Things Not to Worry About Before Coming to University
Transitioning into university life can seem scary, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are five things you shouldn’t worry about before coming to university.
My experience
I still remember the moment I got accepted into Queen’s University Belfast. I felt excited to start a whole new chapter of my life in a new city and I couldn’t wait to begin my course. However, once I had processed the fact that I’d be leaving my family and friends to move to Belfast, I found myself starting to feel slightly overwhelmed with the transition to university. It’s completely natural to feel a bit nervous, but here are some things you shouldn’t worry too much about before coming to university, along with some honest advice to help you navigate your first year.
1. Making friends
This was my biggest worry before coming to university. University is often seen as the place where you’ll meet ‘your people’ and I was scared that I would find it hard to make friends, especially as I didn’t know many people in Belfast. The best piece of advice for making friends is to take advantage of Freshers Week. Visiting the Freshers Fair is a great way to find societies that you’re interested in, and to meet like-minded people on your course. Going for club nights or pub crawls is a popular way to make new friends. Once you start talking to a few people, it’s a good idea to exchange phone numbers. Sometimes walking to lectures or trying to figure out which lesson you’re meant to be in by yourself can seem frightening, so texting people you’ve met and asking if they’d like to walk together with you to campus is a nice way to get to know someone.
One of the bars we visited on the QUB RAG Freshers Pub Crawl!
2. Feeling homesick
It’s natural to feel homesick in university, especially during your first semester. I find that when I feel homesick, the key is to distract myself. Usually this involves going for a long walk and trying to explore Belfast. Take advantage of being in a new city and seeing everything on offer! The first time I visited the famous Commercial Court was when I was really missing home and my family. Seeing the beautiful umbrella lights and hearing live music coming from the pretty street bars made me feel refreshed and I often come back to this area in the evenings to socialise with friends after a long day of medical school.
The iconic Commercial Court
3. Cooking
Prior to starting university, the only thing I knew how to cook was pasta and I strongly disliked the task of cooking as I found it tedious. In my first month of university, I relied on eating out, but this quickly became too expensive to sustain. Cooking can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. I find the easiest way to eat healthily on a budget is to meal prep. The key is to learn how to prepare a few staple meals which can then be heated throughout the week when you just want a quick and easy dinner.
4. Budgeting
I remember feeling shocked when I saw just how much money I had spent in my first semester of university. Between eating out, clubbing, and shopping, I had gone over budget and wanted to implement some changes into my spending habits. Many students find budgeting difficult, especially when there are so many things to do in university. I began to budget by working out how much money I was receiving per month through my student loan and job as a tutor, then dividing it by four (for four weeks in a month), giving me a weekly allowance for going out, eating and travel. I also took advantage of my new student card by signing up to UniDays, a great platform for saving money on food and clothing.
5. Keeping up with your course
Studying in university is different to studying in school. University study is more independent and fast paced, meaning some students struggle to find a study routine that works for them. When I started medical school, it took me two months to get used to the intensity of my course. My biggest piece of advice is to dedicate a set time each week to review content covered. I had a half day on Wednesdays in first year so I would study for a few hours in the McClay Library with my friends. I loved these weekly study sessions because I found it motivating to study as a group, plus after we’d reward ourselves with a well-earned meal from a restaurant on Botanic Avenue!
Post study session treat from Tzatziki Belfast
A final note…
Don’t forget that everybody feels nervous before coming to university. It takes time to adjust to a new environment, but once you do, you’ll soon feel right at home!
Find out more
Radhika GuptaMedicine | Undergraduate Student | Derry, Northern IrelandHi! My name is Radhika, I’m 19 years old and originally from Derry. I’m currently a second-year medical student and so far, I’ve been loving my course and time in Belfast! I like to spend weekends exploring the city with my friends and trying to find good places to eat/drink. My hobbies include photography, reading and yoga! This year I’m trying to become more involved in university activities, so you may see me around campus as I’m a student ambassador, plus I also love spending time in the Student Union with my friends in the evenings! I’m a member of various medical societies like SWOT and WOMED, and also recreational societies like Chess and Arts! |
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