No matter how much research you do into your chosen university and the student lifestyle, there are always some misconceptions, or things that you find out from experience. University is amazing, but never quite how you picture it. If I could give my younger self a few tips, this is what I would say.
You do not need to buy all the books
If you only take notice of one thing in this article, let it be this. Module reading lists seem to go on forever, especially in humanities courses. Even for courses that naturally come with a lot of reading it seems a bit… excessive. As tempting as it is to be extra prepared and buy brand new versions of everything, all that will do is break your bank account on week one.
Using online resources and university libraries are best for any texts, especially ones you will only use briefly. For books used more often, taking them out of the library still takes the number one spot. Failing this, look in second-hand shops and websites, or ask older students. They often want to see the back of their used books for a few quid.
No one knows how to write an essay at first
Imposter syndrome is something a lot of students feel strongly when faced with their first academic essay. It is a completely different ball game to A levels, which is scary, until you realise everyone is in the exact same position. To work out what tutors are looking for – ask them. Muddling through by yourself might work, but using tutor’s office hours or university writing services cuts out a few obstacles straight away.
You won’t get on with everybody
This isn’t to say you will not find friends, or you will hate everyone. That is absolutely not the case. But meeting a lot of new people inevitably means that, while you might get on really well with some, others you might not. As brutal as it sounds, not everyone will like you either. But this is not your fault. Putting yourself out there and simply being yourself will soon show you who you get on with like a house on fire, and just like that you will have a whole new bunch of friends.
You won’t stay in touch with everyone from home
Seeing the same friends daily at sixth form or college has probably made you hopeful that you will all stay close during university. Unfortunately, this is unlikely, simply because people drift closer or apart depending on their circumstances. Your closest friends will stay close if you check in with each other and meet up when you can. New friends will appear, and old friends will be nice to see occasionally, bump into, or message online. Whatever happens, one thing that is guaranteed is your hometown club will turn into a school reunion at Christmas.
You have an accent
Looking back, this one shouldn’t have been a big shock. Moving from an area where naturally everyone sounds like you to an institution where students from all over the country, or world, are mixing means that your regional accent is more noticeable than ever. In most cases, it is good way to have a friendly joke when you use different slang words. But try not to let anyone go too far. Be proud of where you come from.
You don’t have to know what you want to do after university
Unless you are studying a vocational course that goes straight into a job (e.g., nursing) you might not have a clue what your next steps will be, and that’s okay. You have all three years of university and beyond to decide this, or to change your mind. Studying a subject that you like and having all the opportunities that come with university is worth doing the degree in the first place.