My advice for first year of University

University is hard, and first year requires a lot of adjusting. A new place, a new environment, a new way of learning, and a new life.

Having just finished first year, here is my advice, i'm not an expert, but hindsight is a beautiful thing.

- Embrace freshers week, go to all the events, meet as many people as you can, and -of course- take advantage of the freebies.

- Treat your course like a 9-5 job, it'll stop you falling behind.

- Don't put pressure on yourself to be best friends with everyone you meet in freshers.

- You wont find your people straight away, but just give it time.

- When you find people whose company you enjoy, don't just got out, make an effort to do other things that helps you get to know each other better.

- Freshers flu sucks, but paracetamol and cold and flu will do wonders.

- Get registered with a doctors asap, you don't know when you will need them.

- You will be homesick, but try not to go home for a while, because then you will get in a habit thats hard to stop.

- Go to your lectures and tutorials- always.

- Go out and embrace the new freedoms you have.

- Try to bond with your first year flatmates; it's a great way to meet people you otherwise wouldn't.

First year is meant to be fun, its a good idea to start habits like going to the lectures and doing your required reading, but this is the time to embrace your university experience.

Passing exams is important, but just passing, focus on making friends and experimenting with hobbies, it is your time to get settled, and that is valuable.