The Student Room Group

Starting Uni in Sep

Hi all,

anything I need to know before I start uni this September? Please share your experiences as it would be really helpful for lots of people here.

++ I'll hopefully be doing biomedical sciences.. biomedics.. what should I be expecting?

Thanks in advanced ^^)
Original post by Sarah1406
Hi all,
anything I need to know before I start uni this September? Please share your experiences as it would be really helpful for lots of people here.
++ I'll hopefully be doing biomedical sciences.. biomedics.. what should I be expecting?
Thanks in advanced ^^)

I can pretty much write a book on this. In fact, I have written a 25 page guide amounting on 22k words on how to study at uni (which I am not sharing).

You would need to be specific about your questions.

Topics that I think are worth looking into include:

Studying at uni

Freshers

Fairs, clubs, societies, socials

Relationships and making friends

Networking

Finding accommodation

Independent living

Managing money

Time management

What you need to bring with you/moving out

What to do during uni to help with job prospects and applications

Cars, bikes, buses, and trains (transport in general)

Pandemic management and scrutinising people who blatantly ignore the rules

Fashion

Gym and equipment

Managing family

Learning a language

Picking electives

Making money and getting a job

What to study before going to uni


In fact. TSR has its own sub sections for uni related questions.
Original post by Sarah1406
Hi all,
anything I need to know before I start uni this September? Please share your experiences as it would be really helpful for lots of people here.
++ I'll hopefully be doing biomedical sciences.. biomedics.. what should I be expecting?
Thanks in advanced ^^)

Hey @Sarah1406 how are you? 🤗

I'd say to definitely get involved with a club or society if you haven't thought about doing that already, there such a good way of meeting new people, and you'll have a common interest with them, so it might make conversation that bit easier. I'd also recommend getting involved in any volunteering opportunities, look into becoming a student ambassador, finding part-time work on campus, going along to freshers events, attending any su/uni events as ways of meeting new people! 🙂 I'm sure you'll also meet some wonderful people on your course too, have you joined any social media uni groups, where you can chat to fellow course mates now? And are you commuting to uni or living in student accommodation? You'll have plenty of opportunities to make friends whichever one you're doing!

Good luck with your university journey, I hope you have the best time!! :smile:

Becky
Hiya!

That's an excellent question. First of all, your expectations of uni might not be the same as your reality, so be open to new experiences. I know when I went to uni, I was really nervous about making friends and was very introverted, but the best way to meet others was through freshers fairs and societies. Remember everyone is in the same boat as you and also looking to make friends! For more ways to make friends, check out our article here: https://studentspace.org.uk/wellbeing/building-a-network-at-university

When it comes to academia, it is very different to A levels! You have much more time for independent studying, so time management is key as it's easy to leave things to the last minute. There might be many more students than you're used to when attending lectures. Additionally, you'll probably have practical workshops in your course, so you'll ideally not want to miss those! Lecturers may not be on campus a lot, it's important to check when and how to reach out to them if you need support. For more information around tutors and lecturers, check out this article here: https://studentspace.org.uk/wellbeing/what-to-expect-from-university-staff

Hope this all helps! - Emmy :smile:
Original post by Sarah1406
Hi all,
anything I need to know before I start uni this September? Please share your experiences as it would be really helpful for lots of people here.
++ I'll hopefully be doing biomedical sciences.. biomedics.. what should I be expecting?
Thanks in advanced ^^)

Starting university in September is a big step, and it’s natural to feel both excited and a bit nervous. Some tips I would share are:

Get Involved: Freshers' Week is your chance to get acquainted with campus, meet new people, and learn about all the resources available to you. Attend events, even if you feel a bit out of your comfort zone—it’s a great way to start building connections.

Explore Clubs and Societies: Universities often have a wide range of clubs and societies. Joining a few that interest you can help you meet like-minded people and ease the transition into university life.

Organize Your Schedule: Once you have your timetable, organise your classes, study time, and any other commitments. A planner or digital calendar can be really helpful.

Be Prepared for Independent Learning: University often requires more self-directed study than high school. It’s important to stay on top of readings, assignments, and deadlines. Start good habits early.

Seek Help When Needed: If you’re struggling with coursework, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Professors, teaching assistants, and academic advisors are there to support you. Many universities also offer tutoring services.

Set Ground Rules with Flatmates: Whether you’re living in halls or private accommodation, it’s a good idea to establish some basic ground rules with your flatmates early on (e.g., cleaning schedules, quiet hours). This can prevent potential conflicts.

Budget Wisely: University life can come with unexpected expenses. Create a budget that covers your essentials like rent, food, and transportation, and keep track of your spending.

Be Open to Meeting New People: Everyone is in the same boat, so don’t be afraid to strike up conversations, whether it’s in class, at events, or in your accommodation. Most people are eager to make new friends.

Balance Socialising and Studying: While it’s important to enjoy the social aspects of university, finding a balance between your social life and academics is key to staying on track.

Prioritize Self-Care: University can be demanding, so make sure to prioritize your mental and physical health. Get enough sleep, eat well, and find time to relax.

Know Your Resources: Universities typically offer health and counselling services. Familiarise yourself with these resources so you know where to go if you need support.

It’s Normal to Feel Overwhelmed: Starting university is a big transition, and it’s normal to feel homesick or overwhelmed at times. Give yourself time to adjust, and know that these feelings will likely pass as you settle in.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: Whether it’s academic, social, or personal challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Universities have a lot of support systems in place to assist you.

Get to Know the Area: Take time to explore your campus and the surrounding area. Familiarizing yourself with local shops, cafes, parks, and public transport can make your new environment feel more like home.

Take Advantage of Campus Facilities: Universities often have great facilities, from libraries and study spaces to gyms and recreational areas. Make the most of what’s available to you.


Starting university is a time of growth, new experiences, and opportunities. While it might feel overwhelming at first, remember that it’s okay to take things one step at a time. You’re about to embark on an exciting journey, and with preparation and an open mind, you’ll navigate this transition successfully. Good luck—you’ve got this
Original post by Sarah1406
Hi all,
anything I need to know before I start uni this September? Please share your experiences as it would be really helpful for lots of people here.
++ I'll hopefully be doing biomedical sciences.. biomedics.. what should I be expecting?
Thanks in advanced ^^)

Hi there,

Great question! There are so many great posts around on TSR already about things to know before starting university, so I'd recommend you have a look for those too.

One thing I always recommend is to put yourself out there. Take the leap, be confident in yourself and your abilities, have exciting new experiences, meet people, and take the chance to try what you are interested in! University is such a great time to try things, and you have such an immense level of support from everyone around you while doing so. It can be hard and nerve-wracking to do this, but it is so worth it!

I also think being organized, especially early on in the year, is key. Make sure you have a calendar, planner, or notebook, and write in all of your classes, assignments, work, downtime, and other important things. It can get overwhelming for a lot of people, especially if you aren't aware of and keeping on top of your commitments and deadlines, so I find that this helps me so much to prevent feeling this way!

University can be an incredible experience if you put the work in. Try your best, put yourself out there, and enjoy it!

Isabella
Geography with a Year Abroad Student
Original post by Sarah1406
Hi all,
anything I need to know before I start uni this September? Please share your experiences as it would be really helpful for lots of people here.
++ I'll hopefully be doing biomedical sciences.. biomedics.. what should I be expecting?
Thanks in advanced ^^)

Hey Sarah !

Whilst I don't do biomed I hope I can give you some tips on what to expect when you come to university!

I would definitely recommend getting to grips with budgeting before you start as this is something that a lot of people learn the hard way!

I'd also recommend joining some societies as this is a great way to meet new people at university! Getting involved during freshers is a great way to find friends who have similar interests to you and enjoy life outside of lectures!

I hope this helps!

Rebecca, UCLan
Original post by Sarah1406
Hi all,
anything I need to know before I start uni this September? Please share your experiences as it would be really helpful for lots of people here.
++ I'll hopefully be doing biomedical sciences.. biomedics.. what should I be expecting?
Thanks in advanced ^^)

Hi 👋

I would say make sure to bring all the usual things that you would use at home as well as this make sure to bring some home comforts as well - some things that you really can live without. In addition to this, I would agree with some of the other uni reps - join a society/ sport this can be a great thing to do in order to meet new people and make new friends as well.

In addition to this, I would look to try and find your flatmates on any social media groups for your universities, as this can allow you to make connections more easily.

I wish you the best of luck!

Kind regards,
Matt
Original post by Sarah1406
Hi all,
anything I need to know before I start uni this September? Please share your experiences as it would be really helpful for lots of people here.
++ I'll hopefully be doing biomedical sciences.. biomedics.. what should I be expecting?
Thanks in advanced ^^)

Hi @Sarah1406 ,

I would definitely agree with what others have said here and my best tip would be to get involved and join a society! They are great ways of meeting lots of new people and making friends and you also get to do something that you enjoy at the same time. There will be lots to choose from as I am sure most universities have lots of different societies so have a look online and go to the freshers fairs where they have all of the societies on offer so you can see what you like the sound of and go to some trial sessions for these. Societies can be expensive though so I would recommend going to the trial sessions if you can so that you know if you actually enjoy it or not before you commit.

I would also say that joining some group chats before you get to uni can be a good idea. On Facebook, there will often be different groups for your uni, your course, accommodation etc so I would join some of these so that you can meet some people before you start. If you find a group for your accommodation, you can sometimes meet some people that will be living in your flat which is nice as it makes it less scary when you are moving in! I will say though that there will be a lot of people on there trying to sell freshers tickets/wristbands so only buy these if you actually really want to go to the events as otherwise it will be a waste of money!

Also, making sure you have a budget set of what you can afford to spend is a good idea too as this will stop you from spending all of your money in freshers week an then being stuck. Try and work this out based on the loan you will be getting or any money you will get from a part time job and try and stick to this as best you can as it will really help you out in the long run.

I hope this helps!

Lucy -SHU student ambassador :smile:
Original post by Sarah1406
Hi all,
anything I need to know before I start uni this September? Please share your experiences as it would be really helpful for lots of people here.
++ I'll hopefully be doing biomedical sciences.. biomedics.. what should I be expecting?
Thanks in advanced ^^)

Hi @Sarah1406 !

Starting university can come with a mixture of emotions, when I first started I felt quite nervous about making new friends and settling in. I am now half way through my undergrad degree and can say that I have had some great years in Lancaster filled with amazing memories!

Here are my top 3 tips for starting at university:

Join societies/sports teams- joining societies related to your interests etc., is a great way to meet people and make new friends.

Look after yourself- make sure you are looking after yourself as you transition into this next chapter of your life and ask for help/support if you're struggling with anything.

Find a good balance- allow yourself time to figure out a healthy balance between your academic studies, socialising and everything in between.


This article might have some helpful tips for starting university: https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/before-you-start/tips-for-starting-university .

Good luck in September!

Poppy - Student Ambassador 😀
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Dont say no to doing new things.

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