By Kitty Mercer, Third Year, Liberal Arts
Newfound independence is one of the highlights of the move to university. For many, starting a degree means moving away from home for the first time, which comes with a whole new set of excitements and challenges. Deciding what things to prioritise may come naturally - after all, isn’t getting onto Jason Donervan’s instagram the most honourable freshers’ goal? However, if you’re not prepared for the academic transition, you may struggle to delegate your time.
So what exactly is the academic step up? While you are studying for a more difficult qualification, the average weekly taught hours at university (15.8) are almost identical to those at sixth form or college (15.1). The real leap is the expectation to be an independent learner.
Firstly, the way content is taught is much more geared towards independent learning than active participation. Lectures, for example, are a way for you to learn content from an established expert in your chosen field. Whilst asking questions is usually encouraged, the majority of your time will be spent silently taking notes rather than engaging in discussion. And whilst seminars are more interactive, there is an expectation that you have done the groundwork (such as pre-reading and formulating ideas) before any discussions can begin.
Secondly, self-study can even be more important than taught hours for how much students learn. Survey research shows that students who put in 20 or more hours per week are far more likely to say they’ve learnt ‘a lot.’ Yet for those whose first year experience was worse than they expected, the top reason was feeling unsupported in independent study. This is not to say that you should be chained to the library for your entire first year, you have the next two or three years for that! However, it does suggest that implementing some positive study habits, no matter how small, can have a big impact on your first experience. So what exactly should you do?
First, one of the best ways to adapt to changing expectations is to establish a routine. Matilda Harvey, a third-year English student at Bristol, admits that ‘many students struggle with the switch to independent study in university after spending most of their lives in an externally structured educational system.’ In the first year you want to make time for your studies, but not at the expense of 'socialising, exercise, fun activities and alone time’, which are often dismissed but are incredibly important! Matilda goes on to say that ‘sticking to my own routine was the easiest way of bridging that gap’ between sixth form or college and university, as it brings back a sense of structure and allows you to delegate time to all the things you want to do. So how can you establish a routine that works for you?
'You’re likely to see more success if you recognise your natural habits and incorporate them into your routine'
Reflect on how you like to work by asking yourself the following: Do you work better in the mornings or evenings? Do you prefer to work intensely for a short period of time, or ‘little but often’ over a larger time frame? In my first year, I was convinced that all of my problems could be solved if I could just wake up at 7am everyday and get myself down to the library, whereas in reality I was much more likely to get more done if I was sitting in bed with my laptop at 10:00. While setting goals and aspirations isn’t a bad thing, you’re likely to see more success if you recognise your natural habits and incorporate them into your routine, instead of working against them. Late night study sessions or short bursts of productivity might be the best way of working for you - you just might not see it on social media!
Consider making studying a social activity. Admittedly this goes against everything Rory Gilmore stands for (as she firmly argued that ‘studying is a solitary activity’). However, if you work well with other people, or want to consolidate your friendships, consider making studying a social activity too. For example, the university building Senate House provides collaborative spaces that can be used both for work and socialising, such as the SU Loft and the SU Living Room. The majority of libraries also have group study rooms that are bookable for up to two hours per day.
However, if group work isn’t your thing, apps like ‘Flora’ could be a game changer. This productivity app allows you to join ‘focus sessions’ with your friends so you can block out time for studying without necessarily working together. Even better, the app has a leaderboard which ranks who has been the most productive that week - an easy way to make getting tedious pieces of work done a little more fun.
'Whilst the advice above can make your transition a little easier, it is natural to find the move to university a difficult adjustment.'
Lastly, consider wellbeing support. Whilst the advice above can make your transition a little easier, it is natural to find the move to university a difficult adjustment. If you need extra support, consider looking into the Student Counselling Service. They offer free 45 minute appointments to all students, which can be accessed through a referral by Residential Life here. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, or be able to access advice 24/7, the app TalkCampus is free and provides a peer to peer support network from students across the world.
Remember that nobody gets it perfect on day one. Focus on small, sustainable habits that work for you, keep space for the things that you enjoy, and don’t feel afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Featured Image: Unsplash / Ed Robertson
