Looking back on my time at university I have learned so much and I am incredibly grateful for everything that I got to experience! That said, I was certainly a little nervous about my first day, moving into accommodation and making friends etc\u2026but everyone\u2019s in the same boat, so you don\u2019t need to be concerned.<\/p>\n
Although the start of university is a time of discovery and figuring things out, there are a few things that would have been useful for me to hear when I initially joined. Now that I\u2019ve graduated, I\u2019m able to reflect on my time at university and share some thoughts and pieces of advice with you.<\/p>\n
Here are my top tips for having the absolute best time at university!<\/p>\n
1. Room decoration and getting comfortable in your new living space<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve all heard the classic ways to decorate your new university room \u2013 pictures of friends and family, posters, fake plants, fairy lights, the list goes on. Although quite common, these are genuinely great ways to help settle you into your new room. Anything that makes the space feel cosier is always a plus, but you can decorate your room however you want to make it personally tailored to you and your interests.<\/p>\n Instead of buying a new duvet cover for your bed, you could use the same bedding that you normally have at home. Not only does this save money but it also might help the room feel more familiar and homely.<\/p>\n When it comes to staying organised at university, this can differ significantly from person to person and there\u2019s not one correct way of doing things. Different courses have different workloads and schedules, so you may prefer different methods of organisation to someone else.<\/p>\n Personally, I\u2019ve always been a fan of the classic to-do list, but when I got to university, I realised that I often had lots of little tasks for different modules which became quite overwhelming. Instead, I used a digital calendar to colour code what I had to do for each different class. You may prefer to write things down on paper if this helps you to remember, but all in all I would say use the first few weeks of your first semester to figure out your preferred method of keeping on top of everything.<\/p>\n There are also different ways to approach studying and getting on with your academic work. In terms of a study schedule, this is something that will likely change throughout the year depending on how many assignments you have and other commitments, so it\u2019s a good idea to be flexible. While some people are early birds and prefer to get started with work by 9am, I normally found that I preferred working in the evenings, so definitely take some time to figure out what works best for you.<\/p>\n My friends and I would also often debate about the best spots on campus to study. I think this depends on what sort of environment you\u2019re looking for. If you like having a bit of background noise whilst studying, I recommend going to a caf\u00e9 or open working space. These areas are also useful if you\u2019re completing any group work where you\u2019ll need to discuss with others. On the other hand, when it\u2019s really time to focus, the library is of course a great option and becomes quite popular during exam and deadline season. Lastly, if you know that all your flatmates will be out of the house for a while, studying in a quiet, empty flat can also be relaxing and super productive.<\/p>\n The first thing to remember when heading to university if you\u2019re concerned about making friends is how many new people there are to meet. The possibilities are truly endless. You\u2019ll be mixing with people from different places and cultures, so it\u2019s very likely that you\u2019ll find your crowd.<\/p>\n I met one of my best friends in Freshers\u2019 week. She was a girl who lived in my flat and whilst I was decorating my room, I asked if she wanted to come and chat. There are lots of simple ways of getting to know someone, but if you struggle at first, try attending events that interest you, and you\u2019ll likely end up meeting someone you have lots in common with!<\/p>\n If for the first few weeks you\u2019re not settled with a few friends, you also don\u2019t need to worry. Throughout the year, you\u2019ll consistently have opportunities to meet new and different people, and the social environments at university are ever-changing.<\/p>\n You might even like to attend one of the supported social groups<\/a>. they are a great way to meet other likeminded people in a safe space.<\/p>\n\n
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