My transition to University

Starting university is exciting, but it is a much bigger adjustment than you expect. You go from a familiar environment with a set routine to suddenly being completely independent, surrounded by new people, new expectations and a completely different way of learning.

As a first-year medical student, I thought the hardest part would be the workload. But what I found most challenging was everything outside of academics, learning how to live on my own, build friendships and find my place. 

Living away from home

Before starting, I thought I was ready to move out. I loved the idea of independence and having my own space. But when I actually got to university, it felt very different. In my first week, I struggled and considered going home. Even though this was something I’d wanted, it still felt like a shock. What helped me was small routines early on, like planning meals, going for walks, or having a simple wake-up time. That bit of structure made everything feel less overwhelming and gave me something stable while everything else felt new. 

Friendships

There’s a lot of pressure during Freshers’ Week to meet people and make friends. I was one of the only people from my city and had barely anyone from sixth form with me. I met people but didn’t feel like I made lasting friendships in that first week. It felt like everyone else had already found their group and I hadn’t.

What I learned is that friendships don’t have a deadline. Some of the most important connections happen later, in lectures, societies or through seeing the same people repeatedly. For me, things started to change when I went to African Caribbean Society Netball trials. It gave me a space to meet people more naturally and removed pressure. 

Life outside of Medicine

One thing that has been really important for me is not letting medicine become my entire identity. Alongside my degree, I’ve explored content creation, going to the gym, getting involved in societies and saying yes to new experiences even when unsure. Content creation helps me document my journey, the gym is a reset, and societies help me meet people I would not have crossed paths with otherwise. At times, it felt like a lot, and I questioned whether I could balance everything. But having different things going on makes university feel more fulfilling and gives balance rather then feeling you are just working all the time.

Sense of belonging

There were moments where I felt like I didn’t belong. Being in a new environment can make you question yourself. But that feeling does not last . Over time, things become familiar. You recognise faces, build routines and feel more settled. I love the sense of community here and now, I can’t imagine my life being any different. 

My advice

If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to give yourself time. The transition isn’t instant, but it does get better. Eventually, things fall into place. You find your routine, your people and your confidence, and you stop feeling like you are just getting through university and start building a life there. A big part of my first year has been figuring things out while trying new things and not always feeling sure of myself. You don’t to have everything figured out straight away. University is a time to explore, make mistakes and grow into who you are.