{"id":4491,"date":"2023-02-20T14:50:35","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T14:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/?p=4491"},"modified":"2023-02-21T09:36:11","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T09:36:11","slug":"my-top-tips-for-starting-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/2023\/02\/20\/my-top-tips-for-starting-university\/","title":{"rendered":"My Top Tips for Starting University"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Starting university is nothing short of a life-orienting experience. Having heard many stories from older family members and friends, we go into this stage of life with many expectations. \u201cAt Uni, I will find lifelong friends\u201d, and \u201cI will meet my future partner at Uni\u201d. But we also don\u2019t know what to expect. It\u2019s new. For most of us, this newfound freedom is exciting. Some of us have a bucket list of things to experience. But, also, for most of us, this newfound freedom is nerve-wracking. I know this feeling well, and for that reason, I will share with you tips that can make university life easier.<\/p>\n

Reference as you go, not at the end.<\/h3>\n

If you forget everything else, remember this. Never leave referencing till the last minute; build your reference list as you go. Even if it\u2019s just referencing sources that you\u2019re not sure you\u2019ll use. Better safe than sorry. The risk of referencing at the end is that you could forget something and accidentally plagiarise. We don\u2019t want that. Not with all the hard work you put in.<\/p>\n

Network with your classmates\/fellow students<\/h3>\n
\"khadijat

A picture of me!<\/p><\/div>\n

Don\u2019t take your classmates for granted. There is potential for a mutually beneficial connection to occur. Add each other on LinkedIn, go for coffee together, and catch up outside lecture halls. We all know the value of networking with people who are already highly accomplished in their respective industries. But, when you think about it, the people who sit next to you in lecture theatres, whom you work with for group assignments, or see around campus will also prosper like you. You all attend this prestigious university, and one day you\u2019re all going to be professionals doing big things in the world, and you might need each other or run into each other at some point.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t over-prepare for Uni!<\/h3>\n

Now, if you\u2019re like me and you like to plan, I can hear your thoughts, \u201cwhat?! what do you mean, Khadijat\u201d. Hold on, I\u2019ll explain, and you\u2019ll thank me later. \u2018Uni essentials\u2019, \u2018pack with me for Uni\u2019 etc. videos are entertaining to watch but don\u2019t let them fool you into thinking you need a doorstop or potato masher. Some things like mattress toppers are great purchases, but sometimes you can spend your money on things you won\u2019t use for your entire 3+ years at university. Take your time with some purchases, wait until you\u2019re settling in, and buy things when you need them. Some courses do not require you to buy physical textbooks. You might not need a printer either or a drying rack. Look at your shopping list again and separate the things you can buy later.<\/p>\n

Join WhatsApp\/Facebook Groups<\/h3>\n

The summer before university begins, search for the university\u2019s social media groups. They could be course-specific or created by societies. I found out that the Afro-Caribbean Society have a WhatsApp group through their Instagram. Through that WhatsApp group, I made friends by private messaging people with similar interests and sharing socials in the group. Voila! I had already gotten to know people before Uni started, and we went to events together once Uni started. It is a great way to ease social anxiety as you may feel more comfortable knowing a few people. If you can\u2019t find course group chats, create one yourself. I suggest asking the people sitting next to you for their socials\/number, creating a group chat and sharing the link with others in your class.<\/p>\n

Written by Khadijat, third year student in BSc Management (Marketing)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Related<\/h1>\n\n

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Contact Us<\/h4>\n

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+44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n

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Find Us<\/h4>\n

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The University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK<\/a><\/p>\n

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Connect With Us<\/h4>\n

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