First Year of Uni / MPharm Tips?

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Get your bearings and settle down into your new routine - uni is a huge step and a very different way of studying, living and managing your time to school, and so give yourself plenty of time to get familiar with your new environment and sorting out your priorities, get into some good study habits and familiarise yourself with your new city and campus community.

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Take up part time work as a student ambassador - this is such a fun thing to do - the work is fun, varied and a great way to get experience with different groups of people as well as earning some money. Some of the best friends I met at uni were through this too!

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Join at least one society - I was part of the Coffee Society when I was in second year and really enjoyed touring Bath's many independent coffee houses for socials. It was a great one to join for a non-alcohol drinker. These can br great ways to meet new people from other courses and years and being on the committee can teach you a lot of transferable skills for your CV. Plus it gives you a break from studying once a week!

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Taking time to get your bearings is important. Make sure you have a bit of time to settle in, look around he city and just get used to where you are living. Once you are living there you will be surprised at how quickly you will settle in, but having a look around is good on the first day!

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Join societies! I know you have probably heard this before, but joining societies is a really great way of getting to know lots of people and doing something fun at the same time! Have a look what societies your uni offers so you will be prepared when you get there of what you might want to join.

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Reaching out to people on social media if you can beforehand can be helpful too. Often there will be groups on Facebook where you can talk to people who will be on your course, in your halls etc and you can have chats with them and get to know them a little bit before hand!

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When you get to uni, get stuck in! It is a good idea to get involved and talk to as many people as you can! Ask people if they want to meet, go out etc as most people will say yes as they want to make friends too.

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Make the most of the resources your uni provides. If they have help sessions, go to them if you feel you are struggling with anything. Talk to your tutors if you are ever struggling and talk to the wellbeing team if you need to as well.

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It is okay to feel a bit homesick. This is so normal and just talk to people about how you are feeling as chances are they are feeling the same way!