Fearing "I Don't Know..."

The plan was to post my plans for 2nd Year, but that's not sorted yet. Sooo... I don't know what to write. Ironically, this post is titled 'I Don't Know' because what better chance is there for a post like this?

Before I came to university this phrase was always seen as a negative phrase to say and that you should avoid saying it. Here are some common examples:

• Not knowing your next steps or career path especially during sixth form/ college meant that teachers pressured you to need to have something in place right now.
  
  
• When you're not feeling good and when you're asked why you reply that you don't really know what's causing it, to which the person you're talking to replied "I can't help you then."
  
  
• Not having an answer to a question and then being called "useless" even though the person asking has no clue either.
  
  
• Not knowing the answer to a question is class to which your teacher exclaims that it's "simple" or telling you that you can't look at your notes because you "should know".
  
  
• Not yet having mastered a skill but wanting to, only to be shamed and told that it's "basic" to know.

I will assume that you have experienced many of these yourself. A lot of us, whether we like it or not, are afraid of not knowing. However, who are we all to judge others for not having yet gained certain skills or knowledge? After all, everything we know right now is known to us because we initially didn't know and were open to discover the answer to the unknown or made an effort to master a skill.

To put it forward (and I've said this before): we need to be ignorant to learn. That requires us to firstly admit our ignorance. Therefore, to say "I don't know" should be a good thing, right? If we all pretend to know everything then we wouldn't learn anything new.

As shown from the examples listed above, this isn't the case. Instead of it being used as an opportunity to pass on your knowledge or to teach a skill which could be of great benefit to society and the individual, the response from saying this phrase elicits a feeling of shame. I guess the fear of such negative responses stop us from gaining as much understanding as possible.

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In school, I was given the impression that to not know is not good enough. We had no choice but to know. There were several times where I would be in a class when a peer had been asked a question and instead of admitting they didn't know they would ramble on and on until the teacher picked up a point that loosely answered the question. Really, this pupil had no idea what they were talking about and would confess to their friend after class that they "still don't understand the answer".

On the other hand, we've all been in an uncomfortable situation where we haven't been able to answer a question (even after being promoted) but the teacher insists that you know it and won't let you go until you give the correct answer. Doing the first saves the embarrassment of holding up your peers. Yet how much do we learn from doing that? I presume not very much.

I also did a mock interview once and there was a segment where I spoke about my work experience in a reception class. I mentioned about a multi-cultural day I helped children learn words of animals in Spanish. The interviewer asked how I knew how to help them with a language I wasn't familiar with, to which I told them that I had Spanish lessons in primary so basics such as animals and colours came back to me quite easily. To my surprise they responded back by saying "Oh, that's good. Otherwise you would have had to pretend to know what you were doing".

It's no wonder why so many of us find it difficult to admit that we're lacking in skill or knowledge. It makes us seem incompetent. Probably more so than we are. It can damage our self-confidence and the way that others perceive us.

However, being at university now I have been very fortunate that my lecturers have made the experience of saying "I don't know" much more positive. They use it as an opportunity to promote learning and understanding. They don't make exclamations such as "you should know this" or "this is easy. There should be no reason why you shouldn't understand it" that make us feel embarrassed. If we go up to one of our academics and tell them that we don't understand or know how to do or work something out they always tell us that "it's okay" and will ask us specifically what we need help with. If we can't pinpoint it ourselves, they are happy to sit with us and work through the material to help us get to the bottom of it.

I mentioned this in this post but I have asked some questions which I was so so embarrassed that I have even asked my lecturers in the first place. Despite that, they have never been received negatively. Thinking back, I shouldn't have been embarrassed for asking. My lecturers had no problem making clarifications and explaining things to me. If I had never asked, I wouldn't have known the answer and that would have implicated the way I went about the remainder of my studies.

I've even had moments where I have needed to talk to someone but haven't been able to give a reason as to why I'm feeling a certain way, and as hard as it makes it for them to be able to give us direction with such limited information, they have always managed to open up a conversation to help me work it out.

They have also encouraged us to come as speak to them about work experience and career options if we are feeling lost with that to. This came as a surprise to me as I had always been told that "it's up to you. No one else can help you with that". Rather than being pressured by the need to know what direction we're heading in, there's more of a "We have time. We'll work it out together" kind of response. There's no fear or shame placed onto us this way.




It's given me a completely new perspective. The staff in the department have made me feel so much more comfortable in being able to send them and email or knock on their doors and ask for help. This is something that I previously found so nerve-wracking to do. They have taught me that there is no problem with saying "I don't know" as long as we are willing to turn the 'I don't know' into 'I know'. Maybe not a complete "I know" to begin with, but it shows that we are attempting to at the minimum. The same goes for direction whether that's career wise or personal development. I have no idea where I'm heading in a few years' time or even next week. It is so stressful but there are people there who can help me to explore all these different options and open my mind to ones which I may have never thought of beforehand.

It's okay not to know a piece of information, how to do something, how you're feeling, what you want to do in a few years' time, whether you're studying the right course, and so on. However, we do need to give ourselves the opportunity to say "This isn't right. I might not be sure why, but it's completely fine that I don't". These are generally the steps I take:

1. Fully acknowledge that you don't know what you're doing.
   
   
2. Try and pinpoint exactly why you're unsure (maybe it's a new experience that you have never encountered? Is there a specific bit for information that you can't work out to be able to gain a full understanding? Could it possibly be a process of elimination and experiencing several routes).
   
   
3. Break it down into smaller sections and work through it slowly to help with the above.
   
   
4. Try and figure it out independently. Use the resources around you (create a mind map, a list, do some research on Google, YouTube; leaflets if possible).
   
   
5. Still struggling to figure it out? Need help with gaining resources to help you out (as usually the case with work experience!)? Ask. You can go onto a related form and post questions, ask your friends or family member and see if they know; ask your teachers or other people you know who may have greater knowledge if you're looking for a specific answer. Someone you know will have an answer or know someone who can help.
   
   
6. Acknowledge that whatever it is you're seeking the answer to is reasonable. There's no need to feel embarrassed. You are willing to work things out and that that's all that matters.
   
   

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People might judge you, but like I have already said, whatever you're asking them is something that they also didn't know (how to do) once. Someone else taught them and you're asking them to teach you or to use their knowledge to support you in figuring whatever it is out. Remind them of that.

Therefore, we need to be aware of giving others the opportunity to take from us when they are feeling a bit lost to. This is without them feeling embarrassed that they need to ask, because there's no problem with not knowing.

We are constantly learning throughout life. Out of general curiosity, the need to know essential skills, to reach is certain goal; to get to know ourselves better. We have to remember that we know what we know because we have learned with the help of other people, whether that is someone writing a textbook, information booklet, creating a video, physically showing you how to do a task, or even just by having a conversation.
 
Keep being curious. Keep asking questions. Keep up with giving yourself the chance to explore new experiences. Finally, keep sharing your skills and knowledge and using it to help others because there is nothing better than finally feeling like you have taken a step forward in the right direction or the relief of being able to master a skill that you need to or would like to without someone making negative judgements. 

That is what we should know.

A Guide to University Contact Hours

When I asked for blog post suggestions a few of you wanted a post explaining the difference between the types of contact hours that you will have at university.

This was something that I was also confused with before coming to uni to, so I hope this post is able to make it more understandable for you.

Firstly, let's address what a contact hour is.
Contact hours refers to the amount of time you spend being taught by an academic or another faculty member. These are the lectures/ seminars/ tutorials/ practicals which you are expected to attend. They are all compulsory.

In the latter part of this post I will briefly talk about optional and other 'out-of-contact-hours' activities that you be expected to participate in outside of your contact hours.

How will my attendance be recorded?
Most universities have an electronic system where you scan your ID card as you go into one of your contact hours, which then automatically records your attendance. At Warwick, we don't have this. We are expected to show up and take responsibility over our own attendance. However, there are monitoring points throughout each term where you will mark your attendance with your lecturer or personal tutor.

How many contact hours will I have?
There's no one answer to this. This will vary between departments and between universities.
You and your friend can be studying the exact same degree title at different universities and will have very different amounts of contact hours.

Karolina Grabowska | Pixabay

This is confusing to get your head around to begin with, but another thing to keep in mind is that you need to check your timetable every week as it won't be stable. Whilst lectures generally remain fixed, everything else is constantly changing every few weeks especially if you have multiple professors teaching a single module.

For example, in Term 1, Education Studies students had 14 contact hours a week. However, when it came to Term 2 this changed to some weeks having 11 hours and other weeks as little as 9 hours. One of my flatmates only had 12 hours a week despite doing a joint course.

In 1st Year I had on average 15 contact hours a week varying between 14-16 hours. This academic year, I will only have 9-10 in Term 1, but up to 14 in Term 2 as a result of how my module choices have worked out.

Now that you know what a contact hour is, I'm going to move onto breaking it down into different types of contact hours and what to expect from them.

Lectures
These are classes you will have with your whole course group or everyone who is taking that module if it's an optional choice. They are usually split into 1 and 2 hour sessions but can last up to 3 hours. Your lecturer will stand up front and deliver a presentation of the topic being covered in that session using aids such as photos, videos, and maybe even quick mini activities throughout the session.  They often take place in the large lecture theatres that you see in university prospectus' as courses can have 200+ students. The largest lecture hall at Warwick can hold up to 500 students!
In Psychology our lecturers often stop at certain points to ensure that we are all keeping up with the information that they are providing and ask any questions for clarification as lectures can be demanding. Don't worry if you need to ask a question and don't want to raise your hand in front of a hall full of other students! Most of your lecturers should also be happy for you to go and speak to them during intervals or at the end of the lecture to.


Seminars

You X Ventures | Unsplash

These are similar to how your current classes run in sixth form or college. They are a lot more interactive and enable you to converse with your peers and professors in small groups of around 30. If your course only has small intake, then it's more than likely that you will just stay as a whole group. In seminars you will be expected to engage in discussions and debates digging deeper into the content that was presented to you in lectures. They help you to develop on those key critical thinking skills and gain an insight into perspectives which you may not have seen yourself. I promise you that they are not as terrifying as they initially sound. However, it does depend on how your professors like to run them, but in all the seminars I have had so far the lecturers make us feel at ease. Be reassured that they aren't for the purpose of testing you, but to help broaden your knowledge and interest.


Tutorials 
Once registered at university and on your course, you will be assigned a personal tutor, who is often an academic within your home department. Tutorials will take place with your Personal Tutor and their other tutees. In Psychology at Warwick, there are up to 8 students per a year to a Personal Tutor. It's tricky to define what to expect from a tutorial as departments and universities will arrange them differently, but to get an idea of what could possibly be discussed. I spoke a bit about tutorials in the 'Tutorial' section of my Psychology Review. If you click the hyperlink and scroll down there's a description of the kind of conversations you may come across in a tutorial meeting.


Practicals/ Labs
This is more applicable to sciences (including Psychology) and creative arts. Practical sessions will be where you learn or are supervised to do experiments and/or use software. Taking Psychology as an example again (because it's the only one I can give!), this includes using SPSS and conducting statistical tests, and learning how to write research reports. In Media Studies/ TV Production this will be more focused on editing, using lighting desks, and camera techniques. Practical sessions are important as they give you the basic skills and knowledge which you will then need to practise outside of your contact hours (see below).


Supervisions
Not all universities have these. I know that Oxbridge colleges have these in place, but I don't think we have these here at Warwick. However, sometimes a similar session may take place in tutorials, although not as intense as the supervisions which take place at Oxbridge. They are more personal than seminars and only consists of a supervisor with around 3 students. As a result, they really challenge you to independently investigate a specific section of your course/module which you then share with your peers and supervisor and further analyse and evaluate your ideas and research.


Out-of-Contact-Hours
Some of these can be just as important as attending your compulsory contact hours. Broaden.

• Practical Work - mainly in Sciences (including Psychology) and Creative Arts. There's no point in attending practical classes if you aren't going to apply what you have learned outside. In psychology this includes both taking part in experiments and conducting studies, collecting data for reports, and analysing data. Requires a lot more attention and precision than it seems. For example, for Psychology covering ethical and health and safety grounds to allow an experiment to be conducted is not as simple as it is made out to be at A-Level.
  
  
• Independent Research - whilst universities and courses vary in research intensity, the majority of degrees are research heavy in one way or another. Therefore, independent research likely to take up the bulk of your time outside of your contact hours, whether that be reading journal articles, researching a particular topic in more depth, watching documentaries; reading through textbooks. It has to be done.
  
  
• Individual Meetings  - these may be with your Personal Tutor or an academic who teaches you. Whilst you should have set meetings with your Personal Tutor, they will be your first point of contact if you need a chat about anything - personal or academic. Your lecturers will also have 'office hours' where you can drop by and ask questions about the content they have taught you. Other times you may have to arrange meetings with a supervisor to discuss research options.
  
  

  

  Pxhere | CC0 1.0

• Department Talks - if your degree relies heavily on research then it's more than likely that your department will have internal and external speakers coming in to deliver talks. Other times specialists may come in to discuss a specific job within a field. This will allow you to explore what areas of your degree you have greater interest in.
  
  
• Careers Advice - again, these also come in the form of internal and external speakers. Universities often run a careers day sort of thing sometime during the year where employees and employers come in and offer guidance for graduate jobs. Departments may also run career conferences for students.
  
  
• Trips - museums, conferences, to the theatre... It all depends on what course you are taking. Departments and societies may run balls at the end of the year to.

I believe that's everything covered. If you would like some more clarification or have any questions, feel free to contact me or leave a message in the comments below.

By the time you read this most of you will be heading to uni and getting ready for Welcome/ Freshers Week, so I hope you all have fun! But please... Don't become a part of one of those Fresher nightmare stories!

15 Things That (Warwick) Freshers Should Do

Firstly, I'm sorry that I haven't posted for a while. I know that that wasn't the plan, but I have had a rough few weeks with some stuff that has happened. I didn't want to publish a post for the sake of it as I want to make sure that my posts are up to standard for you all especially considering these recent ones are aimed at helping those of you transitioning into university in the next month or so. I hope that's understandable.

Let's get to it!

With this being the last few weeks leading up to university, it's nice to have a good ground of what to expect during Welcome/ Freshers Week and the first few weeks afterwards.

Whilst you shouldn't over plan, it's also not a good idea to go in knowing nothing either. Therefore, being aware of what you should already have put in place along with the various events taking place should settle you a little bit more. That way you can arrive, sort out the basics and then pick and choose how you would like to spend your time.

Whatever you choose to do take advantage of your Welcome Week to familiarise yourself with your department, the university, and the local area. After all you will be here for the next 3-4 years or possibly more! Especially take advantage of this week if you're a Warwick student as this year is only the second Welcome Week the university has organised. Yep - it didn't use to be a thing until last academic year!

Some of the points and events presented in this post are related and specific to Warwick University but most of the following points can be applied to university activities and exploring the local area in general. If you're an incoming Warwick Student I have included hyperlinks to pages throughout this post which you may find useful.

1. Download the University App!
   
   If you haven't already downloaded your university app, you should do it now (links to the Warwick one: Google Playstore / iOS Store).
   The Warwick App has everything on it including: Timetable, a Campus map, email inbox, bus and shuttle bus schedules, events, free working spaces, printer credit, and even traffic news. Through this app you will also get Tabula notifications of assignment deadlines, feedback, any important university alerts, and any last minute timetable changes or notices will be sent through by your department.
   I presume that other university apps will be fairly similar.
   
   
2. Societies Fair/ Sports Fair
   Have a look around to see what's on offer whether you're planning on joining some or not. It's recommended that you should join at least 2 societies or clubs. Do remember that not every single society will be able to present themselves, so check your uni's SU website for a full list of societies or sports clubs. Even then there may be some missing! This tip is from experience: take your time to find the right one and don't feel like you have to rush into any commitments. I know that joining societies and sports clubs at Warwick in particular can be quite an expense at Warwick with having to purchase a compulsory £20 Society/ £32 Sports Federation Fee(s) to join most societies/clubs with individual membership fees and any required deposits. I've had a whole year to explore and still haven't found the right one.
   
   
3. Warwick Volunteers
   If you're not into sports and the whole society thing doesn't work out too well, there's the option of volunteering. Some universities having a volunteering system in place with volunteering projects of all kinds available to sign up for. They range from tutoring, buddy-ing, raising awareness of issues such as educational disadvantage and homelessness, health and social care, crafts and much more! See Voluntary Action Coventry for those near the local area and Warwick Volunteers for Warwick Students (there's a Volunteering Fair on the 4th of October for you to explore some of these options). If you need any help, try and contact your university's/ department's careers team to see if they can offer any advice
   
   
4. Mental and Physical Health
   

   

   Pettycon | Pixabay

   Taking care of your mental and physical health should be a top priority.
   There are three main parts to this point:
   
   • Students are recommended to have the following vaccinations BEFORE arriving at uni: in particular Men ACWY and MMR, whilst some universities also recommend getting vaccinated against HVP (offered to females during secondary. I believe males will also be offered it from September 2019) and TB if you are an international student. These are precautions to protect not only yourself, but students and staff around you to.
   • Register with a Medical Practise as soon as possible. If you are within a reasonable distance from home and can access your GP if you need then this may not be necessary. Warwick students should have already been registered at one of the on-campus practises at the Health Centre.
   • Take a look at the services offered by the university's Wellbeing Services. This may not be something you think you will need, but you never know. It's good to be prepared. Also see what support is offered by your home department. If you have informed your university of any diagnoses, you should have already been provided any relevant information to reassure you that you will be adequately supported. If you are a Warwick student, here's the Study Happy scheme run by Warwick Library to encourage students to take a break and focus on your wellbeing. They run various events every week from  PAT visits, to crafts and language exchanges.
     
     
5. Attend Talks and Tours
   I am aware that in some other blog posts or YouTube videos students will tell you that it's not worth attending these talks. Personally, I did find some of them helpful although it depends on how they are arranged and what is covered in them. That being said if you don't have anything else to do with your time, you won't lose anything from going. The main one you should attend in your department induction which will give you a clear run down of your course and what is expected of you. There will also be optional talks provided by your university Wellbeing and Support Services, and possibly the Careers staff whilst tours may take you around the library and its resources, the campus, the city and nearby areas, and to your nearest supermarket.
   
   
6. Sales and Markets
   At Warwick we have little stalls and markets which come onto campus selling a variety of different items. There are frequent clothing, posters and paintings, decorations, and snack sales in the SU Atrium. My favourite is the house plant sale on the Piazza around October. I'm already looking forward to getting some more 🌵 to join the group! There's also the monthly Food Market on the Pizza, which you may remember coming across if you have ever come to visit Warwick on an open day. Keep an eye out for poster advertising these events.
   
   
7. Explore the University Library (or Libraries!) and Study Spaces
   It took me a while to figure out where the books were and how to find books using the codes. It's useful to know this sort of stuff beforehand when you have free time, so when you need a book you don't spend hours trying to figure it out. If you're an incoming Warwick Student the PDF file on this page explains the system well and each department has their own personal librarian. Also, those moving shelves are scary at first, but you'll get used to using them! If you need any help, don't be afraid to ask the staff. I was at first to, but the library team are really friendly. You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook for updates to!
   Unfortunately, Warwick only has one library so getting a space there is quite a nightmare if I'm going to be honest. However, there are study spaces in the University House, Rootes Building, and cafe/ seating areas so you can try those to, but they are usually quite full as well. If not try your department's common room or use an empty seminar/ lecture room.
   
   
8. Subscribe to The Study Blog
   This one is specific to Warwick students, but students from other universities will find the information posted on the blog helpful as well. The Study Blog is run by Warwick Library and consists of various topics whether that be transitioning into university, academic,

   

   The Study Blog

   exam and revision tips, general wellbeing and self-care, or navigating the university library. I would suggest subscribing as a lot of them contain very useful information to help you not only with your studies, but activities external to university, and will give you information about events and the uni which you didn't already know about. Most unis also have a student blogging platform where students from different departments and year groups share their tips and experiences so it's worth keeping an eye out for that to.
   
   
9. Bus Routes
   It's nice to be able to get out of campus and explore the area every-so-often. Figure out what the main bus service provider in your area is and prices of tickets. Be careful as some buses will not provide you change if you pay in cash. Some services allow you to travel as much as possible with their service for a certain amount when you use a contactless card. During the Welcome Weekend at Warwick the Coventry Express will be in the SU Atrium handing out leaflets with bus routes and bus numbers. Be sure to grab one - it will come into use! Warwick conveniently has a bus interchange just behind the Arts Centre with timetables listed if you need to check, but the buses comes quite frequently anyway.
   
   
10. Explore the Local Area
    If you're in a big city like London, I wouldn't think about it too much. There's so much to see and do it can be overwhelming. It's quite easy to travel around London to, so you can decide to go out one day and just go, which can be great if you like spontaneity! However, the West Midlands in quite small and I wish I had did a rough little tour of it during my first few weeks there so that I would have been brave enough to venture off during free days or whenever I wanted a break from the university 'bubble' as we call it.
    
    • Coventry - shopping in the city centre, museums, Coventry & Warwick BBC studios, the Cathedral Ruins; St. Mary's Guildhall is supposed to be lovely.
    • Birmingham - Bullring and Grand Central, Botanical Gardens, Library of Birmingham, German Christmas Market, conservation parks ... There's a whole city to explore!
    • Warwick - Kenilworth and Warwick Castle, and many beautiful nature parks and gardens.
    • Leamington Spa - loads of shops and where student go out to party. I've been told that there are some little independent shops to and there's a nice large green park/ gardens there. Make sure you cross it as there's lots on the other side (another mistake I made!).
      
      
11. Explore the SU Website

    

    Warwick SU Website

    
    There's not much else to say about this point. Everything you need should be on there, whether that be looking for societies and clubs to join, tickets for student events, information and support the uni can provide you with academically, with housing, your wellbeing, and financially, information on employment, disciplinary procedure outlines (hopefully you won't be needing that!)... You know the drill. Have an explore when you're free. Follow your SU on their social media accounts for updates to!
    
    
12. Social Events
    The first activity that normally comes to mind when you think of students and university is clubbing, parties and drinking. Whilst that does appear to be the most common social event, there's more to it. Remember that social can be volunteering, going on a group walk, sitting down in a cafe, cooking with friends and watching a movie together, and even group study sessions. Social refers to any situation whereby you're interacting with people, not just having a wild night out. I know that Warwick and other unis also hold group gatherings and quiet activities such as crafts during Welcome Week and throughout the year for ethnic minority groups, those within and who support the LGBT community, those travelling from off campus, accommodation meet ups so that you can meet people who have a common ground as you do. Unfortunately, I believe that there still needs to be a lot more thought into social events for those who don't like partying during welcome week and during society outings.
    
    
13. Explore Campus
    This is probably less applicable to those who are attending a city university, as the whole city is technically your campus, with your contact hours being in the same budding/area! However, if you have your lessons all over campus and not in one specific area or building, one thing I like to do before lectures start is to go around and find all the rooms my classes are in. Also find study spaces so that you don't walk around for ages trying to find them when you need to; then

    

    Greg Krycinski | Pixabay

    there's the library, sports centre, cinema, and the post office (Warwick students - it's in Westwood and don't take the long way like I did for the whole year. Take the route past Tesco). Other than that, campus universities all have some beautiful hidden areas. Why not go out and explore them?
    If you're coming to Warwick you have to visit Lakeside and Heronbank. It's beautiful! There's also a lovely area outside Maths and Stats buildings opposite Claycroft where the geese like to swim around and sleep, Tocil Wood is peaceful and there's also Bluebell Path/ Wood which I'm yet to find!
    
    
    
14. Join Group Chats
    These are usually on WhatsApp. You really don't have to contribute to it much if you don't want to, but it is a good idea for you to introduce yourself to your peers before term starts and to be able to meet some familiar faces when you arrive. Contact your course society group to get the link to your course group chat if you can't get hold of it, whilst accommodation ones can often be found on the uni's Freshers Facebook group. Course ones can get a bit overwhelming throughout the year. Nevertheless everyone helps each other answer questions about course material, arrange study sessions, and for any other general academic support. On the other hand, accommodation group chat normally turns into flat party invites, warning residents about pranks that are happening, and the frequent 'please be quiet, the flat party is getting a little bit out of hand' message. Most often the chat turns into a (Circuit) laundry update system where students texts things like 'machine 2, your clothes have been moved to tumble dryer 3' or 'machine 6 you need to reselect your cycle' and so on.
    
    
15. Speak to Your Lecturers and Personal Tutor
    

    

    Christina Morillo | Pexels

    Your department may have introduction sessions for your academics and peers. I attended an introduction meeting and a meet the academics social event for Psychology and both were a great opportunity to get to know your lecturers and key staff within the department. Initially, I was absolutely terrified as school gave the perception that professors where... Well, scary. If you have read my Psychology posts, you would know that this couldn't have been further from the truth. Ask them questions and voice any concerns course related or not and they will be able to provide you with some reassurance. I wish I had done this much earlier, so I also advise you to make an effort to get to know your personal tutor as much as possible to as they will be your first point of contact for anything. I promise you that by doing so it will make your action to contact them much less daunting, or if not them then another academic who you feel comfortable speaking to.

That's the 15 things that I recommend Freshers to do during their first few weeks at uni.
I hope this has been helpful to some of you who are starting soon, and it hasn't been too much of an information flood!

It can be overwhelming as there's so much to do but remember that it does take time to settle and sometimes that time takes longer than you would expect. Remember to also take time out for yourself to explore the local and nearby areas and to allow yourself the chance to try new things and take up opportunities that float your way. You may not enjoy it, but at least you gave it a go!

If anyone reading this knows where the Bluebell Wood, please let me know! I'm open to some recommendations of places within the West Midlands or places within an appropriate proximity to Coventry to explore to!

Best wishes to everyone entering the new academic year!