Ten Tips on Surviving University

To all the freshers out there I say, Congratulations! You've made it to the real world, or at least, the doorway to it. Forget about everything you know from high school (although you're probably gonna need to remember those Calculus equations). Get ready to step into a universe of freedom, independence and stress.

Alright, so university isn't as scary as you might think. It's also probably not as great as you're expecting either. Sure you probably don't need to endure your parents nagging at everything you do. But there are times when you feel like quitting and giving up. There are also times when you question why you ended up taking that course you're struggling with. You may even wonder why you came to uni at all.

But look on the bright side, you get student discounts on tons of stuff.

And the freebies guys!!!

They're truly one of the major advantages of uni.

Honestly though, university life is different to what you're used to, especially if you live in student accommodations or you've moved to a different city, country or continent. There are gonna be a lot of changes that you have to adapt to and if you're not careful, you may drown yourself in a sea of anxiety.

But here are a few things that I learnt from my first year of university, that will hopefully help you ease better into student life and at least, reduce the pressures you're likely to face. These tips not only apply to first years but also to students of every year and stage.

1. Manage your time wisely

This is probably the easiest advice to give and probably the hardest advice to follow. Planning out your time and activities is usually the best way to get things done.

Get a planner and write down all the necessary deadlines and activities. Make sure to put it in an identifiable place that you can easily refer back to from time to time.

Try your hardest not to procrastinate (again, easy to say, hard to follow). If possible, have an accountability partner that can help make sure you follow your timetables and To-Do lists.

2. Have a well-balanced social and work life

Here's a scenario: Sally's friends are planning a get together and she's dying to go. But there's that assignment due in three days that she hasn't even started on. What should Sally do?

Most people might say patch the get together and start on the assignment. Then again, most people would say that and end up doing the opposite. Then they find themselves up all night trying to finish the assignment before the deadline.

Don't be that person.

It's good to have fun. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. But know when to have fun and when to get serious. The main reason for entering uni is for that degree, so don't find yourself putting your degree at stake to go out partying all the time .

3. Join clubs and societies

Clubs and societies are great ways to meet new people and to take a break from all that studying. You need to exercise that creative side of your brain as well. Joining clubs is usually much easier in first year as well, since the workload starts to accumulate as the years go by. So it's best to start now when you have the time.

It's best to try new things as well, not just things that you're good at. There's no harm in trying. If all else fails, you can always just change societies. But get involved in it now (it's also a great addition to your CV!).

If there aren't clubs/societies that interest you, or you can't find one that suits your taste, create your own. It doesn't even need to be an official club. You can find friends with similar interests and plan your own activities.

4. Save as much money as you can on meals

Takeouts and deliveries sound very tempting, but the reality is that they're probably draining your bank account.

Try cooking at home more.

It's most likely cheaper than the money you're using on pizza everyday. If possible, make a list of things that you want to make everyday. It doesn't need to be extravagant meals (pasta seems like a go-to meal from what I've seen and experienced). You don't even have to consistently follow the list; it just helps to have ideas down on paper already which saves time on contemplating on what you should cook that day.

You can occasionally order take outs when you feel like you don't want to cook. You can also make a whole bunch of meals during the weekend which you can stack in your fridge or freezer for use during the week.

And don't worry if your cooking is bad. Practise makes perfect. And university is probably the best place to practise. No mum looking over your shoulder and questioning your every move.

5. Make new friends

The friends you make at uni are probably gonna be people you’ll rely on and even work with in future, especially those who are doing the same degree as you. Don’t just stick to that one friend you know from high school; branch out.

Talk to that girl you meet on the first day of lectures. Say hi to that one person who seems lonely, because in reality, they’re probably waiting for that one friendly person to walk up to them and engage them in conversation.

And try to remember people’s names. It sounds funny but it’s real advice. Write them down if you have to. In the case that you do forget, just clarify the next time you meet them. And try to get the right names too. Janice might sound like Janet, but it doesn’t mean they’re the same name.

6. Don’t skip classes

Very crucial piece of advice guys. The temptation is always there. And I’m not going to lie, I have fallen victim to this. Don't worry, I didn't miss tons of lectures. That doesn’t make it excusable though.

When you begin the habit of skipping lectures, it’s hard to stop. Even if the lecture is recorded, don’t use that as an excuse. Go to the lecture. It’s why you’re in uni in the first place and not taking online classes.

Set your alarms if necessary; get someone to wake you up; don’t spend the whole night binge watching that Korean drama when you know you have a 9am the next day (you know yourselves).

7. Put yourself into your coursework

Make sure you don’t just go to lectures and tutorials. Do your own personal study. Read outside the materials you’ve been given and broaden your mind. Read ahead of the class so that you have a basic idea of what the next lecture is going to be about. That way you can clarify any confusion when the lecturer is explaining.

Ask a lot of questions, even if they sound silly. The lecturer’s job is to make sure you understand what’s been taught so until you understand everything, his job’s not complete. So don’t feel bad if you want clarification; that’s what the lecturer is being paid for.

Start assignments early so that you don’t find yourself under pressure when the deadline is approaching. Set a personal deadline before the actual deadline.

Try out tutorial questions before the tutorial. The ones you need help with, leave them out so that when the time for the actual tutorial comes round, you can ask for help. Believe it or not, most tutorials are not a time meant for doing the work there. They’re meant for asking for help and clarifications.

Go over the day’s work to remind yourself of what you’ve learned. Make your own notes aside the notes you get from lectures.

8. Prep for exam weeks before they begin

It’s a headache when exam time comes around and you now have to cram weeks of lectures into a space of a few days. So the best thing to do is to start exam preparation as early as possible. Even at the beginning of the semester. Constantly go back to things you’ve learned weeks before to keep them fresh in your brain.

Work on that course that you’re struggling with and seek help when you need it. Set a personalised learning timetable for each day. This also helps to easily integrate into your exam learning timetable when the time comes around.

One thing to remember is that, although exams are really important, make sure that’s not the only reason you’re learning. You can end up acing exams but if you can’t practically use anything you’ve been taught, then it’s just a waste.

9. Make sure your degree programme is the one for you

It’s okay to not have everything figured out. If you’ve chosen a degree programme and find yourself not enjoying it and not doing as well as you should, chances are the programme and you were just not meant to be.

It’s alright if after the first year you feel like taking a new road. It’s better to start again on something you love than waste years doing something that you’ll never enjoy or end up regretting.

Note that there’s a difference between not enjoying your programme and not putting in the effort. If you don’t put in the effort, then obviously you’re going to struggle.

10. Don’t forget God

In as much as you’re working hard to get your degree and build your future, none of it is really going to be possible without God. You can get into the best university; you can give your 100% best in your work; you can excel in all your exams. But honestly, without God, you might just end up struggling. In fact, without God, you wouldn’t have gotten to the stage you are now!

So in making all your plans, don’t forget to put Him first. Commit all your ways to Him and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:6). He will give you the strength you need to pass through this crazy time in your life. He will give you the wisdom you need to excel and the grace to come out on top.

In working hard to get your degree, work hard on your relationship with Him too. Spend time on your books but also your Bible. Talk to new friends but talk to God also. Prayer is communication and communication in a relationship is key.

There are many more tips but these are just a few to get you started. Let me know if you have any other questions regarding university in the comments or through email. You can even share your uni stories too.

Stay blessed and stay a blessing.