A Guide To Surviving Your Second Year At University

Around a year ago I shared with you my advice for getting through your first year at university, and I felt it only fitting to update my post in time for those of you who are about to start your second year. Some of you may have had a tough time over the last year, and I can relate, but it would be an understatement to say that it is going to get harder this year. So lets cut straight to it...

Only be there if you want to be // Again this is a no brainer. If you are only at university because you feel it is the right thing to do, drop out. You may have completed one year, but if you really didn't enjoy it there is no point staying on for the rest of your course. Even if you decide later on that you wish you had stayed, most places allow you to pick up where you left off, which is a good option for those who still aren't sure.

Get organised // I said it last year and I'll say it again now, YOU NEED TO GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER. If you haven't found a way to manage your schedule during your first year, then god help you for September. If you thought last year was hectic, you need to have a flick through a dictionary. Second year steps up massively. You'll probably have more assignments, they will most likely be harder, and will most definitely count towards your overall grade. Try keeping a diary, buy a desk planner, write to-do lists, and prioritise what is the most important. 

Compete with yourself // Try and set some goals to build on the grades you got over the last year. If you got 60% in a module, aim for 65% this year. Competing with yourself can keep you motivated, and will hopefully allow you succeed. 

Find a group of friends that 'get it' // This is probably the most important piece of advice I could ever give any one. I would NOT have survived without the support of my friends. We have inside jokes, and a lot of them revolve around everything being 'on fire'. On Facebook Messenger our group chat emoji is the little fire icon instead of the usual thumbs up. If you don't have anyone to support you in your meltdowns, to rant to, to stress with, and generally cry to - you will have a much harder time this year. Having a group of friends that 'get it' will really help you! Plus, friends that stress together stay together.

Create a budget and stick to it // I'm sure many of you made a budget last year, and this year it will be more important to tighten your belt. It is a little known fact that you get considerably less student finance during your third year of university. This isn't the case for every student, although it isn't worth risking not being able to get by in your final year. 

Get to know the library // This is vital. If you haven't stepped foot in your university library to date, then you have serious issues. You will need to learn how to sign out books, where past exam papers are located, how to access journal articles etc. If you haven't been in your library, I'd get some major advice from a friend or get in contact with your course's library assistant if you have one!

Get advice from a third year // This links in with the point above. This year a third year told me where all the exam papers are kept in the library and I wish I knew her name to thank her for her golden advice. Remember those above you have experienced everything you are experiencing, and the majority of them will have regrets. Just make sure you follow through on the advice they give!

Back up your laptop // FOR THE LOVE OF GOD JUST DO IT. The chances of losing your work may seem slim, but believe me it can happen. It didn't happen to me this year, but it has in the past and believe me it is the worst thing that could ever happen. Ever. 

Invest in a student travel card // I'm a commuter. I don't live in a student house, I travel to and from Leeds every day that I'm in university. Before going back in September, have a look at student rail/bus cards and see if they are worth investing in. For me it worked out cheaper to buy my tickets as and when I needed them, but for some it can save you £££s over the course of the year! Some travel companies sell combined rail/bus discount cards which can be extremely useful if you travel regularly!

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A Guide To Surviving Your First Year At University

When I decided to go to university, I really wasn't at all interested in experiencing the 'student lifestyle'. In fact, I was rather worried about being the only one who didn't like going out-out or getting drunk. I have just finished my first year studying Psychology (BSc Single Hons) at Leeds Trinity University and to be completely honest, I feel that my dislike of going out-out really held me back. Don't get me wrong - I met some lovely people and found other ways to socialise, but fresher's week was probably the worst week of my entire life. Closely followed by 'Re-freshers week' - like seriously, who on earth would want to do it again?

With this, there were many points during my first year where I considered dropping out. I wanted to be there, but there were quite a few occasions where I just wanted to get out as soon as possible. But now I've finished my first year with a 2:1 (almost a First too) and I'm so glad I didn't drop out as I'm actually looking forward to going back at the end of September!' So without further a due, here are my top tips for surviving your first year at university!

Only be there if you want to be
Clearly this is a no brainer. If you are only going to university because you feel its the right thing to do, or because all your friends are going - DON'T. If you don't want to be there, you won't enjoy it by forcing yourself to go. I know so many people who dropped out because they only went because they felt they had to. Nowadays there are so many more options to consider - apprenticeships, foundation diplomas, jobs, internships!

Get Organised
This is probably one of the most essential things you need to survive university in general. If you aren't at all organised you can probably kiss the chance of a good degree goodbye. I'm not saying that you have to make sure that you have to have everything but the kitchen sink packed in your bag for lectures, but do make sure you complete all work set and start your assignments in PLENTY of time. Chances are you'll struggle and if you've only started on them the day before there will be no lecturers on hand to help you out.

Have fun, but know your limits
I feel like a lot of people I know could have taken this piece of advice by the bucket load. The amount of times I heard disaster stories of people getting so drunk they ended up in hospital or doing drugs and passing out or doing goodness knows what else. My Dad is a Paramedic in Leeds and every time I saw him whilst at university, he'd always have tales to tell me about what my fellow students had done. Thankfully I'm not a big drinker (unless its cocktails haha), so this one didn't really need pointing out to me.

Try to get yourself out there
This is one thing I really wish I had done more of. I'm not one of the most outgoing people out there, and although my friends might disagree; when I'm not with them I really struggle. And I mean really struggle. I went down the campus bar a once or twice a week but usually only for food when I couldn't be bothered to cook. I hardly ever joined in with the activities on campus and was back in my flat before 12pm pretty much every night. As I'm sure I've mentioned before, I'm not your typical teenager, I'd much rather be tucked up in bed with a cup of tea and a pack of biscuits watching Netflix.

Create a budget and stick to it as best you can
Its a pretty stereotypical view that ALL students are broke. But not everyone is broke! At the end of the year I had money left over and treated myself to a new camera. How did I manage this I hear you ask? I BUDGETED!! I didn't waste my money on crap I knew I wouldn't need or use. I made use of my student discount in shops that accepted it and I used loyalty cards for my local supermarket. It is a lot easier to do than you think - seriously, if I can do it - so can you.

Don't take other peoples food
Especially without asking!!! I would never have dared to do this. If its the one thing you take from this guide, don't get between someone else and their food. Even if you have failed to stick to your budget or just simply can't be bothered to take a trip to the supermarket. If you can't be bothered to go shopping, try online shopping. If you've run out of money because you didn't budget properly, why not try asking your parents for a supplement or even get a part time job!

Balance your work, social and university lives successfully
During my first week at university, one of the lecturers mentioned that you should treat university like a job. You should spend the same amount of time independently learning as you would in a part time job (30-35 hours per week)! Easier said than done, I know. But once you have mastered how to do balance your various lives you are onto a winner. I spent most of my first year in my PJs eating food and watching Pretty Little Liars or Orange Is The New Black on Netflix. So I can honestly say that I haven't quite managed this yet. But if you're anything like me, you can use your first year to work out how you manage your time as first year doesn't count towards your degree. Just make sure you don't completely flunk the year or you'll have to resit before you can pass through into second year.

Look after yourself
Another no-brainer. Just because you are at university doesn't mean you have to survive entirely on Super Noodles and Doritos. Try and incorporate some fruit and veggies into your diet. If you don't know how to cook, why not search the internet for some simple recipes and have a go! You will also need to make extra effort when a deadline is looming. Make sure you have some healthier snacks available for those long shifts sat staring at your laptop screen and franticly scouring through text books.

Got any tips of your own? Feel free to share them in the comments!

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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