The first year of university is typically a phase of adapting, encountering novel situations, and adjusting to heightened standards. If you are struggling socially or academically, please know that you aren’t alone. You will be glad to know that you will adapt and find that things gradually become less challenging. In the meantime, these 7 useful tips for first-year university students may help.
Stick to a Sleep Schedule
Once you start at university, you will find many opportunities to stay up late, and drag yourself out of bed early in the morning. Study demands, social opportunities, even adjusting to a new dorm can throw your sleep patterns off. This can make it difficult to concentrate, even impact your immune system. As much as you can, stick to a set time to go to sleep and wake up.
Join a Study Group
When it comes to higher learning, solo studying may work against you. If nobody is there to challenge your conclusions, offer their own thoughts, or encourage you to explore things at a deeper level, your learning can be limited. Additionally, the social aspect of study groups can make coursework a bit more enjoyable.
Improve Your Writing Skills
No matter what you are studying, or your career aspirations, you will benefit from having good writing skills. Take the time to hone your writing, build your vocabulary, communicate clearly in writing. If you need help with this, the student writing center at your school can help. Do you need inspiration? Look online for a free essay example. This will give you a good idea of the kind of writing that is now expected of you.
More Good Food, Less Caffeine
Of course, it would be unreasonable to expect any first year university student to forego caffeine altogether. That said, it’s important to beware of overconsuming coffee and energy drinks. Too much, and you can really do a number on your digestive system. It can also give you the jitters, and make it difficult to sleep when the time comes.
Another issue is that students often substitute caffeine for proper nutrition. They skip meals and snacks altogether. Sometimes candy bars and chips become an unhealthy grab-and-go option. Try to limit your caffeine to one or two servings a day. Then, prioritize eating a variety of healthy foods.
Find an Organization that Fits You
This is your opportunity to explore your interests, connect with people, and have a positive impact on the world around you. Unfortunately, it’s common to feel isolated as well. You may struggle to make friends at first, and feel like you are navigating things alone. This is when joining an organization or club can help.
Don’t worry. There is something out there that will fit your personality and interests. There are organizations that cater to nearly any hobby. You can also get involved in community service organizations, athletics, or student government. This is a great time to seek out employment as well. Even if you can’t find jobs in the local economy. There are great online jobs for college students. Find one to make productive use of your time, and develop some useful skills.
Set a Budget
Sadly, many college students begin their academic careers going into debt. This is made worse by the fact that creditors often target students with tempting offers. Additionally, it’s easy to run out of money thanks to all of the opportunities you have to go out, or simply shopping for new items. Remember that it’s easier to spend money if you feel homesick or out of place.
This is the perfect time to create good financial habits. Start by downloading a budgeting apps, making a spending plan, and tracking your expenses.
Keep a Calendar
Don’t let your schedule become a problem. As a university student you will deal with multiple deadlines, varying class schedules, and different obligations. Without some help getting organized, it’s easy to drop the ball. Find a calendar or time management app that helps you stay on top of things. Look for one that will send reminders and let you set up a to-do list.
Final Thoughts
Your first year can truly be an exciting time for you to grow and experience new things. Try following a few of these tips to help you triumph over any challenges that may come your way.
Andrew Samkowski is a popular writer and researcher. His work can be found in many different publications that focus on education and wellness. He enjoys providing advice and insights to students. When he isn’t writing, Andrew enjoys spending time with his friends and family.