
How to get ready to be a SEED student over the next 8 months
Hi everyone, I am Juliet, and I’m currently a 2nd Year student doing BSc (Hons) Educational Psychology. Congratulations on receiving an offer to join the School of Environment, Education, and Development (SEED) at the University of Manchester! This is the start of an exciting journey where you’ll not only gain valuable knowledge and skills but also become part of a vibrant community that’s passionate about shaping a better world. As you prepare for this transformative chapter, the next eight months are crucial to ensuring a smooth transition into university life. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of this time.
The Course
First, you should take some time to understand your course. Take time to thoroughly research your course structure, modules, and potential pathways. Visit the university’s website and explore the course handbook for details about what you’ll study in your first year. Familiarise yourself with any pre-reading lists or recommended resources. Engaging with these materials early can provide a head start and ease any academic anxieties. Moreover, you can start to develop key skills for the upcoming academic journey. University life is all about independence and self-directed learning, so strengthen your time management and academic writing to ensure you’re ready for the challenges ahead.
The SEED Online Community
Then, you can start to engage with the SEED community before you arrive on campus! Our community is diverse and dynamic, filled with students and staff passionate about tackling global challenges. You can get involved early by joining SEED’s social media channels to connect with your peers and stay updated on events, attending online pre-arrival webinars or Q&A sessions where you can meet staff and students, and participating in discussions about sustainability, education, or development on forums or blogs to immerse yourself in the topics you’ll be studying. Furthermore, it’s never too early to start building your network. Your future university life is not just about academics. It’s also about the relationships you build, so take proactive steps to connect with future classmates and the wider university community. Platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp groups for offer holders are excellent places to start. Engaging early helps foster friendships and reduce first-day nerves.
Preparing for Student life
Meanwhile, there are also a few practical aspects you should start considering. Beginning with planning your living arrangements, we recommend you look for accommodations that align with your lifestyle and preferences, whether that’s a quiet study-focused hall or a lively social hub. If you’re living away from home, research your options and apply for university housing as soon as applications open. If you’re commuting, plan your route and consider options for travel passes or parking permits. Moreover, don’t forget to get financially prepared. As university life can bring new financial responsibilities, over the next few months, we recommend you focus on creating a realistic budget to manage tuition fees, rent, and living expenses, applying for scholarships, bursaries, or grants since SEED often highlights funding opportunities specific to its students, and setting up a student bank account with features like interest-free overdrafts and cashback offers.
Wellbeing
Finally, it’s essential to prioritise your mental and physical health, so build habits now that will sustain you through busy times, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mindfulness practices. We understand that starting university is overwhelming, so it is important for you to set personal goals that help guide you through busy times. We recommend thinking about what you want to achieve during your time at university. Whether it’s excelling academically, volunteering in the community, or exploring new hobbies, having clear goals can help you stay motivated and focused.
Becoming a SEED student is an exciting opportunity to learn, grow, and make an impact. By taking these steps, you’ll not only be prepared for your studies but also for the life-changing experiences that await you at the University of Manchester. The next eight months are your chance to lay the foundation for success. Make the most of them, and we can’t wait to welcome you to SEED in 2025!
Written by Juliet, a current BSc Educational Psychology student.
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