Tips I would go back and tell Fresher me
● Join a society and stick with it! - Honestly it’s important you have an outlet aside from your studies + you make friends ● Go to careers/student fairs - your university will host them at least once a year if not more (sometimes they can be aimed at different majors) keep an eye out for them and go, you’ll get tonnes of advice on future careers and maybe even a part time job which will double up as experience in your field. If it’s not actually for you, at least you’ll get a load of free pens ● Trips are not important - Don’t worry about missing out if you can’t afford to go, universities only really offer trips to make themselves look good. If a coursemate goes instead, ask them to take photos and maybe some notes on their experience to give to you. While they’re away, make the most of it by volunteering or gaining experience elsewhere. ● Try out a healthier diet - cut down on wheat or dairy or just sugar and junk food (maybe try going vegetarian?). Veggies are not as expensive as you might think if you buy them loose and not pre prepared. You’ll really see an improvement on your mood and general health, especially when Freshers flu is rife ● Cook your own food - Don’t be that person who lives off ready meals and beans. Get an easy to follow/ student friendly recipe book, get portion sizes for pasta and rice noted down and go for it! Best of all you can try those meals your parents don’t ever make! ● Wash up after every meal- Seriously, the last thing you want is a pile of gross dishes to deal with at the end of a long day. Wash up as you use stuff, and it really saves a lot of energy (and stops flatmates getting annoyed at your dirty dishes everywhere) ● Laundry is expensive - collaborate with other flatmates if you don’t have a massive load and split the cost. Also, don’t wash stuff if it doesn’t stink because tbh no one cares if you wore that tshirt yesterday ● Don’t go out if you have an early start- Just don’t. You won’t make it on time OR you’ll turn up hungover, tired and unable to process anything anyway. I made myself seriously ill because of sleep deprivation, it’s not pretty and neither is your attendance ● Ask your lecturers stuff - If you don’t, they’ll assume you know. Don’t be frightened to clarify something for later. Trust me they’re never going to go through it twice so just make sure you got it the first time around ● Take snacks to lectures - It’s cheaper than overpriced vending machines and if you want to study straight after, you have something to keep energy levels up. ● If you’re in the UK, sign up to UniDays - They have a load of offers and vouchers you can use, and it’s free! ● If you need a job, work at your university - It’s more flexible to cater to your studies and doesn’t have long term commitments. See if there’s a UniTemps branch on or near campus or go on their website and search for your area. But please don’t get a job near exam season, save as you go and keep the money to cover Spring term and/or summer break. You will be too stressed otherwise. ● Read the news - Especially around your subject area. You get kudos in class, it gives you something to contribute if you’re stuck for ideas and it you will understand the current issues that may affect your career later on. Also, save interesting articles to use for assignments but remember to use credible sources. ● Don’t hand in assignments on the due date - You should have planned and organised yourself so this isn’t necessary. There could be a system failure or you might spot a hideous mistake and you won’t have time to fix it. If you struggle with procrastination, there’s plenty of sources available to help! ● Seek a counsellor and visit them regularly - This will help manage stress and troubles with your student or home life. You don’t need to be at crisis point before you see a counsellor and there’s no shame in it either. ● Use the university’s support services - If you get DSA go find out what your uni offers you and make the most of it to help you with your studies. If you think you may have a disorder of any sort, see if your university can arrange a screening for a diagnosis. Some universities will reimburse fees for private diagnoses. ● Research bursaries - If there’s any you’re eligible for, then apply for it! ● Don’t start an argument - If you have a major fall out with your flatmates, it will make your experience awful. If you have beef with someone, talk calmly to them about it like an adult. If they’re not being cooperative, ask if you can move to a new flat or get accommodation services to intervene. Universities will do their best to fix problems because they want you to stay in accommodation and not drop out (they’ll lose your money, but they probably genuinely care as well)
I hope you find at least one of these tips helpful! Do your best and don’t be frightened to ask for help when you need it (or even before you think you need it) !!!