The Student Room Group

Could you give me general tips before I start University?

Hello! I am going to go to the University of Bath this year for Maths and Statistics. I have chosen shared bathroom accommodation, and I am hoping to get involved in lots of clubs, especially sports. Does anybody have any tips for me before I start? For example, how to manage the workload, or things that you wish you knew before attending university. I am a bit of an anxious person who wants to get a first class degree and be very sociable (though I have never been clubbing or anything like that, so tips for that would be greatly appreciated). Thanks so much in advance! :smile:

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Hello @tesss5

Congratulations on getting into Uni, I am just going into my second year at uni, so I am not far removed from the exact point you are at right now. So I hope my response and experice help and maybe provide some comfort to you.

Firstly, academics, from my personal experience, I would say the most important thing is to not procratinate, because the workload can get out of control. So to that end, I will say try to create a plan when you know what your schedule is like. Also, if you do not quite understand something, do not be afraid to speak to the lecturers (could be via email), academic advisor, your fellow coursemates. Just take it a day at a time, you will probably find it is not as dauting as you might think it is.

Secondly, joining clubs and being involved with sports is never a bad idea, so go for it. This will definitely improve your chances of making friends and forming close bonds in your first year, which will only make your university experince much more enjoyable. Also a welcomed distraction from the academics. Not a big clubber myself, but seeing my friends partake in the activity, I would say try to go with friends, maybe during freshers your flat could go for a night out, it would definitely help you all bond faster.

Lastly, shared bathrooms. I resided in a shared bathroom in my first year, and actually re-applied and will reside in shared bathrooms again this year. My personal experience was certainly good, but I can not speak to that being the general experience. I found that the best approach to residing in shared spaces accommodations is to have a conversation with the other ocupants as a group and state what you all expect from each other, including making sure the bathrooms are in a good state for the next person who wishes to use it after you are done. This might not be an easy discussion to have as you would all just be meeting each other for the first time and building new relationships, but I believe it is an absolutely necessary conversation to have, as soon as possible.

Hope you find this helpful.
Chiemela - (Student Ambassador)
(edited 1 month ago)
Hey! Congrats on securing a place at Bath.
We have loads of blogs over on our website if you wish to take a look? We recommend
Tips for getting the most out of your study session - https://www.studentroost.co.uk/blog/top-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-study-session-student-roost

How to find the right student work/life balance - https://www.studentroost.co.uk/blog/how-to-find-the-right-student-work-life-balance

Icebreaker ideas: easy ways to connect with other students at uni - https://www.studentroost.co.uk/blog/icebreaker-ideas-easy-ways-to-connect-with-other-students-at-uni

Wishing you the best of luck in your uni adventure!
-Laura
Original post by tesss5
Hello! I am going to go to the University of Bath this year for Maths and Statistics. I have chosen shared bathroom accommodation, and I am hoping to get involved in lots of clubs, especially sports. Does anybody have any tips for me before I start? For example, how to manage the workload, or things that you wish you knew before attending university. I am a bit of an anxious person who wants to get a first class degree and be very sociable (though I have never been clubbing or anything like that, so tips for that would be greatly appreciated). Thanks so much in advance! :smile:


Congrats on getting into uni :woo:

- For the shared bathroom, make sure you get some shower shoes or flip flops (you don't wanna walk in that shower bear foot, trust me).
- Depending on the set up of the bathroom get a shower caddy. I preferred to keep my shampoo/bath gel in my room, because other people would use it :erm:
- with workload/time management your uni will give you a timetable. I ended up using google calender as I was able to add in stuff and organise it around my uni timetable e.g. part time job
- Ask to meet/check in with your academic tutor earlier on in the term, even if its just to say hi. It's useful having someone in your university department you can go to/email if you have any questions, but it doesn't just need to be your academic tutor; module convenors or your lecturers are usually ok to email too if its uni related.
Original post by tesss5
Hello! I am going to go to the University of Bath this year for Maths and Statistics. I have chosen shared bathroom accommodation, and I am hoping to get involved in lots of clubs, especially sports. Does anybody have any tips for me before I start? For example, how to manage the workload, or things that you wish you knew before attending university. I am a bit of an anxious person who wants to get a first class degree and be very sociable (though I have never been clubbing or anything like that, so tips for that would be greatly appreciated). Thanks so much in advance! :smile:
Hi there!

Congratulations for getting a place at uni! I think my main tip would be to just be yourself. Go out and enjoy yourself, especially in the first year. I think that being organised and having a schedule will allow you to focus on your studies and the increased workload in the years to come but also give you time to socialise and join societies.

Clubbing isn't for everyone however, I would recommend trying it if you are up for it. However, don't feel too pressured to go out if it isn't for you as there are many other activities to keep you busy and sociable. One thing I wish I did more whilst at uni, would be taking more time for myself. So don't forget to implement some self-care into your uni experience.

Hope this helps and you have a fab time at uni😊
Jakub-Fashion promotion and marketing student
Original post by tesss5
Hello! I am going to go to the University of Bath this year for Maths and Statistics. I have chosen shared bathroom accommodation, and I am hoping to get involved in lots of clubs, especially sports. Does anybody have any tips for me before I start? For example, how to manage the workload, or things that you wish you knew before attending university. I am a bit of an anxious person who wants to get a first class degree and be very sociable (though I have never been clubbing or anything like that, so tips for that would be greatly appreciated). Thanks so much in advance! :smile:

Hello 👋

First of all congratulations! It's an exciting time preparing for university.

There's loads of different ways to socialise outside of clubbing, if you're planning on joining sports clubs you'll find alot of them run their own socials or there may be specific nights for sports socials to get involved in. But I'd also say to take a look at other societies too, I joined a few in freshers week to try out just for something different! And even though I didn't carry on with them, I would still meet up with people I'd met for a coffee. I'm sure the students union will also have lots of different events too - we had games nights, quiz nights, karaoke nights, food crawls... there really was something for everyone I'd say!

Living in halls definitely helped me with my confidence too, I was lucky that I got on really well with my flatmates, and we'd do things like come dine with me nights where we'd cook together (also saved us money and shared the cleaning afterwards too!) I had my own en-suite but for shared bathroom I'd definitely say to get some flip flops or shower shoes! With my flat too, we found a balance as well, as we were all studying different kinds of degrees, when it got closer to deadlines we would head to the library together or stay in together instead of going out. So the balance was definitely there with study and socialising!

Ultimately it's about finding the right balance for you but that will come with time! I hope you enjoy your university experience and all the best for the future 😀

Jennie
Reply 6
Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador
Hello @tesss5
Congratulations on getting into Uni, I am just going into my second year at uni, so I am not far removed from the exact point you are at right now. So I hope my response and experice help and maybe provide some comfort to you.
Firstly, academics, from my personal experience, I would say the most important thing is to not procratinate, because the workload can get out of control. So to that end, I will say try to create a plan when you know what your schedule is like. Also, if you do not quite understand something, do not be afraid to speak to the lecturers (could be via email), academic advisor, your fellow coursemates. Just take it a day at a time, you will probably find it is not as dauting as you might think it is.
Secondly, joining clubs and being involved with sports is never a bad idea, so go for it. This will definitely improve your chances of making friends and forming close bonds in your first year, which will only make your university experince much more enjoyable. Also a welcomed distraction from the academics. Not a big clubber myself, but seeing my friends partake in the activity, I would say try to go with friends, maybe during freshers your flat could go for a night out, it would definitely help you all bond faster.
Lastly, shared bathrooms. I resided in a shared bathroom in my first year, and actually re-applied and will reside in shared bathrooms again this year. My personal experience was certainly good, but I can not speak to that being the general experience. I found that the best approach to residing in shared spaces accommodations is to have a conversation with the other ocupants as a group and state what you all expect from each other, including making sure the bathrooms are in a good state for the next person who wishes to use it after you are done. This might not be an easy discussion to have as you would all just be meeting each other for the first time and building new relationships, but I believe it is an absolutely necessary conversation to have, as soon as possible.
Hope you find this helpful.
Chiemela - (Student Ambassador)

Thank you very much!
Reply 7
Original post by University of Bradford
Hello 👋
First of all congratulations! It's an exciting time preparing for university.
There's loads of different ways to socialise outside of clubbing, if you're planning on joining sports clubs you'll find alot of them run their own socials or there may be specific nights for sports socials to get involved in. But I'd also say to take a look at other societies too, I joined a few in freshers week to try out just for something different! And even though I didn't carry on with them, I would still meet up with people I'd met for a coffee. I'm sure the students union will also have lots of different events too - we had games nights, quiz nights, karaoke nights, food crawls... there really was something for everyone I'd say!
Living in halls definitely helped me with my confidence too, I was lucky that I got on really well with my flatmates, and we'd do things like come dine with me nights where we'd cook together (also saved us money and shared the cleaning afterwards too!) I had my own en-suite but for shared bathroom I'd definitely say to get some flip flops or shower shoes! With my flat too, we found a balance as well, as we were all studying different kinds of degrees, when it got closer to deadlines we would head to the library together or stay in together instead of going out. So the balance was definitely there with study and socialising!
Ultimately it's about finding the right balance for you but that will come with time! I hope you enjoy your university experience and all the best for the future 😀
Jennie

Thank you!
Reply 8
Original post by UCLan Student
Hi there!
Congratulations for getting a place at uni! I think my main tip would be to just be yourself. Go out and enjoy yourself, especially in the first year. I think that being organised and having a schedule will allow you to focus on your studies and the increased workload in the years to come but also give you time to socialise and join societies.
Clubbing isn't for everyone however, I would recommend trying it if you are up for it. However, don't feel too pressured to go out if it isn't for you as there are many other activities to keep you busy and sociable. One thing I wish I did more whilst at uni, would be taking more time for myself. So don't forget to implement some self-care into your uni experience.
Hope this helps and you have a fab time at uni😊
Jakub-Fashion promotion and marketing student

Thank you!
Reply 9
Original post by Chronoscope
Congrats on getting into uni :woo:
- For the shared bathroom, make sure you get some shower shoes or flip flops (you don't wanna walk in that shower bear foot, trust me).
- Depending on the set up of the bathroom get a shower caddy. I preferred to keep my shampoo/bath gel in my room, because other people would use it :erm:
- with workload/time management your uni will give you a timetable. I ended up using google calender as I was able to add in stuff and organise it around my uni timetable e.g. part time job
- Ask to meet/check in with your academic tutor earlier on in the term, even if its just to say hi. It's useful having someone in your university department you can go to/email if you have any questions, but it doesn't just need to be your academic tutor; module convenors or your lecturers are usually ok to email too if its uni related.

Thank you very much!
Reply 10
Original post by StudentRoost Rep
Hey! Congrats on securing a place at Bath.
We have loads of blogs over on our website if you wish to take a look? We recommend
Tips for getting the most out of your study session - https://www.studentroost.co.uk/blog/top-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-study-session-student-roost
How to find the right student work/life balance - https://www.studentroost.co.uk/blog/how-to-find-the-right-student-work-life-balance
Icebreaker ideas: easy ways to connect with other students at uni - https://www.studentroost.co.uk/blog/icebreaker-ideas-easy-ways-to-connect-with-other-students-at-uni
Wishing you the best of luck in your uni adventure!
-Laura

Thank you!
Original post by tesss5
Hello! I am going to go to the University of Bath this year for Maths and Statistics. I have chosen shared bathroom accommodation, and I am hoping to get involved in lots of clubs, especially sports. Does anybody have any tips for me before I start? For example, how to manage the workload, or things that you wish you knew before attending university. I am a bit of an anxious person who wants to get a first class degree and be very sociable (though I have never been clubbing or anything like that, so tips for that would be greatly appreciated). Thanks so much in advance! :smile:

Hi 👋,

It's great to hear that you are going to university this year.

I think that getting involved in lots of different clubs is a great thing to do especially as it will help you to make new friends as well as experience new things.

One tip I would give for trying to get first-class honors is managing your workload, to do this ensure that you are setting time aside to study as well as enjoying your free time completing sports and other activities. This balance will hopefully be the recipe for success!

Make sure you take your home comforts, whatever that may be for you, I feel that this is a really important tip especially initially this is because it will allow you to settle more quickly into your new life at university.

I hope these tips help and wish you the best of luck at university!

Matt
Wrexham Uni Reps
Reply 12
Original post by WrexhamUniReps
Hi 👋,
It's great to hear that you are going to university this year.
I think that getting involved in lots of different clubs is a great thing to do especially as it will help you to make new friends as well as experience new things.
One tip I would give for trying to get first-class honors is managing your workload, to do this ensure that you are setting time aside to study as well as enjoying your free time completing sports and other activities. This balance will hopefully be the recipe for success!
Make sure you take your home comforts, whatever that may be for you, I feel that this is a really important tip especially initially this is because it will allow you to settle more quickly into your new life at university.
I hope these tips help and wish you the best of luck at university!
Matt
Wrexham Uni Reps


Thank you very much!
Original post by tesss5
Hello! I am going to go to the University of Bath this year for Maths and Statistics. I have chosen shared bathroom accommodation, and I am hoping to get involved in lots of clubs, especially sports. Does anybody have any tips for me before I start? For example, how to manage the workload, or things that you wish you knew before attending university. I am a bit of an anxious person who wants to get a first class degree and be very sociable (though I have never been clubbing or anything like that, so tips for that would be greatly appreciated). Thanks so much in advance! :smile:

Hi!

I have just graduated and when I started I was in a pretty similar position to you.

A tip for shared bathrooms is to have flipflops you can wear in the shower and have a basket to carry things to and from your room in. Having a towel robe is also good for making you feel more comfortable walking between your room and the bathroom.

As for managing the workload, I found that if I made a start on assignments early, even if that was just doing some reading and making a few notes on a Word doc, I felt a lot less stressed and the workload felt a lot more manageable when it got closer to the due date. This was especially helpful when I had a few things due at around the same time.

I hadn't been clubbing before I started either. It made me quite anxious especially at the very beginning. One thing I found that helped with this was having a plan of who I was going home with. It is so easy to lose track of people in a busy club so if you have one person who you stick with all night then you will never end up alone. I would always discuss this before you start drinking as well. Just saying to one person 'Hey is it alright if we stick together tonight and come home together?' can ensure that they know that you'll be staying with them all night which always made me feel a lot less anxious about clubbing. I would always recommend you have some water just before you head out to the club after the pre-drinks and make sure you have a bottle of water next to your bed for when you get back. A bottle by your bed is always better than a glass because you are a lot less likely to spill it and some water bottles you can use while you are lying down too.

I hope this helps 😃

Lottie, Graduate Advocate
Reply 14
Original post by Liverpool Hope University
Hi!
I have just graduated and when I started I was in a pretty similar position to you.
A tip for shared bathrooms is to have flipflops you can wear in the shower and have a basket to carry things to and from your room in. Having a towel robe is also good for making you feel more comfortable walking between your room and the bathroom.
As for managing the workload, I found that if I made a start on assignments early, even if that was just doing some reading and making a few notes on a Word doc, I felt a lot less stressed and the workload felt a lot more manageable when it got closer to the due date. This was especially helpful when I had a few things due at around the same time.
I hadn't been clubbing before I started either. It made me quite anxious especially at the very beginning. One thing I found that helped with this was having a plan of who I was going home with. It is so easy to lose track of people in a busy club so if you have one person who you stick with all night then you will never end up alone. I would always discuss this before you start drinking as well. Just saying to one person 'Hey is it alright if we stick together tonight and come home together?' can ensure that they know that you'll be staying with them all night which always made me feel a lot less anxious about clubbing. I would always recommend you have some water just before you head out to the club after the pre-drinks and make sure you have a bottle of water next to your bed for when you get back. A bottle by your bed is always better than a glass because you are a lot less likely to spill it and some water bottles you can use while you are lying down too.
I hope this helps 😃
Lottie, Graduate Advocate


Thank you so much!
Original post by tesss5
Hello! I am going to go to the University of Bath this year for Maths and Statistics. I have chosen shared bathroom accommodation, and I am hoping to get involved in lots of clubs, especially sports. Does anybody have any tips for me before I start? For example, how to manage the workload, or things that you wish you knew before attending university. I am a bit of an anxious person who wants to get a first class degree and be very sociable (though I have never been clubbing or anything like that, so tips for that would be greatly appreciated). Thanks so much in advance! :smile:

My son Luke is joining Maths & Statistics this year too, and like you is quiet, studious and has never been clubbing or out drinking either. He's also not on social media so far so is on the back foot. Bath was his insurance choice and he is currently waiting to hear if he is getting any accommodation which is not guaranteed, so it's a very stressful time for him too.

My eldest son is at uni in Surrey, and was similar to you and his brother before going. From what we learned from his experience, my advice for you is to

1.

Buy Freshers week tickets as soon as they become available on 2 Sept as they might sell out (My eldest didn't do this and ended up sat in a couple of nights as his flatmates had tickets and he didn't ) even if you don't use them you have the option of going.

2.

Go out with flatmates when they ask - the first 2-3 weeks is generally where you'll make your friends for the year. If you are shy, fake it til you make it... you are all in the same boat as everyone and be open to making friends.

3.

Join a society to make friends outside your course (as well as those you'll make on your course) so when things become intense on coursework you have friends to go out with and not talk shop... my eldest doesn't live with anyone on his course for that reason and he's having a great time. He is a swimmer and joined the swimming society and he says they are his best friends.

4.

Don't stress, you'll have a wonderful time.

Good luck. You might even meet my son Luke at lectures. If you do say hello!
Reply 16
Original post by Annemarieharg
My son Luke is joining Maths & Statistics this year too, and like you is quiet, studious and has never been clubbing or out drinking either. He's also not on social media so far so is on the back foot. Bath was his insurance choice and he is currently waiting to hear if he is getting any accommodation which is not guaranteed, so it's a very stressful time for him too.
My eldest son is at uni in Surrey, and was similar to you and his brother before going. From what we learned from his experience, my advice for you is to

1.

Buy Freshers week tickets as soon as they become available on 2 Sept as they might sell out (My eldest didn't do this and ended up sat in a couple of nights as his flatmates had tickets and he didn't ) even if you don't use them you have the option of going.

2.

Go out with flatmates when they ask - the first 2-3 weeks is generally where you'll make your friends for the year. If you are shy, fake it til you make it... you are all in the same boat as everyone and be open to making friends.

3.

Join a society to make friends outside your course (as well as those you'll make on your course) so when things become intense on coursework you have friends to go out with and not talk shop... my eldest doesn't live with anyone on his course for that reason and he's having a great time. He is a swimmer and joined the swimming society and he says they are his best friends.

4.

Don't stress, you'll have a wonderful time.

Good luck. You might even meet my son Luke at lectures. If you do say hello!


Thank you so much!
Original post by tesss5
Hello! I am going to go to the University of Bath this year for Maths and Statistics. I have chosen shared bathroom accommodation, and I am hoping to get involved in lots of clubs, especially sports. Does anybody have any tips for me before I start? For example, how to manage the workload, or things that you wish you knew before attending university. I am a bit of an anxious person who wants to get a first class degree and be very sociable (though I have never been clubbing or anything like that, so tips for that would be greatly appreciated). Thanks so much in advance! :smile:

Hi, Hope you are well @tesss5

One major piece of advice I would say to you around your studies is just to make sure that you have consistent communication with your lecturers and you try and make positive bonds with them. They can always be greatly helpful and it may be useful for you especially around the exam season sort of period!

It is always good also to try and make positive relationships with other students as you may be able to help one another with studies later on also. I hope this helps!

Brandon - Student Rep
Reply 18
Original post by University of Kent
Hi, Hope you are well @tesss5
One major piece of advice I would say to you around your studies is just to make sure that you have consistent communication with your lecturers and you try and make positive bonds with them. They can always be greatly helpful and it may be useful for you especially around the exam season sort of period!
It is always good also to try and make positive relationships with other students as you may be able to help one another with studies later on also. I hope this helps!
Brandon - Student Rep


Thank you!
Original post by tesss5
Hello! I am going to go to the University of Bath this year for Maths and Statistics. I have chosen shared bathroom accommodation, and I am hoping to get involved in lots of clubs, especially sports. Does anybody have any tips for me before I start? For example, how to manage the workload, or things that you wish you knew before attending university. I am a bit of an anxious person who wants to get a first class degree and be very sociable (though I have never been clubbing or anything like that, so tips for that would be greatly appreciated). Thanks so much in advance! :smile:

Hello,
Congratulations on receiving an offer to study at the University of Bath! It's excellent that you're already thinking about how to balance your academic and social lives.
University can be a significant step up from school, particularly in subjects such as maths and statistics. Try to keep on top of your work by creating a study routine early on. Break down your assignments into smaller projects and tackle them one by one. If you're having trouble with anything, don't hesitate to contact your lecturers or tutors—they're here to help!
It's good that you desire to be social and participate in clubs. Joining groups, particularly sports clubs, is an excellent opportunity to make friends while taking a break from studying. Just remember to balance your time. You can use your club activities to relax and de-stress after studying.
If you've never been clubbing before, it's quite acceptable to take it slowly. Go with trusted pals, and don't feel obligated to stay out longer than you're comfortable with. University life is all about discovering what works best for you—there is no right or wrong way to socialise.
Communication and hygiene are essential in shared bathroom settings. Try to develop a routine or cleaning schedule with your flatmates early on, and be mindful of each other's schedules.
It's perfectly normal to be nervous about attending university. Take things one day at a time, and don't be hesitant to venture outside of your comfort zone. Setting small, attainable goals for both your academic and social lives may be beneficial.
Remember that university is for learning and growing, not just getting a degree. Don't be too hard on yourself if things don't always go exactly as planned. Enjoy your time in Bath and best of luck with everything!
I hope this is helpful.
Kind regards,
Mrunali Kalbhor,
University of Sunderland Student ambassador

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