Three tips for students transitioning to university

The transition from high school to university, can feel like trekking into the unknown. Your sense of belonging becomes disrupted because you move away from being surrounded by familiar friends and teachers at school everyday to being thrust into an unknown environment with new people.

A lot of different emotions are going to come up for you as you enter this new world. You are going to feel…

Confused as you try to navigate your way around a new campus

Tired because you stayed up too late writing assignments or partying

Panicked because you haven’t started your assignment and it’s due tomorrow

Excited because you get to make your own decisions for the first time in your life

Scared because you are now responsible for making your own decisions

Proud because you passed your first assignment

Angry because someone has let you down

Withdrawn because College / Uni social life can be intense

Joyful when a new relationship begins

Heartbroken when a new relationship ends

Overwhelmed as you try to balance university, work and social life

Homesick as you try to adapt to a new life away from your home and your family

Amusement at all the crazy, silly things that happen as you enter this new phase of life

All the emotions that you are going to feel are completely NORMAL. Every student feels them. Our emotions are important signals that tell us something is happening within and around us that we need to pay attention to, so that our life can continue running smoothly and productively.

Here are three tips to help you deal with some of these emotions as you embark on your new adventure.

1.     Be Patient

Building friendships takes time. One study from the University of Kansas found that it takes roughly 50 hours of time together to make a casual friend, 90 hours to make friend and 200 hours to make a close friend.

So, be patient when it comes to making new friends. It will happen, but you can’t just click your fingers and expect it to happen the moment you step foot on campus. You need to put in the time and effort, dial up your strength of bravery and get out of your comfort zone.

2.     Be Brave

·       Introduce yourself

Don’t expect people to approach you. Be proactive, introduce yourself, smile, and ask questions – ‘What are you studying?’ ‘Where are you from?’ ‘What school did you go to,?’ ‘How are you feeling about starting university?’ You will make more friends by showing you are genuinely interested in others than trying to get other people interested in you.

·       Get involved

Locate the sports and clubs you love and sign up.

Go out on Thursday nights or the popular student night at your college or university (you don’t have to drink, if you have an early class the next day) but according to most of the students I talk to, it’s where a lot of connections are made.

·       Ask for help

Top performers and successful people do not reach success on their own. Don’t be afraid to email your lecturers, tutors, academic support staff and reach out to the student support services or wellbeing staff. We want you to succeed and are here to help you. Your parents also want you to succeed so don’t forget about them!

3.     Keep your parents in the loop

Starting university is hard; it’s also hard for your parents.  Seeing you ‘fly the nest’ can be incredibly challenging, even though they are so happy for you.

Your parents love you and will naturally worry about you. Just because you’re transitioning into ‘adulthood’ and some of you might not be living at home anymore, doesn’t mean they are no longer part of your life. Call them on a regular basis and keep them in the loop. The more distance you create, the more worried they will become and start ‘helicoptering.’

Lastly, don’t be too hard on yourself. You are not supposed to be an expert at tertiary study straight away. It will take time to get settled. Also, don’t put expectations on yourself to get high results straight away. Above all, remember that university is not just about getting a degree, it’s about learning about yourself, forging strong friendships and developing life skills. Enjoy the ride!