Life In The Fresher Lane
Fresher by its very definition is someone who is new to an experience, but it's often used as a form of slang for someone who is a first year student at university or college.
Being a fresher isn't all about nights out, not going to lectures and spending all your student loan in one go, in fact your year as a fresher can be either good or bad, but mostly it's what you make of it!
For some people it will be the most fantastic experience of their life, all that freedom at once, the great student loan, meeting lots of new people, living by yourself, it's all very fast paced and can be a lot of fun. But for others it can turn out to be a nightmare. You could become home-sick, miss your family and friends, get worried about money, stressed about your studies, not like your course; there are endless possibilities for how things can go wrong, but it's not all doom and gloom!
One of the most important things you can do as a student is budget. Here is a fantastic guide to stretching that student loan with advice about the best student bank accounts, discount cards, energy suppliers and even what laptop is best. With fifty fantastically thought out points you can’t go wrong. As exciting as it is when all that money arrives in your account at once, try your best not to blow it all. I’m sure many people have been guilty of that, but the next loan instalment can be a long way off and you don’t want to end up being skint!
There are always people who are there to help, whether it be your new flatmates, or people in your university; the first step is to talk to someone, it may put your fears in perspective and make sure you get all you can out of your life at university.
Many of you may be a few years from choosing your university, others may be already gearing up to fly the nest next year, and begin their journey as a fresher, wherever you are remember everything you do is your choice. If you don't want to go out and party every night, don't worry if everyone else is, peer pressure can be a difficult thing to deal with, especially when you are trying to impress new friends.
There are many things to consider when your first get to university, after freshers week and getting over the freshers flu that is! The main thing you need to keep on top of is your organisation, set time aside to write lists or keep a diary where you can jot things down about assignments or meetings, get involved with as much as you possibly can; join clubs, groups and go to events. This is where you will meet people who can help you in the future, where you will gain lots of experience and meet people who may become lifelong friends.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who will tell you that experience is the very thing that can get you the job you want or see that you lose out. No matter what career you want to go into after university, make sure you have some experience, try and network with the right people. If you do work experience people will remember you. It can be very scary, but everyone started somewhere, just remember that. There are plenty of opportunities, but sometimes you have to try that little bit harder to find something. Go Wales is a fantastic website designed for students and graduates. They make it possible for students and graduates to gain invaluable experience through work tasters and placements.
So whatever you want out of life never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Get out there, try your best, and make university something to remember, rather than one massive hangover!
Info Education Higher Education
Info Education Post 16 Education Work Experience
IMAGE: Chequered Passed by a shadow of my future self
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