Mind the gap
Starting university felt like a huge step up from college. Everyone tells you it’s a big change, but there were still lots of things I didn’t fully expect until I was actually living it. Here are a few of the biggest things that I learnt and got used to in my first semester at university.
Independence
One of the biggest shocks at first was everything you manage when you’re living independently. You’re suddenly responsible for food shopping, cooking, laundry, budgeting, rent, bills, cleaning and still turning up to lectures on time. It can feel like a lot to juggle, especially in the first few weeks when everything is new. But the best part is, everyone else is in the same boat!
I was so pleasantly surprised by how quickly I got used to it. When you’re thrown straight into it all at the start of uni, you have to rise to the challenge and end up adapting much faster than you expect. And simple things like planning meals for the week, scheduling, creating to-do lists and putting deadlines in your calendar make a big difference. You don’t have to have it all figured out straight away, just staying organised and giving yourself time to adjust is what really matters.
University Learning
The academic structure at university is nothing like school or college, and that’s one of the best parts. Instead of being in classrooms all day, completing tasks and worksheets, learning is split between lectures, seminars and independent study.
Lectures are where key ideas and concepts are presented to you and you are expected to take notes. You will then have seminars in smaller groups, where your lecturers will explore the ideas from the lecture with you. These are more interactive and discussion-based, and give you the opportunity to develop your own thinking and clear up any confusing topics. There’s also a big emphasis on independent study, where you will usually read extracts or work on practical projects on your own. This gives you much more freedom to organise your time how you want and work when it best suits you.
Societies
One thing I didn’t fully appreciate before starting uni was just how important societies are. York has over 200 societies covering pretty much every hobby and interest, so there’s something for everyone. They’re also not like school clubs: they feel more like little communities. They’re a great way to meet people outside your course or accommodation who share your interests. My biggest tip is to try out as many as you can at the start and then narrow them down, as you never know which one will introduce you to people you really click with!
Admin
University life comes with a surprising amount of admin. Things like managing your budget, setting up a student bank account and rent payments, learning to use the VLE, booking appointments, planning grocery shops, checking your university email and keeping on top of everyday chores all add up. I found that having checklists and a planner helped massively. While it can feel overwhelming at times, it’s also really good preparation for later years and life after uni.
Personal Growth
Probably the most unexpected part of the transition is how much you grow without even realising it. Over time, you’ll notice that you’re more confident, more organised and more resilient than you were before. University gives you a lot more agency over your own life, and personal growth comes naturally with that. It doesn’t happen overnight, but by the end of your first semester you’ll look back and realise how far you’ve come already.
Leave a Reply