Three Things I wish I knew before coming to university!

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Don’t be afraid to talk to or email your lecturers with any questions! It can seem intimidating, but they truly are the experts on the subject and are much more well equipped than ChatGPT or other generative AI models to give you the insight and detail you need for the assignments in their course. If there’s something you just don’t get, make sure you know when their office hours are to pop in with some quick questions, or send an email to see if they can fit you in for a 1 to 1 meeting. Most lecturers are really passionate about their subject and will be happy to help!

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Do outside reading! While just learning the content can get you good grades, if you want to excel and get those top marks it will really help to explore and engage with the subject in your own time. Read textbook chapters and non-fiction books, look for interesting papers and articles on relevant topics, listen to podcasts, ask your lecturers if there’s anything they’d recommend! Going beyond what you’re taught in lectures deepens your understanding, develops critical thinking and gives context to your studies.

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It will be hard sometimes! Uni is challenging for everyone in different ways - even if it seems like it’s all going perfectly for someone, they may be struggling with something you can’t see. If you’re having a hard time, don’t feel like you’re failing or falling behind everyone else - reach out to your academic tutor, uni welfare team, or a close friend or family member to let them know how you’re feeling and ask for support. My experiences with the welfare team at Exeter have been really helpful - I was nervous about reaching out but I’m so glad I did as they’ve made my uni experience so much easier.

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Try and set yourself a routine as soon as you can. It can be hard when you feel unsettled at uni but once you establish a bit of a routine it does get easier and you get into the swing of things. Once you have been there a few weeks you will feel more settled, so if you feel homesick at first don't worry as it will get easier once you get into the swing of uni.

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I found it harder than I thought I would at first to make friends, I thought it would be easier than it was but I found I had to put more of an effort in to meet people and actually make friends with them. You might have to go up to people and ask them if they want to make plans but people will want to and they will say yes so don't feel afraid to go up to people and ask them if they want to make plans.

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If you are ever struggling, make use of the resources that you have. Your tutors are there to help you and they will answer any questions that you have, and if you ever are unsure of things just ask them as it will make it so much easier. Also make use of the support services on offer as they are there to help you!

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University is supposed to challenge you! - Uni can get tough at times, and that’s completely normal. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to look for help an instead get familiar early with he support that’s there for you like the wellbeing team, student hub, your personal academic tutor and your lecturers. They genuinely want to help, and it makes such as difference knowing where to go if you need it.

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You won’t make all of your friends in the first week - There’s so much pressure during Freshers to “find your people” straight away but really friendships grow over time. I’m in my third year and I’m still meeting new people! The best thing you can do is just be open and up for anything! I’d 100% recommend joining a society - that’s how I met most of my friends, and it’s a great way to mix with people from different years too.

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Learn a few basic meals - Being able to cook is such a lifesaver. Meal prepping has genuinely carried me through uni. It saves money, time and stops you living off toast. TikTok is amazing for quick easy meal ideas if you need inspiration.

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Remember that you are never alone in the way that you are feeling! Moving to uni is a big thing so it is completely normal to struggle with some elements of it. It will really help to talk to other people who are having a similar experience.

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Start your work early. I have found that completing work throughout the modules and starting the assignments early is a good way to stay on top of everything that you need to do, making the workload less overwhelming.

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You do not need to buy everything before you start! By waiting until you move, you will have a better idea of what you actually need and it will help you to keep busy during the first few weeks.

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There's a recurring theme with this one but Don't worry about making all your besties straight away! I had a lovely time in first and second year and lots of fun times with many people, but late second year/third year was when I really met my people. It can take a while to find people you really connect with, keep doing things you enjoy and you'll find more things in common with others (you also may be surprised where you find them).

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It's okay to answer a question wrong - no honestly it is fine and the world won't end if you put your hand up in a lecture and give the wrong answer. You will learn, everyone will learn, your lecturer will be happy with you for making an effort to engage, and no one will ever think of it again. If you don't put your hand up and miss the chances to answer correctly however, you will kick yourself that you didn't say it first!

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Start your assignments early. I can't believe this took me until halfway through third year to really understand. But you can't get super stressed about deadline season if you just start early and chip away at it. And then you have loads of time to ask your lecturers questions, potentially get plans checked, and generally check you're doing the right thing. Who would have thought!