Surviving in University?

By: Anis Athirah Bt. Muhamad Razuhanafi

Going to our dream university is such a dream come true. Most of us would agree that going to university is one of the most exciting experiences because you get to meet so many new people and gain so much new knowledge. It is also one of the most difficult times in our lives because it is usually our first extended period of living away from home. With the pandemic already in effect, going to campus may be unsettling because we are accustomed to spending long periods of time at home, where our parents manage everything. So, here are a few good tips to help you adapt to your new surroundings and begin your first year of university successfully.

1.Make some new and good friends.

Finding good friends is one of the most important things to do once you get into university because they will always be there for you during your studies. They are the ones who will motivate you, advise you, and influence you in any way. It is beneficial if you are good at making new friends. Universities are more than just places to learn. It is also a place where lifelong friendships are formed. As a result, it is important to socialise with your new colleagues, but make sure that it has a positive influence on you.

2.Manage your time effectively.Time management is essential for maintaining a healthy study-life balance because it is easy to become distracted with everything, especially when your parents are not present to chastise you for not studying, doing laundry, spending too much time on social media, and other activities. You understand what I mean, don't you? As a result, making good friends is critical to assisting you with your studies. Set a goal to not engage in that behaviour during dedicated study time, no matter what is wasting your time. Instead, use those activities as a reward for remaining focused and completing the tasks at hand. By managing your time diligently, you can avoid procrastinating on your work, which can lead to stress and a variety of other stress-related health problems. Understand your priorities. You must remember that your parents have made numerous sacrifices to get you into universities, so it is important that you give them your success as a gift.

3.Manage your financial

As soon as you begin your life at the university, you will realise that you will need to spend money on a variety of things, including food, books, means of transportation, essential items, and a great deal more. If you did not exercise responsible management of the money that was entrusted to you by your parents, you will be left destitute at the end of the month. When you get your monthly allowance from your parents, try not to get too excited to go shopping; instead, make sure that you properly manage your money. Figure out how to properly allocate your money by determining which payments are the most essential before making any others. When you make a budget and keep track of your spending habits, you gain visibility into how your monthly income is being spent and where you can make reductions in order to meet your financial goals. If you choose to live on a budget, this does not mean that you will never be able to have any fun; rather, it ensures that the fun you do have will not prevent you from being able to pay for your other essential things.

4.Improve your communication skills

Are you more of a solitary person? Then, now is the time for you to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. If you continue to live in your comfort zone, you will never achieve the level of success you desire. “You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.” - Roy T. Bennett. At university, you will interact with a wide variety of people from all over the world, in addition to those from your own country. This will give you the opportunity to learn about new cultures and gain new perspectives. Believe me when I say that you are not the only one who has experienced feelings of intimidation when in the company of someone like this; some of us might also experience feelings of discomfort when we are in their company. So, do not be afraid!. It can actually benefit you in the long run for your future career if you communicate with the other students, the lecturers, or even the staff there. This is what the industry refers to as networking. Talking to different people will allow you to pick up as much information as possible. If you don't use the English language very often in conversation, you should start doing so right away so that you will become accustomed to it and won't feel embarrassed when you do use it. Put out of your mind what other people think about you. If you think that what you are doing is something that will make your parents proud, then you should go ahead with it.

After you have been accepted to the university of your dreams, you can put these important pieces of advice to use. Always take a moment to remind yourself why you are attending university, and never forget the sacrifices that your parents have made on your behalf to ensure that your primary motivation for attending university has not shifted. Going to college does not preclude one from having a social life or enjoying themselves in any way. Absolutely, so long as you don't shirk the responsibilities that come along with being a student and a child to your parents. You're free to go ahead and do it. Get plenty of rest, maintain a healthy diet, and keep active. You should strive to make the most of the time you spend learning at universities.