A GUIDE TO FIRST YEAR

The do’s and don'ts of succeeding at University

DON’T treat university like high school

 University is a considerable step up from high school, therefore you should not approach it
in the same way
 The workload is much higher
 The content will not be spoon-fed and you will be required to develop and apply critical
thinking skills to the ideas, instead of merely memorizing the information
 Nobody will be there to push you along
DON’T skip on your classes

 University lectures are recorded but it isn’t a good idea to miss lectures and rely on the
recordings
 You’ll spend far more time learning the content on your own than actually going to the
class, where you’ll be able to ask questions.
 Workshops and tutorials also provide a deeper understanding of the lecture content
which will help you consolidate the information well, so don’t miss these either.
 There is also a very strong correlation between attendance and high grades.
DON’T leave anything for the last minute

 Leaving revision and assignments for the very last minute may have worked in high school
but it won’t in University. Don’t do it.
 With the amount of content being taught, and the deeper level of thinking required, in
order to gain a decent mark, you need to put in the time.
 Even just starting the day of can really help since it’s often the hardest part of any
assignments
DON’T overcommit

 Having commitments outside of university can be a good way to take time away from
studying, or make money if you decide to take on a part-time job.
 However, these shouldn’t in any way interfere with your academic commitments
 10hrs is the maximum time recommended for part time jobs
 Other activities and commitments should follow a similar time allocation for the best results
in your assessments
DON’T do all nighters

 Whatever you do, do not make ”all nighters” a regular thing

 All nighters make it so much more difficult to focus on in classes the next day.
 You won’t be able to retain the information, which will mean catching up and creating
more unnecessary work.
 Don’t do all nighters
 Don’t do it
DO manage your time well

 University doesn’t actually have to be as stressful as everybody says it is

 Learning time management is vital to achieving the best possible results in your first year of
university with the least amount of stress
 Be sure to create an assessment schedule either on a document or in your calendar
 Keep a planner diary to track your events/meetings and to allocate specific time to spend
on an assignment/studying for a test on a day to day basis
 You should plan your study for the current week/days in accordance to the tests and
assessments you have due the coming week (or month depending on the scale of the
assignment/test)
DO establish routine

 Having a regular study routine is the easiest way to get into a a good “flow” for the
semester
 Routines
 You should be aiming for roughly 40 hours of personal study per week (about 8 hours each
day from Monday to Friday)
 Find out when and where you focus best and work the 8 hours into your daily schedule
 Having a routine for non study related things are also helpful (from your morning routine to
your gym routine).
 Stick to your routine
DO figure out your study methods

 Knowing the right study methods will mean you’re studying smarter, not harder (getting
the most out of time spent)
 The best study method I’ve used so far is the Pomodoro technique. What I would've spent
an hour or two working on can take me only 20-40m.
 Past papers are also very effective and give an indication of how well you’re actually
tracking.
 Ensure you revisit information the same day. This will help the information stick better in the
long run, saving time spent re learning a whole module.
 There are plenty of other methods out there, but make sure you find what works best for
you.
DO ask for help

 Everybody has difficulties in University and there are things in place to help
 Academics
 Make sure to ask questions in your lectures if you need
 Your lecturers have office hours if you need to discuss any of the content
 There may be tutorials specific for providing extra help to those who need it
 Extensions, compassionate consideration, aegrotats.
 Pastoral:
 University provides health and counselling services for all students
 Support groups
 Student advisors
 No matter the situation, it’s important to reach out so that you can do your absolute best
at university.
DO prioritize self care

 Physical, mental and emotional health are often pushed aside, however these absolutely
key to succeeding at university
 Keep a regular sleep schedule
 Eat well, especially breakfast
 Take regular study breaks
 Exercise
 Spend time with friends and family
 Don’t stress