What do you wish you had known in first year of University?
Starting university is often a significant, exciting but also daunting transition in one’s life. Whether you have moved to the city where your new university is based, commute to the university or have enrolled as an online student, there is often so much to learn, prepare for, and organise – particularly in the first couple of months. This goes beyond just the academic side of university life alone as well – for many students in their first year of university, they may also be living out for the first time, learning to manage finances and budget, making new friends and navigating many other aspects of university life as well. That first year of university often flies by as well, and sometimes, there are things we discover or come across later on in our university careers and life that we wish we had known in our first year.
So, we are now allowing you to tell us what you wish you had known in your first year of university! What life lessons, wisdom, and information would you like to pass down to other students commencing their first year of university with us? Pop by one of our campus libraries over the next few weeks and check out our Welcome Week displays where you can leave a Post-it note with a message for our new students (and for us if you wish)!
What many students wish they had known in their first year of university…
- Most students wish they had budgeted more, and more wisely. There is often so much going on in your first year of university, academically and socially. This can make it difficult to save money, which is why it is important to make the most of any student discounts you can get, whether it’s on food, entertainment or clothes. Another good way to save money – visiting the library! You can borrow books for free from us rather than buying them, especially textbooks as these can often be very expensive to purchase!
- Start early and plan your studies. You will thank yourself later! Start to search for, save and make notes on any relevant sources and articles you come across for upcoming assignments as early as possible before they are due. Break down each part of the assignment into small, manageable daily tasks by deciding, for example, that you are going to write one chapter or section a day – you may find yourself finishing two or more in fact if you get really into the flow of writing. It is often starting that is the hardest part! Make the most of what our campus libraries have to offer by using our study spaces, physical and online resources, and Libguide, and ask us for help if you need extra support with anything.
- Reference as you go! Leaving your referencing in an assignment, project or dissertation to the last minute never usually ends well – it extends the amount of time it can take to input them all through each page and into the bibliography at the end. It can also lead to you losing or forgetting the source the reference came from in the first place! If you are stuck or need some extra help with referencing, check out our Referencing in APA 7th Style guide in our Napier LibGuide.
- Health is wealth – take care of your physical and mental health! This can include learning to cook health and nutritious meals, exercising, going out with friends, devoting time to hobbies and of course, resting! Make sure to take some time out to relax when you can so that you will feel rested and recharged when you start conducting research and revision again.
- Join societies and social activities to meet your people. Most of your first year of university will involve meeting new people and making new friends along the way. One of the best ways to do this is to join as many societies and social activities as you can, particularly where you are likely to share common interests with others.
- Explore and familiarise yourself with your city and campus. Check out your local shops, cafes, restaurants and green spaces, as well as spots on campus such as your union, social spaces and campus libraries. You may find a new favourite place to study or meet up with friends in the process!
- Ask for help! There are various teams across our three campuses at Edinburgh Napier University which can assist and support you with matters such as finances, academic skills, wellbeing, accommodation and admissions. Our campus libraries are also here to help with matters regarding your studies and research.
Book Recommendations…
Here are some book recommendations from us which give useful advice and tips on how to make the most of university life in your first year and beyond this. All of these can be borrowed and requested through our LibrarySearch catalogue.
- Starting university: what to expect, how to prepare, go and enjoy, Scallan, Melissa, author.; Salmon, Louise (Editor) editor.; Shields, Molly, illustrator. Second edition. 2021. Available at Sighthill, Merchiston and Craiglockhart campus libraries.
- Manage your money. Smale, Bob, author. 2019. Available at Merchiston campus library.
- The little book of student food. Williams, Alastair, 1969- author. 2019. Available at Craiglockhart campus library.
