Some random uni tips
Make friends with someone from a higher semester by joining a club, your student council or at a party of your department. They have been in your position before, so they can give you the advice you need, whether it’s about how professor A is in class, past exams or which cafe has the best brunch.
Some things are out of your control and as much as you may hate it, you can’t plan everything in advance. Don’t let that stop you - sometimes you just have to say ‘yes’ to things and trust yourself with finding a way to make things work out when the time comes.
Take advantage of the discounts that come with your student ID. Take advantage of all of them, don’t leave the house without your ID.
No matter how hard you work, sometimes effort will betray you and there is nothing you can do about it. You will fail that exam you studied so hard for, get declined for that scholarship even though you were qualified for it, people you care about will leave your life. It will hurt. You will cry. You will get over it eventually and your life will go on.
Don’t try to save money when it comes to fruit and vegetables.
Take classes from other departments, too. This is the time to broaden your horizon, so take the chance and look into other fields as well, whether you get credit for it or not.
If you’re standing in the supermarket and wondering about whether you still have toilet paper at home or not, buy some. You can thank me later.
Try to limit your caffeine consumtion. There will be times when you’ll need that little extra boost, so make sure your body doesn’t get too used to that stuff.
Programms like Citavi and Endnote will make writing papers so much easier. Get used to working with them early.
Try hanging out with people who are at least as happy and motivated as you are. If the people surrounding you will say things like “I wanna go home”, “I hate this class” or “I am just way to stupid for this” all day long, it will affect your mood and attitude, too.
Always carry emergency snacks in your backpack.
No one studies in fancy cafes every day or has the time to re-write all of their notes super pretty. You don’t need a macbook or expensive brand-name stationary to get the job done and unless you’re majoring in art, looks shouldn’t be your main concern.
One of the best non-study related purchases I made as a student was abig picnic blanket. Ideal for having lunch with your mates, studying outside or just hanging out on a patch of grass with your multicultural group of friends, like all the people in those pamphlets.
Have at least one hobby besides studying. It will drain you and make you feel miserable if you feel like the only thing you do is studying, so avoid this at all costs.
Sometimes things will be tough and you’ll feel like you will never be able to master them. Talk to a friend, call a loved one, try to relax. You will get through this, you will grow and be proud of yourself.
Don’t get bitter. Time will fly, so enjoy the freedom and opportunities you have now.
