Common Myths about University
Hi everyone! This is the first article of our series of publications for freshers entering Warwick in 2022. Through these articles, we hope to give you a clearer idea of what university life is about and look forward to entering Warwick this coming September.
Today, we will look to debunk some common myths about university life.
Myth 1: Freshers Week is Where you Make Friends
Freshers week is definitely an opportunity for you to go out and socialise. A bunch of clubs will run taster sessions for you to participate in and meet other freshers. However, even if you do not find a social group in the end, it is absolutely fine. Most of the friends I have now are people I met after Freshers Week, so don’t pressure yourself too much to fit in right then. You might only find them in your seminars, society events, or even in your flat!
Myth 2: Drink Alcohol or be Left Out
Many people feel peer pressured when they enter university to go clubbing and drink alcohol. If this is your thing, go ahead! There are many places around Warwick worth going to. However, if you are someone who does not enjoy such activities, you can just as easily not attend them. Do not feel peer pressured to drink alcohol, and many university clubs have non-alcoholic socials for you to join.
Myth 3: First Year Doesn’t Matter
It does not matter if your first year has a 10% weighting of your overall grade, or even if it has literally no impact on it. There are a lot of practical reasons to take your first year seriously. It helps build a foundation for the things you will need to learn in the second year, but your results will remain recorded on your academic transcripts, which can influence your chances of getting an internship or a Masters in the future. Take your first year seriously.
Myth 4: If Tomorrow Isn’t the Due Date, Today Isn’t the Do Date
For most of us, we will be entering university without having done a single piece of coursework or assignment. Hence, it is easy to underestimate the sheer amount of effort required to produce a successful piece of coursework. It is crucial that you plan out the time required to complete it, ask your tutors for feedback, and not procrastinate until the very last minute. But even if you do, the library will always be open 24 hours.
Myth 5: Find a House Fast or you will End up Homeless
Second year accommodation in Warwick is not guaranteed, and the university encourages you to look for somewhere else to stay for second year. Although there is some truth to the argument that many good places will be taken up early on in the year, it is more important you find a group of friends you are comfortable living with for the next two years than to rush into a contract. So even if in term one, you hear about people securing a house, don’t worry! Some people only start house hunting in the third term.
Myth 6: University is a Chance for you to be Independent
Living alone in university does mean that you might have to be independent when it comes to meal preparations, planning out your day, and running tedious errands. However, it is important to keep in mind that there will be times that it could get too overwhelming, and you can always ask for help from friends and seniors (keep an eye out for WAC’s family sign-ups!), or even reach out to the university support systems for assistance. You are not alone in this journey!
Myth 7: Fitting into University
There tends to be a romanticisation of the idea that you will find ‘your people’ in university. And in a campus with a great amount of diversity, you will surely stumble upon social circles that you click with. However, it is also natural to feel homesick, and no levels of acceptance will make you feel at home in the humid Southeast Asian weather. These ups and downs are inevitable, but it only makes the friendships you have ever more so worthwhile.
Myth 8: This is an Academically Rigorous Institution
If you are able to enter Warwick University, you would have had a strong academic background and accomplishments. In a room filled with other high achievers, those who used to be at the 90th percentile will now be average. Many would feel stressed and pressured in such an environment, feeling as if they are a failure. However, it is important to remember that we all learn at our own pace - and our accomplishments are not diminished by the success of others.
Myth 9: Join Clubs and Societies to Meet People!
There is a hint of truth in that university is about pursuing your passions. It is also an opportunity to try out new sports and meet people with similar interests. However, it is important to keep your mental health and wallet in mind. Some sports societies have a high membership fee, and will require quite a bit of commitment. Be strategic about how you want to balance out your free time! The best way to decide whether you want to join a society is by attending their fresher week events. So remember to show up to our WAC fresher events!
Myth 10: University is the Best Time of your Life
At the end of the day, university is never what we expect. The best advice one can give is to prepare for the unexpected, enjoy the friendships you make, the spontaneous trips you will go to, the 4am exam season grind in the library, and the mess you would make in your own kitchen. University life might be the highlight of your life, or it might just be another phase. But either way - go out and have fun!
