Things I wish I knew before starting at Notts Uni

If you had the chance to do first year again, would you do it differently?

We spoke to second-year students and asked them what they wish they knew become coming to Notts. These were the most popular answers:

Lizzie, a second-year Natural Sciences student we spoke to

Notts gets cold. So bring warm clothes

At the start of the academic year in September, it can get pretty chilly in the winter. Most Southerners from Surrey aren’t used to the cold all the way ‘up North’ in Notts.

Meanwhile, the heating in uni buildings is basically non-existent. So definitely bring warm clothes.

Lizzie, a second-year student, told us, “I was surprised at how cold halls would be! I definitely didn’t bring enough warm clothes and there was no way of turning the heating up in our rooms as it was all controlled centrally.”

It rains too, so bring waterproof clothes

The uni of Nottingham campus is huge. You will have to take treks across the Downs, scramble up Portland Hill or, if you’re in Broadgate, hike in from Uni West Gate.

To top it off, the rain likes to come along in Notts. Walking between lectures is far and not fun when drenched. Waterproof shoes and jackets are a must.

Try to talk to as many people as you can

Starting university can be a daunting experience. Going up to literal strangers and trying to make conversation can seem uncomfortable and weird. Meanwhile, moving from your home to university and leaving your friends and family behind makes so many students feel homesick.

But trying to talk to as many people as possible can make you feel better, though it may push you outside of your comfort zone.

Even amid Covid-19, the SU is running events throughout the year and that’s a great way to meet new people from across campus.

Work hard, play hard

The classic fresher saying is ‘first year doesn’t count’. We’ve all probably said it, or heard it, as the fourth night of drinking in a row commences yet again. Crisis, Ocean and all the other nights are great. So are, in the time of corona, bar crawls around your house or halls and endless pres.

However, your first year grades may be important in the future and you still need that all-important 40% to pass.

Lizzie’s advice is “make sure you enjoy yourself but also make sure you attend your lectures and revise in exam week, no one really goes out in exam week so it’s not like your missing out anyway.”

Every students’ first year experience is different but one this is always the same: getting stuck in is great. Join societies that interest you. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Most importantly, enjoy it!