Dea Dehari
The first few weeks of university feel like you’ve been hit by a bus – no, seriously. All of a sudden, you’re thrown into a new environment not quite understanding the control systems and slipping into autopilot seems like the easiest way out. For those of you who are looking to start university, you’re in the right place! I’m going to share with you what my first few weeks of university were like and what I did to make the settling in process a little easier.
Be a social butterfly!
First things first, university has the power to make even the most social people feel antisocial. Understandably, there will be SO many people present and so you are bound to feel overwhelmed. Everywhere you turn there will be a new face and a new eager smile waiting to say hello. As I mentioned, this can be very overwhelming but it can also be highly rewarding. In the first few days, I made an effort to smile back at those who smiled at me and threw myself into conversations. Endless endless conversations – not just with undergraduates, 2ndyears too and, in fact, it was conversations with 2nd years that eased my panic a little. I found it extremely valuable speaking to those that had already been in my shoes and who could tell me first hand information about the course I study (LLB Law) as well as their very own initial university experiences. It was reassuring knowing that those before me has also felt the same and had powered through nonetheless.
Within the first week, I would definitely recommend attending course specific internal events. This is a great opportunity to get to know your cohort and starting to building important connections with students studying the same course as yourself. University can be intimidating and there’s no better way to combat this than by seeking to find a university family whom you trust and can be yourself around. It is important to also note that you may end up forming connections with someone who isn’t in your lectures or even in your course at all. Don’t be afraid to exchange socials and to chase up on these connections. Friendships aren’t made by attaching strings just to cut off ties the second you realise your courses differ. Be social, throw yourself out there. At the end of the day everyone is looking to make new friends and you will find your people – whenever, however. This process can also be a little draining at first and you can find yourself with little energy at the end of the day. It is important to find some time for yourself to recharge your batteries so that you are ready for the day ahead.
Organisation is Key
Organisation will be a vital factor in your day-to-day life at university. Some students prefer to carry with them a planner or a notebook, some prefer to organise digitally – I am one of these students.
One of the most useful apps that I have downloaded is the Howbout Calendar app. This app has effectively allowed me to manage both my social and academic life. I instantly inputted my university timetable alongside my work shifts and social outing with friends so that I could keep track of my lectures and workshops and also have everything in one place. I continue to update my calendar with university events too so that I remain aware of what is going on and when. The app allows you to colour code events so that you can differentiate between them quicker and depending on your notification settings, you can schedule to be notified before the event as a little reminder. On top of this, it allows you to share your calendar with your friends which makes planning outings 10x quicker – just a little bonus!
In addition to this app – I also use the reminders app on my phone. This is for when I need to make a quick note of something that needs completing later in the day/week. I like using my phone for this instead of a notebook as it will always be easy to access and is on me at all times, and so for me, it is most practical.
When it comes to organising my assignments and readings, I use the Notion app. Notion can be very daunting at first because it offers a vast variety of features you can use but this is also what makes it such a great app. Whether you prefer tables or bullet points, Notion has it all. I like to use the table and checklist trackers to stay on top of my readings for each module. I have created a table for each module outlining what I must complete by the end of each week, and I use the checklist feature to tick off tasks as I go along. I also like to add a little progress tracker indicating if I have started or completed a task or whether I am in the process of completing a task. This really helps me see visually what I must do, and helps to manage my workload. It will be confusing to use at first, but Notion also allows you to use templates in your workspace that you can alter to suit your preferences. You can also find tutorials on how to create your own workspace online if you do not wish to use a template and are unsure of where to start.
Be Active: Apply Apply Apply!
University is a great opportunity to build on a vast majority of skills. In the first few weeks I strongly advise that you be on the lookout for new opportunities. This could be vacancies within society groups for first year representatives, course representatives and many more. Please do not be afraid to put yourself out there. In my first few weeks I applied to numerous different positions and was successful in some and unsuccessful in others. The worst thing that can happen is that you aren’t selected for the role but don’t let this dishearten you as there will be many other opportunities to get involved. If you are unsure of whether to apply or not – ask questions! There will always be people around you to help so why not ask the head of the society what is required for the role? Or the course director on what exactly you do as a course representative? It Is always a good thing to show keen interest and to expand on your transferrable skills. However, make sure that you do not bite off more than you can chew. It is always nice to get involved with what you can but not if it is becoming less enjoyable and more a burden. Academics aside, it sometimes feels as if University societies are never-ending, you are bound to find something you will enjoy. Why not take up a new sport or hobby? It could be the perfect way to meet new people and form new connections!
Transport
Another important thing to note is transport! It is highly beneficial to have multiple routes or back-up routes planned out for instances where TfL transport is being highly unreliable. I am still getting used to train delays and day by day I end up despising the Northern line even more. It is always good to have a backup plan for when you are running late so as not to miss out on important lectures. I suggest leaving your home early to try and avoid crowds where possible and if it is your luck day – you may even get a seat! Please also make sure that you carry water with you just in case you need it as it can get insanely warm and stuffy during rush hour. Take care of yourself.
Keep going!
While the first few weeks of university were tiring, they were just as exciting. Don’t be put off by an overwhelming start as everything will slowly fall into place and you’ll be right where you’re meant to be. We will all have our ups and downs, but we must all push forward together.
Good luck to everyone that is applying or has already applied this year and I hope you have found this useful! Please let me know if you have any questions about my blog.
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