Once you have received your final results and you have confirmed your university place, you may be wondering what should I do next? This article looks at some of the things you can think about, organise and do in preparation for going onto university and studying at a higher educational institution.
My Experience
In order to get me prepared for my MChem Chemistry degree I first of all read through the A level Chemistry textbook, where I made notes and did many practice exam questions, which is a good refresher especially if you did not study this subject to this level. I further read the degree specification document which gave me a head start on what modules I would be covering in the first semester of my studies, as well as the reading lists. I would recommend you read the degree specification for your chosen course, so that you can be ahead by brushing up on the academic knowledge and skills you will need so that you are fully prepared when the time comes.
If you are beginning university and studying a course this September then you will definitely have an exciting 3 or 4 years ahead of you – you will make new friends, study a subject that you will enjoy and develop skills that will land you in a graduate job which you love. Time is of the essence and you may feel that starting university is very far away, but it will go far quicker than you think. Save yourself the panic and stress of preparing everything last minute and start planning now!
Top Tips
Here are some top tips of what you could do to prepare for university.
What do you need to pack – make a list of what you need to pack including cooking utensils, bedding, towels, clothes, chargers, laptops, textbooks, stationery etc…
Student bank accounts – If you have not already done so I would recommend you have a look online and see which banks provide the best interest rates and deals for students. Start calculating the budget based on your schedule for student finance.
Fresher’s week – Have a look at the university’s Student’s Union website and find out about the different types of events which will be running during fresher’s week; this means you may need to apply for a wristband or pre-book your place so that you can participate in some of the activities.
Group chats – Use social media to see if there are any group chats for students this is a great way to make new friends. There maybe students who are on the same course, staying in the same accommodation or even interested in joining the same societies as you – so don’t be shy!
Preparing for your course
Course structure – Before you start, read up on the course structure some of your lecturers may have suggested some reading lists, so start reading the suggested books which will really help you and give you a head start before your course begins – so give this a go!
Don’t understand something? – Don’t worry everyone is in the same boat, don’t be afraid to ask – your lecturers are there to teach and also support you!
Most of all work hard and have fun at university and make the most of it as your time at university will fly by very fast and you will not even realise.
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