25 Tips to Survive Your First Year in University

To survive your first year at university, go to every orientation, get organised early, attend all your lectures, learn your lecturers and deadlines, guard your money and time, and look after your health. Your secondary-school record counts for nothing now — the habits you build in these first few weeks shape the rest of your degree.

Maybe you were class president in secondary school, or graduated in the top of your set, or even took the valedictory. It does not really matter what you did before. As you move up to university you start with a clean academic slate — along with a lot of freedom and a set of decisions that come with becoming an adult.

This is not meant to scare you or take away the excitement of being admitted. It is about the things you have to do to survive your first year — and go on to thrive. Many of the skills and habits below will serve you not just in school but in your career afterwards.

The first few weeks on campus matter most. This is when you make the decisions that shape the rest of your time in university. Some of these 25 tips are for those opening weeks; the rest are for the long haul. Whatever you do, be yourself, expect a little homesickness and anxiety, and do not let it wear you down.

25 Tips to Survive Your First Year in University

1. Attend every orientation and freshers’ programme the school organises.

Do you really need to sit through another orientation or campus tour? Yes. The quicker you learn your way around the campus — and around all the formalities — the calmer you will feel and the better prepared you will be when problems come up.

2. Get to know your room-mates and the people around you.

The people you live with are going through the same experiences and feelings, and they are your first safety net — this year and every year after. Room-mates may change over time, so take the time to get to know your fellow first-year students.

3. Get organised.

In secondary school, your teachers walked you through every assignment and deadline. In the university, no lecturer will chase you to do your work — and this is where a lot of students lose seriousness. Lecturers post assignments, often for the whole semester, and expect you to be ready. Get a wall planner or a diary — whatever it takes for you to plan ahead and stay on top of things.

4. Find the right places for you to study.

It might be your hostel, your apartment, or a quiet corner of the library — find the place where you get your work done with the fewest distractions. If reading is where you struggle, learn the best way to read your textbooks and pick up a few more study tips for freshers.

5. Go to class.

Obvious, right? Maybe, but staying in bed and skipping that 8 a.m. lecture will be tempting some mornings. Resist it and miss as few classes as you can. Beyond the material itself, lecturers use class time to pass on key information about tests, deadline changes and more.

6. Know your course requirements and deadlines cold.

Lecturers spend serious time preparing course outlines and timetables so you know exactly what is expected of you, and when. One of the weakest excuses a student can give for missing a deadline is, “I didn’t know it was due today.”

7. Meet your lecturers and get to know them.

Speaking from experience, there are only upsides to getting to know your lecturers — no downsides, especially if you hit a rough patch later in the semester. Many keep office hours for the sole purpose of meeting students. Use that time and you will not regret it.

8. Get to know your academic adviser.

This is the person who helps you with course clashes, adding or dropping courses, planning future semesters and choosing your specialisation. Treat them as a key resource and go to them with any academic problem. And do not be afraid to ask for a different adviser if you do not click with the one first assigned to you.

9. Find a balance.

University life is a mix of social and academic activity. Do not tip the balance too far in either direction. As one student used to put it, “study hard so you can play hard.”

10. Get involved on campus.

A common problem for new students is a mix of homesickness and a feeling of not quite belonging. One answer is to join a group — without going overboard — such as a student association or club. Staying active spiritually helps too, depending on your faith. You will make new friends, learn new skills and feel more connected to your school.

11. Aim for good grades from the start.

Another obvious one. Remember the opening lines of this article: good grades may have come easily in secondary school, but you will have to work harder for them at university. That means setting clear goals and doing all you can to reach them. It helps to understand how your GPA and CGPA are computed in UNIUYO from day one.

12. Use the study resources on campus.

Almost every institution has a library, learning labs and tutors you can turn to. If you are struggling, these are tools within reach. Another idea: form study groups.

13. Set aside time for yourself.

Put aside time for whatever helps you unwind and take the stress off your week — the gym, your favourite programme, or writing in a journal. Be kind to yourself.

14. Don’t rush a decision about your course or specialisation.

It may seem as though everyone else knows exactly what they are doing with their lives. Many do not — trust me. University is the time and place to discover who you are, what you enjoy, what you are good at, and what you want to become. It is not a race; take your time and explore your options.

15. Take full responsibility for what you do.

Do not blame others for the mistakes you make while finding your feet; own them and move on. Being an adult means taking responsibility for what happens to you.

16. Make connections with your classmates.

One student’s method in his first week was to meet at least one new person in each class. It widened his network and proved a lifesaver whenever he missed a class and needed notes or an update. You never know when you will need another person’s help.

17. Start thinking about your career early.

Even if you already have your future mapped out, keep exploring — seek professional advice, learn more about yourself, and start planning and acting on your future now.

18. Don’t procrastinate; prioritise and manage your time.

In secondary school you could leave an assignment to the last minute and still scrape a good grade. That will not work at university. Give yourself deadlines and stick to them. You are now responsible for yourself.

19. Eat right and stay healthy.

Many first-year problems trace back to an illness that kept a student out of class long enough to start a downward slide. Get enough sleep, exercise, take your vitamins and eat well. With no one at home to serve you a balanced meal, it is easy to reach for junk food — try your best to stay healthy and eat proper meals.

20. Learn to cope with homesickness.

There will be times when you miss your family, even if you could not wait to leave home. Find a way to deal with those feelings, such as calling home often.

21. Stay on campus as much as you can.

Whether it is homesickness, a job, or a partner back home, try not to leave campus too soon or too often. The closer you stay to the hub, the easier it is to cope and thrive. The more time you spend getting to know the campus and your new friends, the more at home you will feel — and there is plenty of educational, cultural and social life on campus to take advantage of.

22. Ask for professional help when you need it.

Most universities have health and counselling centres. If you are ill, isolated or low, use the services on offer. You do not have to face these things alone or guess at solutions.

23. Manage your money with discipline.

If you have never had to budget, now is the time. Find ways to stretch your money and, as best you can, avoid the unnecessary spending that comes from the temptation to “try out”. Spend frugally and wisely — managing money is a skill that pays off for the rest of your life.

24. Don’t cut corners.

University is about learning. If you procrastinate and cram, you may still pass a test but learn very little. Worse, never cheat on assignments, tests or exams — these things have a way of catching up with you. Discipline yourself to do things the right way.

25. Be ready to feel overwhelmed.

There will be a lot going on as you settle into university, and there will be moments when it feels like too much. As one student puts it, be prepared to feel completely unprepared. The trick is knowing you are not the only one who feels that way — and staying confident that “I can do this.”

Final Words for First-Year Students

You have done the groundwork — good results in your secondary-school exams, a solid score in your UTME and post-UTME screening, and admission into the university you wanted. Enjoy that hard work while laying the foundation for a successful academic career. Don’t be a statistic; be determined to make it through your first year and beyond.

Lean on your network of classmates, new friends and lecturers, have fun while learning as much as you can, and get the most out of your university experience. Much of what you take from university, and what it leaves in you, will shape the rest of your life.

Drop a comment below — what did I miss?