So exam results are out and it looks like a lot of us are heading off to Uni in September.
I remember this time last year there was a big thread full of helpful tips and hints for 1st year students... ways of meeting new people, things to take, things not to take, what to expect, ect. So I thought i'd start this thread so we can hopefully do something similar this year.
So come on... share your helpful hints and tips for us slightly scared but very excited first years!
(also feel free to share what you're off to study and where if you want to).
Well I'm already at uni (a third year at Glasgow). My advice would be:
- Don't worry about making friends. EVERYONE is in the same boat. Just start talking to people. You'll make most of your friends from lectures anyway.
- If you can, join some sort of club or society that interests you.
- Get yourself some notepads and pens. Taking laptops to lectures is not really the done thing and the constant tapping of keys can annoy those around you.
- Actually go to lectures.
EDIT:
- Don't worry if you are living at home and commuting. You will still make friends. Lots of people do it. And if you make friends with some people who are staying in halls then you have somewhere to stay if you have nights out.
This will be my second year now and I might not be the best person to give advice to first years based off of the way things went for me, but here are a few things...
- Remember that people there don't know you, they don't know your past, they don't know if you're shy, quiet, popular, a drama queen, a dork, or a fill in the blank, ... You are all starting off new together . So be who you are, or who you want to be, and don't worry about the past and what people thought of you in high school. Don't hold yourself back.
- Talk! Talk to people, don't isolate yourself!
- Join a club or some sort of group on campus, you are bound to find something you like...and also people who enjoy the same things as you.
- Last year for me, in the dorms, there was no where to sit besides the desk chair because the beds were lofted and there was no other furniture for sitting upon. So, I would suggest getting one of those big comfy round chairs that you and your roommate could share or some smaller type of comfy chair that you could call your own.
- Course work will most likely be harder and more time consuming than what you are used to from the past. There is a lot of reading and paper writing!! You are expected to do most of the work outside of class...which means making time for it to get it accomplished. However, I guess it all depends on where you are from and everything for various things...
So yeah, I don't know... those were just a few things I realized, hopefully it helps someone a bit. And like I said...it all depends on where you are from and how things are handled. Good luck to all you first years, study hard but don't forget to have some fun! This will be a new adventure, a personal learning experience.
I'm going into my second year so yeah I went through it all last year!
Like the other two have said don't be afraid to talk to people. It doesn't matter if they look like someone you would never be friends with, everyone will be nervous together.
Going to lectures is the main thing obviously since you're paying for the lecturers time. Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand. If you're in a big lecture there are bound to be at least one other person that doesn't understand. Also most unis have the notes and powerpoints online after the lectures. It's also helpful to go through them again and make sure you have made enough notes.
I say get involved with either a sports team, a society or how the student union is run. I'm hopefully going to be going onto the events committee at my uni and that way you and other people can have a say in how things are run plus you can do something good for yourself and cv.
If you're in halls talk to everyone in your flat especially the ones around you because if they're or you're being noisy then no one will be scared to tell you to be quiet.
Also don't forget to relaxxx, everyone is the same as you and will be feeling the same!
There are loads more to add but I think some things should be left to discovery of your own.
- Don't worry if you are living at home and commuting. You will still make friends. Lots of people do it. And if you make friends with some people who are staying in halls then you have somewhere to stay if you have nights out.
Thanks for this tip, has made me feel better because a lot of people said you won't really get chance to make friends because of my commuting time :(
I think what migt be helpful is suggesting things to take to uni for those who are staying at home..maybe?
I am on my second uni stay and the best advice I can offer is... get involved! even if you are scared to death of meeting new people, get out there! Everyone is just as nervous as you are and if you don't you will regret it in the long run. Getting out there and meeting new people was the best thing I did, no matter how scary it was, you have to remember everyone is in the same position and just as nervous :)
Thanks for this tip, has made me feel better because a lot of people said you won't really get chance to make friends because of my commuting time :(
I think what migt be helpful is suggesting things to take to uni for those who are staying at home..maybe?
Pfft, what do they know? I think 99% of my group of friends commute. We have slowly started to get flats and things but in the first and second year we all stayed at home, and half of us are still there. I know people who have over an hour commute and they're perfectly happy.
There will always be local people, or those who already have their own flats. There's no real way to pick them out though. If you are staying at home all you need to take to uni is some notebooks, pens, etc and a bag to carry them in.
Another bit of advice:
- People drift apart, especially if you aren't in the same classes. After freshers' you might be able to know a few people by face and name but not really have a bond with them. If you keep talking to people then you should eventually make some close bonds with people.
I think everyone summed it up, I'm heading into my 4th week of uni, man still trying to settle in but I'm slowly making friends. Don't get too bummed if you don't make friends like straight away hey, it takes time :)
. So be who you are, or who you want to be, and don't worry about the past and what people thought of you in high school. Don't hold yourself back.
