16 things I have learned in my first 16 days of university!
- You will meet SO many people!
The number of names, Snapchats and hometowns you will learn in your first week of university is insane – not to mention having the same conversation multiple times a day!
With the amount of people you will chat to, don’t feel bad if you don’t instantly click with people, you don’t have to be best friends with them forever but it’s always comforting to start building up a network early on.
- Meal planning is hard!
Coming up with ideas for dinner is honestly worse than actually having to cook, trying to think of different meals feels impossible. Pasta is a staple. Building on that point, trying to portion meals for one person is so hard, I have about 4 of the same meals in my freezer all the time because of my inability to portion.
- Get out of your bedroom!
Sitting alone in your room for hours (or days!) on end is the worst thing you could do. Try to get outside, or at least out of your bedroom, daily. For me, I have been super lucky with my flatmates and there are always people chilling in the kitchen, or up for plans. However, even if you don’t fancy being around others, try and get out, go for a walk, grab a coffee and you will feel so much better for it.
- Join a society!
This is possibly the best thing I have done since being at university. You join a society based on something that you enjoy or have a genuine interest in, meaning the chances are that the majority of the people in the society have similar interests as you. It’s a perfect way to meet like-minded people and build friendships in that way by coming across people you may never have met otherwise.
- Nobody cares about your A-level results.
This could be taken positively or negatively based on how you feel about them! As someone who wasn’t over the moon with their grades, this has been a great thing. I didn’t believe any of the teachers who on results day told me that my grades didn’t matter now as I was still going to my top University and that nobody would even ask what I got. I was so worried about having to tell people what I got but I literally haven’t been asked once, you all got there, you’re all in the same place.
- I’m terrible at directions!
Trying to navigate myself around campus has been a CHALLENGE! I have learnt how bad I am at following maps on my phone often walking in the wrong direction for at least 5 minutes before realising.Â
- It is completely different to school…but also exactly the same.
This is a weird one. I had no idea what to expect from lectures and seminars and was so scared. Whilst seminars felt SO awkward and stressful to begin with you get used to your group so quickly and it soon begins to feel so familiar to classes at school in the best way.
- You’re not going to miss out if you stay in one night.
Nights out aren’t a one-off! Don’t overdo it and burn yourself out, out of fear of missing out. Nobody will be angry at you for needing a night off, they won’t stop inviting you places because you don’t go one time, do what you need to do.
- Nobody else knows what they want to do either.
Before coming to university, I was convinced that I was the only person who didn’t have their entire future and career planned out, and I had just chosen to study something that I love. However, I quickly figured out that that is exactly how everyone else feels too and that it’s not common to have it all figured out at 18.
- Nights out don’t have to be expensive.
Having a good night out at uni doesn’t have to cost £40! There are so many places offering student deals and discounts where you will have a really good time. And living in the city centre really saves you money that you would normally spend on taxis!
- Make your room homely.
I am so in love with my little room, and having touches home has really made it easier to settle in. For me, this included having a salt lamp, as all the lighting is very bright and harsh, so having a lamp for the evenings makes it so nice! Also, having photos of friends and family up always feels really nice!
- Contact home
On the thought of home, make sure to stay in touch with friends and family. Update them on what you are doing and see what they are up to. I have spoken to my mum and dad every day even if it is just over text, it definitely makes the distance feel shorter and less like you live completely separate lives.
- It isn’t completely independent
Before I started university, I was led to believe that lecturers are almost robotic and have no interest in you as an individual and that the support you would get is nothing compared to teachers at school. This narrative couldn’t be more wrong. From my first week, I have felt completely comfortable and aware of all the support that is available to you for a range of different issues, Whilst it is more independent you will not be as alone as it’s made out.
- I really had no idea what to expect
I figured out that I honestly hadn’t thought that much about what my life would look like once I moved to university, I had no idea what to expect, and even if I did, I still really couldn’t prepare for it. My routine changes almost daily as you don’t have the traditional 9-3 structure that you would at school, and I really enjoy this as no day feels the same.
- It is ok to go home
I was so scared to go home because all I saw on social media before moving out is that you shouldn’t go home for at least the first 6 weeks, or you would never come back. This is a complete lie, if you need to go home you shouldn’t force yourself to stay for the sake of what other people are saying. I went home for the weekend after 3 weeks and it made me feel so much better, and actually love my university life even more because being home made me so excited to get back to my flatmates and friends!
- It is so much fun
You will quite literally never be bored at university – there is always something going on and plans to be made. I have also loved getting back into a routine of studying and my course, something that I had really missed over the summer. I also have made some of the best friends in my short time so far and feel super at home!
Edited by:
| Madeleine Rousell |