{"id":8882,"date":"2025-06-18T14:33:39","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T13:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/?p=8882"},"modified":"2025-06-18T14:33:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T13:33:39","slug":"from-sixth-form-to-university-what-i-wish-i-knew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/2025\/06\/18\/from-sixth-form-to-university-what-i-wish-i-knew\/","title":{"rendered":"From Sixth Form to University: What I Wish I Knew"},"content":{"rendered":"

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First of all, congratulations! You are about to embark on one of the most exciting (and nerve-wrecking) journeys of your life! I remember packing my things and saying goodbye to my parents and friends, still feeling like it was all a dream. But once I arrived in Manchester and settled into my new accommodation, the fear kicked in: \u201cAm I ready for this?\u201d.<\/p>\n

Spoiler: I was, and so are you!<\/p>\n

But I won\u2019t lie, there is a jump<\/em> from school to university. The good news? It\u2019s totally manageable if you give yourself time, patience, and a bit of reassurance \u2013 which I am here to help with.<\/p>\n

Everyone feels imposter syndrome<\/h2>\n

One thing I wasn\u2019t expecting was imposter syndrome \u2013 that sneaky feeling that everyone is more prepared than you, or that maybe you don\u2019t belong. This hit me during my first seminars, where people spoke so confidently, using big words I\u2019d never heard before. I remember thinking: \u201cAm I the only one struggling to keep up?\u201d. But the truth is most students feel that way, even if they don\u2019t say it.<\/p>\n

University is full of people from different backgrounds, with different classes and interests to yours. Remind yourself: you earned your place here. And if you give yourself time, you\u2019ll soon be reading articles just for fun, raising your hand, and using those same \u201cbig words\u201d that once left you speechless!<\/p>\n

You\u2019re in charge now<\/h2>\n

In sixth form, your days were probably very structured. You likely had back-to-back classes, with a few free hours, and teachers reminding you of deadlines, following your progress, and maybe even chasing you around school if you didn\u2019t hand something in. At university, things change. Suddenly, you are in charge of how you manage your time, keep up with lectures, and handle deadlines. It definitely feels like freedom \u2014 and it is \u2014 but it can be tricky at first, and it\u2019s easy fall behind before you even realise it!<\/p>\n

The good news? You get to use this freedom to build a system that works for you. Maybe you\u2019re a morning studier, or you concentrate better in a caf\u00e9 than in your room or studying with friends\u2026 Try things out, experiment, and share techniques with friends. Taking the reins of your learning is one of the most powerful tools you\u2019ll learn at university \u2014 and once you find your rhythm, you\u2019ll be amazed at what you\u2019re capable of!<\/p>\n

Independent learning doesn\u2019t mean doing it alone<\/h2>\n

One of the biggest shifts will be how much learning happens outside the classroom. Essays, readings, lecture prep, group work \u2013 they all require more initiative than school did. But that doesn\u2019t mean figuring it all out on your own!<\/p>\n

Use your resources. Meet up with friends to go over content, go to office hours, ask questions, connect with students who have done your classes \u2013 sometimes the best advice come from people just one year ahead.<\/p>\n

Final tip: be kind to yourself<\/h2>\n

This is a big jump. You\u2019re not just learning academic content, you are learning to be independent, to manage your time, to grow as a person. Give yourself patience and space to adapt, celebrate small wins, and remember: no one has it all figured out!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Written by Txell, a BSc International Management student at AMBS<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Contact Us<\/h4>\n

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