5 Things I wish I knew before I started University

Hiya!

My name is Angel. I'm 20 years old and currently studying my second year of Marketing at Ulster University. A part of my Digital Analytics module I have created an engaging blog. I'm completely clueless when it comes to writing a blog and have no idea where to start with this so here goes anyway.  

I've decided to do my first blog post on 5 things I wish someone had told me before I started university based on my own experience now as a second year student. I moved to Belfast in September 2020 with no idea about where I was, no ides where to go and I literally knew no one my own age. 

1.  Go to every social event you get invited to. This is important if you want to make friends and it's also so much fun. Freshers week will be one of the best weeks of your life. You may feel overwhelmed by everything going on at the start but it does calm down after a few weeks so its important to get involved while it's happening. 

2. You don't need to buy the whole of IKEAs kitchen department. You will never use 10 plates yourself and the chances are the people you live with will also have so much as well. A few pots, plates and glasses will be more than enough. But do buy extra forks because somehow they always seem to go missing and if your having a party, ALWAYS buy plastic cups unless you want to wake up in the morning with nothing to drink from because believe me, this will happen. 

3. You are not alone. Everyone is just as clueless and scared as you on the first day and literally no one knows where to go. Campus buildings are huge and look like they have about a million different rooms. My best advice is to text someone off your course to meet you somewhere before you go in, it'll be easier to find the room when two of you are looking (and it also gives you someone to sit beside on the first day).

4. University is nothing like school. School classes and uni classes are not the same. Your lecturers will never chase after you if don't hand in your assignments on time, so keep track of your due dates and any deadlines you have, you don't want to miss them. Also take notes in your classes because lecturers drop hints for tests and exam questions a lot!

5. Online classes are NOT the easy option. If you have the choice to physically go to class or just join in online, just go to the class. Don't get me wrong, the dread of having to get out of your bed in the morning is horrible but it'll be worth it. There are so many more distractions when trying to work from your bedroom than in a lecture hall and leaving your desk to go make a cup of tea will probably result in you missing out on the most useful part of the lecture. 

Enjoy yourself! Don't stress too much because stressing causes wrinkles. Honestly, it's the best time of your life, just have fun! 

- Angel xo