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Tips and Traps for the First year First year at University
We at Hotcourses have our fair share of university experiences between us, so here are some things we wish we’d read before we started the first year of University
First year work ethic
Being a student requires more careful time management than at school – as well as having lectures scattered all over your timetable, you will be expected to spend a lot of study hours reading and doing assignments, and you will have to organise all this yourself. Whilst this can seem like an annoying distraction from the important first year business of making friends and generally having a good time, it’ll make a difference when you move into the second and third years if you have developed a sensible work routine.
In your first year at university, it’s easy to be distracted by all the excitement around you, but systematic, regular hours are easy to follow and will increase your effectiveness. It can help to construct a timetable with all your weekly commitments – work, lectures, meetings – and allocate specific periods so you know when you need to be studying. Be strict with yourself. After all, if you work properly for the hours you’ve planned, you’ll enjoy your reward that much more.
First year money matters
When that first student loan payment hits your bank it can be tempting to blow it all on having a good time in freshers’ week. You’ll regret this later on in the term though, when you’re forced to live off Super Noodles and your friends who have budgeted more sensibly are all off having a great time at the union’s foam party.
We’re not saying you shouldn’t make the most of freshers’ week – you should – but it’s possible to have a good time without breaking the bank. You don’t need to go out every night either – give yourself a break and both you and your finances will be much healthier.
First year dress up
Talking of freshers’ week and doing it on the cheap, our advice would be to come to university armed with a selection of fancy dress. Even if you think you absolutely won’t, we bet that you’ll spend the majority of your first nights out at university dressed up in some suitably ridiculous getup.
It’s wise to be prepared so you’re not spending a fortune on hiring costumes. Dig out your old school uniform, a selection of face paints and some golfing gear – we promise these are the essentials. You could also raid your parents’ house for white sheets (all students need a toga at some point in their university career, honest)!
Make the most of your first year at university
Of course you’re at university to get a degree, but there’s so much more to look forward to than studying. From your first week, you’re likely to be bombarded with new people, new places and new experiences. Our advice is to jump in with both feet – try everything once and make the most of the unique environment that university has to offer. Your initial experience of the clubs and societies on offer at your university or college is likely to be at a freshers’ fair near the beginning of term. From debating to dancing and Ukranian to ultimate Frisbee, there’s something for everyone. Each society will be desperate to sign up impressionable freshers though, so make sure you choose wisely before paying any membership fees.
Play the game
If you play a sport to a high standard, or you’re a beginner looking to try something new, university is a great place to hone your skills. Whether you’re looking to make friends, keep fit or reach a high level in your chosen discipline, there’ll be something for everyone at your university or college. Most sports teams will be at your freshers’ fair looking to sign up new recruits, so you can check then when you need to go along to try outs.
Raising and giving
Student fundraising often comes under the RAG or ‘raising and giving’ banner. Organised either by the students’ union or individual halls or societies, getting involved in fundraising is rewarding as well as having a fun social side. Events vary from pub-crawls, parties and club nights to the more adventurous like sponsored bungee jumps. Cambridge Rag has a beer festival, Leeds Rag raises money with the Three Peaks Challenge and a sponsored hitch to Amsterdam, and Loughborough Rag is the best student fundraising organisation in the country, raising a whopping £1,042,125.53 for local and national charities in 2009/10.
Get involved in your first year at university
Many university halls have their own committees run by elected student members. That sounds dull, we know, but let us explain… These students are often in charge of organising hall events including the hectic freshers’ week, and joining in can be a great way to both meet people and get involved in hall life.
First year work ethic
Being a student requires more careful time management than at school – as well as having lectures scattered all over your timetable, you will be expected to spend a lot of study hours reading and doing assignments, and you will have to organise all this yourself. Whilst this can seem like an annoying distraction from the important first year business of making friends and generally having a good time, it’ll make a difference when you move into the second and third years if you have developed a sensible work routine.
In your first year at university, it’s easy to be distracted by all the excitement around you, but systematic, regular hours are easy to follow and will increase your effectiveness. It can help to construct a timetable with all your weekly commitments – work, lectures, meetings – and allocate specific periods so you know when you need to be studying. Be strict with yourself. After all, if you work properly for the hours you’ve planned, you’ll enjoy your reward that much more.
First year money matters
When that first student loan payment hits your bank it can be tempting to blow it all on having a good time in freshers’ week. You’ll regret this later on in the term though, when you’re forced to live off Super Noodles and your friends who have budgeted more sensibly are all off having a great time at the union’s foam party.
We’re not saying you shouldn’t make the most of freshers’ week – you should – but it’s possible to have a good time without breaking the bank. You don’t need to go out every night either – give yourself a break and both you and your finances will be much healthier.
First year dress up
Talking of freshers’ week and doing it on the cheap, our advice would be to come to university armed with a selection of fancy dress. Even if you think you absolutely won’t, we bet that you’ll spend the majority of your first nights out at university dressed up in some suitably ridiculous getup.
It’s wise to be prepared so you’re not spending a fortune on hiring costumes. Dig out your old school uniform, a selection of face paints and some golfing gear – we promise these are the essentials. You could also raid your parents’ house for white sheets (all students need a toga at some point in their university career, honest)!
Make the most of your first year at university
Of course you’re at university to get a degree, but there’s so much more to look forward to than studying. From your first week, you’re likely to be bombarded with new people, new places and new experiences. Our advice is to jump in with both feet – try everything once and make the most of the unique environment that university has to offer. Your initial experience of the clubs and societies on offer at your university or college is likely to be at a freshers’ fair near the beginning of term. From debating to dancing and Ukranian to ultimate Frisbee, there’s something for everyone. Each society will be desperate to sign up impressionable freshers though, so make sure you choose wisely before paying any membership fees.
Play the game
If you play a sport to a high standard, or you’re a beginner looking to try something new, university is a great place to hone your skills. Whether you’re looking to make friends, keep fit or reach a high level in your chosen discipline, there’ll be something for everyone at your university or college. Most sports teams will be at your freshers’ fair looking to sign up new recruits, so you can check then when you need to go along to try outs.
Raising and giving
Student fundraising often comes under the RAG or ‘raising and giving’ banner. Organised either by the students’ union or individual halls or societies, getting involved in fundraising is rewarding as well as having a fun social side. Events vary from pub-crawls, parties and club nights to the more adventurous like sponsored bungee jumps. Cambridge Rag has a beer festival, Leeds Rag raises money with the Three Peaks Challenge and a sponsored hitch to Amsterdam, and Loughborough Rag is the best student fundraising organisation in the country, raising a whopping £1,042,125.53 for local and national charities in 2009/10.
Get involved in your first year at university
Many university halls have their own committees run by elected student members. That sounds dull, we know, but let us explain… These students are often in charge of organising hall events including the hectic freshers’ week, and joining in can be a great way to both meet people and get involved in hall life.