Students - whats the 1 thing you wish you knew before you went to university?

Question

What was your biggest shock went you went to university? Or were there things that you just didn't think about? Or is there a piece of advice you would give students going to uni for the first time?

Answer 1

That when you left you wouldn't be able to get a job.

This may sound negative guys but I just graduated with a 2:1 psychology degree. After being pumped up by lecturers for three years about how I would leave and persue a rewarding career, the bottom just fell out of my life. I am finding that I can't get a bloody job doing anything associated with the degree I just slogged my guts out to pass unless I want to work for less than £6 per hour. In Nottingham I have seen only 2 posts as assistant psychologist this year so unless I relocate, opportunities are incredibly limited.

My advice is, be realistic and get as much work experience as you can whilst you study (even if you have kids to bring up on your own, like me) or no one will touch you when you leave cos you have no experience.

No experience = no job after degree

Answer 2

I went a long time ago.
I just wish I knew why and which subjects I should have studied rather than those I did.
You may think Uni: is just a way of filling in a few years and having a whoopee time.
Think again - why do you want to go? You will not get the money it cost in fees and lost income for many, many years - if ever.
RoyS

Answer 3

Firstly it was how to study as someone had said but that means mainly how to read all the recommended textbooks and the lecture notes and all the extra reading they suggest. Its not as easy as its made out.

Secondly, how to manage time, so that you can control your socialising and also the studying

thirdly, that it will definately be the best time of your life, because this is where you become independent while in the security of an education environment so not worrying about the 'adult' things like jobs etc...well not yet lol

oops...thats more than 1 thing lol...sorry

Hope thats helped x

Answer 4

I was 28 when I went to uni for the first time. The biggest shock was in the first month or so, many of my coursemates thought they were still at school. They had to grow up pretty quickly but it didn't take long for me to train them!

Answer 5

If you moving into a house with other students, do not live with two students who are a couple. They are guaranteed to break up within the first month, leading to violent arguments and forced divisions between housemates.

This usually leads to one or more people moving out, causing all kinds of problems with rent and landlords.


Also make sure you take a tin opener to uni, it will invaluable. :)

Answer 6

I wish I new how to make a budget. How to budget my money and time would have been great. I too wish I knew some proper techniques for studying. College is much harder than High school. Don't, i repeat, Don't try to cram as many classes as you can in your first trimester. College classes are harder than high school ones!! Take the min amount of credits you can (8 i think makes you full time). Good luck, and don't forget to have fun.

Answer 7

I spent 5 years at university studying archaeology. I now know that there are simply no jobs in the UK in archaeology, despite my university studies. Had I known that several years ago, then I could have changed my university courses to a subject which has lots of jobs.

Answer 8

I wish i knew the actual difficulty of a university when transitioning straight from high school. Its been painful at first but I'm getting the hang of it now

Answer 9

How to cope with being away from family - the first fortnight was the worst but if u can get thru that u'll be fine! Certainly don't go home for the first fortnight!

Answer 10

That campus life isn't actually 3 years of alcohol and sex-fuelled hedonism and that most other students are quite manky to live with.