Starting university was a big adjustment for me. Moving into a new environment, managing independent study, and balancing deadlines alongside social life felt quite overwhelming at first. One thing that really helped me settle in was knowing that there was support available through Academic Advisors and peer mentors. Looking back, I think both have played an important role in helping me feel more confident academically and more comfortable at university overall.

At Manchester, your Academic Advisor supports you throughout your degree. In first year, I met my Advisor during Welcome and Induction activities, and I also had a first-year module with them which focused on building the fundamentals of university study. I found this really useful because it helped ease the transition from school or college into university-level learning. We covered things like academic writing, using feedback effectively, and developing study skills, which made the expectations of university feel much clearer.

Alongside the module, I also had one-to-one meetings with my Advisor. These meetings gave me the opportunity to talk honestly about how I was settling in, my workload, and any challenges I was facing. I think having someone who already understands the university system and is there specifically to support you makes a huge difference, especially in first year when everything still feels new.

What I found most helpful is that meetings with Academic Advisors are not just focused on grades. Of course, they can help you reflect on feedback, improve your academic progress, and discuss engagement with your course, but they also encourage you to think about your future more broadly. I’ve found conversations about placements, volunteering, careers, and future ambitions really helpful because they make you think beyond just your next assignment or exam.

Another thing I appreciate is the wellbeing support Advisors provide. University can become stressful quite quickly, and sometimes it is easy to focus entirely on deadlines and forget about maintaining a balance. My Advisor always encouraged me to think about life outside of studying too, whether that was hobbies, interests, or simply making time to switch off. Knowing there is someone you can speak to if you are struggling makes university feel much less isolating.

In second and final year, support continues through one-to-one meetings and optional catch-ups. Even though these meetings become less structured, I still think they are valuable because they give you time to reflect on your progress and discuss plans for the future. As your degree progresses and decisions around careers or postgraduate study become more important, having continued guidance is reassuring.

Alongside Academic Advisors, peer mentors are another really important source of support. I found it helpful speaking to students who had already experienced university life themselves because they understood the challenges of adjusting to university from a student perspective. Sometimes practical advice from another student feels more approachable and relatable.

Whether it was tips on managing workload, preparing for assessments, or simply reassuring me that everyone feels uncertain at first, peer mentors helped make the transition into university smoother. They also helped make the university feel more welcoming and less intimidating during the first few weeks.

For me, university has been about much more than lectures and assignments. It has also been about learning how to adapt, becoming more independent, and building confidence. Having support from Academic Advisors and peer mentors has been a really important part of that experience, and I would definitely encourage new students to make the most of the opportunities and support available to them.

Written by Grace Baker.

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