Hi, I'm Lily. As the inter-semester break faded and that familiar “first Monday back” rolled around, it suddenly hit me: this is my last ever first day of a semester. For many of my friends, it’s the same. After having such a wonderful time at university, challenges and all, it’s made me determined to squeeze every last drop of value out of these final months and make the most of everything the University of Bath offers.
So, here’s a list of things I’ve done, things I wish I’d done sooner, and things that might be perfect for you even if they weren’t on my radar.
Make use of MASH
Not every degree needs MASH, but I’ll be honest: I definitely didn’t use it enough. Now that I’m deep into my Master’s Chemistry research project, I’ve found myself staring at piles of data with no idea where to begin. That’s what finally pushed me to visit the Skills Zone in 3E 2.8 for a Project Statistics drop‑in last week, and it was incredibly helpful.
If you’ve been putting it off, learn from me. MASH is there to make your life easier, and I only wish I’d gone sooner. More information about the drop-ins and support available from MASH is in MySkills here.
Ask more questions!
It sounds obvious, but it’s so easy to forget that we’re surrounded by people who are experts in their fields. You get to learn from them directly, and that’s a privilege that won’t last forever.
So ask the question. Even the ones you think are “stupid.” I’ve never regretted asking, even if I still preface everything with, “This might be a silly question, but…” You’re here to learn, and your lecturers genuinely want to help.
Explore Skills for Success
As someone who works for the Skills Centre, I had a slightly embarrassing realisation when I started my role: I’d made it three years into my four-year degree without fully appreciating just how much support MySkills offers.
There are self-access resources, workshops, a blog, 1:1 tutorials, and email feedback on writing up to 3,000 words. With project work taking over most of our lives right now, having unlimited access to this kind of support is invaluable.
If you haven’t explored Skills for Success yet, now is the perfect time. You can find out more on MySkills.
Revisit your feedback
One thing I’ve found surprisingly helpful this semester is going back through feedback from previous years. When you’re working on a big project or dissertation, patterns you didn’t notice before suddenly stand out - maybe you tend to rush conclusions, or your structure slips when you’re stressed, or you forget to explain your reasoning clearly. Using old feedback as a checklist has made my current work feel much more manageable, and it’s a great way to make sure you’re actually applying everything you’ve learned along the way.
Enjoy it!
A friend and I were recently talking about how strange it feels to know we’re in the final months of a time we’ll probably always wish we could relive. Yes, I’m excited to escape the endless Chemistry exams, but I’m also trying to savour every moment before I’m officially an “adult.”
Whether it’s SU events you’ve always meant to try, societies you love, or simply spending more time with the people who’ve shaped your university experience, lean into it. These months will fly by, and you deserve to enjoy them.
I guess that’s everything I’m trying to remind myself of as we head into the final stretch. It’s a weird mix of panic and excitement, but making the most of what’s still in front of us feels like a good place to start.
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