Unlike many of my friends, I wasn't nervous in the slightest about moving to uni. I was just so excited to be getting away from my parents after almost 20 years of living by their rules, that perhaps I set my expectations a little too high! My course wasn't all I thought it would be, I didn't get on with my flatmates as well as I'd hoped, and making friends took longer than I'd anticipated. However, despite university not being everything I imagined it would be, I still had the BEST time and I can't wait to go back.
1) VISIT YOUR UNI
Not only is this great for picking out the accommodation you want (pictures are deceiving), but your opinion of a university can completely change after a walk around the campus. I visited all the universities that I applied to, and the ones I thought were my favourite I ended up hating the most, and the ones I picked on a whim and didn't think that much of became my firm favourites!
Check out the town you'll be living in for the next three years. Are there lots of shops, restaurants, clubs? And what are the facilities like at your uni? Is this a place that is going to inspire your work? How far is the accommodation from the uni? What are the people like? Speak to students!
All this being said, I'm sure whatever uni you choose you will have an amazing time at. Great people and great experiences are waiting at every city, so stay calm even if you don't get your first choice.
2) JOIN A SOCIETY
I joined the Fashion Society and Pole Dancing, and contributed to the universities online magazine from time to time. Despite being a part of these groups, I never truly got involved as much as I could have and this is something I regret. I'd turn up once every few weeks and wonder why everyone seemed so much closer to each other than I was. If you really commit to societies then you'll make a brand new bunch of friends, which is perfect for when your flatmates really begin to irritate you.
3) GO TO OCEAN
(or whatever your local clubs & societies night is)
No, you're not too cool to dress up as a giraffe and dance to Taylor Swift. Just do it. It will be one of your best nights out during your time at uni. Nothing will get you feeling so patriotic towards your university as a night of drinking games, dares, uni chants and swinging your top around to the sound of the Baywatch theme tune. So swallow your pride, paint your face, and grab a VK!
4) VISIT YOUR FRIENDS
You are in possession of free accommodation at multiple locations round the country. So visit them! Get them to show you around your city and finish it off with an amazing night out at somewhere you've never tried before. Sometimes it's nice to take a break from your little university bubble and step inside someone else's. Universities are all so different - so get out there and be a Leeds student for the weekend!
5) DON'T FREAK OUT
Most people at one time or another will question their university experience. A lot of my friends and myself included were worried that we'd never make friends. We were well in to November and none of us felt like we really fitted in. All I can say is give it time, it will happen! I really wasn't happy with my course at the start of the year, and I'm still not in love with it now. It feels very disorganised, I don't think I've learnt that much and the level of teaching is too low. It's only first year, I tell myself. They're just getting everyone up to the same level, then it will get more intense next year. Second and third years look at me like I'm crazy for complaining about the lack of workload for a £9,000 a year course. I'll probably look back and laugh at my naive self when I'm up at 4am crying over my dissertation. We'll see.
I hope anyone at university or starting this September found this post helpful, and if you have had any of the same worries I'd love to hear from you!
Aderyn x
