What I wish I knew before starting university
Written by Ayesha Geekiyanage Don, with contributions from Khadija Kara and Thomas Yau
University can be a daunting experience, even more so when you’re not quite sure what to expect. To give you a helping hand, we’ve spoken to some of our current students and asked them “What do you know now, that you wish you had known before starting university?”. Here are some of their top answers!
Learning Style
One recurring idea from current students was to do with their learning style. Learning styles state that learners can be categorised into groups, based on the ways that they learn best. For example, if individuals learn best from watching videos, they might be categorised as visual learner. The concept of learning styles is now considered to be a myth, however there are some ideas that can be taken from it. Revising the same topic using different mediums can be time-consuming, however can be particularly beneficial for harder topics,
Due to difference in teaching between university and schools, and the large increase in workload, many students struggle to determine which techniques are best for their learning. You might find that what you did at school doesn’t work for you anymore. As such, it is important to give a variety of techniques a trial run, so that you can find what works best for you. This can include:
- Using annotated diagrams
- Listening to audio files that talk through processes
- Watching videos that combine diagrams and audio files
- Getting hands on experience
Time Management and Work-Life Balance
University is a great opportunity to give new things a go, especially due to the large variety of societies typically available at most universities. However, with your new activities and increased workload, you might find yourself busier than ever. Time management is therefore an extremely important skill that you will eventually need to develop. Some tips to help you get started, include:
- Making to-do lists and prioritising the activities using an action priority matrix
- Multi-tasking (if it does not negatively impact any of your tasks)
- Limiting commitments if needed – it may not be possible to do everything, and that’s perfectly fine!
It is also important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. You will have heard that the workload at university can sometimes be overwhelming, but this does not mean that you should be spending all your time studying. Taking regular breaks, finding the time to socialise with friends and family, and enjoying some well-deserved “me time”, are just as important.
Seeking Help
Many students will have some worries or concerns when starting university, or at some point during university. You may also think that you’re the only one with these concerns. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Universities will have dedicated student support services, which are in place with the sole purpose of helping you. There may also be dedicated teams within these support services to help with specific issues, such as academic, financial or well-being issues. It can seem daunting, but getting in touch with student support can prove to have an extremely positive impact. In addition, try speaking to friends and family.
These are just a handful of things that people typically wish they had known prior to starting university, however it is by no means as exhaustive list. If you have specific questions about university, whether course-specific or general, make sure you get a taste of university before you start. Alternatively, get in touch with us at youthmembers@centreofthecell.org for any questions!