It is a well known fact that high school and university are two completely different landscapes. The shifts in academic expectations, social dynamics, and personal responsibilities are not an easy adjustment to make as the comforting routines of high school give way to the uncharted territories of university.
Undoubtedly, this may be an understandably intimidating sentiment to most who are embarking on this significant transition. This article will serve as a guide on this pivotal journey, offering insights, strategies and practical advice to navigate this new terrain.
The Differences
I think its vital that we get the academic stuff out of the way first, so lets talk about what is going to be expected of you at university. In high school, students are accustomed to structured timetables, closely guided curricula and a familiar circle of friends that they may have known throughout their 5 years but as they transition into university, they are thrown head-first into a world of autonomy and self-discovery.
As a first year student myself, I’ve stumbled around the concept of self-management and I’m still adjusting to this idea. For instance, where in high school, you would receive a timetable from your school and have a certain class at a certain time etc., but university demands a higher level of independence and self-learning. You create your own timetables for a class (though this may vary depending on the university)and both you and the lecturer can decide whether or not you want to show up (just kidding!- slightly).
Advice 1:
You’ll also most likely have to navigate through complex course materials, manage your time effectively and find resources by yourself; so this calls for our first word of advice: ALWAYS ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP. Especially during the beginning while you are still adjusting to the new environment, this means you should be taking advantage of resources like lecturers office hours, study groups, YouTube (and the internet as a whole) and the library which would have most of the recommended texts from your lecturers.
Advice 2:
Another more obvious piece of advice would be to actually ATTEND YOUR LECTURES no matter how boring they may be they are still essential.
Advice 3:
Beyond academics, the social dynamics of university are entirely different from those of high school. Building new friendships and finding a sense of belonging after being surrounded by familiar people for so many years can be challenging and as much as we may plan to be friends with our high school besties it might not always work out, and so here comes our third piece of advice; BE OPEN TO NEW RELATIONSHIPS. University, presents the opportunity to broaden your social circle and find even more people with your niche of interests due to the sheer number of people on campus. So get involved, join the available student clubs and organisations, go to different events and surely you’ll meet like-minded individuals. However, it is important to choose your social circles wisely and to not get distracted by the newness and independence that university may bring with it; especially if you’ve moved out of your parents house. Remember that you need to leave with your degree.
Advice 4:
Effective time management is another crucial skill for navigating university. With the honestly crazy number of academic, extracurricular and personal commitments; you have to learn to prioritise tasks and set realistic goals for yourself. You can’t do twenty things in one day just to free up your weekends and you can’t just put off your tasks either so you’ll have to find a good balance. Finding an equilibrium between work and your personal interests is going to be essential to your mental well-being… Start planning out your days, keep track of all your assignments, quizzes and tests and do your best to not delay anything; PROCRASTINATION IS THE ENEMY, we all know this in theory but not procrastinating is something that can be so difficult to do at times what with our shortened attention spans and social media addictions- I know you may hate to hear this but it might actually be a good idea to switch off your phone or work with music to prevent doom scrolling on apps like Instagram and TikTok instead of getting your work done.
Advice 5:
Additionally, the shift from high school to university is not without its financial considerations. Tuition fees, textbooks and living expenses can quickly add up so make sure that you have planned for this endeavour be it with help from your parents or guardians, financial aid or both. Also make sure to SET UP A MONTHLY BUDGET that covers all of your necessary expenses and adjust it wherever you have to. Due to the fact that some may not be as fortunate as others it is also possible to explore part time jobs and part time study options during your time at university, this is definitely a more difficult route but with good planning it most certainly is possible, so don’t let this be one of the reasons that you may choose not to pursue your degree. Exploring other options such as gap years in order to save up for university are also just as valid. Always remember that your journey is yours and you don’t have to compete with anybody to get to the finish line, anybody can start and end at anytime, life is not a race.
Ultimately, the transition from high school to university is a journey of personal and intellectual growth, filled with challenges, opportunities and self-discovery. By embracing this journey, seeking support where needed and staying resilient in the face of adversity you will come out on the other side not only with your degree but with a wealth of wisdom that will last you a lifetime.
So, here goes our last piece of advise STAY STRONG; yes there will be tears and stress but as the saying goes, “tough times never last, only tough people do.” So, as you embark on this transformative odyssey, remember to seize the opportunities, embrace the challenges and most importantly; enjoy your time.
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