might not do again! Embrace what uni has to offer and enjoy it all 🙂
I hope this helps and good luck starting uni, you’ll love it!
Sophie (ARU)
I think this is a great question to ask!
I’d say getting used to using a diary has been a massive help for me! It’s great way to keep on top of your studies. I write in it each day, planning smalls goals for me to achieve.
I also use it to make ‘me’ days. On these days I don’t do any uni work or studying. It’s important to have these days in my opinion. Of course most of us love to go out socialising with friends in our spare time, but in my first year I realised I was never just relaxing and doing things I enjoyed for myself. So now I book in these days, just a couple a month where I can do whatever I want for myself!
I’d also say, attending every mandatory class and taking notes that will help you with your assignments. Start your assignments early! Leaving it last minute only ends up stressful and it’s just not worth it.
If you’re struggling, reach out. Don’t suffer in silence! Speak to your friends or family for support. Don’t forget about your university wellbeing team - these teams are especially helpful in tough times!
Last thing….enjoy it and try not to stress too much! Yes uni and our studies is important and we all want to do well but uni is also a life experience. One that you might not do again! Embrace what uni has to offer and enjoy it all 🙂
I hope this helps and good luck starting uni, you’ll love it!
Sophie (ARU)
thank youuu!! leaving everything to the last minute is acc my worst enemy praying i won’t procrastinate as much once i got to uni lmaoo
Original post by Roehampton Katie
Hi @giveonsupremacy
How exciting! I wish you all the best starting this new chapter in your life!
Things I wish I'd known before starting university... I'd say get involved with something, either something to do with your course, your accommodation, or student union. There are plenty of extracurricular activities to get involved in that will not only give you something to take part in and meet new people but also will look great on your cv!
Secondly, go to your lectures and seminars, get in a routine of attending your classes and staying on top of your reading and seminar prep. Reflecting back on my time at university, seminars were so useful for asking questions and getting tips on essay and exam technique.
Lastly, enjoy yourself! It is the best few years!
Katie- Roehampton Rep
How exciting! I wish you all the best starting this new chapter in your life!
Things I wish I'd known before starting university... I'd say get involved with something, either something to do with your course, your accommodation, or student union. There are plenty of extracurricular activities to get involved in that will not only give you something to take part in and meet new people but also will look great on your cv!
Secondly, go to your lectures and seminars, get in a routine of attending your classes and staying on top of your reading and seminar prep. Reflecting back on my time at university, seminars were so useful for asking questions and getting tips on essay and exam technique.
Lastly, enjoy yourself! It is the best few years!
Katie- Roehampton Rep
thank youuu so much !! what acc is the difference between lectures and seminars?
Original post by giveonsupremacy
thank youuu so much !! what acc is the difference between lectures and seminars?
So a lecture is a session where a lecturer (teacher/speaker) will talk to a large number of students in a theatre like room. Students will take notes and listen. A seminar is made up of a smaller number of students, students will go over the content from the lecture and discuss it with peers and the teacher in greater detail. It is your chance to ask questions about the content and discuss anything related to what you covered in the lecture.
Original post by giveonsupremacy
thank you that’s so useful!! since there’s no like past papers of stuff to revise from how do you actually revise like is it jus from watching lectures?
I'm not sure how different courses work, but for my course in most lectures/seminars my lecturers had 'revision questions' at the end of pretty much most powerpoint slides. There were also Learning Objectives which helped.
Regarding past papers there were some but it kind of depended on the modules. Also, some past papers weren't always accurate because they'd been adjusted for the pandemic so were take home papers not in person exam papers.
Saying that all the modules which I had exams for we had a couple of revision sessions where we went through an exam paper and what the lecturer/markers would expect which was alright in the end
Original post by Roehampton Katie
So a lecture is a session where a lecturer (teacher/speaker) will talk to a large number of students in a theatre like room. Students will take notes and listen. A seminar is made up of a smaller number of students, students will go over the content from the lecture and discuss it with peers and the teacher in greater detail. It is your chance to ask questions about the content and discuss anything related to what you covered in the lecture.
ohh right okay thank you that’s so helpful!!
Original post by Chronoscope
I'm not sure how different courses work, but for my course in most lectures/seminars my lecturers had 'revision questions' at the end of pretty much most powerpoint slides. There were also Learning Objectives which helped.
Regarding past papers there were some but it kind of depended on the modules. Also, some past papers weren't always accurate because they'd been adjusted for the pandemic so were take home papers not in person exam papers.
Saying that all the modules which I had exams for we had a couple of revision sessions where we went through an exam paper and what the lecturer/markers would expect which was alright in the end
Regarding past papers there were some but it kind of depended on the modules. Also, some past papers weren't always accurate because they'd been adjusted for the pandemic so were take home papers not in person exam papers.
Saying that all the modules which I had exams for we had a couple of revision sessions where we went through an exam paper and what the lecturer/markers would expect which was alright in the end
oh right thank you so much that doesn’t sound too bad then
Original post by giveonsupremacy
hey guys ! hopefully going uni in two months nd i was wondering what are certain things you knew or wish you were told before you went to uni <3
Hi @giveonsupremacy
Congratulations on starting university soon! I remember being in your shoes - feeling so excited (and nervous) to start university! When it comes to things I wish I knew before starting university, here's a few -
•
Financial planning is key! I remember when I first got to uni, I spent a lot during the freshers week and on eating out. If I could go back, I'd plan a budget from the start to avoid any stress in the future. I'd recommend you to make a monthly budget that keeps a track of all your expenses and income. Always leave some room for occasionally treating yourself, going out with friends and enjoying university life!
•
Stay as organised as you can! Keep a track of your lectures, deadlines, assignments, and exams. It's a good idea to use a planner or a digital calendar to stay on top of things. Also, it's crucial to start your assignments as soon as you can to avoid any last minute stress.
•
Practice cooking basic meals! Personally, I really struggled during the first few weeks because I didn't know how to cook many dishes. So I'd recommend to practice cooking a few basic meals before going to university. Not only will it save you money but it is also a great way to bond with your flatmates.
Thank you,
Akshita Gupta
(University of Southampton Student Rep)
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by giveonsupremacy
hey guys ! hopefully going uni in two months nd i was wondering what are certain things you knew or wish you were told before you went to uni <3
Hi @giveonsupremacy,
This might sound a little silly, but I wish I'd read all of those 'university packing' lists a bit more closely! In those first few weeks of uni, I felt that I'd forgotten so much at home - sometimes I'd need to staple some pages, or superglue something broken back together, and it would dawn on me all the tiny things I still needed that I accidentally left behind. In short - make sure you pack properly!
I do fully agree with ARUSophie on the idea of keeping a diary. Learning at university is much more independent than at college/secondary school, and I think keeping a diary can motivate you to turn up to all of your lectures/seminars and ultimately follow a more structured routine. It also ensures you won't forget any of your assignments! 😁
Eve (Kingston Rep).
Original post by giveonsupremacy
hey guys ! hopefully going uni in two months nd i was wondering what are certain things you knew or wish you were told before you went to uni <3
Hi there,
This is a really good question. One big thing I wish I knew before uni was that you don't need to do a big haul beforehand like you see on social media. Most things you can buy once you arrive and if you're living in a shared flat, somebody might have brought something you need and be happy to share. Though it's tempting, you don't need to pack everything these hauls tell you to - just the essentials.
-Nicky
Original post by giveonsupremacy
hey guys ! hopefully going uni in two months nd i was wondering what are certain things you knew or wish you were told before you went to uni <3
Hi @giveonsupremacy
This is an excellent question! I see you have already had some great responses. My best advice would be to join societies. These are my favourite way to meet new people! If I knew how amazing societies were I would of had a lot less anxiety before coming to university. I really recommend joining societies to meet like-minded people.
Hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions, 😊
-Sophia (Business and Management, First Year)
Original post by giveonsupremacy
hey guys ! hopefully going uni in two months nd i was wondering what are certain things you knew or wish you were told before you went to uni <3
1.
enjoy first year it goes by so fast!
2.
find a routine that works for you early on - it will help with 2nd & 3rd year
3.
don't feel like you have to pack every single item you own - there's plenty of shops for you to grab stuff from
4.
the first January can feel pretty lonely after you've just been back home for Christmas so make sure you're keeping busy
5.
find a part-time job, really easy to find friends!
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