How to survive your first year at university

by Alayna Black

First year at university: How to make choices about your university course, student accommodation, friends and personal growth so your first year at college or university makes the mark on your life you wanted.

So, you've chosen your college or university. You've had to sit through countless college presentations, write countless drafts of your personal statement, but you've made it. And then you get the grades. You might be pleased, you might be a little disappointed - but you still made it.

What now?

As I've completed my first year, it's time to share the wealth.

It's not the best college course for you? Change it.

When I first began University, I was doing a Journalism and Creative Writing joint honours degree. By the end of week two, I already didn't want to attend lectures, and found myself doodling in class when I should be note-taking. So I switched courses, and swapped Journalism for English Literature. What I'm trying to say here is, don't worry if you don't enjoy it straight away. By the time University comes around a lot of people know what they enjoy and what they don't. The tutors are there to support you, not to scare you. Ask them to help you, explain the problems you're having, no matter how shy you feel about it.

Student accommodation

This is the scary part – before you get there. Try to join halls groups on facebook, find people on that weird and wonderful yougo website... these are great ways to see if you can find out who you're living with. If you don't want to talk to them on facebook, fine – I didn't. When you move in, go and knock on someone's door. My flatmate and good friend did this when we moved in, and we sat in the kitchen chatting until a third person moved in. It might be scary knocking on a random person's door, but that act definitely made me feel more comfortable – so do your bit.

Don't be afraid of change...

By the time I was ready to start my first year at University I was fairly confused about who I was, who I wanted to be and where I wanted to go in life. After my first year at University I've got more defined ideas about all of these. In college (in my case, that was before University, though you may be in school before you go to college), I went to rock shows, festivals and comedy gigs. I didn't go out very much, and dressed very much in that fashion. Which was great, and I have no regrets. But I wouldn't have guessed then that I would have reconnected with my love of RnB and Garage music, and all that fantastic cheese! Don't be afraid to show these slightly more hidden loves. There will definitely be someone else there who likes this! Although I'm yet to find someone quite so in love with Harry Potter.

Student clicques

Talk to the slightly 'chavvy' girl and don't shut her out... She could be your new best friend. The friends I have made in my first year at Universtiy are amazing, and I couldn't have done it without them, but the odd thing is, at home I wouldn't have looked twice or spoken to any of them. And while we all appear different...I have so much in common with all of these people.

Sex? Drugs? Don't feel pressured.

It's your first year, yes, but that doesn't mean that the 'rules' of casual sex and drugs have to apply to you. I had a fantastic year without all of this stereotypical activity, probably better than those who I know have indulged themselves. If you don't want to go out every night, don't – but don't be a hermit either. Try to do as much as you can to express yourself, not act out a template of who you're meant to be.

There are so many places out there saying all of this. But they're not lying, even when they say you'll eventually resort to living off Supernoodles. They speak - in some cases unfortunately - the truth. If there's one thing I've learned in my first year at university, it's that you can be as cynical as you like before you get there, but once you're there...anything can happen.

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