Tips And Tricks: How To Make The Most Of University!
Table of Contents
How many times have you heard older people say that university was the best time of their life?
It has become a collective truth for so many of the generations above us that it has to have some merit, right?
The changes to university tuition fees in recent years and the cost of becoming a student has put some people off, but as far as the experience itself is concerned, it’s not much different now as it was back in the day.
Moving away to university and living in student accommodation is an amazing experience if you embrace it, learn how to look after yourself, socialise and make new friends, work hard and focus on your studies.
There are many different aspects to university life, and we’ve put together some tips and tricks from graduates who have experienced university and know how to make the most of it.
1. Start With A Bang
Your first few weeks are very important to how you settle into your new town and university life.
The best tips and tricks from graduates who have been through it always begin with making the most of the start of university.
Fresher’s week and beyond are the best time to integrate into your new life.
It is also the time just before your studies start where you have a few days to acclimatise without the pressure of getting thrown into studies immediately.
Get to know your course mates within your student accommodation, go out to bars and for meals, take trips around the town to get to know it better!
Sign up to societies and clubs, sports teams, and anything that you are interested in and make sure you build a strong foundation for your new life.
2. Build For The Long-Term
As important as the first few weeks are to your life at university, it is also important not to place too much pressure on this time.
We all go at different speeds and if you’re not up to trying out all of the things mentioned above, make sure you’ve got the basics covered.
Understand where you need to be for your lectures and how to get there on time, go to the freshers’ fair to understand the university better, and just enjoy yourself.
That’s what is most important, that you are comfortable and happy.
3. Make New Friendships
You are going to spend a lot of time in university, in your student accommodation and around the town you’ll be living in for the next few years.
It is an intense experience (and we mean that in a positive sense) and it will be much better for your mental health, wellbeing, and development as an adult, to make good friends when you find the right people for you.
Having a proper support network and friends to have fun and laughter with, in university will help you overall as you move through university life.
4. Study Hard
Once you have allowed yourself some time to acclimatise and get used to your new surroundings in university and the town you’ll be living in, it’s time to get down to studying.
Make sure you attend all your lectures and seminars, every practical session, and make the most of the tuition fees that you’ve paid to be there.
Make notes, utilise apps to record lectures on your laptop and take advantage of anything that will help you when it comes to coursework and revision.
Start as you mean to go on with your studies, working as hard as you can and making it a positive habit that takes you through your studies and into your chosen career beyond university.
5. Get To Know Your Tutors
One great aspect of university is that you are a little bit older and can establish good relationships with your tutors in a way that might have seemed too intimidating with a teacher at school.
Tutors will have open hours where you can visit them, ask for advice on certain topics, ask for book recommendations, and even just chat in a private and safe space about any worries that you have in life.
6. Use Your First Year To Explore Education
The first year of university is a chance for you to explore within education, to try out different styles of writing essays for example, as generally you only need 40% to pass and it doesn’t count towards your final degree result.
The tips and tricks that most graduates found helpful during the first year of uni was to take a module from another course, join a few societies and learn other things alongside your main degree, whilst you have the time in the first year.
7. Don’t Be Scared To Think Ahead
There is a good chance that if you don’t know what you want to do for a career, that you’ll see plenty of people around you that have a very clear idea and defined plan for their life.
It’s completely fine to be in either of these camps. What we would offer as far as career tips and tricks, is to start thinking about different career options and opportunities as early as you can, without the pressure to make a decision.
Every person moves at their own speed, but go to careers fairs to see the different options open to you, look at the areas that interest you and what it takes to succeed in those industries in terms of qualifications, experience and job placements etc.
8. Experience Your Student Town And Area
Most students think of university life as a chance to go drinking, live a carefree life, and just to have fun.
Whilst this is an important part of uni life, take the chance to explore more than just the local nightlife.
Check out any local events that might be fun to go to with your housemates or coursemates, if there is natural beauty in the surrounding areas go and explore them.
The best tips and tricks from graduates to new students – have fun and say yes to as many things as you can.
You’ve got a brand-new life to explore and to make your own when you move away to university.
Don’t be scared to try new things, to go at your own speed, and to ask for help if you need it, but you are living with a blank canvas to paint your own picture.
