From high school to higher education: A Quick Guide for a Seamless Transition into University

Welcome to the world of higher education!

Embarking on a brand-new journey into University can be a very exciting time in one’s life. The transition into higher education brings drastic change to every aspect in your life from meeting new people and partying every day, to getting access to new opportunities and world class education. However, with every new experience there will inevitably be many hardships such as loneliness, diet and struggling to stay on top of important deadlines. This quick guide will delve into the multifaceted aspects of navigating University life, sharing practical advice and top tips to equip you with the knowledge to tackle these issues head on and create a fulfilling and successful experience for you.

 

1. Socialize to energise - 

The most important piece of advice about transitioning to university is not neglecting your social life. Building new connections and maintaining old ones is imperative to creating a social support system that will aid you in education as well as improving wellbeing and reducing risk of mental illness (James et al., 2021). Going to social events, joining a society, hanging out with flat mates, and getting to know your lecturers and classmates are all key to maintaining a healthy social life as well as facilitating your success at university. 

 2. Your Diet and its Effects on Your wellbeing - 

Maintaining a healthy diet during your tenure at University is not only a matter of physical wellbeing, but also the cornerstone of academic success. It can be hard to maintain a healthy diet, especially when you have little time throughout the day to prepare 3 meals for yourself, but diet plays a huge role in mental wellbeing with one study finding that a poor diet can lead to a psychiatric illnesses such as depression (as depression is often comorbid with obesity) and cognitive deficits in young adults (Owen & Corfe, 2017). Therefore, avoiding fast food and preparing well rounded and healthy meals for yourself is key for success and wellbeing when entering higher education.

3. Death, Taxes and Time Management -  

Transitioning to university can be a significant shakeup to your established schedule, therefore it is essential that you figure out and incorporate a schedule into your daily life. Whether it is allocating periods of time for studying, cooking, relaxation etc., incorporating just 2-time management techniques will have a major influence on your academic performance (Britton & Tesser, 1991). You can begin by scheduling all of your lectures, major deadlines (e.g. Exams, Essay deadlines, other assignments etc.), and study periods, then building your day/week around those deadlines. However, it is paramount that you leave plenty of free time in the afternoon to unwind and get sleep, which massively improves your wellbeing and performance during the day (Short et al., 2013). 

4. Sport and keeping active - 

  Participating in sports is one of the easiest ways to make the most of your time at university and improve your quality of life dramatically. Sports provide an avenue for stress relief, fitness, and socialization, especially in team sports where you get the opportunity to spend time and create new connections with peers. Not only are sports positively associated with emotional wellbeing regardless of your demographic (Steptoe & Butler, 1996), but they cultivate discipline and good time management that is invaluable when in higher education. Whether its joining a sports society and participating in matches, hitting the gym for an hour or two each day or just hitting a football around with friends, sports are an excellent way to make transition to university less stressful.

  5. Know your university -

When settling into university life, it can be helpful to familiarise yourself with the opportunities available to you to make most of your time there. The campus is purpose built to support students whatever the situation may be. Pick out times throughout your first few weeks to explore the campus and the various resources available to you such as the library, professor/lecturer office hours, social events and gatherings, medical and mental health services, work opportunities provided to you through your university as well as many other opportunities which you can find out about by visiting your institutions website for more information. By immersing yourself in this new environment you may find out that life at university is multifaceted, helping you to grow both academically and personally.

Remember, these are only a few tips to help manage your transition to university. Your journey is unique to you and what tips you decide to use are as well. Make sure to stay open and receptive to new opportunities, but most importantly, enjoy these years. Higher education is an incredible chapter in one’s life so let these new experiences shape who you will become!

References - 

Britton, B. K., & Tesser, A. (1991). Effects of time-management practices on college grades. Journal of Educational Psychology, 83(3), 405–410. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.83.3.405

James, M., Jones, H., Baig, A., Marchant, E., Waites, T., Todd, C., Hughes, K., & Brophy, S. (2021). Factors influencing wellbeing in young people during COVID-19: A survey with 6291 young people in Wales. PLOS ONE, 16(12), e0260640. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260640

Owen, L., & Corfe, B. (2017). The role of diet and nutrition on mental health and wellbeing. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 76(4), 425–426. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665117001057

Short, M. A., Gradisar, M., Lack, L. C., Wright, H. R., & Dohnt, H. (2013). The sleep patterns and well-being of Australian adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 36(1), 103–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.09.008

Steptoe, A. S., & Butler, N. (1996). Sports participation and emotional wellbeing in adolescents. The Lancet, 347(9018), 1789–1792. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(96)91616-5