Things I Wish I Knew Before University
People often say that university is one of the best times of our lives. I know that every family member I said goodbye to told me I’d have fun before my flight, and while the sentiment is greatly appreciated, it creates a certain set of expectations for uni. I was extremely scared and fearful that I wouldn’t make friends, or uni wouldn’t live up to everything I thought it would.
As first year passed, I’m a year older and wiser now, and thankfully, I have the opportunity to tell you freshers what I didn’t this time a year ago. So, here’s a couple of things I wish I knew before coming to uni.
Don’t overthink and bring too much stuff from home and use packing lists/guides.
My mom and I lugged way too much luggage that wasn’t worth the effort all the way here. Just bring what packing lists ask to bring and buy the rest here. Don’t have a packing list yet? Check out our packing list article!
Even if you’re not extroverted, be social for fresher’s week and the first weeks of term.
Try to socialise as much as you can and cast a wide net for friends in the first week on uni. In my experience this last year, a lot of long-lasting relationships start off with chance meetings that you miss otherwise if you don’t take the chance.
You might not find a group of friends that you hang out with everyday everywhere like in school, and that’s alright.
The university environment naturally makes such a thing hard but on the bright side this means that the friends that you do spend a lot of time with will be true friends. You’ll realise quickly who you’re friends with because of circumstances and who you actually enjoy being with.
University was made to test and expand your limits.
It will be difficult and you’ll probably cry more than you ever had before, especially since you’re so far from home, but it’s okay. Take time to get used to the different scalings - usually a 70 is a first class already and 40 is passing. What’s important isn’t whether you failed, but that you pick yourself up again after failing. Cry, take a break, then try again.
Participate in a lot of things in your first year
Because you won’t have time in second year, and it’s good for your job prospects to be active in societies, volunteering, etc. Plus, branching out lets you cast that wider net for friends.
Find a house and sign the contract by December for your second year if you’re living off campus.
The university housing market is quite competitive. Find people you’d stay with and start visiting and liaising with landlords early. Most houses are taken by the end of term 1 and though it’s not impossible to find a house, it’ll be harder than it needs to be.
Try to get a spring week but if you don’t, it’s not the end of the world.
Applications for spring weeks start around September, though you still have a chance if you apply later on as long as it’s before the application closing date. Though spring weeks are extremely competitive, expect to apply to 80+ companies and still get rejected if you’re going for big investment banking companies. But, spring weeks are a good experience and if you do get it, it’ll look very good on your resume.
Check what modules you need in first year to take modules you want in second year.
For most courses/faculties, they should have a directory of modules and their module information and/or a course handbook. Depending on the faculty, the requirements for getting into a second year module can be extremely strict depending on which modules you took in first year. If in doubt, ask a senior or your personal tutor if you have one. And if you don’t think a module’s right for you, don’t be afraid to drop it (but remember to check when’s the latest you can drop it).
Don’t be scared to befriend seniors and don’t be scared to ask your seniors questions.
We’re happy to help! We were just as lost as you are, but we made it, and we had our seniors’ help too.
Find an outlet for when you’re sad/stressed/homesick.
Whether it’s cooking home food, calling your family, gaming or confiding in a friend or journal how you’re feeling, it’s important to have healthy coping mechanisms. I personally learned the joys of cooking home food and having talks with my friends/family till 2am at university, and I find they really helped me get through the tough beginning of university life.
And that’s it for a list of what I wish I knew before coming to uni. Ultimately, though, I think it’s impossible to live a life without regrets, so I think it’s fine if you don’t know everything. It’s impossible to know everything in life anyway, and that’s okay. If you just stay flexible and adaptable, then anything can be overcome. Especially with the power of a strong friendship, and by being a member of WAC where you can meet ASEAN people :).
