It’s less than a month to go before we’re all going back to University! Scary isn’t it. Where has the summer gone? As we all enjoy the last few weeks before our summer holiday turns to a close and University begins, here are a few things that you might expect when you’re entering your first year at University.
You probably won’t know where you’re going
Whatever University you’re attending, whether big or small, your University Campus will be a maze. You don’t know where any of the buildings are and you get lost easily. This might even mean that you will turn up late for your first few lectures.
But, don’t get too stressed out. Your lecturers will know and understand that in the first couple of weeks first-year students won’t have a clue where they’re going. Plus, as you wander your way through campus you will start to recognise odd places here and there. Eventually, you will know your way around campus as if you’ve lived there all your life.
Figuring out where to get resources from
One of the key things that change when you’re entering University is the amount of reading that you have to do before each seminar and essay. Now, reading might be hard on its own. But finding the material can be a challenge in and of itself.
The best thing to do here is to ask. Of course, you can have a go yourself but you might end up getting confused and even more stressed than you did to begin. Go ahead and ask your lecturers, librarian, IT helpers and even your fellow classmates. You might find that they are going through the same struggle as well, and so you can ask and find out together.
Getting in the habit of taking notes and writing essays again
Finally, one of the hardest things to do when you’re entering your first year at University is getting back into the habit of taking notes and writing essays again. Here are two things that might help you to remember, from my experience.
1. Ask your teachers how you should lay out your essays. You might think you know all about this but it is important. Spending a long summer away from academic work can throw you off and so you might find it helpful to refresh how an essay should be written and how it should be laid out.
2. Your first year doesn’t (strictly) count! Now, this is not an excuse not to try, but it can be a comforting factor to consider. The first year allows you to adjust to University life. This means that you have an entire year to get in the habit of writing and reading again. It’s basically a safe space to make a few mistakes!
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