... So I've compiled the TOP TEN THINGS you are likely to experience in your first year of University.
1. Obsession with a new show
You may already be obsessed with a series, or you may not. Truth is, if you have the time, the likelihood is that you'll start watching a new show - and get hooked to it.
(Note: by one, I mean ten.)
2. Essay referencing
Welcome to the hell that is references. You might have gotten a small taste of it, but there is nothing that can describe how painful references are until you experience them fully.
3. Halls life
Moving away from home and living in a house or flat with complete strangers may be what you are most worried about. Every single person I have met at University has agreed with me that they had wondered whether they would get along with who they lived with. The vast majority of these people are also happy to be where they are and wouldn't have chosen any differently.
Realistically, not everyone may get the accommodation they had dreamed of, and for whatever reason, they may find it hard to gel with certain people they live with, but even these people have friends on their course and societies who they can choose to live with the following year!
4. New people - don't judge a book by its cover
The wonderful thing about University is that you will get a chance, more than ever before, to meet a variety of people from so many different backgrounds. I'm going to stick to the cliché here and say that the most important thing you can do is not be prejudiced when you're talking to people.
In all fairness, that is pretty sound life advice in general as well.
5. You will be bombarded with flyers
This isn't even just in Fresher's Week.
You will drown in flyers and posters and leaflets.
All. Year. Long.
6. You will be bombarded by societies
This mainly applies to a specific event your University will hold in Fresher's Week where you are given a chance to attend and explore what options are open to you. Everyone will recommend that it is a good idea to join a society, especially in your first year where your work load is fairly low compared to other years!
7. Independent work
Speaking of work-load... its time to bring up the work-load. As you would expect, University work is a step-up from what you are used to. It isn't, however, unmanageable, and the key is learning to motivate yourself to get your work done and deciding when the best time for it is. As your teachers have probably been trying to make you understand, University work is largely independent - by which they mean, wholly dependant on you.
8. Lack of money
You may be super-talented at managing your money, but its likely that at some point in the year you will eye up something and you will wish you could afford it. With this probably being the first time you have to think about saving your money (by getting two drinks instead of three one night) to be able to buy the decent cheese instead of the supermarket own brand, you'll learn what it means to truly struggle in our cruel first-world country.
Oh, and need I remind you that you're also going to be in massive debt when you leave University? You're welcome.
9. Stereotyping when you name your course
Get ready for the same stereotypical replies from people when you tell them what course you are doing. Here are some of my personal favourites (i.e. the ones I know because they're courses my friends do):
- Maths: (disbelieving look) "Why...?"
- Engineering: (disbelieving look) "Why...?"
- Computer Science: (disbelieving look) "But why...?"
- Geography: "Lots of colouring in then?" (a smug look as they mentally pat their back at how funny they are)
- Medicine: - insert an incredibly difficult question about the body on something that is still being researched -
- Psychology: "Wow, I better back off before you read my mind then!" (mental pat)
- Law: "Well, I know who to go to if I ever kill anyone!" (mental pat)
... aaaaaaand finally. Get ready for one of the most exciting couple of weeks of your entire life.
Xoxo, FrndlyGrl
