University Advice

Most University courses in the UK commence around the first week of October, some are a bit earlier and some are a bit later, so I decided to make this post now.  I mentioned in a previous post that I don't know how much of this will still be relevant today given it's been twelve years since I went to University, however I did do it at a time where I experienced the old and the new mentalities of those who did it without technology and those who did it embracing all it has to offer.  I've decided to try and focus more on the lifestyle and the practical nature of University rather than specific advice about studying.

The first piece of advice I would give would be to constantly remind yourself that everyone around you is in the same boat.  When you first arrive at University, you are in a completely new environment surrounded by strangers.  It's natural to be nervous and to feel some social anxiety about the whole situation.  Your nature might be shy and you might think this will be the hardest thing you will ever have to do, but, you need to remind yourself that everyone around you is in the same boat.  Everyone has the same desire to meet new people and connect with them, and everyone has that wish that someone else will speak first and someone else will lead the conversation so there's no pressure on them to do it - the trouble is if everyone actually does that, nobody would speak to anyone.  Don't be afraid to start a conversation with a complete stranger; use the environment to your advantage.  You know everyone is there to study something so the most generic openers you can use are "What course are you taking?", "How long is your course?", "Do you have to do a placement?", "What made you choose that course" etc.  Lead conversations if people seem shy or reluctant to continue a conversation offer your own perspective, say what course you're studying, why you chose it etc.

The second piece of advice would be to go to the freshers' events.  Even if it's out of your comfort zone and you think you'll not get that involved, still, go.  Everyone is in the same boat and at the beginning everyone goes to these events out of curiosity.  90% of the people you meet in your first two weeks you will probably not see again for the three years or however long you study.  When you connect and you click, things carry forward, everyone in those first few weeks is trying to find where they fit, and if you come out the other side and feel you don't fit in anywhere, that's okay too, you don't have to.

The third piece of advice carries on from the second, and it is to simply remind yourself, everyone is an adult now.  You're not children anymore, you're still young but you should have the maturity to be able to make your own decisions and follow through on them.  For many people this is the first time in their life that they experience independence, living away from home for the first time, deciding who is part of your life, and in many cases it can feel like you're starting over or starting from scratch.  Be who you want to be.  This is the opportunity to leave behind old habits and the impressions other people have of you and be yourself, that's the most important part about this whole experience.  University is as much about growing and learning as a person as it is about studying.

The fourth piece of advice is to join clubs or societies that are focused on your interests.  Most University websites will have a dedicated section or dedicated website to the student union.  The Student Union will have links to all of the clubs and societies that people run at your university.  These are a great way to meet students who aren't just part of your course, or your halls of residence, but are from different courses, different years of study, and often from completely different backgrounds.  Their experience can provide insight into life at University.  You'd be surprised what societies exist.  Find people you have things in common with and it will make networking even easier.

The fifth piece of advice is controversial as it goes against what most people will tell you - do NOT get a part time job unless your budget is really tight and you really need one.  I say this because it's easy to underestimate how much energy your course will take and underestimate how much energy a job will demand from you.  Your time at University is preparing you for life beyond it, this is the time to learn how to budget, and learn how to live to it.  Your first year most of all is a learning curve for how to live with other people, particularly those who you don't know beforehand.  Enjoy your time and get out as much as you can and do as much as you can but don't make yourself do things you can't afford to do just because you're being offered the opportunity.

The sixth thing is about finance - apply for everything.  When you are a student you are given preferential deals and offers that you will never get again in your life.  Banks offer you interest-free overdrafts on student accounts, usually between £1,000 and £2,000 - you will never be offered that much credit by a bank without interest again in your life, take the opportunity and apply for it.  Student loan payments come usually every 3 months and if you run out of money before the next payment it can be a long wait before you can afford to do anything - apply for everything.  Banks will offer credit cards that don't have a minimum payment each month - it still gathers interest and you do have to clear it eventually but the payment frequency is not monthly as they know your income isn't paid monthly.  You will never get a credit card again in your life that you don't have to pay every month.

The seventh piece of advice again is to do with finance and budgeting - buy fallback food.  By this I mean, fill a cupboard with long-life food, canned food or dried food, anything that keeps for a long time.  Instant noodles, rice, dried pasta etc, fill a cupboard with this food to fall back on if you ever run out of money and can't afford to buy anything, you'll appreciate it when it's there, it might be bland, it might be boring, but you won't starve.

The eighth thing again is to do with finance and budgeting and this may feel like you are getting ahead of yourself but you'll be grateful in the end - start saving for second year.  You don't have to amass a mountain of savings but you should know the rent you pay in accommodation fees to the University will be a lot lower than the going rate for private rent in the area - and your Halls of Residence fees are usually inclusive of Utilities, private rent is usually not.  For many students moving out of halls at the end of first year and into private rent, the biggest obstacle to overcome is gathering the money for a deposit and the first month's rent they will need to actually move into a place.  If your University offers students the opportunity to stay in halls for a second year or even a third, I would take it in an instant, in the end it will save you a lot of money.

The last thing I would say is rather simple - everyone's experience will be different.  People can tell you what University was like for them but at the end of the day University is like life, it's your journey to make and your life to live and how it turns out will be defined by you, the choices you make, and the direction you follow.  It's your life to live and your experience to create, so take the advice people offer - including mine - with a pinch of salt.  Do what you think is right and don't be afraid to disagree with people, you can think for yourself and you can decide for yourself.

Bonne chance, Buona fortuna, Buena suerte, Good Luck!