I’m in my third year of studying at the University of Salford, and in a few months I’ll be finishing my course and graduating. It’s slightly unnerving and I cannot believe how quickly it has gone. It has given me a lot of opportunity though to reflect on the past few years and think about how far I’ve come in since starting in first year.
If I could go back to the beginning of my time at Salford and give my first year self some advice, this is what I’d say to myself:
Don’t worry
Coming to a city like Salford from a small town was such a culture shock at the time and I was very apprehensive & unsure about what life would be like for me. I had come to an Offer Holder Day a few months before starting, but September was the first opportunity for me to get stuck in with university life. Throwing myself in the deep end was terrifying but looking back, it was one of the best things I could have done.
Make the most of it
As I said at the start of this post, my three years at Salford have gone really quickly and it doesn’t feel like I’m about to graduate in a few months. Because of this, I’d say make the most of every opportunity given to you. Manchester & Salford have so much to offer, not just for your studies & work opportunities but for leisure as well, and there are lots of activities for you to get up to in your spare time away from the classroom.
Don’t forget your studies
People sometimes say “first year doesn’t count”, and whilst for most courses the first year of your course doesn’t count towards your final degree, it’s still important that you pass so you can carry on studying. That being said, try not to worry too much about your assignments. The jump from higher education to university is something they don’t warn you about and it can be a lot (it was for me!) but the University offers lots of support if you are struggling.
Focus on yourself
It’s easy to get lost in the heat of the moment and remember where you are. Imposter syndrome is something I struggle with a lot, and there were times in first year where I wasn’t sure how I managed to get into university and I felt very out of place. Now that I’m in my third year, this has improved and I can be proud of myself for what I’ve achieved. Don’t be afraid to be a bit selfish and put your own mental & physical wellbeing first if you need to.