Expectations vs reality: The truth about your first year of Lincoln uni
A reality check on what your first year of uni will look like
The prep for uni feels like forever and once you’ve settled in the expectations of the first year become reality, so when you’ve finally gotten used to the freedom and independence (and absolutely rinsed all of the Freshers’ Week events) the shock can set in. There is always a few of common misconceptions and unexpected truths when you first arrive, so here is some friendly and real advice that hopefully means you get the best out of your uni experience.
Student loan = rich
You’ll get used to counting down the days until your student loan drops, and hoping that you wont have to call home to replenish your bank account after the nights outs and one too many take-aways on the way home. There is no in between – you will either be a spender or a saver.
For many of you it will be the most money in you bank account you’ve seen since you have left home – so, seriously, budgeting will become your best-friend. Money never stretches as far as you hope, especially within the first week, it’s guaranteed you will spend more than you originally intend. There is always a steep learning curve at some point, so the best idea would be to budget for the essentials – food, rent, and the odd night out and work out roughly the amount you can set aside for the spontaneous takeaways and new outfits.
Besties forever and ever…
Making friends at uni is always at the top of everyone’s agenda when they arrive. Even if you’ve endured the numerous group chats that you’ve been forced to join before you get there… you really don’t know anyone until you live with them. Whilst everything is hunky-dory for the first couple few days, by the end of the week you will of sussed out who is who. Though, don’t worry if you don’t click with the people you meet in Freshers’ Week straight away, there is plenty of opportunities to meet people on the same wave-length as you. As the friends that you meet at uni will ultimately become the foundation of your university experience and will make the shared stresses and experiences that bit easier throughout your degree.
Student-life balance
While we all envision ourselves to be walking to the library dressed like a budget Carrie Bradshaw with a matcha latte in hand, you’ll soon learn that the intention starts off great until the moment it becomes unaffordable. So switching up your compulsory Tesco meal deal for a homemade salad or pasta and avoiding the Starbucks on the way will not only save you the money but also the longer walk. Saving your money on the mundane purchases will leave more of the cash to splash at Quack.
It is also so important make time to have fun away from your studies and make the most of uni by experiencing the new city around you. The first year of uni, is undoubtedly the most fun and stress free, even if it sometimes doesn’t feel like it – so take advantage of it.
Fitting the mould
Best piece of advice: there is no mould to fit in, except your own. The opportunity that university offers you is to be totally yourself and your own individual. For many of us, it is the first time you have lived away from home and with a group of strangers and while daunting at first it opens doors to meet new and different people. This further translates through the range and choices of societies that are optional to join and provides a chance to meet people with similar interests or find something new to experience.
By the end of your time at university you will be thankful for the diverse group of people you will meet and even some of the people that you wish to forget as it they have helped you grow as an individual.
Organisation *tick*
I envisioned my life at uni to be as neat and organised as Khloe Kardahsian’s pantry, the idea that my life would not be as organised as a multimillionaires didn’t come as a massive shock… well, not really. The attempt at my own study schedule did not last and anyone who tells me that they stick to it, I really don’t believe you. A side note, but an important one – you do not need to take all of Paperchase’s stock with you to every lecture or seminar, although don’t forget the snacks.
A – grades
The transition can feel intimidating and overwhelming at times between A-Level to degree, especially when the assessments creep up on you the week before they’re due. A reminder that not getting the result you expected is not a negative, it is only a motivation to try again on the next exam and to not compare yourself to other people. You will soon realise who the naturally high achievers are – they will more than likely tell you before you work it out anyway.
While we all hope for constructive feedback, the comment of “you should probably go to a library session about how to write an essay” has never been forgotten. While sometimes hard to swallow, your personal resilience and confidence will grow through (good) feedback and you’ll be at the point where you want to be.
I’ll be back home in three years
Everyone envisions themselves jumping into the uni experience almost immediately, with the idea of home only to be returned to for the presents at Christmas or when you need somewhere to stay after the three years is up. What nobody wants to admit is the homesickness that will hit you the first few weeks when you are adjusting to a newfound independence and unfamiliar surroundings. But don’t worry it will pass, and adjusting to any new environment takes time, although there will one day when it seems like a short memory and you will wish you could relieve your uni years again.
Don’t let the time pass you by without doing the things you enjoy and getting the most out the experience.
Related articles recommended by this author:
•All the ways to spot a Lincoln Uni first year student
•A new restaurant in Lincoln is offering its first 500 customers a completely free pizza
•In pictures: Lincoln’s newest freshers brave their first night out…at Quack