Differences Between First and Second Year At University

If you're currently a first year at university, you probably feel like your first year's gone by in a blur - however, second year will be starting before you know it! Here are some of the major differences between student life in first and second year.

The settling-in period is (mostly) over!
A lot of first year is spent simply settling in; whether that's to your course, your flat dynamic or just to the uni area itself. Luckily, by second year you should feel a bit more confident - you'll have a much better idea of what your course entails, who your friends are and what shops/restaurants/amenities you have around you. Furthermore, if you've spent the past year living in a hall of residence or sharing a flat or house, you'll have familiarised yourself with many of the potential challenges of living independently already - for example, you won't have to worry about figuring out a weekly budget, as you'll (hopefully!) already have an idea of your average income/expenses from first year.

More time to get involved in university life.
Although lots of students start university with a plan to join several different societies, the demands of first-year can sometimes get in the way. After all, the most popular time to join societies is during Freshers - and between getting to know flatmates and mandatory course/module inductions, many first-years already have a full schedule planned for that week! Luckily, second year is an excellent time to start getting involved in new societies or sports; you’ll already feel familiar with the university and its facilities, and will likely feel less nervous about socialising with new people.

Start paying attention to your grades!
When you're a first year in university, it's not uncommon to hear the phrase ‘first year doesn't matter’. Although this isn't strictly true for most first years - especially in terms of meeting new people and gaining life skills - the phrase refers to the fact that lots of UK universities and courses award degrees based on grades achieved in second and third year; in short, your first year marks aren't always counted towards your final degree classification. This is intended to give you time to adapt to university-level education, and gives you some leeway if you're struggling to settle into your course.

Although your second year grades will typically account for a significantly lower percentage of your degree classification than your final year marks, second year is a good time to start paying attention to your grades. Think about what you want to achieve academically - are you aiming for a 2:1 or a First? Which modules are your weakest; can you compensate for a lower grade in one module with a higher grade in another?

Consider how to get relevant industry/work experience.
Regardless of whether you're on a three, four of five year course, your time at university will fly by. However, if you're on a three year course like I am, second year is an excellent time to start loosely considering what your post-graduation plans might be. If you're looking to work in a particular industry or sector after university- for example, law - consider looking into suitable summer vacation schemes or internships. Even a few weeks of work experience outside of term time can make a big difference in the graduate job market. Make sure to also take advantage of any networking opportunities arranged by your university e.g. faculty job fairs, careers fairs.

Best of luck to any first and second year students with upcoming exams! :smile: