3 Tips for Future University of Birmingham Students

Starting university is one of the most exciting and slightly terrifying experiences you’ll ever have. There’s this mix of independence, freedom, and a mild panic that comes with trying to “do it right.” I remember thinking everyone else had it all figured out, and that I was somehow behind. Spoiler alert: nobody really knows what they’re doing in the first few weeks (or even the first few months).

Looking back now, I’ve realised there are a few things I wish someone had sat me down and told me. So, in true student fashion, I’ve decided to share my top three pieces of advice for anyone coming to the University of Birmingham - lessons that’ll hopefully make your experience a little smoother, and maybe even more enjoyable.

Be Open, Not Overwhelmed

Welcome Week, Freshers’ Fair, taster sessions, socials, club sign-ups; it all happens at once. It can feel like the university is throwing a hundred opportunities your way, and if you don’t grab all of them, you’ll somehow miss out on “the full uni experience.” I was a bit sceptical about joining many societies and really, that's fine. 

The truth is, you can’t (and shouldn’t) do everything. Be open to trying new things but give yourself space to breathe. Pick a few societies that genuinely interest you, not just ones your flatmates are joining. Whether that’s the Afro-Caribbean Society, Debate Team, or even the Book Club, stick with what excites you. That’s where you’ll find your people.

The best part is that there’s always time to explore new things later. So, pace yourself, and remember you don’t have to do it all in week one.

Learn How You Learn

One of the biggest shocks about university is that nobody is chasing you to study. No one’s checking if you’ve done your reading, attended your lectures, or revised for that exam. Freedom is great, but it also means your success depends entirely on you.

In my first few weeks, I tried to monitor other people’s study styles to see what works for me. Some of my friends took neat, colour-coded notes on iPads; others typed everything word-for-word. I tried both and got frustrated because neither worked for me. Eventually, I realised I focus better with listening in lectures, taking down important things then consolidating my notes later.

So, experiment early. Do you remember information better when you write it down, or when you discuss it with others? Are you a morning library person or a night owl who studies best after dinner? Figure that out, and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress during exam season.

Also, use the university’s resources., academic support teams, and even your lecturers’ office hours are goldmines. Don’t be shy about asking for help. Everyone’s here to learn and learning includes asking questions.

Take Care of You

Between lectures, deadlines, and trying to have a social life, it’s easy to forget that university isn’t just about academics, it’s also about looking after yourself.

In my first semester, I thought “rest” was something you earned after you’d done everything else. The problem was, there was always something else to do. I learned (the hard way) that burnout doesn’t make you productive, it makes you miserable.

So, find balance. Go for walks around campus, especially when the autumn leaves start to fall around the Vale. Cook proper meals when you can, spend time with friends. And most importantly, give yourself grace. Not every day will go perfectly. Some lectures will go over your head, some deadlines will sneak up on you, and that’s okay. You’re learning, both inside and outside the classroom.

If there’s one thing I want you to take from all this, it’s that university is your journey. It’s easy to compare yourself to others who got the internship first, who seems to have a perfect routine, who’s already joined ten societies, but everyone’s story unfolds differently.

So, show up, stay curious, take care of yourself, and remember you don’t have to have it all figured out in the first week. You just have to begin!