Attending lectures, bagging a flat, and not dating your best mate: A guide on how to survive semester two

You just about survived first semester, not without some awkward sexual encounters, questionable choices of friends and an overdraft you're too ashamed to tell your parents about. But you're now, hoping that semester two will bring new joys and maybe some better grades.

As a first year, I can't say I know whether this will be true or not, but I'm rather hoping that semester two will bring bigger and better things and as my good friend James says, "you win some, you lose some". As true as that statement is, it's possible to win more than you lose. But here I am bringing you first-class guide on how to win more than you lose this semester.

Do some work

Comprehensive reading lists, to be specific. Admittedly, I did absolutely zero work last term, but flukily making my way into the high fifties will forever be my greatest and most undeserved achievement.

Where did all that time go? And how in hell did I, a straight A, goody-goody, get here? I'll tell you how: coffee, cigarettes, too many nights out and a tonne of alcohol-fuelled drama. Myself and many of my friends are resolved to do better this semester.

How? Make a schedule and stick to it. It does work, so set yourself time to finish the piece of work. Make a list, sit down and gradually cross things off it (at a reasonable hour). Be warned though, procrastination is the ultra time thief. I know a Church night out with Dr Zinc with your mates sounds like the night of your life, but believe me, there will be others.

As much as first year is about socialising and passing, it's important to build other bits and pieces into your life. That CV isn't going to write itself.
But whilst work is important, it is not the be all and end all. Guts and persistency will take you far.

Develop those friendships

Freshers' Week was what can only be described as an amalgamation of binge drinking, raging hormones, poor decisions (nay boundaries) and overly friendly encounters with empty promises of actual friendship.

Refreshers has given a new perspective on making friends, which I wish to share. As Timothée Chalamet said, in his most recent interview with W magazine, "when you are young person, it's like shopping for your personality". Such a beautiful Franco-American has spoken no truer words than this. So shop. Go to town try on different hats, outfits, try something, which truly you never would on any other day.

The throws of life won't simply hand you your personality. You have to go and grab it yourself. A big task, believe me, I know. So, start small. Take one extra sport class or maybe audition for a Bedlam show, anything that you can start a conversation with. The extroverts of this world are for sure rolling their eyes right now with condescending confidence, so introverts, I implore you get out there and find each other in your chosen activity, laugh at the awkward tension of that first conversation. As bad as it feels, it'll be worth it in the end.

Removing the toxicity from your life

January is the time for new year resolutions. Veganuary seems to be the big one at the moment. So, whatever toxic thing is poking your consciousness, get rid of it. Personally, I picked social media. I'm officially Snapchat and Instagram free. I'm not going to lie, watching Netflix's new drama "You" really pushed me towards the social media free life. It could be more drastic.

I regularly hear the complaints from my friends about the cliquey, gossip groups taking out their teenage, privileged, flare wearing angst on other members. Remove said people please; they aren't worth your time or lack of sleep. Big waves there, but there is an entire university of people to delve into in order to find your group. Once that self-entitled bubble pops, I guarantee things will look a lot more fluid and free.

Owning the dreaded flat hunt

I'll be the first to say it, housing truly is the greatest nightmare of all first year students. It's now time for some serious adulting and rent a real flat. You want to be close to uni, close to friends, and preferably have a corner shop you can stroll to in your pyjamas. It can only be described as the great migration to Marchmont. Start early.

The early bird really does catch the worm, and you do not want to be searching for a flat in March or April during peak deadline season. Google is your new best friend, forget about RightMove and find some locally ran estate agents, because they know the area better than anyone else and understand what it means to be a student.

Also, it's so important when meeting estate agents that you come across as somewhat responsible and keep the hot mess in the closet until you've sealed the deal.

Make sure you actually like your flatmates

You want to pick housemates who share a similar lifestyle with you. Becky is your #wifeyforlifey who you can always rely on for a great Monday night at Juju's. She's also hilarious, can do shots of tequila without blinking, and to top it all off, you're the same size as her and she has great clothes. Why wouldn't you want to live with her?

However, I guarantee that six weeks into the term you'll be sick death of her constant party girl mess and one night stands as she fails to sneakily enter the flat.

Oh, and do not live with your new bae, boo, or bow. You will break up.

Try and keep your relationship outside of the friendship group

Have you "found love"? Firstly, congratulations. You have navigated the raging hormones pool of horny teens perfectly and now sitting high on cloud nine.

However, to the people experiencing a break up, this one is for you. Maybe a pre-uni relationship went a bit sour in the first semester, or your bae went awol over the Christmas break. Forget about that, it's time to dive right back in if you're feeling ready.

Edinburgh may be a small place, but it still has a student body 16,300 people, so really, you should be able to find your match with someone that wouldn't cause major drama should the relationship come to an end.

I hope you found something of interest in there, let’s start this semester as we mean to go on.