A guide for making the transition into university

By: Isla Campbell
Submitted: 2008-10-07 18:09:58
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Every year many people make the transition from school into university. Considered by many to be the best time of their lives, university is the first time that many leave the nest and enjoy independence and responsibility for themselves, but it is also a time fraught with challenges.

While the thrill of not living with your parents might be enticing, moving into university halls means having to do your own laundry, the possibility of fire-alarms going off at inconvenient times and having to endure the sometimes less-than-satisfactory food in the student halls canteen. While it is only natural to start feeling a bit homesick after the initial rush of independence has worn off, most find that living in student halls is a good first step towards adulthood and a place to meet friends for life.

There’s also the case of independent study. You might have found it easy to do well and do your homework in school when you were in a class of 20-30 students and your teacher knew both yours and all your classmates’ names and how you were holding up, but it might be different for you to be in a fresher’s class of 300 and responsible for your own progression. Many undergraduates find that, to begin with at least, the lure of cheap drinks and non-compulsory lectures can take its toll on their studying habits. It is therefore vital to sit down and plan studying times at the beginning of term to avoid having to cram an entire textbook in one night before an important exam.

Managing your own money can also be a tricky task. While you may have been able to get a student maintenance grant or loan, there are many temptations for how to spend your money – maybe you’ve set your eyes on a nice guitar in a local music shop, or maybe you’ve seen ads for cheap flights to cities you’ve never been before. In order to avoid any nasty end-of-term surprises, it is a good idea to set a budget for each week and follow it as closely as possible.

If you do have any valued possessions you plan on bringing with you as you move out of the family home, perhaps a laptop or games console, make sure you take out student insurance in order to prepare for any eventualities. Living communally will greatly increase the amount of people who enter your place of residence, increasing the likelihood of things being stolen or damaged.

If you do find you are having difficulties adapting to the changes that come with going to university, see what kind of resources are available from your own university. Most universities will have some sort of advice centre or helpline to answer any queries you have.

So if you are one of those many people looking to start university this autumn, try to remember the preceding advice but above all, enjoy yourself and take in all that student life has to offer.

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