It can be all too easy to waste your potential when you first start at university. Many people find themselves wrapped up in parties, nights out, and spending time with their new friends, and it can be hard to deal with coursework and exams when you’re experiencing so many things for the first time. Of course, though, when you’re paying so much for tuition, it makes sense that you’d want to maximize your potential and achieve as much as possible during your time at uni. To help you out with this without taking away from the fun, this article will be exploring some tips that will help you to make the most of your time studying.
Having the right place to live can make a big difference when you’re trying to learn. Getting to lectures on a Monday morning is notoriously difficult, and many people end up skipping their most important lessons because they can’t face traveling with a hangover. The student accommodation at many universities is well-placed to make it nice and easy for the vast majority of students to get to the lectures within 5 minutes on foot, though some will be further. This can have a significant impact on your learning, with most people finding that they do better when they are living closer to their university. This is especially important during the first year. However, not all students want to live on campus as there may be some cheaper options a bit further out. You will want to weigh up all your options and may want to get some help with finding your student home in Bristol or wherever you'll be studying, before you commit to a single accommodation.
While most people will have spent most of their life in education before they reach university, many people find that their old routines go out of the window when they start at a place like this. You will have the freedom to spend your time however you like, but this can mean that you end up spending very little time on the important things. It’s crucial that you develop a routine that enables you to spend enough time on your university work. Alongside your normal lectures and lessons, most university courses require at least 12 hours of work each week in your personal time to ensure that you get good results.
Communication has always been key to education, even when people are trying to learn independently. Your professors and lecturers will be eager to talk about your work, but this isn’t something they’ll chase up; you have to be the one to make the first move. You can show them coursework before it's submitted, ask them to test you before exams, and talk to them about the concerns you have about your learning. Most universities give their lecturers enough time to have 1-to-1s with their students on a regular basis.
University life can be hard for a lot of people, and it’s very common for new students to find themselves in a bad position. Of course, though, while this is common, it doesn’t mean that you have to end up in this trap. As long as you work hard, keep yourself focused, and take the right steps, your life as a student can be just as fruitful as anyone else’s.