When starting university there are so many things to consider, as you are leaving home, most probably for the first time, adjusting to a new style of learning and dealing with a whole new social group. It can be easy to feel lost and confused and this is extremely normal, but it shouldn’t mean you should shy away from seeking help or support. It’s important to make the most of these times and here are some points to consider as you adjust to your first year away at university.
Getting Used To Accommodation
Most students start, at least for their first year, in a student residence. This means that you are unlikely to be able to choose who your neighbors are, or even in some circumstances a room-mate. This means that you are going to have to navigate co-habitation with strangers, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, you might well make some really good new friends. Try to be an easy person to live with, do your fair share of tidying and cleaning but don’t be too over-zealous about the place as this can lead to tensions.
Check Your Timetable & Classes
One essential thing to do is be sure you are aware of both your timetable and the location of each class you attend. Many campuses are large and have several buildings so it’s important to know how long you have and how far to go between classes, especially if you have one that immediately follows the other. This also allows you to plan the rest of your schedule for study time and socializing.
Get Help With Any Issues
Hopefully, everything will run smoothly and you will have a great experience with no issues, however, this is not always the case and thankfully most colleges and universities have a whole range of support staff, from academic to mental health. Even sometimes you can find that after looking at all your options this university isn’t for you and you might want to think about transferring universities UK.
Look Into Societies & Clubs
We all want to make friends at university and have a good and varied social life. Joining clubs or societies are a great way to meet new people and also give yourself a chance to try new sports, activities, hobbies or interests. You can find a huge variety, some are academic, others political or social and there is no real limit to how many you could try.
Make Sure Your Finances Are Sorted
You should have your finances all sorted before you even go to university, but if you haven’t planned out the year then it’s essential to work out if all your costs are going to be covered from. Look at tuition fees, accommodation, food, and groceries, socializing and essentials such as clothing, etc. If you have a scholarship or parental support be sure to work out if this covers everything, student loans are a good way to fund yourself but are wary of extra finance from banks such as credit cards and loans. A better way than borrowing can be to work part-time as well.