How did you make most of your first year?

Christmas and new year’s break has finished along with exams, and a new term has started. 🥳

Since we’re more than halfway through the year, how did you make most of your first/second/third year?

Personally, I thought second year was going to be extremely stressful, but I had more (well-spent) free time than I did on my first year 😮

Reply 1

UniofLawstudent2

Official Rep

Hi Sarah,
I totally agree with you, 2nd year felt way less stressful.
I think it comes down to having adapted to the learning curve: knowing how many hours you need to put in, which notes are actually useful,getting familiar with faculty staff, and some modules build on each other, like land law linking with real estate.

For me, the main difference has been focusing on the social side. If I don’t enjoy coming into lessons, I’m less focused. In 2nd year, I made a point of joining activities where I could meet new people, things like the advocacy society, leadership programs, group competitions, and negotiation challenges. I wouldn’t say I made close friends straight away, but I now have plenty of people to chat with.

Would love to hear how others made the most of their year!
Alfie

Reply 2

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Original post

by Kingston Sarah

Christmas and new year’s break has finished along with exams, and a new term has started. 🥳
Since we’re more than halfway through the year, how did you make most of your first/second/third year?
Personally, I thought second year was going to be extremely stressful, but I had more (well-spent) free time than I did on my first year 😮

Hi!

That is a good question and I agree with you in that I have felt as though I have had a lot more free time during my second year!

During my first year, to make the most of the experience, I made sure I got involved with as much as I could. This included sports, societies, events (uni related and non uni related) and I also made sure I put in as much effort as I could with my flat mates! All of these things allowed me to meet a lot of people and get to know them too! I think putting yourself out of your comfort zone and doing things you might not normally do is the best way to meet people and gain opportunities!

A good bit of advice also is to understand that not everyone makes a solid group of mates as soon as they start uni and it can in fact take a short while. This is completely normal and you should never give up as you will always find your people! I am excited to see what the remaining years of uni have install for me and would love to hear how others made the most of their first, second or third years!

Matt🙂
Official LJMU Student Rep

Reply 3

Swansea Students

Official Rep

Original post

by Kingston Sarah

Christmas and new year’s break has finished along with exams, and a new term has started. 🥳
Since we’re more than halfway through the year, how did you make most of your first/second/third year?
Personally, I thought second year was going to be extremely stressful, but I had more (well-spent) free time than I did on my first year 😮

Hi, I'm Lilian and I'm in my first year at Swansea University. I found joining societies have helped me settle in to uni as they allow you to meet people with similar interests and build routine, for example I always have orchestra on a Thursday evening and a hike on the weekend. I think routine has helped me make the most of my time at university, as there is new independence in our studies and daily life, it's important schedule time for both assignments, study and hobbies.

Reply 4

hallamstudents

Official Rep

Original post

by Kingston Sarah

Christmas and new year’s break has finished along with exams, and a new term has started. 🥳
Since we’re more than halfway through the year, how did you make most of your first/second/third year?
Personally, I thought second year was going to be extremely stressful, but I had more (well-spent) free time than I did on my first year 😮

Hi!

Coming back to uni after a break can be stressful but also exciting! I thought I could just add onto this thread some things that I have done to make the most of my time at uni:

•

Joining societies was one of the things that I am so glad I did. There will be so many to choose from and they are all so fun and also great ways to make friends and meet people who you otherwise would not meet. I am glad that I joined a couple in my first year and also joined a couple more in my second and third year as it meant I made lots of friends through this.

•

I would also say making the most of any events that uni puts on is one of the best things to do as they will often be fairly cheap or free and you can meet people again by doing this. I would have a regular look at the SU website as this is who usually puts the events on and see if there are any you like the sound of.

•

Also in terms of making the most of uni and making friends, I would say that asking people to do things even when you feel uncomfortable doing so is important and they will more than likely say yes and want to do things with you too! Try and put yourself out there as this is so important to do straight away so you feel more comfortable doing so in general.

•

Make the most of uni and your tutors. Make sure you go to your lectures and seminars and if you ever have any questions make sure you ask them as soon as you can so you understand everything!

•

Similarly, make the most of any uni resources that you have. If your uni ever puts any sessions on where you can learn extra skills, or to refine your skills try and go to them if you can!

I hope some of these help!

Lucy -SHU student ambassador 🙂

Reply 5

EssexStudentRep

Official Rep

Original post

by Kingston Sarah

Christmas and new year’s break has finished along with exams, and a new term has started. 🥳
Since we’re more than halfway through the year, how did you make most of your first/second/third year?
Personally, I thought second year was going to be extremely stressful, but I had more (well-spent) free time than I did on my first year 😮

Hi @Kingston Sarah👋

This is a great topic! Would love to add in my own thoughts as well. During my first year, it was hectic but also it is good to take your time to explore campus and settle in. I can relate to Sarah because second year was more stressful with more studying but I did actually spend more time exploring campus than I did in first year.

During your first year, go out and explore campus! There will be plenty of places so just pop in for a visit. If you are at Essex, perhaps spend your free day walking the wivenhoe trail, visiting Essex business building for the nature aesthetic feel.

I would just say to make the most of your university experience 😊

Essex Student Rep- Lavanya 💜

Reply 6

Kingston Sarah

Official Rep

Original post

by LJMUStudentReps

Hi!
That is a good question and I agree with you in that I have felt as though I have had a lot more free time during my second year!
During my first year, to make the most of the experience, I made sure I got involved with as much as I could. This included sports, societies, events (uni related and non uni related) and I also made sure I put in as much effort as I could with my flat mates! All of these things allowed me to meet a lot of people and get to know them too! I think putting yourself out of your comfort zone and doing things you might not normally do is the best way to meet people and gain opportunities!
A good bit of advice also is to understand that not everyone makes a solid group of mates as soon as they start uni and it can in fact take a short while. This is completely normal and you should never give up as you will always find your people! I am excited to see what the remaining years of uni have install for me and would love to hear how others made the most of their first, second or third years!
Matt🙂
Official LJMU Student Rep

Hi!

This is an amazing advice I met some of the closest friends at my second year instead of first! Thanks for sharing

-Sarah (Kingston Rep)

Reply 7

StaffsRep Aura

Official Rep

Original post

by Kingston Sarah

Christmas and new year’s break has finished along with exams, and a new term has started. 🥳
Since we’re more than halfway through the year, how did you make most of your first/second/third year?
Personally, I thought second year was going to be extremely stressful, but I had more (well-spent) free time than I did on my first year 😮

Hi,
I'm Aura, a final year Comp Sci student from Uni of Staffs. I personally found that first year was a breeze until submissions, then a panic and later smooth sailing. Second year was a lot better paced as I felt I had the knack for the things I learnt! Final year for me is proving to be a challenge as I have come back from Placement with a working mindset, a lot different to deadline crunch! It was tricky to acclimate at first and remember everything from 2nd Year to continue as if there was no gap but I have found that revising past content and attending events relating to my course such as through societies and socialising with students does help quite a bit. By hanging out with friends in similar courses and studying together, you can learn quite a bit through body doubling and discussing what it is you remember.

In my first year I prioritised working, second year I focused more on societies, final year the social scene. I will warn that final year is the worst of the lot due to the dissertation stress but timing wise its fine! I have found that with less lectures, I have a lot more time to explore practical elements and figure out my own path (hence a lot more socialising!) I recommend for anyone reading this to take things at their own pace and manage their calendars, you can do it, keep pushing through!

(edited 1 day ago)

Reply 8

BCU Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post

by Kingston Sarah

Christmas and new year’s break has finished along with exams, and a new term has started. 🥳
Since we’re more than halfway through the year, how did you make most of your first/second/third year?
Personally, I thought second year was going to be extremely stressful, but I had more (well-spent) free time than I did on my first year 😮

Hey @Kingston Sarah, I hope you are great. I honestly love this question, it is such a good time in the year to reflect a bit especially as a final year law student.

For me, the biggest different between years was learning how to use my time better. In first year, I felt busy all the time but it was not always productive. But now, I have realised that planning my week, even loosely, meant I could finish work earlier and actually enjoy my free time without feeling guilty.

What helped me:

•

Staying on top of lectures early. Even just reviewing notes the same day made revision season way less stressful.

•

Using study methods that actually worked for me, instead of studying for the sake of studying, I made use of flashcards, blurting and the Pomodoro method

•

Getting involved in societies, part-time work, and volunteering made uni feel more balanced and helped me meet people outside my degree

•

Protecting actual downtime. I learnt that burnout is real. Having evening or weekends where you properly switch off makes a big difference and it certainly did so in my case.

Also, I totally relate to what you said about second year not being as chaotic as expected. Once I understood how uni works, things started to feel so manageable. I look forward to reading what others have to say 🙂

Ru
BCU Student Rep.