Starting your course can seem daunting, especially as it is a such a change from a typical college/sixth-form experience. Reflecting on the last three years, I wish I knew the following tips to help navigate the increased independence, workload and the unfamiliarity of university courses, yet maintaining a social life and time for myself. 

Tip 1. Find a way to track your workload 

It is very easy to fall behind on your course – one missed lecture can very easily turn into being weeks behind, not knowing where to start and feeling overwhelmed. I found that creating a ‘tracker spreadsheet’ of all my modules with their corresponding lectures, seminars, readings and homework’s was massively helpful. Once I had completed something I would check it off, meaning that I knew where I was up to and what still needed to be completed. 

Tip 2. Don’t be afraid to ask! 

If you are unsure on something – JUST ASK! Everyone on campus is so keen to help. If you’re struggling with directions for instance, everyone has been in the exact same position and will take the time. Additionally, using course discussion boards and group chats to ask questions can be so useful. Remember, there are no silly questions. Even turning to the person next to you in your lecture or seminar to ask a question is helpful and has actually led to me making some amazing friends. I personally valued my Academic Advisor and still utilised them (both through email and in-person) at the end on my final year as a first point of contact to direct me to the right place and team or offer their personal guidance. Similarly, Student Services are also great. 

Tip. 3) Organisation, organisation, organisation 

Hand in hand with tip number 1, organisation is your biggest friend when it comes to navigating the course. I personally, enjoyed using OneNote to put everything into separate folders as well as using physical folders for more mathematical courses. My friends equally liked Notion or Microsoft Word into computer folders. Organised notes and readings will save you when it comes to essay writing or revision.  

Tip 4.) Utilise university resources and be proactive 

Whilst the amount of new information you are given at the beginning of the course can be overwhelming, I wish I would have taken more time to look back at it and utilise the amazing resources available to students. For example, I only used the Careers Service in my second year onwards and I believe this would have been useful in my first year. Additionally, you are directed towards these things, but it is up to you to make use of them so be proactive in doing so.  

Tip 5.) Remember, everyone is in the same position 

Daunted? So is everyone else. Overwhelmed? Trust me, most people will be. Nervous? Even if they don’t seem like it – they are. Confused? If you feel like this, then so are others.  

University can be some of the most exciting years so hopefully, by utilising these tips from the start, you can make the most of it! 

Written by Grace, current BSc IBFE student at AMBS

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