8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Uni.

I spent four rollercoaster years at university in London, studying Fashion. I started out with barely passing foundation year to coming out with a First class BA Hons. Speaking from experience, this is the blog post I wish I read before starting uni.

I don’t know if it’s because I moved country to go to uni but I didn’t know anything about how university works. I didn’t understand the grading system, I didn’t know what happens at the end and I wasn’t ready for the teaching style. My understanding was that university helps you get a job and it’s what you do after 6th form.

I’m not going to explain the ins and outs of those very things but I will give you pointers on what you should expect and what to research.

Here are 8 things I wish I knew before going to uni. 

1. If you were to understand one point, it’s that university is not high-school.

   Nobody is going to chase you if you don’t do the work, you have to go to them. There are so many students, that the tutors don’t have time to care for you as an individual until you build a relationship with them.

   The teaching style is different. This comes especially with art school, the teachers are eccentric and that’s what makes them good at what they do. There aren’t as many rules about how they’re meant to teach, so expect some swearing and getting tipsy with them at the end-of-the-year art show.

2. At university you are building a portfolio, so don’t just complete an assignment, make it yours.

   A portfolio is either a digital or physical book to show off your work. It’s your key to getting a job. The more great work you have to show, the better chances you have. So make the most of every project and make it your own because it’s your chance to show off your unique skills.

   What I didn’t realise is that every assignment they give you is an opportunity to show off your skills to future employers. I treated the first few assignments with the attitude of just wanting to pass but I wasn’t very proud of them when I had to create my portfolio at the end of third year.

   At the end of the day, you are paying the money to go there and if you don’t make the most of it, the only person you are letting down is yourself.

3. Your final year is when you get to write a dissertation.

   This is your entry into the world of academia in which you get to have a voice. Think about what it is you have to say.

   You will be marked on the uniqueness of the topic you write about. So start thinking about what interests you and what ideologies you could bring to the world which set you apart from everyone else.

   If you’re interested in learning more about what a dissertation is, read What Is a Dissertation? | 5 Essential Questions to Get Started.

4. The first year is there to have fun, make sure you pass but don’t miss out on the fun, it’s the freest you’ll be during uni.

   I’ll be honest and openly say I didn’t go to uni for the degree. Although it can help, I don’t really think it’s all that important. I wanted to go to uni for the experience, to have stories to tell and to grow as a person. It was my first chance to experience real independence as well.

   Uni is a lot more than learning a degree, you learn how to put yourself out there, money management, cook and do your laundry (if don’t already know how). I was still in my ‘party-girl era’ when I got to uni and thankfully I got it out of my system in the first few years when it didn’t matter as much to my final grade.

   Looking back, I wish I did attend more classes because I paid for the education and parties are always going to be there but I’m glad I managed to come out on top in the end. The point is that you need to find the right balance between having fun and keeping up with your studies. You’ve got to work hard to play hard.

5. The friends you make in your first week will likely change, don’t be afraid to move around friend groups.

   Freshers week is when you’ll get to meet all the new people joining uni, some will be younger, some older and there is a whole different mix of people. If it makes you nervous, remember that everyone is going through the exact same experience and are also nervous.

   There will be those that cling to you out of fear, don’t be afraid to make friends with lots of people. Naturally, people will solidify into their own groups after the first few weeks. It’s okay to be a part of more than one friend group. It’s good not to rely too heavily on one person because not everyone actually makes it to the end of uni.

   Usually, you are put into a house-share with people of similar backgrounds so there’s no need to stress about making friends, you can build relationships with people in your flat.

   I recommend also joining a club that genuinely interests you and that’s where you’ll make friends with common interests.

6. Don’t be the shitty flat-mate.

   Things not to do: Eat their food, be really loud if it’s late and they’re trying to sleep, not talk to your flatmates and leave the place a mess. Just (grow up and) do your dishes.

   Don’t be a pushover either. If you always clean up after them they will expect it. It’s okay to have a little give and take, like one day you do some and vice-versa.

   Try to be inclusive in the first few weeks. You’re all going through the same thing and it can be awfully lonely if you stay in your room alone. People around you can really make or break your uni experience, so try and include yourself in any invites or be the one to invite them. You might make some life-long friends.

7. Pick a course which brings you the most joy.

   I can’t speak for the other fields of study but when it comes to art, it doesn’t actually matter which degree you get because at the end of the day if you’re passionate about something and have the portfolio to prove it, you will get hired in that position when looking for a job.

   Don’t pick your course based on the job you want because things may change in a few years once you finish your degree. You will never regret picking something you genuinely enjoy.

   Don’t be afraid to change course either.
   In my experience, I started out in Fashion Design but soon came to realise I enjoyed the idea of it more than what it actually entails, which is mostly sewing. It was halfway through my first year when I decided to change to Fashion Marketing because I realised I’m a lot more passionate (and therefore better at) business in fashion and creative direction. In the end, I came out with a First class honours!

8. Uni is a chance to step into a new persona.

   What I don’t mean is trying to be someone you’re not because this can come off as inauthentic and you won’t make genuine friends. What I do mean is that this is a chance for a fresh start. If you’re lucky enough to move away from your hometown, people don’t know who you were back home, you get to tell them who you are.

   This could be your chance to step out of that old shell of your past, which was restricting you from growing. The person you start out to be at uni most likely won’t be the same you who comes out, so expect to change and embrace it too!

If you’d like to boost your self-confidence before uni starts, read my blog post on 9 Must-read Tips to Boost your Confidence.

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