10 Relevant Tips for First-Year Students

It is always difficult to be a first-year student at any university. So, we asked around some experienced students, and they shared some great survival tips for you.

1. Do Some Research

In the first days, find out the maximum amount of information about the college and the location of classrooms, departments, library, dean’s office, etc. It will help you navigate quickly and be less nervous during the initial period of being in college for the first time in your life.

2. Know Your Schedule at All Times

On the first day, and even better the day before, it is your responsibility to determine the schedule. According to experienced students, a schedule is crucial. Knowing where to look for the most up-to-date schedule and learning to learn it quickly will extremely benefit you. You’ll soon see that other students will start to reach out to you for help.

3. Gather Information About Your Teachers

After reading the schedule, you should learn something about teachers. It is extremely important: know at least the name and subject taught by a particular teacher. It is a critical minimum that every student must fulfill (even though many don’t even do this).

Still, it is even better to know as much as possible about teachers (their academic and professional achievements, hobbies, likes/dislikes, quirks in work, and general attitude to students). The teacher’s personality will open up to you and only become more interesting. Of course, ultimately, such information will help to find a suitable approach for each of your professors.

4. Make Useful Acquaintances

People are a resource and a great one at that. Teachers will give you knowledge. And what about the people who will share your experience of student life? Your classmates can be an essential source for both emotional and intellectual support during college, as well as possibly become unreplaceable friends later on in life. Therefore, it is necessary to use this environment as much as possible: make friends with other students.

5. Learn to Learn

If you haven’t done so yet – this skill is essential. The purpose of the university is to teach you to work with information: find it, research its trustworthiness, and assimilate it. No college will give you some pool of limited knowledge. Instead, it will show you that there is no limit to knowledge and that the main thing is to develop yourself on your own constantly! Teachers are only moderators, guiding you in the right direction.

6. Set Your Priorities Right

At any university, there are major subjects, and there are subjects for general development. Since you came to the university – you want to get a certain specialty. Therefore, determine for yourself the importance of each subject and accordingly distribute your attention to them.

7. Ask All the Questions, All of Them

The main goal of any student is to learn. How is this goal achieved? By asking questions, and it doesn’t matter if you’re wondering about some topic in your mind or you’re in a classroom directly asking a tutor. If you do not know something – ask. Forget about embarrassment, shyness, etc. It’s not shameful not to know something. It’s a shame not to want to learn.

8. Get Help When You Need It

Being a student can be overwhelming at times, with numerous deadlines approaching all at once. If you’re feeling like anxiety about studying gets to you, then don’t be afraid to use a literature review service or other similar platforms. It might not seem like a big deal, but taking a breather once in a while can significantly improve your mental balance.

9. Make the Most Out of Student-Focused Benefits Straight Away

Your student card is one truly magical document. These are discounts on long-distance and public transport, “Student Days” in cafes, cinemas, and entertainment centers, among many other benefits. And if you do not have enough benefits of the student card issued to you by the dean’s office of your university specifically – google about the benefits of ISIC (International Student Identity Card) and be amazed at how much stuff you can get for free or at a significant discount.

10. Lastly, Always Be Proactive

Always and everywhere, try to be the first one to tackle new challenges – this is a great worldview to live with even after college. Still, be active at lectures, seminars, as this will incredibly improve your possibilities at college, both academic, professional, and personal. Actively participate in the university’s student life initiatives, and you’re sure to have a great time.

Written by Mari, a content writer at Memorial Stationery who has written on stationery kinds of stuff. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, sketching, cooking, and video games.