I am starting university in September and will be studying graphic design. I have my room to live in almost sorted out, and have a few things to buy, eg clothes, toiletries, art tools etc. I was wondering if there is anything else major that I need to do before I start so that I am prepared ( Like research into anything? Buy anything? ) ?
Or should I just relax and try and enjoy the remainder of my summer ?
I'd be grateful for any advice
2006-08-09 05:21:54 · 15 answers · asked by Mr looking for answers 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Yes, preparation I mean. Atleast I am not studying English, hehe
2006-08-09 05:36:23 · update #1
Stu,
As someone who's completed four courses at higher educational level, I would give you one piece of advice.
The single most important thing you can do between now and the start of your course is to sort out not your physical space, but your headspace. Work out in your mind why you're doing this course, what you hope to get from it, and how you're going to get it.
No doubt, there's going to be obstacles along the way, and times when you wonder whether you've done the right thing by starting a Uni course which will probably run you into serious debt in a subject which has an amazingly high unemployment rate (but you knew that, right?). However, the important thing is to enjoy the time at Uni whilst it lasts and to do that you need to clear away any obstacles from your life that may prevent you from attaining your goal of graduating in x years time.
If I were doing it all over again, my single biggest change would be to learn to relax, in advance. Not just to get drunk but to learn to relax - to learn a technique like Yoga, or meditation, that I could call upon when the going got tough at Uni and to practice it so that I had it cracked on day one when I arrived at Uni, and could continue it throughout my studies to maintain the mental clarity that's required to graduate.
There's practical stuff, like sorting out the bank account and making sure the student loan application's are filled out, and getting loads of passport photos, and working out a budget in advance and learning how to stick to it, to monitor it and to get on the good side of your branch for the inevitable weeks/months when the student loan cheque's late. However, the most important thing is to get your head into a state of mind whereby it knows what you're going to go out to do, knows what you're prepared to do to get it, and knows what techniques it can call upon to keep it all together when the unexpected happens.
There's a phrase used in the discipline of town and country planning that springs to mind and that's "plan, monitor and manage". Plan in advance everything you're going to do. Monitor to make sure that you're on track to achieve your goals (each individual deadline, each financial transaction within budget etc) and manage the process, dealing with the exceptions as they arise. You can do that in so many different ways, from buying a filofax and writing down everything you spend to make sure you don't run out of money, to using a PDA to mark in the dates of the deadlines of your course and ensuring adequate preparation time for everything to be done by the numbers. There's so many ways of skinning a cat after all, but simply do the thinking in advance - work out what you want, how you're going to get in, and break down the big thing of getting qualified into a series of smaller things like (1) appplying for student loan by x date (2) sending cheque for accommodation by y date and so on and so forth. Do whatever works for you, but at all times know why you're doing it - and why you're starting this course, and have the determination to see it through, no matter what.
Good luck, and may you enjoy what I hope will by some of the happiest years of your life.
2006-08-09 06:15:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi, been there done that and although you're desperately hoping you've got everything sorted and maybe worried you've left something vital out, don't worry, because you will just buy stuff as you go along, just like all your other fellow students who will be in exactly the same situation as you. You should just relax now and enjoy the rest of your hols. You've done the important things like getting on your course and sorting out accomodation, so believe me, the rest will just come naturally as soon as you're settled in. They'll tell you in the first few weeks if there's anything you need for your course and you know what you need for living - clothes, toiletries, etc. You are going to be fine so have a brilliant holiday before you go.
I also just want to say that you're about to have the best time of your whole life. Uni is the absolute greatest. Although you've got to work hard on the course, you're going to have such a party and meet some amazing friends. I finished uni in 2001 and wish I could be back there now. Good luck in the future and have an excellent time!
2006-08-09 12:35:23 · answer #2 · answered by Hotpink555 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Something random but indispensable......a clothes stand dryer thing (clothes horse/maiden - call it what you will!!) Specially if you are living in halls then you can keep one in your room, just for you!
Also make sure you stock up on passport sized photos for registration and for Freshers Week. When you go round the Freshers Fair and want to join clubs and things some may need a photo and you'll def need one for your uni, library and gym cards!! =) Oh and for your NUS card as well - do get one of those at the Freshers Fair, they are well worth it despite costing a tenner! And whilst on the subject of the Freshers Fair make sure you take some sort of a bag with you for all the freebies you're bound to get!! =D Even if you don't join any clubs, there will be an abundance of free pens, ballons, condoms, key-rings, bottle openers, sweets....... It's great fun!! =D
Good Luck and have a great time!! =)
2006-08-09 12:34:41 · answer #3 · answered by dot254 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Do some artwork for fun, think about what you enjoy doing, have a look and see what others are doing, try to make a niche for yourself and look for some originality - don't fall into the trap a lot of art students do and get caught up in the whole student thing, also the mutual appreciation society (I love your work - no I love your work more) and there are always those whose work follows whatever the latest trends are, which is just sad...
be a leader my friend, not a follower.
good luck when you get to uni, keep your head down and it'll be over in no time
2006-08-09 12:30:38 · answer #4 · answered by be limited 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the best advice i can give you for preparing for a graphic design course is to become visually literate - while you are relaxing and enjoying the rest of the summer, take photographs of unusual or visually interesting stuff that you can use as a jumping off point in later course work. Sketch thumbnails when ever something catches your attention. Build up your visual memories and this will stand you in good stead. Visual literacy - a key word for you!
2006-08-09 15:19:22 · answer #5 · answered by Allasse 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relax, make sure you have a note pad that you can take with you to make notes at introductory meeting and think about taking sweets or alcohol to share with the people you are living with to help break the ice. If there is a reccomended text book you could have a look at that but other wise don't worry. Have a nice summer and look forward to uni. I found it great fun.
Oh a clothes airer is always useful too, i didn't have one and it was a pain trying to find one in a city i didn't know.
2006-08-09 12:30:53 · answer #6 · answered by MuddyRadish 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just check through any paperwork you've had to make sure there are no more forms to fill in or bits to sort out. open your student bank account now (check for the freebies and the dull bits like overdrafts/interest rates/charges). and remember the first few weeks will be really expensive. there's always loads of bits and pieces you forget or don't realise you need until you don't have them (that part is totally unavoidable!) not to mention any other books or materials you'll need for your course - most of this will happen before you get your loan which is why you might need the overdraft to cover you for a few weeks. fresher's week will be non-stop so make sure you take a supply of vitamins and paracetamol to ward off hangovers and fresher's flu. enjoy!
2006-08-09 12:33:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Student survival kit:
Plate, cutlery, good quality enamel baking tray (cheap ones disintegrate too quickly), solid saucepan with a copper base.
For graphic design I suggest you get some proper artist or designer quality coloured pencils, not the cheap crap as they'll only give you crap results. Get a set-square and right angle, and high quality black pens of varying thickness (0.2mm up to 0.7mm).
Spend some money on these things and look after them, it'll be worth it.
Oh and learn to spell/type properly - it's 'Preparation'. You're going to university now so earn that title!
2006-08-09 12:31:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a student bank account. It give you an interest free overdraft, and if you go with Natwest a free Young Person's Railcard for 5 years (gets you a third off non rush-hour train journeys).
Other than that: relax.
2006-08-09 12:27:08 · answer #9 · answered by Steve-Bob 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
buy your self an apple mac notepad, with all the relevant software's. It will save you a load of hassle.
2006-08-09 12:29:18 · answer #10 · answered by Raul G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋