So it’s time to start thinking about university – the next step in your academic life. How are you feeling about it? Are you excited at the prospects of living on your own or absolutely nervous about the big change? If you are worried, don’t be. While it is absolutely normal to be nervous about starting university, rest assured that most of your concerns will most likely be gone after your first few weeks. In this article, we’ll walk you through 5 areas of concern for most freshmen and provide tips on how to overcome them.
“I am not good at Socializing”
Making friends in university can be overwhelming; you don’t know any of your new classmates and they all seem to be cooler than you. Don’t panic, one important thing to remember is that almost everyone there is new, and probably feel the way you do. Simply start by introducing yourself to others at orientation or in your classes to get a conversation going or join social clubs and student organizations, where you’re likely to find others who share your interests.
“How will I keep my grades up?”
There’s no way to sugar coat it, university will be harder than high school.
But it is possible to excel at it. The best approach is to ask for help. Form a study group or talk to your academic advisers who can direct you toward relevant resources, like a tutoring center or a fellow student who can help you study.
“I don’t know how to balance so many things”
Time management is a big challenge for university students. In university, you will be in charge of your own studies and it is important that you manage your time properly. Experiment with different ways of keeping yourself organized, like making to-do lists, using a calendar, setting goals and assigning priority levels to your tasks.
“What if I don’t like my roommate?”
True, this can happen, but there’s also a good chance you’ll get along well. In your freshman year you’ll probably be paired with complete strangers but you can remedy the situation by having a conversation with your roomate(s) about ground rules. Do your best to be respectful, and if it doesn’t work out, it won’t be the end of the world. At the very least, you’ll probably learn something from the experience.
“I’m intimidated by college professors”
In addition to being incredibly smart and, yes, even intimidating at times, university professors often set aside time for connecting with students. Always make a note of a professor’s office hours, and muster up the courage to introduce yourself early on. If you find this a tad bit too difficult to do, talk to your professor’s assistant if they have one.
Change might be tough but it can always gets better. An important part of getting through university is enjoying what you are studying. Which is why picking the right course is important. If you need help deciding on what to learn in University, download our E-book for our 5 tips on how to decide on university major.
