8 TIPS TO MAKE TRANSITIONING
TO UNIVERSITY LIFE EASIER
8 tips to make transitioning to university life easier
Transitioning from school to university is a complicated process. It’s both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Students
deal with more responsibility, a taste of independence, and more choices than ever before. No matter how excited you are,
the transition to university life isn’t easy. It may be easier for some than others, but overall, it’s difficult to be in a
completely new environment. Research has shown that the first year of university can be the toughest. In fact, most
first-year students struggle to eat well and get enough sleep.
In order to succeed at university and make the most of your time there, it’s important to take care of yourself. Read our top
tips on how to adjust to university life to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible.
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How to Adjust to
University Life
During this time in a student’s life,
everything is rapidly changing.
Being prepared for these changes
and challenges is the best way to
deal with them head-on. While your
first year of transitioning to
university life can be difficult, it can
also be rewarding. Whether you’re
going to a small university or one of
the major ones, these tips are sure
to help.
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1. Take Care of Your Mental Health
While doing well at university is important, it’s also okay
to prioritise your mental health. In such a busy
environment, a lot is going on. In addition to classes and
extracurricular activities, you may also have social
engagements. However, if things get overwhelming, it’s
okay to take a break and take some time for yourself. Do
something that calms you down or unwind and read a
book in bed. Preserving your mental health will allow
you to do your best at university.
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2. Know What to Expect
Adapting to a completely new environment isn’t easy. Getting
comfortable with the added responsibility, surroundings,
roommates, and more takes time. However, one thing that’s sure to
make the transition to university life easier is knowing what to
expect. Do your research and ask those who already study at the
university you plan to attend what you should know.
At university, you’re no longer considered a child. You’re an adult,
and you’re given more freedom. Knowing what to expect will help
you navigate this new circumstance carefully. Thus, you’ll avoid
certain pitfalls like skipping classes, getting behind on coursework,
and missing deadlines. Knowing how much responsibility you will
have will help you prepare for it. For example, knowing you will
have to do your laundry on your own will ensure that you learn
before leaving for university.
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3. Ask For Help
There’s no shame in asking for help. New university students think they have to handle everything independently,
but this isn’t the case. The faculty and administration are there to help. You can use many resources, such as
administrative support, academic counselling, psychological help, extra tutoring, and more. Being in a new
environment may make you feel alone, but you have many tools at your disposal. Use them and ask for help.
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4. Learn to Manage Your Time
Your first year of university life can be chaotic,
especially if you’ve taken on too much. Perhaps
you’re attending university and working at the same
time. Even if this isn’t the case, there’s a lot to be
done, and sometimes, it feels like there aren’t enough
hours in the day.
Now that you’re independent and on your own, it’s
essential to learn how to manage your time. Your
parents won’t remind you to study or wake up and go
to class. You have to juggle classes, activities,
homework, and your social life on your own. Whether
by getting a planner or downloading an app on your
phone, you must master time management.
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5. Communication Is Key
No one said that the transition to university life would be simple.
It’s normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed at times, especially
when you’re just settling in. One of the most helpful things you can
do at this time is to communicate with others. Whether it’s new
friends, family members, a counsellor, or a mentor, reach out to
others. Take their advice instead of keeping your problems to
yourself and suffering as a result.
6. Create a Budget
If your parents were in charge of finances your entire life, it may be
the first time you’ve had to deal with taking care of your expenses.
A crucial part of the transition to university life is taking the
responsibility of managing your finances. You should be able to pay
for meals, books, tuition, and other expenses. If you create a
budget and stick to it, you’ll ensure you don’t spend too much on
any one category.
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7. Nurture Your
Interests
It’s tempting to take complicated
courses that you know will look
good on your resume. However,
don’t burden yourself with
subjects you cannot handle or
enjoy. Take some courses that
you feel will boost your career,
but don’t let this be your only
focus. It’s also important to take
classes that genuinely interest
you. These are a welcome break
from the rest of your classes and
ensure you don’t get burnt out.
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8. Try to Eat Well
When you’re adjusting to university life, you have
freedoms you didn’t have before. No one is
supervising you. It’s no wonder many students
resort to having ice cream for dinner. Avoid this and
try to eat well. We’re not just saying this because of
the dreaded Freshman 15. It’s because a poor diet
can leave you feeling tired and cause health issues.
While you don’t have to eat salads all the time,
make sure you get enough fruits and vegetables and
don’t survive on noodles alone.
In addition to keeping moderation in mind, you can
also take care of your physical health by using the
university fitness centre or gym. This is usually free
for students and can be a great way to relieve some
stress.
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Conclusion
The transition to university life can be unexpected and overwhelming. It’s important to remember to stay true to
yourself and take care of your physical and mental health. We hope that these tips on how to adjust to university life
helped prepare you for the road ahead. Good luck!
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Thanks!
www.ahzassociates.co.uk
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