Top Tips from other Birmingham Students

Top Tips from other Birmingham Students

Starting university can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it all out on your own. We've asked Birmingham students to share the advice they wish they'd received, so you can learn from their experiences. 

What I Wish I Knew in My First Year by Andeep EDI Student Ambassador 25/26

Starting University is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Alongside studying a subject you are passionate about, you will be learning how to live independently, manage your time, build new friendships and adapt to a new environment. My first year was certainly not perfect, but I learnt lots and it helped build the foundation for the rest of my university experience.   

Welcome Week  

Welcome Week takes place before teaching begins and is your first opportunity to settle into university life, meet new people and explore what the University has to offer.   

Top Tips:  

• Attend the Guild Welcome Fair, and if you are in the College of Medicine and Health, the MedSoc Welcome Fair. These events are great opportunities to discover societies, sports clubs and volunteering opportunities. You might even pick up a few freebies along the way!   

• Don’t feel pressured to attend every event. One mistake I made was thinking I needed to make the most of every opportunity immediately. It is also important to give yourself time to rest and adjust to a new environment. If you can’t attend an event, try reaching out to the organising team to see if they can send you further details about opportunities later in the year.  

• Welcome Week is often associated with nights out and alcohol, but there is no expectation to engage with either! There are plenty of alcohol-free events and opportunities to socialise in other ways. Make sure to look out for specific Sober events put on by the Guild.  

• You don’t need to find your friendship group immediately. Some of my closest friendships were formed during university, so there are plenty of opportunities to make friends even after Welcome.   

• Use this week to familiarise yourself with campus, locate teaching buildings and meet your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT). I also recommend learning to navigate Canvas, and ensure all your logins work.   

Autumn Term (September – December)  

Once Welcome Week has finished, the academic year begins. This term can be a big adjustment, and I found that my studying habits learned at Sixth Form or College wouldn’t work at university.   

Top Tips:  

• Use the first few weeks to experiment with different study techniques. What worked previously may not be the most effective approach at university. Discuss approaches with peers and friends and remember what works for someone else may not work for you. If you need help finding your feet academically, reach out to your PAT, the academics on your programme or the Academic Skills Centre!  

• Keep track of assessment deadlines, teaching sessions and other important dates using a digital calendar. Make sure to give yourself enough time to prepare.  

• For some, this will be the first time living independently. Try and build a routine and schedule both study time and personal time to maintain a healthy balance. Try to review content in short sessions if that is easier as this can make a big difference later in the year. Also don’t forget to budget to ensure your funds are spread out throughout the year.   

• It may seem that everyone else has everything figured out, but most students are still adjusting and facing similar challenges! You don’t need to attend every lecture having fully understood the content – University learning is designed to be challenging, and its okay if you don’t understand something first time.   

• Get involved in societies, sports clubs or volunteering opportunities! These experiences are a great way to meet new people and develop your extra-curricular skills and personal attributes.   

• Homesickness is common, even if you are enjoying University. Many students experience periods of missing home, family or familiar surroundings. Make sure to reach out for wellbeing support from your College Wellbeing Team or the UBHeard Team if you feel this is impacting your studies.   

Spring Term (January – March)  

By this stage, University life will feel more familiar. It is the point where you may establish habits and get into routines.   

Top Tips:  

• Stay organised with assessments and deadlines. This term always goes much faster than expected!  

• Take time to reflect on the previous term, and where you would like to improve. If you receive feedback on coursework or assessments, make sure to engage with it and make changes to your study techniques.  

• Start thinking ahead to the summer examination period, as small amounts of revision can reduce stress later. It is common for deadlines and assessments to fall close together, so early planning can prevent stress later.  

• Some societies may also start recruiting for new committees later in this Term! I highly recommend getting involved in your second year, so now is a great time to think about it. You might also want to check out the Birmingham Award for inspiration.   

Summer Term (April – June)  

As examinations approach, it is easy to focus entirely on revision but make sure to look after yourself to ensure you perform your best academically.  

Top Tips:  

• Create a realistic revision timetable early and ensure you have enough time to cover the content that you would like. This avoids the last-minute cram and stress!   

• I recommend breaking revision into manageable chunks, and experimenting with different study environments such as the library, cafes or group study spaces to keep yourself going. Library spaces often become busy by midday, so I recommend starting early!  

• Make use of any formative assessments and revision resources provided by your programme team, and revisit previous assessment feedback if that is relevant to your upcoming assessments.   

• If you are struggling academically or personally, seek support early rather than waiting until examinations are close. It is important to flag concerns so you can be supported, and extenuating circumstances considered if this is applicable in your situation.   

• Burnout is common, and revising for long hours without breaks is unsustainable. Make sure to get some fresh air, sleep, and carve time out for yourself. While it can often feel that studying is important, a break can boost productivity in the long run!  

• Think about what you will be doing over summer, your first academic year is nearly over! If you are returning home, consider if you would like a summer job. Also consider volunteering, going on holiday or other things to fill your time before the next year begins. Congratulations on getting to the end of your first year at University!