A Beginners guide to University Prep
You’ve received your places, now what?
by Hannah Christie
Congratulations to everyone who has received their A - level, BTEC, T- Level or equivalent results! As someone who also received their results and university decision, I understand first hand how stressful it can be. By now, everybody has received their decision from their university, college, or company if you’re doing a degree apprenticeship and are preparing for the new start that is the 2025/26 academic year to commence. I thought it would only be fitting to this month’s entry on preparing for university.
1. Understand your accommodation
It’s important that you secure your accommodation and understand what type of accommodation you will be staying in I.e. catered accommodation, single sex, shared bathrooms, en-suites. This will inform how you pack and budget. For example, if your accommodation is catered, it is likely you won’t need to budget for breakfast and dinner each week. However, if you are sharing a bathroom, you may need to invest in a shower caddy and some shower shoes.
2. Don’t succumb to peer pressure
Human beings have an innate desire to be accepted and be a part of a community. However, it is important that we don’t allow that to cause us to compromise our values and succumb to peer pressure. Peer pressure is normal and there’s nothing wrong with feeling that pressure however, if you’ve gone to university and established personal boundaries I.e. you may have decided that you don’t want to drink, don’t go back on that because you feel pressured. Additionally, there will likely be communities that align with your personal values, for example, alcohol free socials.
3. If you have a faith plug into a community
If you are religious, my advice to you would be to connect with a local community. If you are living out and are completely unfamiliar with the area, you may be able to find local religious spaces on your university’s website, or society. Whilst it is important to branch out and build relationships with people from different social, ethnic and religious backgrounds, it is essential that you remain close to a community that shares the same values, interests and beliefs as yourself to make your experience less isolating.
4. Don’t worry about imposter syndrome
Your university wouldn’t have accepted you if they didn’t think you were capable of completing your degree. It may be daunting to enter an academically rigorous institution and feel like you don’t belong or you won’t succeed but that isn’t the case. You are more than capable to succeed at your degree and you aren’t alone, a lot of your peers may feel the same and whilst the gap from sixth form to university is big, your institution knows that and there will likely be support for students who are struggling to adjust.
5. Don’t be scared to ask questions
There is no such thing as a stupid question. Questions are normal and in my opinion, curiosity is what shapes a learner. So ask questions, be inquisitive, your lecturers and tutors will definitely appreciate it. Don’t worry about being judged by your peers, asking questions is how you improve your academic performance and to an extent, your confidence in certain spaces. Don’t worry, just ask!
6. Try to make friends with people in the year above
Making friends in the year above is a bonus at university because you’ll know someone with more experience on campus than you. You can ask them for advice on making friends or finding things to do off campus. Additionally, if they’re on the same course as you they can provide you with academic advice too.
7. Have fun
Having fun is essential. Yes school is stressful, but having fun allows you to decompress and enjoy your life. Some of you will be living in a completely new place for the first time in your life. Enjoy it, explore, find places to go online and on a budget. Remember that life is for living, so when you go to university… don’t forget to live.