Whether you’re heading off for three years of intense studying, or going more for the experience, there are several things you should consider before you go.
Team Director Eddy Woore graduated from university in 1984 at the height of a recession. He has three children who have all been to university, with one still currently attending and just starting year two, so we thought he would be the perfect person to ask for some top tips for those leaving for university.
1. From my own experience, finding out as much as possible about the course you intend to enrol on beforehand is essential. For example, does it suit you and is it something you’re going to enjoy? If it’s something you can get involved in and delight in the finer detail, then you should be able to bear the hours of essays and tests, and stress and boredom of the course over the many years until the end. Don’t worry too much about year one; after all, for most courses, all you need to do is gain a pass, and the quality of the grade does not influence years two and three.
2. From a financial perspective, many of our clients will have too much income for their children to be provided with any meaningful additional support. However, for a single-parent family, or one experiencing a change in circumstances (perhaps following a bereavement or divorce), there’s always the opportunity to seek additional help from the university. There’s quite often a pot of money you can access that could be invaluable over the long term (bursaries and other funds from specific charities). Do not be afraid to ask the ‘bank of mum and dad’ for initial support to get you settled, so you can concentrate on your first term, and enjoy it.
3. Get some work experience. While I’m a great believer in dedicating yourself to the course and using the facilities of the university to the full, there’s always a lot to be said for part-time work. Don’t leave it until year three, when you are graduating or about to! With cost-of-living pressures, inflation, and fixed loan levels, there’s competition for part-time work, so try to get this secured early. At the end of the day, it’s all about balance. Working too hard and not enjoying university life or not being able to dedicate enough time to get the right results is counterproductive.
4. Budgeting – if you’re going into halls of residence, which is commonplace when first attending university, you will have fairly high but known costs, perhaps even including internet access, which will be invaluable for all the technology that goes with modern student life. Having the right technology and budgeting for it before you leave for university is as important as being able to submit essays accurately and not miss any deadlines. Therefore, remember to budget for this and, if necessary, ask for support from the wider family. It surprises me how little detail many people have on weekly and monthly expenditure. Therefore try to estimate this as much as possible before you build in a reserve for socialising etc. This is as much a part of university life as anything else! I can remember managing my grant (yes, I got one of those) right down to the last penny in the first year and then I bought some whisky to celebrate! Luckily, I had already bought my ticket home on the train, given it was a few hundred miles.
5. Try to think ahead. Don’t be so focused on the here and now and lose not being able to see the wood from the trees as it were. Remain focused on your goals and where you are going with the achievement of most tasks, particularly group work when someone in the group is letting you down. Remember to keep these somewhat trying times in perspective. Don’t be afraid to speak up and explain the issues you’ve been experiencing, as group work marks can bring down your own personal mark through no fault of your own. Working as a team becomes important to you at university, maybe more so than ever before, and after all, it becomes commonplace within the working environment and the start of your career.
Content correct at the time of writing (September 2024).
