If receiving your results last month made it seem a little more real that you will be attending University in September, you may be wondering what to expect. University is a huge shift from sixth form or college and though this change is exciting it can take a while to adjust to a new era of your education.
1. Freedom
At University you will be allowed a lot more freedom as to how, what, and if you study. How much choice you have over your course content varies from course to course but you will likely be able to choose modules to study based on your interests. You will have complete control over your study methods. Whether you choose to revise with flash cards and mindmaps or develop your essay writing by planning and drafting practice essays is up to you. There is also usually no punishment at university if you do not submit assignments or turn up to classes.
If you fail your assignments you will be removed from your degree course, but how much effort you put in is determined by you. At university you are choosing and paying to study so if you don’t put the work in that will only hinder you. Nobody will be chasing you up as in school. You will essentially just be treated as an adult at University which feels nice and allows you to develop positive relationships with lecturers and tutors. Also at uni you get to wear your own clothes, live without a curfew and decide your own meals!
2. Time Management
From classes, to study time, to societies and sports, to part time work, to socials, to chores, there is always a lot going on at university and you will be expected to manage your time independently. Some courses will only have 6 or 7 hours of lectures a week and students are expected to organise the rest of their time productively. Its great having newfound flexibility at uni.
If you study better in the middle of the night or early in the morning, you are free to create your own schedule independently. Social life is also very lively at university and there are lots of opportunities to meet people and go out whenever you choose.
3. Assessment
Doing A level exams at the end of two year course can feel quite rigid and definitely doesn’t suit everybody’s learning style. Thankfully, most university courses are assessed via a combination of labs/practicals, exams, take home exams, presentations and essays. This can reduce pressure as your whole degree won’t depend on one 2 hour exam and allows you to develop an array of skills