Starting university is the most exciting but also nerve-wracking time. As someone who just finished her studies, I鈥檓 here to give you all my best tips on how to get those nerves under control and navigate through the first year of uni.
Familiarise Yourself with the University Building
When I started my course at QMU, I was so nervous about getting lost that a few weeks before I had my induction, I forced my friend to come with me to the university building to walk around. Listen, I鈥檓 not saying that you should do what I did but familiarising yourself with the campus may help ease your nerves! Take some time to walk around the building to identify where the classrooms, catering options, toilets and some of the student services are based. You鈥檒l thank yourself later (and so will your lecturers because you will arrive to class on time!).
If you are based locally, you could even try to catch a campus tour before the start of the semester. You can also give our a watch!
Get to Know the Platforms You'll Be Using
Whilst at uni you鈥檒l be regularly working with different student platforms and apps. The ones you will use the most during your time as a student will be Canvas, Student Portal, Student Central, Library and Office365. Understanding how these platforms work will make everything work a bit smoother! Find out more about these on our Learning Facilities page.
Develop Valuable Life Skills While Living Away from Home
Some of you might be moving away from home for the first time to start your studies, and that brings a whole another level of independence! If you鈥檙e moving away from home for university, remember to take care of yourself, make your new space feel homey and FaceTime your family and friends back home. It is as daunting as it is exciting, but you鈥檒l be just fine! If you need any more tips related to this topic, read my other blog about moving away from home to study.
And remember to ask for support from our Student Services if you are struggling in any way with this change!
Balance Study and Social Life
The workload of university studies may come as a shock, at least it did for me. While it may be tempting to focus solely on the social aspects of the first few weeks of uni, it is important to make sure you also set yourself up for success by getting into some good, healthy habits early on!
Attend your lectures (yes, even the Induction ones!), take notes, do your readings, and ask as many questions as you can. University relies a lot on independent learning, and what helped me, was to take a few hours every day to study in a nice place, whether it was a cafe or a library, and to try and really romanticise studying.
While there鈥檚 more to student life than just your academic journey, you should aim to strike a healthy balance that will enable you to succeed academically while also enjoying life outside the lecture hall!
If you need help adjusting to the workload, balancing uni and a part time job or trying to come up with a good study plan for yourself, check out our Effective Learning Service and what they can offer!
Embrace New Experiences
University is the perfect place to start over and to try new things! Pick up the hobbies you鈥檝e always wanted to try, learn the topic that you鈥檝e always wanted to know more about and if it鈥檚 not for you, change it up!
Stay up to date with all the activities, clubs and societies our and ResLife team (for those living on campus) organise for students!
Take it One Step at a Time
If you feel a bit overwhelmed at the start of the semester, remember that this is completely normal. You are in a completely new place surrounded by a lot of new people! Give yourself time to adjust and take it one step at a time. And remember, everyone walking in the halls is on the same boat as you. So, breathe, relax, and make the most of these four years鈥攖hey're going to be unforgettable!
