A lot of people have just started University and trust me,
freshers is the best experience when starting out. So, from my own
experience of three years which saw me finish with a 2:1 degree, here are eight
steps to enjoy your first year at University.
This includes feeling happy, being successful and becoming
well-liked. These steps worked for me and it might not work for everyone
but some could be useful to take on-board.
1. Never
forget your roots
Going away from home for the first time on your own can be a
daunting experience. However, it is
essential to never forget your roots.
Always keep in touch with your family, whatever form you feel
comfortable. Taking a photo from home of the family will help in any
battle against feeling slightly homesick.
2. 'Ring
of Fire'
In my view, this is the best drinking game ever! You have to
do some daft things, like drink the dreaded dirty pint! (I somehow managed to
avoid this!)
Build up relationships with everyone you live with, get contact
details, go out on the town and enjoy yourself. During 'Freshers Fortnight,'
make sure to play this game.
3.
Budgeting
 |
| Keep a budget, it does help especially with new fees to deal with. |
Now this is vital, even if you don't like doing it. Work out
a rough weekly/monthly budget and try not to go over it.
That's easier said than done for sure and most will get a student
account with a nice, chunky overdraft.
However, you don't want to get into a bloody mess and the last
thing you should be doing is asking friends for money. Resist temptation
if possible, don't go and spend £100 on designer shoes you don't have if you
can't afford it.
Most students will leave University with debt, so don't add to
it...
4.
Decorate your room at halls
Wherever you stay in first year, it can't be much worse than
sleeping and staring at blank, plain walls which can look as dull as dishwater.
So buy some posters, make a mural like I did of your family and
friends and turn your place into your own personal space.
Struggles will occur, so when they do, look around the room and
make it inspire you.
5. Get
into a routine
Whenever timetables get published, I would try and get into some
kind of routine plan throughout. It is better being organised than
disorganised at University.
Don't get too distracted by online gaming, Facebook etc. Set
time aside for these luxuries of course but it’s always handy to have a rough
idea of getting work done before the last minute. It really helps being
organised.
6. Useful
electrical equipment
To get you through first year, you will need to have some useful
electrical equipment at your disposal.
 |
| Have a decent laptop is essential for any course you study. |
First, all students must have a decent laptop to get through first
year.
I
survived with Windows Vista but Windows 7 is probably the best form of laptop to
get. Also, keep an eye out for Microsoft
Office deals which are fully licensed and offer discounts.
I got the full Microsoft Office package in first year for £35,
instead of the usual £200 - an 85 per cent student discount deal.
There are torrents of course, but this is a safer option than
picking up a virus which could destroy the laptop.
Have plenty of DVD's to watch, get a decent alarm clock and some
form of music player. Listening to music
often kept me motivated throughout first year.
7. The
good morning wake-up boost
Trust me, 9am lecturers are the worst thing to have and I had that
for the first term at Uni on a Monday morning. The worst possible start!
Early mornings can make you sleepy, see a lack of concentration
and dozing off in lectures is seriously not a good idea.
For me, having a coffee in the morning really helped, as it gave
me that boost to be far more awake in the mornings.
I never liked coffee until I started Uni but it became
a necessity to have. It is a nice caffeine boost to have first
thing in the morning and it usually worked.
However, having a Red Bull energy drink at 9.30am in the morning
is not a good idea. I know a couple of people who tried this and it
didn't give the best results.
8. Enjoy
it!
You are going to have some tough days and stressful experiences
because everyone does.
Remember though, this is what you want to do for the next three
years, so persistence is the key to be ultimately successful.
Giving it up after six weeks is useless and makes you look like a
quitter. Once you are committed, you should remain committed.
Have a social life of course and get the right balance between
working and meeting assignment deadlines, in regards to some wild and
much-needed partying.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so embrace and enjoy the
University experience.
I wish everyone the best of luck across the country to all first
year freshers who are just starting out with the University experience.
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