Top tips for first years

Starting university is exciting, but it can also be quite overwhelming. There’s a lot to figure out, from managing your studies to balancing your social life. Since going to uni is quite a big transition, here are some real, practical tips that will actually help you make the most of your first year.

Use every free resource available

University gives you access to a ton of free resources, and most students don’t even bother using them. Big mistake! These resources are there to make your life easier and give you an edge when applying for jobs.

• Career fairs: Companies come to campus offering internships and grad roles. Even if you’re not looking yet, talking to recruiters early helps you get a general idea of your options and how to prepare if you want to apply to them.
• CV & application support: Careers Network offers free CV reviews and job application support. Don’t wait until your final year to fix your CV, do it as soon as you can and see what personal projects you can start to boost it.
• Online library resources: You have free access to textbooks, research papers, and more. Stop wasting money on books before checking what’s available at the library.
• Course-specific tools: For Computer Science, this means the JetBrains package (which gives you IntelliJ IDEA, an IDE I prefer over VS Code), and other resources such as Virtual machine and GitHub dev pack.

Take first year seriously, don’t fall into the “it doesn’t count” trap

A lot of students treat first year like an extended holiday because, for many courses, the grades don’t count toward the final degree. Bad idea. First-year is where you build your foundation. If you slack off now, you’ll struggle later when the workload gets heavier. And let’s be honest, cramming everything last minute is stressful, exhausting, and rarely works. The best way to avoid unnecessary all-nighters is to actually keep up with lectures and assignments.

Be smart with money

This is so crucial as your independent now, you will be buying your own groceries, managing your finances and prioritising your spending on what really matters. Learn to budget and explore ways to make some extra cash without killing your schedule.

• Side hustles: Sell clothes on Vinted, fill out online surveys, or do freelance work if you have a skill like coding or graphic design.
• On-campus jobs: Instead of a part-time job far from campus, work for the university. Roles like student ambassador or accommodation ambassador pay well and are flexible with your studies while simultaneously giving you extra income.
• Don’t blow your loan in the first month: It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people end up struggling after spending recklessly early on. Instead use a budget tracker and plan your finances ahead at the beginning of the month.

Adjust before taking on too much

Some students immediately try to do everything; a part-time job, multiple societies, nights out every week, all while trying to stay on top of coursework and studies. That’s a fast way to burn out. Give yourself a few weeks to adjust before committing to too much. See how you handle your workload first, then decide if you can balance other commitments.