Going to higher education is a big step and you’re bound to have lots of questions. We asked some current university students about their own experiences. They told us what they were worried about before they started their course and what it was actually like once they got there… 

Will I make any friends?
The answer to this question is a definite Yes! Everyone who moves away to go to college and university is in the same boat and they are all keen to make new friends. The colleges and universities themselves work hard to make sure that all new students feel at home as soon as possible and you can expect your first couple of weeks to include nothing more than a round of fun events and activities all designed to help you meet people and make friends.

What if I feel homesick?
You will probably feel homesick at some point – it’s only natural. Many students regularly go home during their first year, but usually this becomes less and less as you start to make new friends and feel more at home in your new surroundings. And remember, you’re not alone. No matter how happy everyone else appears to be, they will almost certainly be missing home too!

Where will I live?
Most students choose to live in halls of residence in their first year. These are a bit like basic hotels. They are usually on campus and you are given your own room which includes a bed, a workspace and basic washing facilities. There are usually communal showers and kitchens where you can prepare your own food if you wish. Some halls of residence provide catering and where this is the case, you will pay extra to have your meals prepared for you. Later on, you might decide to rent a house with friends you make on your course or in your hall of residence, and there is usually plenty of student accommodation to choose from.

What will I do in my free time?
What free time? There is so much you can do that you’re more likely to be asking ‘when can I have a rest?’! During your first week at college or university you will have the opportunity to join student societies. Student societies specialise in one activity or area of interest. There will almost certainly be a society that caters to your particular hobbies or interests. And if there isn’t, you can start your own!

Then there’s the social life. Bars and clubs in areas that have high student numbers usually have special ‘student nights’ where students can have a great night out at reduced prices. Your student union will have full information on what’s on where. And the student union itself is a great place to socialise. Upcoming music and variety acts often start out on the student circuit and you will probably get the chance to see some stars of the future.

I can’t cook. What will I eat?
f you go into catered halls of residence, most of your meals will be prepared for you, so you don’t need to worry. However, many halls of residence are self-catering and at some point you will probably want to share a house with your friends so it’s a good idea to try and learn the basics before you leave home. There are lots of recipe books especially for students, which give you ideas for easy, cheap recipes. Arm yourself with one of these as soon as you can. You’ll be amazed how much you can do with a potato and a tin of beans!

I’m worried that the course will be too hard
Studying at university is very different from school. Depending on the course you take, you will probably have a lot of ‘free’ time when you will be responsible for much of your own study. The university library is often your second home, a place where you do all your reading, research and course work. The library has a nice feel to it. Most of your fellow students will be there on a regular basis and you can break out and go for a coffee and for lunch in between studying.

The first year of a university course is your chance to get used to this new way of working and feel comfortable with it. In years two and three it gets more intense, but you’re used to it by then.

I’ve got a student loan but I don’t want to get into loads of debt
There is lots of advice available to help you with your budgeting. Aimhigher Nottinghamshire’s Student Guide to Higher Education Finance has some great tips. You might also want to consider getting a part-time job whilst you’re at university, especially if your course gives you lots of free time. Many universities themselves have vacancies that are great for students – and as you’re already studying there, they are more likely to be flexible if you need time off at exam time or over the holidays.

And it’s important to remember that getting a higher level qualification means that you’re more likely to get a good, well-paid job with long term career prospects at the end of it, so you’ll easily be able to pay off your student loan once you graduate.

Ask the undergraduates
If you’ve got a question about university life that isn’t answered here, you can ask our student panel, by emailing info@aimhighernotts.co.uk.

Useful websites

Directgov student life -
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/LifeAtUniversityOrCollege/index.htm

Student free stuff -
http://www.studentfreestuff.com/

BrightsideUNIAID -
http://www.brightsideuniaid.org/students