5 things I wish I'd known
BSc (Hons) Psychology student, Anneli shares five tips to help you get the most out of your university experience:
Be money smart: University has been a great time to learn how to manage my finances! It’s helped me learn that if I don’t keep track of my money, I can run out quickly. I created a monthly budgeting plan, prioritising essentials such as rent, groceries and utilities. If I need additional support, I know I can visit the Student Hub to talk through my situation and apply for additional university bursaries.
Make connections: A big part of the university experience is making friends and building social networks. I found that as I joined societies or talked to my flat mates and course mates, I made lots of new friends. Remember, everyone else is in the same boat, so say hello to a friendly face and it really will make your university experience so much better!
Time management: University life can be demanding with lectures, seminars, and independent study. Making a personalised study plan helped me to allow sufficient time for each subject, as well as breaks or other activities. Using a calendar synced with my personal one helped keep note of important deadlines so I could stay on track with my coursework. Trust me, it makes a difference!
Reach out (support): It has been important for my mental health to reach out whenever I’ve been struggling. My advice is always get support from the Student Hub if you need help. They have teams who can help with mental health, disability support, careers, and finance. The library also offers workshops on research skills, academic writing, and time management – which has been helpful!
Be kind to yourself: It’s so important to be kind to yourself as there are lots of deadlines! When studying I took breaks and made sure I did some self-care activities. No one else can look after you as best as you can, so always remember you deserve some kindness too!
Tips for building connections
Surrounding yourself with likeminded people can really make a difference. Here, BSc (Hons) Business Management with Finance student, Raza shares what he's learned during his time at Solent:
Enjoying activities with friends: I joined a climbing society and this really helped me to make many more friends and it also gave me a break from studying. Plus, it’s great sharing an activity with friends who are also interested and love climbing like I do.
Friends can really make everything better: I don’t know what I would have done without support from my friends on my course or just going for a coffee to debrief what’s been going on at uni! These moments I will never forget and feel it has really bonded me with my uni mates for life.
My confidence has grown: I have had to learn to step out of my comfort zone and speak to new people. Putting myself out there more has really grown my confidence and I feel like making friends has become easier and easier the more I have spoken to new people. It’s also great as I feel I can take this new confidence with me when I may have to make new friends in different places.
Welcome Week essentials
BSc (Hons) Psychology student, Zipporah shares her tips on how to get the best out of Welcome Week:
Enrol: Follow the joining instructions sent to you by the admissions team on how and when to complete enrolment.
Accommodation: It's important to have your accommodation sorted by the time you start at university. There are lots of options depending on your situation and budget.
Timetable: Check your Welcome Week timetable! This has all the detail you need - you can find your timetable on SOL. There's lots going on during the week and you'll have the opportunity to meet tutors and other students on your course.
Connect: There's lots going on during student welcome and opportunities to make new friends. Visit one of the activities happening or go to the Freshers’ Fayre and find out more about all the clubs and societies run by the Students’ Union.
Finances: If you're a home student receiving a student maintenance loan, this will be confirmed with Student Finance once you're enrolled during Welcome Week - your maintenance loan is paid 3-5 working days after this. So do make sure you have enough money to last until your maintenance loan is paid. The student funding team can carry out a financial health check to see if you've received the correct amount of student finance for your circumstances and advise if you're eligible for any university grants and bursaries.
