With the Autumn term in full swing, and Freshers Weeks playing out up and down the country, we thought we’d take the time to share some tips on how to navigate and make the most of the first few weeks of a new term.
Whether you are a first-year student or returning for a second, third, or even fourth year, there are things that you can (and should) be doing in the first few weeks of term to set yourself up for a successful year. Here’s our breakdown of some of the best and most important things you can do to prepare yourself for the year ahead…
Get to Know Your Surroundings
This is, of course, an important part of settling into university as a first year, taking time to locate your lecture hall and seminar spaces, and finding things like the university library, medical centre, Student Union bar, and more. However, this tip isn’t solely for new starters.
If you are a returning student and have moved to a new area on or off campus, you should take some time in the first few days after returning to check your “commute” – that is, how long it will take to get to your lectures and workshops.
Getting to know your surroundings can also include checking out your closest pub, finding the best and most convenient supermarket, and identifying all the amenities that are within easy walking distance of your university home.
Get Ahead of Any Prep Work
Call us boring, but before we dive into the social aspect of returning to or starting university, it’s worth mentioning the course prep work that you can and should be doing before your lectures start up.
Reading lists are often published in advance of the new term in September, giving students a chance to spend their summer break not just sourcing but reading some of the materials that they will be using in the coming year. Once you’re settled into your home for the upcoming university year, reacquaint yourself with the reading list and with any other recommended prep work that you can do ahead of your first lectures.
TOP TIP: As part of your prep work for the year ahead, a big tip from the Liv Student team is to find out your exam dates and any coursework deadlines throughout the course of the year and write them all down on a big wall calendar. Not only will this ensure that you never miss an important date in your studies, but it also allows you to track how much time you have to prepare for and finalise revision, coursework, and more.
Get Involved in Freshers Week
During the first couple of weeks at university, typically before the main brunt of the work starts across most courses, it can be easy to forget what you are really at university for. Fresher Weeks is a notoriously action-packed and busy week, filled with nights out and events, fairs, sports and activity trials, and more.
Freshers Week is so much more than nights out drinking, meaning that getting involved doesn’t have to be reserved for those who consider themselves partygoers. If you are keen to get involved in a specific sport or society, Freshers Week can be a great time to go and meet the committee for that activity and take part in some trial sessions.
This leads us to our next tip for navigating the first weeks of university…
Find Something You Love and Are Passionate About
It could be a sport that you’re already well versed in, or a passion that you want to continue and that can bring you friends with similar interests. Or it could be something completely new that you’ve always wanted to try.
Whatever your motivation, one of the best things about university is the plethora of sports, societies, and clubs that students can get involved in. Typically, clubs host their own social events and operate under their own schedule – meaning that you can be as involved as you like and attend social events alongside every weekly session, or just take part as and when you can.
Build Connections With Those Around You
From those you live with to the people on your course, those involved in the clubs that you join and the friends you make on a random night out in the pub, university is all about thriving in your own space and building connections and relationships with people from all walks of life.
Having people in different circles to spend time with can make the university an exciting place to be – with many carrying those university friends into adult life and beyond.
Don’t Forget to Rest
Survival 101: the first few weeks at university can be demanding, both physically and mentally, and you may find your social battery starting to drain and run low after several days and nights out in a row.
As part of your self-care during the busy first weeks of a new term and a new university year, it’s incredibly important that you take time to rest, recover after nights out, and look after both your mental and physical health with a balanced diet and plenty of hydration.
Self-care looks different for every individual person, with some of our top tips being to get out for a walk and some fresh air, spend some time reading books that you enjoy as well as course materials, and indulge in hobbies that you enjoy – for example, cooking a healthy meal at the end of the day.
A new university year is always exciting – but it can feel a little overwhelming too. Consider this a sign to make a plan and ensure that you get everything you need out of those weeks to feel both settled and at home in your new surroundings.
