How to get the most out of your University/ College experience.

If you were as "lucky" as I am, you've had no obligations over the summer period. I put lucky in inverted comma's simply because I would have loved to be working, or travelling, or anything to keep myself occupied in between social outings. Anyway, I have had a carefree summer and its becoming that time of year again where I have to prepare myself for university, essays, seminars and all of that fun stuff.

This post is aimed at freshers, refreshers, anyone who is studying at University when September comes. I remember, before I started Uni I read alot of YouGo promoted websites to prepare myself but they never gave the full story so I wanted to write my tips on how to have the best University experience.

Play to your strengths

This is the main thing most prep sites won't encourage. You'll always be told to make the most effort but they don't play to the fact that people learn in different ways. By University, i'm sure you'll know your preferred learning style.

By now you have confirmation of your place at university, or if you are going back, your module choices are pretty much all ready to go. Try to make sure you recognize your academic strengths, if you retain knowledge well from power points, use them, if it's books, read a lot. For example, I learn well from monitored learning, so i'll use flashcards to check i'm getting the right dates and facts where I need them. 

It's always a priority of mine to be organised and never fall behind, but it's become more of a big deal this for this year because not only does my average for this year count towards my degree (In the UK, your first year doesn't go toward your degree outcome, you just have to pass. I'd like to point out I did average well this past year, I just want to make sure I keep it up this year) I also have decided to take up an extra class, so I need to make sure I'm on top of everything.



You'll avoid stress by being one step ahead, and you do that by being organised!

When you hit your second year you get more freedom in what you study, so this year I have decided to trade in modules with exams to mostly essays and book reports. It's good to remember to stick to what you know - i'm good at essays so I opt for them, you may breeze exams, try and get mostly exams if that's the case.

Don't neglect your social life for the sake of a first.



This is by no means me saying your social life is more important than your studies, I just think letting off steam prevents unnecessary stress, plus, University may well be your last opportunity to act like a socialite and get away with it! University gives you freedom to do what you want, drink as much as you want and make memories that, lets be honest, can be a little cringey. Have fun, but make sure you don't let your social life gain prominence over your studies either.

To be honest, if you keep yourself ahead of the game and organised there shouldn't be any problem with you spending a lot of time hanging out with mates.

Invest in a good organiser.

I have recently bought personal organiser and now I wouldn't be without it. 

This is the one I use, it cost me around £20 but I know you can get it for about £4.99 online here.


You retain information better when writing it down rather than typing it into a phone or just trying to remember it off the top of your head. And no, that isn't just something people say, it really is true. You can read up on that more here. You can pick up an academic organiser relatively cheaply, if you want to spend more money i'd recommend buying a filofax, it's better quality than most and you can get refils quick inexpensively, it's a worthwhile investment! Like I said, you can get academic organisers for cheap, this one costs about £2.99 from Ryman.




And the final one...

Missing a few lectures isn't the end of the world.

That's what Blackboard is for.


I hope this helps! And I hope you're year goes well!

Don't forget to follow and comment :)
Seize the Beautiful xo

11 comments:

  1. This is a great post. I'm going into my third year and am dreading it... This has been really helpful for me :)

    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm glad it helped! Looking forward to going back? I can't wait now! Xo

      Delete
    2. Not really, but I think it's cause I'm really freaking out over being in third year, having to deal with the D word and all that... Haha. :)

      Glad you're looking forward to going back though :) xx

      Delete
    3. Oh don't worry i'm sure you'll be fine. I accidentally signed myself up for a diss module this year, thank God my tutor called me up on it, don't think two dissertations would've been a fun experience! xo

      Delete
  2. Great post filled with good advices ! I have passed my University time but with my experience I know your advice is all GREAT ! Kisses

    Fashion and Cookies
    If you want we could follow each other on gfc, bloglovin and facebook !
    Fashion and Cookies on Facebook
    Follow me on Bloglovin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just checked your blog out and it's great, I'm following you now. I dont use any of the other networking sites just yet but if I decide to I'll definitely follow you on them to!

      Thanks for the lOvely comment xo

      Delete
  3. These are great tips for anyone going back to school in the fall! I'm envious of your carefree summer - I hope you enjoyed it! Following you! :)
    the-creationofbeauty.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks :) still got a bit to go before I go back but it has been fun so far xo

      Delete
  4. Wow, great tips! I am so glad I'm over this university thing. Sometimes I forget how hard it was:)
    Ty Azarov
    www.prescriptionforfashion.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I miss college and dorm life...It was so much fun. But I was an exchange students, so my grades were not that important to me. BIG DETAIL! :D
    xoxo

    novelstyle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to do an exchange. Where are did you go on your transfer?
      xo

      Delete