University is a time of change in your life. For many it means moving away from home, getting to know a whole new city, meeting new people and learning entirely new subjects. These years will be some of the most transformative and exciting of your life, but they can also be overwhelming. Here are some tips from Amy, Tyler and Cathy (three third year students) that helped them to stay organised and make the most out of their university experience.
Habit 1: Checking your university email
Amy
One of the most important things you’ll do during welcome week period, is set up your university email. This is where you’ll receive important information about your course and other opportunities at the university.
In my third year I decided to do a year abroad, in order to do this , I had to meet deadlines for my visa applications. By getting into the habit of checking my email every day. I was able to stay on top of everything and go on my year abroad to America. If you don’t check your email, you may miss out on the many exciting opportunities that being at university offers you.
Habit 2: Use your calendar
Tyler
In my first two years at university, I took advantage of the many different extracurricular opportunities offered in Manchester. Last year I was even elected as the chair of the Student Left society, and on the committees of a couple others. I am a huge proponent of getting involved in societies, volunteering or anything that brings you meaning and gets you involved in the wider student community while you’re studying.
However, balancing this with studying, work and my social life commitments is definitely a challenge. This is why I got in the habit of using my calendar to plan my time. I log my commitments as soon as I know when they are. This helps me to stay on top of everything and effectively organise my time.
Getting in this habit now will serve you not only during university, but in your future pursuits as well. During my summer internship having these organisational skills meant I was fully prepared for working in an office environment.
Habit 3: Read before class
Cathy
For many SALC and humanities students, the amount of contact hours offered is less than some of our peers in other departments. This means getting the most out of lectures and seminars is important. Spending some time before lectures going over the content or readings is a great way to engage with the content of lectures at a deeper level.
The University of Manchester advises two to three hours of independent study for every one hour in class. So, follow this guide and engage with the core course material in order to get the most out of your contact hours. There are lots of resources to support you with independent study, for example, when I struggled to understand material on my own, I was able to book in for office hours to discuss it with my lecturer.
Habit 4: Get to know campus
Tyler & Amy
In your first week, take the time to explore and get to know campus properly. This will help you so much when you get your timetable, as you’ll already know exactly where you’re going for lectures. Spend some time exploring study spots and places to relax on campus as well, this will prepare you well for exam periods, as you’ll already know where you like to study.
In your first week you should also familiarise yourself with your student support hub. This is where you go with any issues you may have, whether that be course related, wellbeing etc. The student support hub will be there to support you and direct you to the relevant services. The SALC support hub is located on the Lower ground floor (next to Lime Café) in the South Wing of the Samuel Alexander Building.
Exploring the wider campus is also a great way to spot different opportunities on campus. For example, both of us (Tyler & Amy) work for the student union bartending team. There are so many opportunities on your doorstep in Manchester, you just have to be paying attention to them.
Habit 5: Ask for help early
Cathy
Asking for help is the best way to keep yourself on the right track and reaching out early gives you time to work things through before they become more difficult to manage. Your student support hub, academic advisor, lecturers and support services are all here to help you succeed.
When I was working on my third-year course selection, I was unsure about which modules would be the best choice for me. I wanted to balance the skills I would gain from the module and the workload of it, especially alongside my dissertation. So, I reached out to my academic advisor for her advice as soon as the system opened, and the conversation we had really helped me make up my mind. Talking with someone who has more experience helped me see my options more clearly and feel more confident about my decision.
Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re incapable of doing things independently. Sometimes we just need another perspective to help us work out what’s best for us.So whenever you are stuck or struggling with anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. All the support services are here to help you make the most of your student life!
If you build these five habits now, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth transition into university life. Good luck and enjoy the Welcome period!
