Freshers Top Tips

📋 I know it sounds simple but…make notes in lectures. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable – handwrite or type; it’s up to you. Some lectures get recorded for you to access later but not all. Check with your lecturer if this is happening.ntor scheme at Cardiff University. It was originally a thread of Facebook that was adapted into a blog post so as not to be lost in the ether of social media. See the original post here: http://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/studentlifecu/my-top-tips-for-freshers/

👩‍🎓 Use your student mentor! It’s a fantastic scheme and is really helpful. They’ll help you settle into Uni life and are a good place to go for any questions. Please attend the meetings – you’ll be so much better off for it.

💰 Try not to spend like crazy when your loan comes in!

✍️Don’t worry about the work until you get it – worrying before isn’t going to help.

🙋 You will make friends – everyone is in the same boat.

🤺 Check out the volunteering and societies fairs – it’s always a good idea to join a society or two. They’re a great way to have fun and meet new people from across the University!

📧 Keep your eyes on your emails – this is the main communication line between you and your lecturers.

📋 I know it sounds simple but…make notes in lectures. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable – hand write or type; it’s up to you. Some lectures get recorded for you to access later but not all. Check with your lecturer if this is happening.

🏙️ Go out and see the city. We’re very lucky to have so much around us, so take some time and see it. I recommend the National Museum and Castle (you are eligible for a Castle Key as a student here). More info here: https://www.cardiffcastle.com/castle-key/

🛌🥗 Get some sleep and have your fruit and veg! Fight off that Freshers’ flu with good food, sleep and vitamins.

📚 Look at your reading lists and module handbooks.

☎️ Keep in touch with home.

☑️ Plan your time – make sure you get a good work/life balance and give yourself enough time to finish your assessments. It’ll also help keep you on track and reduce procrastination.

⏰ Set alarms/goals to help plan your days and keep you on track. This doesn’t work for everyone but find your own way to ensure you reach your daily/weekly goals.

💰 If you’re concerned about money – sign up to Jobshop for work through the Uni. It’s a great way to get casual employment. Just go onto cardiffstudents.com and look at Jobshop.

Thank you for reading. I look forward to welcoming you all to Cardiff with our incredible mentoring team and I wish you the very best for this year!