5 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Coming to Keele University
Everyone looks forward to beginning their time at university. I know I was bouncing off the walls excited before coming to Keele; it was something I’d worked really hard for and looked forward to for a long time. However, there are a couple of things no one tells you about going to uni. Everyone warns you to eat healthy and to budget but doesn’t tell you about the things which may even be more fundamentally important. I’m going to be taking you through the things I wish I had known before coming to university.
1. Take things at your own pace:
When you first get to university, you will be around a whole new group of people who have maybe done things you haven’t before. You may not be used to going out clubbing, joining societies or living away from home. If you’re not used to going out partying or not used to living away from home, it’s okay to take your time with things. However long it takes you to settle or feel comfortable doing things, it’s more than okay. Little fact for you, I’d never been clubbing before until university and I’m 22. Don’t let the judgement of others make you feel you have to do things either; if you don’t want to do something, don’t do it. Your happiness is more important than what others think of you.
2. Loneliness is okay:
It’s okay to feel out of place and miss home the first few weeks. University is a whole new environment, in a new location, with new people! I wish I’d known how lonely I would feel at first; everyone really looks forward to arriving at university, the freedom, partying, making new friends. No one really tells you about what it’s like to suddenly shut the door of your room and realise your alone for the first time independently and you’ve got to cook your dinner, unpack, all whilst adjusting to the lack of being around your family. I’m used to watching Friends with my mum of an evening and the prospect of just sitting down in my room with my pasta on my own suddenly hit very hard. Trust me, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed with all this new independence. Take time to explore your new environment; it will feel overwhelming and daunting, but this will all pass. Ways of coping can include calling a family member, maybe going home at the weekend until it feels okay to be on your own. The loneliness will pass; your flatmates will look out for you and become your second family.
3. Study what you love and your career will choose you:
The desire for one career will change throughout your studies as you start to branch out and broaden your ideas. Explore your subject, take advantage of the fact you have professors all around you who will be more than happy to talk to you about their research/subject and a library full of knowledge. Now is the time to branch out. Take every opportunity to add more strings to your bow. It’s okay to have other interests beside your main degree subject. In my opinion, it’s better to have variety on your CV as then you are adaptable to anything. This year I was a Student Voice Representative for my course, a Liaison Officer for Keele Drama Society’s Edinburgh Fringe trip and played badminton. All these numerous opportunities gave me new skills such as public speaking, research and leadership skills alongside the skills I’m gaining in my degree. All of these things I love; I would always rather be happy than be stuck with one thing that’s going to cause me unhappiness.
4. Finding what works:
It’s not going to all go smoothly the first one to two weeks. You need to adapt to looking after yourself, a new timetable, cooking and going out. Whether you cook fresh every night, batch cook or order a pizza every now and again, it’s okay. Find what works for you. I was going to the gym too late in the day and found having to cook fresh made getting to the gym and societies too difficult; so batch cooking, having a meal ready in the freezer made my life so much easier. I would cook on the weekend to last me the week ahead then all I would need to do is heat it up. Learn to time manage before you have 10 assignments waiting for you!
5. Don’t buy your books brand new:
Look about on eBay or Amazon but select the used option. This will save you so much money. Studying English Literature, you read a lot of books and sometimes it’s not feasible to buy all your books new. The library is always a great option also.
