In today’s case-study we asked, ‘What do you wish you knew before going to university?’ Thank you to everyone who took part!
Julia, 22 – ‘It’s ok to go a little wild (but not too wild)… Don’t go home every weekend! Spend time making friends and hanging out… Participate in class! It’s not high school no one is judging you (and like if they are who cares? You have 100s of classmates they don’t all know you)… Take advantage of campus before it gets too cold (study/eat outside!) (Explore the place to get your steps in!)… 20% is better than 0%… It’s better to hand in a hot pile of garbage than nothing at all!’
Omar, 20 – ‘How to deal with landlords…’
Nandini, 20 – ‘You only get out of uni, the amount you put in.’
Libby, 21 – ‘There is no rush to go to University! At Sixth Form, uni seems like your only choice, and if you mention a gap year many people will put you off the idea. However, if you aren’t sure what subject to do at uni then definitely take a gap year. I know people who dropped out and wasted money because their course wasn’t for them and they were pressured to go to uni ASAP. It’s important not to get pressured by others and put yourself and your future first. I also wish I knew that I wouldn’t regret living at home for first year. I almost moved out at the fear of missing out. You can still meet so many friends without moving into halls. I moved out third year and don’t regret my choice of journey. All in all, don’t be pressured to ‘fit in’ with the whole ‘uni experience’ talk. Do what suits you best and you will be happy!’
Elisabeth, 20 – ‘Make friends outside of your flatmates! Join societies and meet people on your course. University can sometimes be a lonely experience which can be made easier with people who are in the same situation as you.’
Lauren, 22 – ‘Everyone is in the same boat – it is easy to forget at the beginning of uni that everyone is (most likely) feeling the same way over things such as meeting new people, a new city, moving away from home for the first time. You aren’t alone in this, even though it is easy to feel as if you are.’
C, 20 – ‘The university experience is absolutely NOT what you are sold in movies/TV etc. Don’t expect to make a big bunch of perfect, close knit friends. Don’t expect to have loads of amazing memories and nights out (thanks Covid). Focus on you x’
Lisa, 21 – ‘How to organise my time and set up some kind of schedule or scheme of how to manage time etc.‘
Louise, 45 – ‘Not everyone that goes to uni is clean and tidy. This is particularly an issue if you share a kitchen. So you have to speak up if you are not happy about this early on and not let it fester. Also, no one is going to be standing over you asking you to complete your coursework. You need to be the driver of your success story when you start uni.’
Don, 46 – ‘If I was more into ABBA I would have had more girlfriends. I couldn’t lie to myself.’
Sian, 20 – ‘Not to worry about making friends and settling into university because it all happens naturally. Don’t feel pressure to join loads of groups and activities when you first start, go at your own pace and do what makes you happy‘
Jess, 20 – ‘How much money everything costs and how much it adds up‘
Victoria, 25 – ‘I wish I had known that there were more avenues for post secondary learning. I was pushed to uni without really being able to explore or consider different trades or programs.’
Ruby, 21 – ‘I wish I knew how time consuming it is’
Lauren, 22 – ‘First year flatmates are pure luck – Getting put to live with 4 or more strangers is a bizarre concept at first. Many students move into halls for the first time with the expectation that their flat will be best friends. However, whether you get put with people you get on with or don’t is pure luck! Some flats gel super well and are extremely close, whereas some flats don’t. Make sure to make other friends within your accommodation and if things are really unbearable talk to reception about trying to move into a different flat!’
Kurt, 22 – ‘That there is no rush into going to university. Colleges make it out that you must go to university straight away making a lot of people make choices that they end up regretting or wish they went with a different course etc.’
Tom, 20 – ‘I wish I understood how much money I need for a good quality of life. Perhaps I would of chose a uni closer to home so I could commute or saved money before!’