Age 16-18
Make the most out of student life – and don’t sweat the small stuff!
As we edge closer to the end of the first term, we have put together some tips for students who may still be reeling from the onslaught of all that a new place of education can bring.
New lessons, new timetable, new teachers, new people, new environment, new journey to get there… the list goes on!
Some former students have told us that their first year at college wasn’t quite what they expected – even though they’d done their research and thought they were well prepared! A few said they found it overwhelming at times and they didn’t always make the right choices.
So, here are five tips they have shared that could help you as you navigate this exciting journey:
- Take every opportunity to develop your skills
Qualifications are obviously very important for your future but the college experience is about so much more than having your head in a book. Don’t just rely on your lessons to learn – take time to develop other skills outside of your course.
Take up a new hobby, volunteer or join one of the many enrichment clubs and societies offered at college. It’s all free and you may never get the chance again!
Taking advantage of these opportunities not only helps you to grow as a person but also helps make your college experience more fulfilling. Plus, you never know when that new skill you’ve learned may come in handy further down the road.
- Friendships – quality over quantity is best
You will meet lots of new people and it is an exciting time – there are those students in your classes, there are those who you regularly bump into in the library, there are those who always hang out in the restaurant, there are those who are part of the same sports team or society as you… it’s very easy to feel that you need to be friends with everyone!
The thing is, it’s better to have a few close friends who genuinely look out for you and are your support network, than to spread yourself thinly by socialising with anyone and everyone.
Deep connections with close friends are far more rewarding than just being part of the crowd.
- Results don’t define you
Yes they are important but they are not the be all and end all. They don’t reflect your late nights studying, all the deadlines you made, your academic growth, or every moment you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s hard when you are not getting the grades you think you deserve but what is really important is how you keep going, keep trying, and don’t give up.
Be kind to yourself and learn from your mistakes. You’ll get there in the end.
- Don’t worry about the unexpected
Sometimes college will throw a curve-ball at you. It’s full of the unexpected – good and bad – and can sometimes make you feel like you are not in control. Letting go and embracing the unforeseen can be a game-changer.
Quite often those things you never saw coming can bring the best experiences. Learning how to roll with the ups and downs is half the battle and sometimes a slightly chaotic day rather than a planned schedule is exactly what’s needed to feel free and invigorated.
- Ask away!
Questions are there to be asked! Always ask for help if you need it. Your teachers and support staff want to help you do the best you can and no one expects you to have all the answers straightaway. The more you ask, the more you will learn and the more confident you will become in speaking up. Don’t have any regrets – ask away!
And finally
It’s easy to worry about everything – exams, deadlines, presentations, what you will do after college – but try not to get caught up in that vicious circle. Live in the present, make some memories and enjoy the ride! Those two years go faster than you think.
