university tips please

[kitkitkitty]

i'm sure most of you know i got my place (!) and i'm wondering if anyone has any pearls of wisdom, especially for my 1st week. i'm going from london-birmingham so it's quite a while away [2hrs] since ive never lived away from home. anything would be much appreciated.

[sherylinfenn]

Hey Kitty kitty kitty,

this is wonderful - just go for walks and explore the place.. find the practical stuff ( the grosser y store, the laundry, the pharmacy, the bus station, the cafe etc) and then look for the fun stuff - video store, or whatever interests u have.. I have changed my place of living 3 times now and have noticed that the things I picked up first are those that I stuck with till the end.. this is the best time of the move.. finding your favourite places ( even the hairdresser) this is what makes you feel you belong to the place..

Enjoy every moment of this and dont look back at London as it will turn your move to a drag.

My advice - go with an open mind as disappointment comes from expectations..

[dewilliams2]

Don't know how much experience you have with finances but sit down and write yourself out a monthly budget and stick to it. This will help you from falling behind. School is hard enough without getting behind on bills.

Also make as many friends as possible and try new things. Worst thing you can do in college is miss out on the experiences and the people. Trust me, I did that my first year and was miserable. It wasn't until I started spending time with more people and going to different places that college didn't feel like a huge chore....you have to blow off steam or your head will explode. So don't pressure yourself into putting all your time and effort into your studies, save a little bit of time for fun...not all the time...just a little bit...you'd be surprised how just one night out every other week can make you feel so much more relaxed. Plus if you use that night as motivation for doing well (a reward) then it gives you something more tangible to work towards. A degree is a ways off so you have to give yourself small rewards in the meantime.

Finally, take some classes you wouldn't normally think of taking...you'd be surprised what you will find you are interested in and it will broaden your mind and make the world larger for you.

Hope you have a great time....good luck.

[kitkitkitty]

thanks guys
i've managed to find my soon-to-be-neighbour in the halls of residence through facebook! she's coming from germany and im doing german and french for my degree. good starting point eh?

[doppelgaenger]

Stay on task and don't fall behind on your schoolwork. Keep at least 10 pages ahead of the class on any reading you have to do. If you procrastinate, it will suck at the end of the semester for you.

[Mish]

I've never went to uni away from home, but my tip is find a study group quickly. This will help you out a lot in understanding all the main concepts, plus you can make connections and see if you can find some extras through them (like sample exam papers, answers to similar questions etc)

[Sonrisa]

I need a study group, a Community study group

[doppelgaenger]

It's really helpful to have a study group. Some of my friends who are history majors are taking a Nazi Germany course with me this semester. That will be intellectually stimulating since it's right up my alley. I've already read the first three books listed on the course material and I'm cracking open a few under the recommended bibliography. Ahh, there's another one; check out the recommended reading in the syllabus. I've found that a few of the books are good, but the bibliography tends to revolve around an instructor's personal philosophy or interests... which are sometimes irrelevant.

Senior year is always the best because you're taking all the courses you're most interested in.

[vashti]

If you are going to have a roommate, be sure to set "house rules" right from the start. If you don't, you may end up having to pretend you are sleeping while your roommate is having sex 3 feet away from you. I am NOT kidding.

[Cbrider]

Do EVERYTHING. You only get to do college once and trust me, you don't want to miss any of it. Get your studies done, but go wild too.....within reason.

[hurt_confuzd]

All of this talk about university almost makes me want to apply to one.

[IndiReloaded]

i'm sure most of you know i got my place (!) and i'm wondering if anyone has any pearls of wisdom, especially for my 1st week. i'm going from london-birmingham so it's quite a while away [2hrs] since ive never lived away from home. anything would be much appreciated.

Congratulations! What will be your major area of study?

First week is very light studies-wise. Contrary to the comments here, don't overindulge during frosh week and be smart. Which you must be.

I'm confused tho. Are you studying in B'ham or London? UC I suppose? Either way, take the train if convenient. At least you can read or get caught up on sleep.

[kitkitkitty]

Congratulations! What will be your major area of study?

First week is very light studies-wise. Contrary to the comments here, don't overindulge during frosh week and be smart. Which you must be.

I'm confused tho. Are you studying in B'ham or London? UC I suppose? Either way, take the train if convenient. At least you can read or get caught up on sleep.

i'm doing german and french 60:60. and i'm not much of a drinker and hopefully won't be when i get out
and im going to b'ham and currently living in london.

[doppelgaenger]

I study German and I'm a senior. I love it. The highlight of this semester is a course called Österreichische Hörspiele im 20. Jahrhundert. We're going to examine 9+ texts with an informal approach. You should do an exchange with the Erasmus program. Hey, you should write me up sometime. I'm always looking for people to practice German with.

[Lipp]

If you are going to have a roommate, be sure to set "house rules" right from the start. If you don't, you may end up having to pretend you are sleeping while your roommate is having sex 3 feet away from you. I am NOT kidding.

Did you peek?