Things I wish I Knew Before I Started University

 

Around this time of year, thousands of 18-year-olds will be looking earnestly to the future with university and years of studying on the horizon. Fourteen years ago I was one of those 18 year olds and I thought I had my whole life planned out. Go to university, make friends, work my backside off, get a degree and walk into a job. Everything else will look after itself.

Unfortunately, the reality of how ill prepared I was for being out on my own had not yet dawned on me as I hadn’t factored in any of the challenges that the average student was likely to face. I thought I knew it at when in reality, I knew nothing and feel if I had known some of things I do now, then maybe I would have been better prepared for the real world when I eventually graduated.

 

This blog explores a few things that I wished I had known or had even thought about when I started at university and hopefully it can offer some pointers to anyone who might be worried about making the jump.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

One of the biggest shocks to the system I encountered was when the reality of living alone set it. For my entire life I had been able to go to my parents or any other family member for advice or guidance if I needed it. Now, here I was, alone in a box room in Liverpool and my family was over 200 miles away.

Never be afraid to ask someone for help as lecturers are there to offer guidance and they can direct you to the right people so you can get any support that you need. This could be emotional support, or even just helping to find clubs or groups that can help you to make friends or find people on your course. Everyone is in the same boat and if the resources are there, why not use them? Also, remember that your family are only at the end of a phoneline or social media app, so remember to check in once in a while.

 

 

Make full use of Freshers Week

It is seen as the main bedding in period for students and most people use it as an opportunity for a piss-up, but Freshers Week serves as the perfect opportunity to meet friends and socialize with people on your course or around the campus. Whether you are looking to join clubs, locating important buildings such as the student union & library or just feeling your around, Freshers Weeks is invaluable for new students.  Whilst your lecturers will hold initiation days to help you bed in on the course and get used to those around you, Freshers Week offers a less pressurized environment that will help you to get to know people and can help you to settle down in your new surroundings, especially if you have moved away from home for your course.

 

Learn to Budget

This is one of the steepest learning curves any student is likely to face as now you are solely responsible for ensuring you have enough money for food, bills and utilities. Halls of residence often include utilities in the cost of the room, but once you move into a shared home in second or third year, that all becomes your responsibility. Learning to budget in your first year will help to prepare you for the future, but if you can spend some time before going off to university working out how much you might need per week, it will make the whole transition much smoother. Getting a part time job probably won’t hurt either and normally employers tend to be quite flexible so it won’t hinder your studies.

 

 

Look for internships

Employers straight out of university like to see that you have a bit of knowledge of whatever field you are trying to break into. Whilst there is nothing wrong with leaving university with the degree and looking to move straight into a graduate position, any knowledge you have managed to pick up through internships or work experience could prove to be invaluable and can give you an edge in the post university world so you can potentially jump the queue for any potential employer.

 

 

Enjoy it

You might be there to study, but you should enjoy your time at university as it is likely to be one of the best experiences of your life. Not only will you be taking a step towards part of a long term plan or dream, it can be used as an opportunity to grow as a person by picking transferable skills that can be used for both your professional and personal life. Whilst studies are important, it is important to have fun while you are there as it makes the whole experience far more fulfilling.

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