Making the Perfect Start to University Life
Starting university education evokes mixed emotions but it’s important to hit the ground running. Here, we highlight six tips that could help you make the ideal start to your degree.
There’s so much to find out and it’s enough to make anyone tentative during the first weeks. You’ll be wondering about the social life, partying, courses, facilities and much more. We provide new students with some integral tips that could prove to be a huge game changer.
Top Tips for Savings when Starting University
Don’t Miss your First Day
You’re probably surprised by this one as you don’t intend to miss your first day of higher education. But as you visit your first few classes and realise they consist mostly of small talk, introductions and maybe some morale boosting games you might think twice for the next few days. It’s best that you fight through your hangover and get to your group, it may not seem vital but it really is. If you miss the first day of a semester or class you will be isolated the next time and may have missed very important snippets of information. You will also receive a general outline of the subject that will help guide you through the academic structure.
Familiarise with the Facilities
It doesn’t sound very imperative does it? But it is something that you should pay attention to. Generally a university campus is huge and much bigger to what you’re used to. So walk around and find out the quickest ways around but more importantly discover the library. You will not only want to know about the physical whereabouts but the virtual too. Get your hands on the computers and the systems used, you will receive plenty of information on how to hand in your assignments, access online files and much more.
Get Organised
Start how you intend to go on, with organisation playing a key part in your studies. That means you will need accessories and essentials sure to enable pure organisation. Find folders, memory sticks, highlighters and much more with Staples. Not only should you organise all of your essential equipment and stationary but your time too. Take a look over your timetable and figure out when you will be planning on socialising, studying and doing other much needed tasks. This will help you come up with a plan of action and make the most of your time.
Set Up at Home/Accommodation
No doubt you’ll be venturing out to student nights and get togethers plus there might be a few parties back at yours. But it’s important to plan a working space at home. If you have a room on-campus, it will already have a lay out suitable for studying. There are so many extras available too, such as lamps, pin-up boards, post-it notes and much more. Its important that you create a study space to ensure when you do work it is productive, furniture available from Debenhams will help ensure the perfect atmosphere for a first A great way to ensure focus is to dedicate a space specifically for working. This depends on you as an individual as some can’t motivate themselves from their room, you may want to only use the library. But finding out sooner rather than later will help you get moving on assignments when they’re set.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Involved
As well as stepping head first into academic introductions you should also get to know people through various social groups. There are so many different options that you’ll find on campus. Meet like minded people by visiting the football team, chess team, book club or even drinking events. There’s so much to do and university is the perfect time to capitalise. You’ll most certainly regret not participating in a multitude of tasks, so spend the first weeks finding a hobby you can enjoy at university. It doesn’t have to be expensive either, you can get cheap sports kit and training gear with our Sports Direct page.
Talk to Your Tutor
Don’t be shy, if you need answers then ask your tutor. They won’t bite, they will be happy to help. No question is a stupid question, so ask away! It’s great to get off to a good start with your lecturers too, as you will understand how they function, teach and prefer you to interact with them. This will get you ready for the future. You will want to communicate with your tutors throughout an assignment, that way you will know if you are on track before it’s too late. Use every resource and advantage you have, communication is one!
So there you have it, there are exciting times ahead! But it’s great to get off to a fantastic start and organisation will allow that. So use the above tips to help you achieve your dream degree.
By Daniel Treasure, 26th September.