Going to university for the first time is overwhelming for everyone. The thought of having to live by yourself or with strangers away from your parents, having to make food for yourself, and be responsible for maintaining good grades can be very overwhelming and can result in real struggles for students. The aim of this post is to provide you with a list of challenges that you may face at university, but it will also tell you how to get over them proudly.
Making Real Friends
Perhaps the best lesson I learned at university was to not be relentless about making friends. Many students arrive at university with a preconception that they will make lifelong friends with the people that they meet on day one, but this is absolutely not the case. In an attempt to make as many friends as possible, students tend to not be their true selves but rather an idealized version of themselves to meet the friendship standards of as many people as possible. However, with time, the real personality of many of the “friends” you meet on the first day will be likely to result differently to what you expected, and can even turn out to be people you don’t really have many things in common with.
Therefore, although it may sound cliché, be your own person, and stay true to yourself about what types of people you actually want to surround yourself with. Don’t be afraid to join sports clubs or societies; the people that you meet in places like these will at least have something in common with you, and real friendships will be more likely to blossom from here.
Budgeting
When living on your own, managing your own money may make you feel like you’re becoming more independent. This is indeed true, and you must learn to manage it correctly to be able to survive. Keep your priorities straight; paying rent, groceries, and bills always come first. Parties and leisure activities come second. If you do not have enough to cover your main priorities, do not allow yourself to pay for parties or so. Although this may sound too strict, it is always a better idea to keep a roof above your head and a stomach full of good food than going to a party for a few hours.
Procrastinating
The assignments that you get at a university are very different from the ones you were used to at high school. Lecturers expect a much higher level of professionalism and academic ability; something that can intimidate and put off many students. Therefore, procrastination tends to be a very common characteristic among university pupils. In a few words, procrastinating means to leave important work or priorities until the last minute. It is important to remember that university deadlines are much stricter than in high school and that they can rarely be moved. This means that regardless of what you do, you will have to turn in your assignment no matter what. Procrastinating on an important assignment will result in you producing a low-quality piece of writing, risking a lower grade than the one you would have gotten if you had started it earlier. The earlier you start your assignment, the more time you’ll have to ask your lecturer about the content and discuss ideas, to research, edit and proofread your work. In the end, you’ll be left with a great sense of satisfaction after having completed a complex task at the best of your abilities. If you procrastinate, not only will this give you awful anxiety and stress, but it is likely that you will get a low grade.
Student Jobs
As a soon-graduating student, it is very important to start effective resume writing or CV stating your work experience. Because of this, it would be a good idea to work at a part-time job whilst you are completing your studies. Part-time jobs range from working in a café or restaurant to being an assistant for your professors. Try to apply for a job that fits best with your ambitions or interests so that instead of feeling like an actual “job” and burden, you’re able to enjoy it and are happy to spend time in it. Not only will you be earning cash for any expenses you may have, but you will also have the opportunity to write it down on your CV; making you more eligible for future jobs.
Writing Service Stigma
Traditionally, writing your own papers at university is seen as the norm. On the other hand, because of this, living a stressful and sleepless lifestyle has also become what students are used to. In fact, if students do not appear to look tired or frustrated at the amount of work they have to do, it is common for them to be regarded as not doing “enough”. On the other hand, don’t let this get to you, and consider hiring someone to get your essay written upon request. Not only will this give you the opportunity to feel a lot more relaxed, but you’ll also be able to get away with getting a good grade.
Healthy Lifestyle
For many students that start living on their own, having a healthy diet is something that normally goes out the window. This can be dangerous for various reasons. Firstly, eating takeaways, junk food, or frozen food constantly is likely to make you feel ill, tired, and sick. Taking into account that you’re aiming to do well academically, feeling sick is not something you want to be doing. Try to look up recipes, organize home-made dinners with your friends, or ultimately ask your parents for advice on what and how to cook. By going grocery shopping and cooking yourself, you’ll learn the best ways to keep a healthy lifestyle, while saving a lot of money.
Hopefully, this article has given you a sense of security about departing on this next big adventure. Besides being responsible for yourself, don’t forget that you’re also there to have fun and make the best memories out of it.
