As Queen famously said, “Thank God it’s Christmas!” Although, this doesn’t necessarily apply to university students though, does it? So much for ‘the holidays’.
Anyway … you did it!
Was it what you expected? Was it more? Did you find the term more difficult than you imagined? However your first term at university went, you’ve survived it.
Okay, okay, I know it’s the Christmas holidays now and you don’t want to think about university for a while. Although the last thing you probably want to do right now is review your first term at uni, it could really benefit the rest of your university experience.
Social Life in your First Term
The main goal of university is to get a pretty piece of paper with your name etched into it, right?
But obviously, your social life becomes one of the main, if not THE main feature of your university experience, especially in your first term.
How did you find your social life in your first term?
For me, my first term was about establishing new friendships – friendships that would drag me, kicking and screaming, through the rest of my degree.
The first term is so important for creating a safe environment for you to exist in socially, and also entirely authentically. If you look back on your social life with any kind of regret, or knowing that you weren’t your authentic self, consider what you might have done differently and what you might take into next term.
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Academia
University doesn’t give you much chance to relax and reflect on your studies over Christmas, it just piles more on top!
However, take the *small* respite of not actually being in university to organise yourself. Have a small scale de-clutter – by this I mean, throw away anything that you absolutely won’t use again. If you have ended the term with lots of sheets of unnecessary paper, scan them in and recycle the hard copies. By doing this, it puts all of your information in one place – you’ll thank me for it when you’re hunting for references!
Money, Money, Money
Particularly if you’re living away for the first time, you will have been careful with your finances this term. How did you do? Did you manage to get through the term without the bank of mum and dad?
Falling victim to the mid-term empty bank account is not uncommon. Take a look at how you budgeted (if you did! If not, maybe you should consider it?), and consider how you spent your money.
What might you do differently next term?
Keep your eyes peeled for my article on preparing for your second term!
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