Starting university can be incredibly difficult. For many people, it’s their first time living away from home, somewhere they don’t know very well. Expectations for you are higher, both in terms of academic work and how mature you’re expected to be. Many or all of your school friends aren’t going to the same university, so you’ll have to find a new group of friends to fit in with.
You are not alone in this. Everyone starting university has these same concerns to some extent. In this article, we will explain why you are feeling nervous and what you can do to overcome this initial anxiety.
Understanding Why You’re Nervous
The unknown and unpredictability of a new environment
For many people, starting university means living in a completely new environment they are not familiar with. You may have been on a guided tour during an open day, but you will not remember where everything is and how to get there immediately.
This is especially true for international students, who have to get used to living in an entirely new country and speaking a different language on a daily basis.
High expectations, both self-imposed and external.
It is natural for students to want to get high grades and to leave university with a 1st class degree. Those with older siblings will put themselves under pressure to equal or exceed them for the sake of bragging rights.
Parents can also be guilty of putting high expectations on their children, criticising them when they get bad marks and pushing them to be better. Seeing your friends get higher grades than you is another way for you to be put under external pressure.
Fear of not fitting in or finding your place.
Moving from an environment you are used to, to one you barely know can be an uncomfortable experience for many new students. Suddenly you have to find a new friend group to fit in with and learn your way around the university itself.
Common Concerns for New University Students
Making new friends.
Unless you have friends doing the same course at the same university as you, you will have to start from scratch when it comes to making friends at university.
This is especially true for introverts and people with social anxiety, who may struggle to make friends anyway.
Coping with academic pressures.
As a university student, you are expected to produce a higher standard of work than you did previously. Getting used to this can be difficult as you need to figure out how best to meet this new standard by changing aspects of how you do your assignments, alongside everything else you have to learn when you first start university.
Adjusting to independent living.
For many people, university is the first time they have lived away from their parents, and are fully responsible for meals, paying bills, and all necessary household chores.
Balancing social life with studies.
Many people go to university in large part because of the social aspect, but finding a good balance between your social life and studies at university can be challenging.
Finding and participating in extracurricular activities.
Universities offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, but unless you already have one in mind, it can be difficult to decide which clubs and societies you want to join, especially if you need to schedule it around your studies and other commitments.
Tips to Overcome the Initial Anxiety
Prepare in Advance
While you won’t be able to find out everything you want to know, you can still educate yourself about the campus, the courses you are doing and the lecturers you will be learning from.
Connect Early
You can look on social media for people who are about to join the same university, as well as potential societies you may be interested in joining.
Attend Freshers week activities.
Attending freshers week events will let you meet people who are in the same position as you, and you will make friends that will remain close while you are at university and after you have graduated.
Set Realistic Expectations
It is unreasonable to expect yourself to figure everything out in only a few days. Learning your way around the campus and how to balance your studies and your social life will take time, and you should not pressure yourself to do it as fast as possible.
Seek Support
If you are struggling with your mental health, you can check to see if your university offers counselling services.
If your problem is less serious, don’t be afraid to ask for student advisory services. They will be used to answering all sorts of questions, especially early on in the year when new arrivals are still trying to find their feet.
Embracing the Opportunities Ahead
Viewing university as a chance for personal and academic growth.
University is an amazing opportunity for you to grow as a person. By taking on new challenges and responsibilities, you will mature into someone who is ready to enter adult life.
Venturing out of your comfort zone
University is an amazing opportunity to try new things with few consequences. Societies and clubs will be welcoming to newcomers and the library will have a large number of resources on things you always wanted to learn about but never had the chance to previously.
Forming lasting bonds with classmates and lecturers
Some of the friends you make at university will be your friends for the rest of your life, and you will grow close as you mature together. Connecting with lecturers is also a good idea, as networking can be an effective way of finding a job after you graduate.
Embracing challenges and learning to bounce back
One of the most important things you can learn at university is the ability to accept difficulties and bounce back from them. This can be in your personal life, as well as during your studies. This is a crucial skill that employers will value highly, so learning it now is incredibly beneficial.
Remember, You’re Not Alone
Every student, no matter how confident they seem, faces some level of uncertainty. It is important to remember that you are sharing the experience of starting university with many people. This community of people all experiencing the same anxieties is important to overcoming your initial nerves and thriving at university.
Conclusion
Despite your initial nerves, university is an incredibly important experience that will help you mature as a person. You should face your fears head-on, knowing that have the tools and support to succeed if you need them.
If you are also worried about getting a job after you graduate, check out Graduate Coach, who offers career coaching that will put you on the right track.
;)