Student life

What's university really like? When you're making your uni application, it's easy to get caught up in your research. What course will you pick? Do league tables matter? What support will I get?

But going to uni is about more than all that. It is - quite literally - your life, at least for the coming three years.

That's why we've partnered with the University of East Anglia (UEA). Together we've created the articles on this page, to help you feel more prepared for the university life you've got planned.

For many people, going to university will be the first time they've lived outside of the home they grew up in. So what can you expect from life at university? Students and university staff share their experience in these articles.

• What university is really like
• Watch: what's a uni lecture like?
• Things that only happen in uni halls
• What is student accommodation like at uni?

University is a very different educational experience from school or college. You'll be managing your own schedules and planning time, and you'll need to adjust to a different style of grading and feedback. Find out more in the articles below.

• Am I really ready for university?
• Is it a good idea to take a gap year before university?
• The biggest differences between school and uni
• 63 things students wish they'd known before uni...
• What it's like going from school to university

Every university is different, so it's smart to spend time thinking about the type of uni that will suit you best. Here are some tips.

• [QUIZ] What kind of uni is right for you?
• Campus or city: which should you choose?
• Seven questions you must ask yourself before choosing your uni
• Finding 'the one': How I picked the right uni
• How important are uni league tables?
• How to make sure you've picked the right firm uni

We see lots of questions about starting university on The Student Room forums. Find the answers to those questions in these articles.

• Starting uni: what you need to know
• Ten things that students weren't expecting when they started uni
• How to meet people and make friends at uni
• Why it's worth joining societies at uni

Get yourself prepared for starting uni with this selection of tips and advice.

• Life lessons university will teach you
• How to look after yourself and live independently at uni
• A day in the life of a science student
• A day in the life of a medical student

Universities offer a wide range of support for students, from financial help to mental health services. Here students share their experiences and advice.

• How do students cover the cost of going to university?
• Support at uni: the services that helped me the most

Thousands of students visit The Student Room's forums every day to discuss university life. Catch up on the latest discussions, or add your own question.

• University life forum
• Clearing, Ucas and applications forum
• Student accommodation forum
• View all forums