Transitioning from Hong Kong to university life at Birmingham

Having spent most of my education in Hong Kong, as well as a year studying at the Birmingham International Academy (BIA) during my foundation pathway, I always thought learning followed a clear structure. School life was predictable: classes from 9am to 4pm, homework and revision afterwards, then getting ready for the next day. It was a routine I was used to, and I expected university to be much the same. However, it turned out to be very different.

One of the biggest changes was the amount of independence that comes with university life. Unlike school, where every day followed a similar timetable, my university schedule changes constantly. Some days I have a couple of lectures, while on others I might spend hours in seminars, in meetings or working on coursework. There are days when I spend the whole day on campus, and others when I can stay at home and take a well-earned break.

At first, having such a flexible schedule felt amazing. It seemed less stressful and I liked the idea of having more time to enjoy hobbies and life outside of studying. But after a while, I realised that flexibility comes with responsibility. No one is there to tell you exactly what to do, when to study or how to prepare. Managing your own time becomes an important skill. I quickly learned that free days are not really "free” if you want to stay on top of your studies. Independent reading, revising lecture and researching assignments all take time. Although there may only be a couple of assignments per module each semester, they require much more preparation and self-directed learning than anything I experienced before. University has taught me to be proactive, organised and responsible for my own learning.

Beyond academics, settling into university life was another huge transition! I still remember my first day as a fresher. I was overwhelmed and didn't know anyone. Looking back now, as I head into my final year, I wish I could tell my first-year self that everything would work out. Over time, I stopped letting my anxieties hold me back and started saying yes to new opportunities. I've made a wonderful group of close friends, discovered hobbies I never imagined I'd enjoy and learned how to balance work and study.

If I could give one piece of advice to new students, it would be to trust the process. The transition to university can feel overwhelming at first and it's completely normal to feel unsure of yourself. But with time, things begin to fall into place. You'll build friendships, gain confidence and learn more about yourself than you expect. When you eventually leave university, you won't just leave with a degree. You'll leave as a stronger, more capable version of yourself and that's something worth being proud of.