From Sixth Form to University: learning to be independent

Moving from 6th form to university can be a big change. The mindset you have for 6th form or college is vastly different to what is needed at university, and it can be a big learning curve that aims to build your independence. In my first few weeks at university, I often caught myself thinking in my 6th form mindset and asking ‘silly’ questions like “Do I need to raise my hand to go to the bathroom during a lecture?”. This may seem obvious to some, but for others, going from structured learning and limited independence in the classroom, it can cause doubt and worry about how to act at university. Here, your education truly is up to you! You get to decide how you want to study for your course, what you use the extra hours outside of lectures for (as you are often on campus less than 20 hours a week, depending on the course) and how much or little support you may need. You get to take charge of your future and make those bigger decisions. One of these key decisions is how you choose to structure your time. Many students juggle part-time work, lectures and seminars, assignment deadlines, society events and social outings. It can feel like a lot, but the best way to get ahead is to plan in advance. Lecturers typically announce assignment deadlines in the first couple of weeks of the module, giving plenty of time to make a study plan! Additionally, you can pinpoint busy periods for exams and assignments to ensure any part-time work is scheduled for slower months to avoid being overwhelmed by everything you have going on. Jobs with Worklink at the university are often quite flexible with this! Whilst academics are definitely important at university, it is also beneficial to get involved with the activities within the university, such as societies. These can be the perfect way to make new friends and destress outside of the academic side. University is not just for getting a certificate like GCSE’s or A-levels are normally for, it is also there to build your independence and push you outside of your comfort zone, if you are willing. University can be a great way to develop and grow as an individual, which can set you up not just for a career but for future events, interactions and social life!