Going to university for the first time can be daunting. You’re starting afresh in a new school, maybe living on your own for the first time. You got new classes, subjects, teachers, and classmates to get acquainted with.
On top of that, we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic.
Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it?
The good news is it doesn’t have to be that way, so pat yourself on the back for making it this far. Take a deep breath and read up on answers to questions you may think about, but are afraid to ask.
What if I have no clue what to study?
You’re not alone! Many students aren’t sure what to study when they head to university. But there are plenty of ways to find something, starting with some self-reflection. Assess your priorities, interests, and strengths. Then evaluate the courses on offer, considering factors like:
Does the course interest me?
- What are the course requirements?
- What is the workload like?
- What are the outcomes, how much will it cost, and is there any financial support?
If you’re unsure or fancy a bit of advice, you can talk to an academic advisor. Better yet, you could hop on to UNIVISER. Using the prospect or alumni modules, you can get advice and guidance from current students or alumni of your university online.
What if I fail my classes or sound stupid in class?
Sometimes you just have to take a chance, and put yourself out there - even if that means sounding stupid in class! The risk of failure exists in everything we do. The trick is to minimize the risk by taking a calm and measured approach while preparing ourselves to the best of our abilities
We can’t control what life throws at us, but we can control how we respond to it.
If the semester is not over yet, and you're failing your class, ask yourself:
- Can a tutor or study group help raise your grade?
- Are there ways to get extra credit?
- Can you retake the class?
In the event of failing a class, try not to don’t beat yourself up about it. It happens, even to the best of us. Try to look at the bigger picture instead. Ask yourself what you learned, what caused you to fail, and how you can prevent it from happening again.
What if the professors are scary or don’t like me?
If you’re nervous about meeting your professors, you’re not alone.
But it’s worth remembering you all have one common goal: for you to succeed. The professors also understand your situation better than most people, if not everyone. Remember, they were once in your shoes as well. They know what it’s like and are around to help you.
Just address your professors respectfully and don’t interrupt them during lectures. Break the ice by talking to them, ask questions during lectures and office hours, and be sure to reach out for help.
What if I don’t like my roommate?
Now that’s a bummer...
In most cases, though, roommates get along with each other. It’s what you both want in the end, isn’t it? So try to bear this in mind. Be friendly, be open to change, and treat your roommate the way you would like to be treated.
If things don’t work out, you could make a request to change roommates. But it might take a while for it to happen, as your school has to assign two new roommates and a new space for at least one of you.
What if I don’t make any friends?
We all worry university life isn’t for us. It’s a big change for a new student and can prove daunting, especially for making friends. To help get yourself acquainted with at least a few friendly faces, here are some tips:
- Join study groups, clubs, and societies.
- Introduce yourself to students living near you.
- Be open and friendly, greet the classmates sitting next to you in a lecture.
- Spend time in communal spaces.
- Take part in faculty activities.
Finally, remember everyone - especially first-year students - is on the same boat. They’ll be nervous as well and would probably appreciate a friend.
What if my dorm is too noisy? How will I sleep or study?
Most dorms have quiet hours at fixed times for weekdays and weekends, but they don’t normally start until late in the evening.
For studying, you could visit a quiet spot on campus like the library and study areas. But if sleep is a problem, and it’s during the quiet hours, you could politely ask your neighbors to quieten down. Otherwise, talk to your resident adviser - or ‘RA’ - about the noise.
What if I can’t get used to going to a communal bathroom?
For newbies, using a communal bathroom can take some getting used to. It may seem intimidating and awkward at first. But it’s worth remembering the people you share the bathroom with won’t care what you do anymore than you care what they are doing.
If you prefer quality alone time, the best hours would be around the middle of the day - perhaps around 10 am to 3 pm.
As time passes, however, you’ll slowly adapt.
What if I’m sick and my folks aren’t around to take care of me?
Living in tight quarters and being packed in lecture halls with other students makes being sick inevitable. Staying clean, getting a flu shot, eating healthy food, and stocking up on your vitamins is a start - but what if you fall ill?
For starters, don’t go to class. Call or send a message to your professor to explain your absence, and maybe even ask for any material that your class will cover that day. Then arrange an appointment to visit a doctor or a care center, get a prescription for antibiotics, and get some rest.
What if I get homesick?
This feeling is normal. It’s not something that goes away in a flash, but it gets easier in time. Thankfully, though, we’re in an era where we can stay in close contact with family and close friends - no matter where or when.
Use social media, make phone calls, send texts/emails, or do a video chat.
At the same time, indulge yourself in your new life and keep busy. Isolating or sitting around thinking about home will only make it worse. Try some extracurricular activities, get a part-time job, exercise, or explore your new surroundings.
If things get a bit too much, there is no shame in asking for help. Universities generally have counseling services available, so you can talk to a professional about everything.
Going to university for the first time can be daunting. You’re starting afresh in a new school, maybe living on your own for the first time. You got new classes, subjects, teachers, and classmates to get acquainted with.
On top of that, we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic.
Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it?
The good news is it doesn’t have to be that way, so pat yourself on the back for making it this far. Take a deep breath and read up on answers to questions you may think about, but are afraid to ask.
What if I have no clue what to study?
You’re not alone! Many students aren’t sure what to study when they head to university. But there are plenty of ways to find something, starting with some self-reflection. Assess your priorities, interests, and strengths. Then evaluate the courses on offer, considering factors like:
Does the course interest me?
- What are the course requirements?
- What is the workload like?
- What are the outcomes, how much will it cost, and is there any financial support?
If you’re unsure or fancy a bit of advice, you can talk to an academic advisor. Better yet, you could hop on to UNIVISER. Using the prospect or alumni modules, you can get advice and guidance from current students or alumni of your university online.
What if I fail my classes or sound stupid in class?
Sometimes you just have to take a chance, and put yourself out there - even if that means sounding stupid in class! The risk of failure exists in everything we do. The trick is to minimize the risk by taking a calm and measured approach while preparing ourselves to the best of our abilities
We can’t control what life throws at us, but we can control how we respond to it.
If the semester is not over yet, and you're failing your class, ask yourself:
- Can a tutor or study group help raise your grade?
- Are there ways to get extra credit?
- Can you retake the class?
In the event of failing a class, try not to don’t beat yourself up about it. It happens, even to the best of us. Try to look at the bigger picture instead. Ask yourself what you learned, what caused you to fail, and how you can prevent it from happening again.
What if the professors are scary or don’t like me?
If you’re nervous about meeting your professors, you’re not alone.
But it’s worth remembering you all have one common goal: for you to succeed. The professors also understand your situation better than most people, if not everyone. Remember, they were once in your shoes as well. They know what it’s like and are around to help you.
Just address your professors respectfully and don’t interrupt them during lectures. Break the ice by talking to them, ask questions during lectures and office hours, and be sure to reach out for help.
What if I don’t like my roommate?
Now that’s a bummer...
In most cases, though, roommates get along with each other. It’s what you both want in the end, isn’t it? So try to bear this in mind. Be friendly, be open to change, and treat your roommate the way you would like to be treated.
If things don’t work out, you could make a request to change roommates. But it might take a while for it to happen, as your school has to assign two new roommates and a new space for at least one of you.
What if I don’t make any friends?
We all worry university life isn’t for us. It’s a big change for a new student and can prove daunting, especially for making friends. To help get yourself acquainted with at least a few friendly faces, here are some tips:
- Join study groups, clubs, and societies.
- Introduce yourself to students living near you.
- Be open and friendly, greet the classmates sitting next to you in a lecture.
- Spend time in communal spaces.
- Take part in faculty activities.
Finally, remember everyone - especially first-year students - is on the same boat. They’ll be nervous as well and would probably appreciate a friend.
What if my dorm is too noisy? How will I sleep or study?
Most dorms have quiet hours at fixed times for weekdays and weekends, but they don’t normally start until late in the evening.
For studying, you could visit a quiet spot on campus like the library and study areas. But if sleep is a problem, and it’s during the quiet hours, you could politely ask your neighbors to quieten down. Otherwise, talk to your resident adviser - or ‘RA’ - about the noise.
What if I can’t get used to going to a communal bathroom?
For newbies, using a communal bathroom can take some getting used to. It may seem intimidating and awkward at first. But it’s worth remembering the people you share the bathroom with won’t care what you do anymore than you care what they are doing.
If you prefer quality alone time, the best hours would be around the middle of the day - perhaps around 10 am to 3 pm.
As time passes, however, you’ll slowly adapt.
What if I’m sick and my folks aren’t around to take care of me?
Living in tight quarters and being packed in lecture halls with other students makes being sick inevitable. Staying clean, getting a flu shot, eating healthy food, and stocking up on your vitamins is a start - but what if you fall ill?
For starters, don’t go to class. Call or send a message to your professor to explain your absence, and maybe even ask for any material that your class will cover that day. Then arrange an appointment to visit a doctor or a care center, get a prescription for antibiotics, and get some rest.
What if I get homesick?
This feeling is normal. It’s not something that goes away in a flash, but it gets easier in time. Thankfully, though, we’re in an era where we can stay in close contact with family and close friends - no matter where or when.
Use social media, make phone calls, send texts/emails, or do a video chat.
At the same time, indulge yourself in your new life and keep busy. Isolating or sitting around thinking about home will only make it worse. Try some extracurricular activities, get a part-time job, exercise, or explore your new surroundings.
If things get a bit too much, there is no shame in asking for help. Universities generally have counseling services available, so you can talk to a professional about everything.
