Years later, I discovered that context influences understanding and that all things have history and philosophy. As soon as you know what your expenses are, sit down and work out a budget that you can stick to throughout the academic year. Government guidance to help universities make campuses as safe as possible has been updated ahead of students starting the new term. That was a bad strategy. It is critical not to attempt to “binge watch” the lectures just prior to exams. Remember, everyone is in the same boat, so everyone will be eager to join in the conversation and make connections. These are the tips I wish I knew about as a student. To be used in Prezi training for the University of the West of England On the other, I worried Indigenous knowledge systems wouldn’t be taken seriously. There were actually lots of resources in place to encourage what she was doing. Play. It’s best to be prepared as best you can for a world in which context is as important as method. Thinking back to talks I attended both on and off campus when I thought I didn’t have time to spare or I was too tired to venture out often provoked new questions I hadn’t considered. How times have changed! 6. At first the university seemed like a different world to me, but I found it was made of many, many worlds. 21 Pieces Of Advice Every College Student Can Use "The work never ends, but college does..." by Ann-Marie Alcántara. I also learned how to manage my personal finances. The Scholarship Hub was launched in early 2013 and is a social enterprise, which means we are committed to reinvesting at least 50% of any profits back in to developing new scholarships. You could be in your early 20s and have few other commitments, making starting university relatively straightforward. Finally, remember that life is about balance and choices, so choose your major wisely, focus and persevere, and strive to balance your academic and non-academic life while you build your professional foundation with strong personal growth and healthy living. Allow yourself the pleasure of fascination and engagement in an area that will tell you what you really care about, even if it doesn’t result in a cut-and-dried profession. There will also be a Freshers’ Fair, which gives you the opportunity to explore and sign up to the clubs and societies on offer at your university. Relationships with friends and peers will be crucial to your wellbeing as you explore, contend and deliberate. Share notes and help others freely. Find people who are helpful and motivated. Sub count at time of … Find out what to pack, what wellbeing support is available to students and how to make friends as a fresher. Enrol in courses held on the land or in community settings, and read, read, read. Then, take the leap and trust people—when it seems wise. Your first year at university should be a time when you explore new ideas, strengthen existing hobbies or discover new ones, make lasting friends, and join and actively participate in clubs and societies. If you’re moving away to university, and it’s your first time away from home for an extended period of time, it’s important to set yourself some realistic expectations before you go. Be aware that university is very different from high school in both the speed and depth of new material that you will have to master. It was therefore necessary for me to learn to navigate the many cultural practices of university life through trial and error. A walking tour of a historic neighbourhood, listening to an elder tell stories or studying an ecosystem in the field—such happenings can spark intangible and unexpected encounters. As I tell my students at the start of every class, arguments are far more convincing and compelling when they’re effectively communicated. Get a tutor, a mentor, talk to a therapist, or simply ask your friends for their help or opinions; it could make the difference between you loving college and hating it. Remember that mental and physical fitness and health go together. As an Indigenous undergrad, I remember feeling conflicted about sharing knowledge or ideas in certain classes wherein Indigenous ways of knowing were not commonplace. Whatever the result, you will have varied experiences to broaden your thinking. University website, but is now being provided by The Uni Guide — part of The Student Room. When it comes to buying study materials for your course, it’s always a better idea to wait until classes actually start so that you can get a better feel for what materials are really necessary. Practically everybody could benefit from a good therapist or mentor. The page you are visiting was formerly part of the Which? I did well on exams, but my essay marks kept bringing my average down. I started out at a two-year program after high school and never imagined the places I would go, the experiences I would have and the paths that eventually led me to becoming a professor. One of the things I wish I had known as an undergraduate was the importance of writing well. When ideas are presented clearly and concisely, they’re more likely to be considered and retained. And do not forget to read beyond what is assigned for your classes. Pay attention to your nutrition and make sure you get enough sleep, especially before exams. These Queer Students Have Some Advice For LGBTQ People Starting Uni The pandemic means the LGBTQ community face additional challenges starting university this autumn. We’ve put together some of the very best advice for preparing for life at university to ensure the days leading up to it, and the weeks you spend settling in, run as smoothly as possible. Any others you need will be available to borrow from your university library or to buy from former students for a fraction of their original retail price. BuzzFeed Staff. This primed me for class and I found I could get far more out of the professor’s lecture. If you only spend 15 hours a week attending tutor-led learning, you should use the extra 20 hours for independent study. My undergraduate papers would have been much better had I figured that out earlier. 6. 7. Arrange a health check with your GP before you leave home to ensure that you're starting university in … Everything will work out better from there. Cultivate friendships. Luckily, I was still able to get into graduate school. 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