Faizah

MA Social Research student

Top tips for university study  

'Don’t be shy, express yourself': University can be the biggest leap for some and a breeze for others, which in my opinion can relate to how you approach the whole experience. Being shy can impact your first year activities, from networking with students, staff members, your studies through to getting involved in extracurricular opportunities. If you feel uncomfortable, self-conscious, nervous or insecure, just express the emotions you feel. The cliché ‘just be yourself’ is easier said than done, but if you express yourself authentically, you’ll find that other people will understand completely and may well be feeling the same way. I was lucky to find some of my closest friends like this and form really close connections with my lecturers! 

‘To engage or not to engage, that is the question?’: I find that many people will let ideas and concepts go over their heads without trying to grasp them.  I know this as I was one of those individuals. If you don’t know something in your lectures don’t dismiss it, try your best to engage. Maybe try to approach the lecturer another time 1-on-1, and simply ask them to clarify your queries.  I promise you if you make this a normality, it will pay off in the long run.  A clearer understanding of a concept or topic might just might trigger a connection between two things or a perspective you’ve not been able to see.  It could also bring life to other ideas that have laid dormant and inspire you to cultivate these ideas with your own, giving them more depth and dexterity.  

‘Smells like Freshers spirt’: Three years of university is relatively short, in comparison to the 15 years of schooling you’ve experienced to get to this point. The transition to university can result in one of two things. It could bond all the positive aspects from your school/college years: routines; steady diet; good sleep patterns; sports; music; and art. Or the new-found freedom can sometimes lead people to forget all about previous commitments to self-care, study and extracurricular activities. It’s very easy to get caught up in the Freshers’ spirit and forget about why you came to university, but try to stay focused.   University isn't just about the life style and a degree - it will be the making of the person you were meant to be.