Your First Week on a New Course – How to Survive!

Starting a new full-time course can be an exciting, but daunting time! The first week particularly is the one where emotions and demands come fast, furious and full-on and can leave you struggling to survive. So, now’s the time to consider how to get through it all across three areas of student life which have a big ‘first-week’ impact – the environmental, social and academic sides of studying a new course …

1. Environmental essentials

The chances are you’re not just settling into the course, you’re also settling into new accommodation away from home, so you might appreciate a little advice for not only making the most of this new environment, but also enjoying it:

• Pack the essentials! Essentials are those things that you take for granted back home, but once you’re in your new accommodation, you’ll quickly notice they’re missing! Regular student essentials include a tin opener, bottle opener and a wok (the most popular multi-use, minimum-washing-up-pan for many students), dressing gown for comfort and a quick cover-up, and an extension lead or multipoint plug because power points are usually scarce or ill-placed in most student digs! Other practical essentials include emergency items like a first aid kit and any over-the-counter medicines you may need, such as paracetamol. Oh, and bring ear plugs ready for when you’ve got an exam the next day and your flatmates are partying!
• Check accommodation Before you settle in, check your accommodation carefully, taking photos of any dings or damage which is already there, then let your landlord know. Even if it’s minor damage that doesn’t need repair, photograph and report it straight off so that when it’s eventually repaired, the cost doesn’t come out of your deposit!
• Own your space Then, claim the space as your own! Personalising your walls with posters, pictures and photographs is a great way to start feeling at home, whilst a snug mattress topper and bedding can help you settle comfortably, even if the bed itself has seen better days.
• Prevent costly lockouts Emergency replacement keys from landlords can be very costly so, once you have the keys, prepare for key-based emergencies by getting a spare cut and leaving it with a trusted friend.
• Practical and personal preparation Pack your ID and necessary paperwork separately and remember to bring it – you’ll need it throughout the first week for essential early actions such as signing into your courses and joining the local GP surgery.
• Think transport and travel Even if you’re living on campus, think about ongoing transport and travel costs. Check out all your potential routes to see whether you need to fund railcards, bus pass or buy a second-hand bike. This bit of research not only helps you to decide the best ways to get about, but also helps you familiarise with timings of journeys across your new locality, helping you avoid being late to classes or paying a fortune getting around.
• New place, new pace? Prepare for the fact that the first week might reveal an environment that’s completely different to back home. If you’ve come to a major city from a small town, the city could easily seem hyper-exciting or overwhelming in equal measures, whilst studying in a more rural area could mean the night-life and local services you’re used to are missing, so you’ll need to be more resourceful.

2. Socially speaking

New students have lots to say about the social side of settling into a new course, because having a strong social network can make a difference to how you settle … and study!

• Making friends In the TV comedy ‘Off the Hook’ the newbie student who stayed behind a shut bedroom door for the term was nicknamed “Weird Bloke” but the joke was – because no one ever saw her, no-one knew she was female! So, even if you’re shy, once you get into your accommodation, open your door and come out of the room – it’s the only way to make new friends!
• Join in social events The first weeks of new courses often involve ‘getting-to-know-you’ socials or events for ‘Freshers Week’, so you can get to know other students and your surroundings. Do join in, but not necessarily with everything, otherwise, you risk running out of time, energy and cash before you hit the second week of study!
• Recognise you’re not alone You’re surrounded by new people you don’t know, but it’s important to recognise that you’re not alone: it’s the same for most of those others too, as feeling homesick, wrestling with the demands of study or struggling with that small-pond-to-big-pond feeling is surprisingly common, as Emefa Setranah explained in a recent Guardian article: “Like so many other new students, I struggled in my first few weeks. I felt bombarded with different experiences. But what I failed to realise was that everyone around me, no matter where they were from, was experiencing something similar.” So, be mindful of the fact that many people around you may actually feel the same as you do, and be open to showing empathy for others. Helping someone else not only creates a bond, but may also reduce your own feelings of loneliness and overwhelm.
• And remember that you’re not alone … The chances are you’re sharing accommodation, so you’re hardly ever likely to be alone when it comes to physical space. However, those you’re sharing accommodation with may be on other courses and have different exam schedules, study and work times to you, so whilst playing loud music may help you write essays, it could be a problem for the person in the next room. Use headphones and be considerate to avoid early misunderstandings and new friend fall-outs!

3. Academic Advice

Ultimately you’re there to study. Achieving a balance which allows you to study and rest effectively. can require a bit of juggling to start with, but Event Academy alumni who’ve survived the rigours of study advise …

• Schedule your studies Don’t ever leave things till the last minute or night before. Creating a study schedule around your lectures, workshops and seminars organises your time for ongoing work demands such as essay deadlines and seminar preparation, and for additional work such as revision and assignments. Use calendars, notebooks, dry-wipe wall organisers, online study tools, whatever works best for you, but do create a study schedule as soon as you’ve got your timetable!
• Schedule for the unexpected When you’re setting up that schedule, don’t just allocate your study time and assume that the remaining time is free for socialising and sleep! Instead, factor in at least an extra hour of ‘flexible study’ daily. In the early days, this hour will be useful for starting course reading or getting to know the tutors and library routines, but as the term progresses with deadlines and revision, you’ll have an already-scheduled pocket of time!
• Back up your work We all use computer methods for note taking and essay writing and lots of us take these methods for granted – until it all goes wrong! Losing work can cause missed deadlines and low grades, so always backup your work.
• Ask your questions Questions frequently spring to mind in the first week, but don’t dismiss them. Instead, make a list of questions as you go – and don’t be afraid to ask them! Use all methods available to you – Q&As, workshops and tutorials and if tutors have shared their email for contact, don’t be afraid to use this method too.
• Locate the library Induction sessions at the library will help you familiarise with the opening times, routines, layout and availability of workstations. Make use of the library but do keep a note of due-back dates to avoid fines for overdue books – these can quickly mount up!
• Vary your study methods When you’re exploring your new location, keep your studies in mind. Check out local parks and places to go when the weather’s good, as taking books outside brings a welcome burst of fresh air. Similarly, using an audio version of a reading-list book and going for a brisk walk whilst listening gets you moving whilst learning.

And finally, our alumni have all been where you are now and, along with our lecturers, can share a golden rule for the first weeks: get used to doing things as you go, to save you time and stress later in the term! Seriously, sorting it now rather than later is a way of using your time wisely, which will really help that first week in your new course – and beyond!