Our Students Survival Guide

No doubt you’re fully aware (and perhaps very happy) that going to university is going to be very different from going to school. It’s your time to step out into the big wide world and become fully independent. That might sound a little daunting but we’re going to share some tips on how to make university one of the best times of your life.

All-nighters are NOT a good idea

You may hear stories of students staying up all night working on their essays but there is no reason you should need to study until 5am unless you have your priorities all wrong. There’s nothing worse than spending all day out with friends then working a late shift only to come home and start Uni work knowing you have a 9am lecture. A decent night’s sleep is vitally important so get your studies done first, socialise after that and make sure you’re in for a reasonable time.

Your student loan will NEVER be enough

In an ideal world your student loan would cover your rent, food, travel, and all your Uni expenses but sadly that’s not how it often works out. The harsh truth is that your student loan probably won’t cover everything so do the maths and if you’re going to be left short start looking for a part-time job if you haven’t done so already.

Living off fast food & microwave meals is not a good idea

You might be tempted into thinking that takeaways and cheap microwave meals are the way to go due to lack of time and money, but you’ll be spending a lot more than you need to if you do this. Not only does it take a toll on your bank balance but your waistline too. Here’s a much better idea, one day a week when you have some free time, batch cook your meals. By doing this, you’ll be saving yourself money and freeing up more time to study. You can freeze your meals for a whole week or even a month and then microwave them as needed.

The ‘First Year Doesn’t Count’ Myth

Well, we’ve all heard this one before, especially, from 1st year students. It’s an easy thing to think when you’re lacking motivation and feeling tired but even if the grades that you get in the first year don’t count towards your final grade it doesn’t mean that this year can be spent putting in zero effort. It’s all experience and still a huge part of your learning.

Work Experience is VERY Helpful

Many students tend to leave their work experience until the last minute making it harder for them to gain the relevant experience they need. Today, employers expect to see more on your CV than just a degree. A degree shows a prospective employer that you have studied this subject and have done well which is fantastic, but they’ll also be looking to see what other skills you have and how you can adapt into their working environment. So, don’t leave it until the last minute to find the work experience relevant to you.

We hope that you have found today’s blog ‘Our Students Survival Guide’, useful and if you still need help finding student accommodation in Sheffield, please contact us today.