HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR

FIRST YEAR AT UNI

(OR AT LEAST A FEW DO’S AND DON'TS TO HELP YOU )
 1ST DO:

PLANNING

One really simple and effective way is to

invest some quality time into planning.
 1ST DO: PLANNING
• USE CALENDARS, WALL PLANNERS AND DIARIES TO GET AHEAD OF UPCOMING
EVENTS. ONCE YOU DEVELOP THE HABIT YOU’LL REALISE THAT ORGANIZATION AND
GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT IS HALF THE BATTLE AND IT PUTS YOU INTO A GOOD
FRAME OF MIND FOR FURTHER YEARS.

• FEELING PREPARED AND ON TOP OF THINGS ALLOWS YOU TO FEEL MORE IN

CONTROL OF UNIVERSITY LIFE. NOT FEELING INTIMIDATED BY TUTORIAL TESTS,
LECTURES OR EXAMS WILL ENABLE YOU TO PERFORM BETTER.

• KNOWING WHAT ASSIGNMENTS OR EVENTS YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE ARE COMING UP,
ALLOWS YOU TO PLAN WISELY FOR RECOMMENDED STUDY TIME, AND ALLOWS YOU
TO PRIORITISE.
 1ST DO: PLANNING

• KNOW YOUR TIMETABLE: MAKE SURE YOU’RE PREPARED WITH THE RIGHT
BOOKS AND EQUIPMENT BEFOREHAND SO YOU’RE NOT AT A DISADVANTAGE.

• IT’S HARDER TO LEARN FOR YOU IF YOU’RE SHARING A TEXTBOOK WITH

YOUR MATE, AND IF THEY HAVE TO WAIT FOR YOU TO READ A PASSAGE OR
VICE VERSA, THE PAIR OF YOU WOULD NOT BE LEARNING AT YOUR FULL
CAPACITY.
DON’T BE THAT ONE KID WHO FORGETS THEIR LAB COAT
 1ST DO: PLANNING

• PLAN YOUR ASSIGNMENTS: THIS IS A BIG ONE. RATHER THAN JUMPING STRAIGHT
INTO AN ESSAY OR ASSIGNMENT, TAKE SOME TIME TO LOOK AT THE MARKING
CRITERIA AND PROPERLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ASSIGNMENT WANTS FROM YOU.

• THIS WAY YOU ACTUALLY SAVE TIME THAT MIGHT BE SPENT BEING CONFUSED OR
STUCK IN AN ESSAY OR ASSIGNMENT. WITH GOOD PLANNING YOU HAVE YOUR OWN
GUIDE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND ON HOW TO TACKLE AN ASSIGNMENT.
 2ND DO:

START EARLY

This one is fairly simple. Start your

assignments early.
 2ND DO: START EARLY
• UNIVERSITY IS STRESSFUL, WHETHER YOU’RE STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL OR NOT, IT IS VERY
DIFFERENT AND VERY STRESSFUL. START YOUR ASSIGNMENTS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID
HIGH STRESS LEVELS.

• NOT ONLY DO YOU FEEL A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT, BUT THE TIME PRESSURE ALSO ISN’T
THERE. EVEN IF ALL YOU DO IS PLAN YOUR ESSAY OR ASSIGNMENT, OR DO SOME RESEARCH, IT
WILL 100% BE BETTER THAN GOING IN BLIND EVERY TIME.

• MAKING A START EARLY MEANS YOU ALSO AVOID THE COMMON PROCRASTINATION TECHNIQUE OF
IGNORANCE IS BLISS. NOT WITH THIS. YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE READING THE REQUIREMENTS A
WEEK BEFORE THE DEADLINE, SO START EARLY SO YOU KNOW WHAT’S COMING UP AND YOU CAN
GAUGE THE WORKLOAD.

• AN EARLY START ALSO GIVES YOU TIME TO FINETUNE AND REVIEW YOUR WORK. THE FIRST VERSION
IS NEVER PERFECT SO ALLOW TIME TO REVIEW AND REVISE.
 3RD DO:

DO YOUR READINGS

They really do matter. No, they are not

optional.
 3RD DO: DO YOUR READINGS
• THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. DO THOSE READINGS.
• THEY OUTLINE THE CONTENT THAT WILL BE COVERED IN A LECTURE AND IT’S
MUCH BETTER TO HAVE THE LECTURER SOLIDIFYING KNOWLEDGE YOU’VE
GAINED THROUGH READINGS AS OPPOSED TO HEARING TERMS AND
ATTEMPTING TO GRASP KEY CONCEPTS FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

• LECTURES COVER CONTENT QUICKLY. DON’T EXPECT TO UNDERSTAND RIGHT

AFTER THE LECTURE, AND SOME PEOPLE FIND DOING THE READINGS AFTER
THE LECTURE IS MORE HELPFUL IN TERMS OF SOLIDIFYING KNOWLEDGE. DO
WHAT WORKS FOR YOU, AS LONG AS YOU DO THE READINGS.
 3RD DO: DO YOUR READINGS
• GOING INTO A QUICK-PACED LECTURE WITH A VAGUE IDEA/UNDERSTANDING
ALSO MEANS YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS FROM THE READING. THESE
QUESTIONS WILL NOT ONLY HELP YOU BUT OTHERS IN THE LECTURE THEATRE
WHO MAY HAVE ALSO HAD THE SAME CONFUSION.

• AS MENTIONED BEFORE, UNIVERSITY IS STRESSFUL. AND BY DOING THESE

READINGS IN YOUR OWN TIME BY USING FREE TIME WISELY, YOU CAN
MANAGE AND COPE WITH THE STRESS. FEELING MORE PREPARED AND
HAVING A BIT OF PRIOR KNOWLEDGE HELPS YOU TO BETTER ENGAGE IN THE
LECTURE, SO IT’S NOT JUST NEW WORDS AND CONCEPTS GOING RIGHT OVER
YOUR HEAD.
 4TH DO:

ATTEND YOUR LECTURES

Lectures are the basis of all tests and

assignments. No, they are not optional.
 4TH DO: ATTEND YOUR LECTURES
• ATTENDING YOUR LECTURES IS ONE OF THE MOST BASIC STRATEGIES OUT
THERE TO ENABLE YOU TO SUCCEED THROUGH UNIVERSITY. IT’S PROVEN
THAT A MISSED 1 HOUR LECTURE TAKES 3 HOURS OF YOUR OWN TIME TO
CATCH UP. IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING TIME AND BETTERING YOUR LEARNING
HABITS, IT DEFINITELY MAKES MORE SENSE TO ATTEND THE LECTURES.

• THE LECTURE RECORDINGS ARE NOT SUBSTITUTES FOR ATTENDANCE, SO TRY

NOT TREAT THEM AS SUCH. THEY ARE THERE TO HELP YOU REWATCH AND
CLARIFY ANY BITS YOU MISSED OR WERE UNSURE OF. AS A LAST RESORT
THEY ARE THERE IF YOU MISS A LECTURE BUT IF YOU CAN, USE YOUR TIME
WISELY AND ATTEND YOUR LECTURES. GETTING INTO GOOD HABITS NOW
WILL HELP YOU IN FURTHER YEARS OF STUDY.
 4TH DO: ATTEND YOUR LECTURES
• LECTURES AREN'T JUST ABOUT THE PERSON STANDING IN FRONT OF THE CLASS.
IF YOU DON'T ATTEND CLASS, YOU WON'T HAVE THE CHANCE TO ASK QUESTIONS
(OR HEAR THE QUESTIONS OTHER STUDENTS ASK,) AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO
INTERACT WITH OTHERS IN YOUR COURSE. LECTURERS AND PROFESSORS MAY BE
THE 'EXPERTS,' BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY LEARN A LOT FROM YOUR CLASSMATES 

• LECTURERS GENERALLY SIGN-POST YOUR WAY WITH KEY TERMS, DEFINITIONS,

EXAMPLES, AND SHORT-CUTS, AND TELL YOU WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR AND
SOMETIMES WHAT WILL BE TESTED ON.

• LECTURES ARE MORE THAN WHAT’S ON THE SLIDES. THE LECTURER OFTEN
PRESENTS INFORMATION THAT ISN’T OUTLINED ON THE SLIDES OR COVERED IN
THE TEXTBOOKS.
 5TH DO:

INDEPENDENCE

Go your own way

 5TH DO: INDEPENDENCE

• INDEPENDENCE IS CRUCIAL WHEN IT COMES TO UNIVERSITY LIFE. THIS IS A

NEW EXPERIENCE IN WHICH PEOPLE GET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT APPEALS TO
THEM AND WHAT MATTERS TO THEM. EACH UNIVERSITY STUDENT’S GOAL
AND EXPERIENCE IS DIFFERENT, SO DON’T BE A FOLLOWER.

• IT’S OKAY TO STUDY ALONE OR WITH PEOPLE YOU DON’T NORMALLY HANG
OUT WITH ON THE WEEKENDS. ELIMINATE THOSE DISTRACTIONS, THAT MAY
HINDER YOUR LEARNING. FIND A GOOD GROUP OF PEOPLE TO STUDY WITH IN
WHICH YOU CAN STUDY WITH, AND YOU MAY EVEN MAKE FRIENDS.
 5TH DO: INDEPENDENCE

• DON’T TAKE PAPERS JUST BECAUSE YOUR FRIENDS ARE, KNOW WHAT YOU
WANT OUT OF UNIVERSITY AND STRIVE FOR THAT, THERE’S PLENTY OF TIME
TO SOCIALIZE AND LECTURES ARE NOT THE PLACE FOR IT.

• DO WHAT IS GOING TO GIVE YOU THE BEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE, WHETHER

THAT’S STUDYING ALONE IN A LIBRARY OR IN A PARK, BUT DO WHAT HELPS
YOU LEARN. PRIORITISE YOU, NOT OTHERS, BECAUSE IN THE END, YOU’RE
PAYING FOR IT, SO TRY AND GET YOUR MONEY’S WORTH. 
 1 ST
DON’T:

FORGET TO ASK FOR

HELP
If you need it, ask for it.
 1ST DON’T: FORGET TO ASK FOR HELP

• ASK YOUR COURSE COORDINATORS AND LECTURERS FOR HELP WHEN YOU
NEED IT. THEY CAN’T HELP YOU IF THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU NEED. IF YOU
NEED EXTRA HELP OR PRACTICE YOUR LECTURERS CAN ASSIST YOU.

• TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WORKSHOP HOURS WITH YOUR LECTURERS SO YOU CAN

CLARIFY IMPORTANT CONCEPTS, BUT DON’T SKIP LECTURES FOR WORKSHOP
HOURS, IT’S NOT THE SAME.

• ASK FOR FEEDBACK ON ASSIGNMENTS SO YOU CAN IMPROVE, THIS CAN BE

BEFORE SUBMISSION TOO, DEPENDING ON THE LECTURER. REMEMBER THAT
THEY ARE THERE TO HELP YOU
 1ST DON’T: FORGET TO ASK FOR HELP
• IF YOU EVER FEEL STRESSED OR JUST IN NEED OF ADVICE OR SOMEONE TO LISTEN TO YOU,
YOUR UNIVERSITY LIKELY HAS A RANGE OF RESOURCES ON CAMPUS. HEAD TO YOUR
UNIVERSITY’S COURSE ADVISOR OR PASTORAL CARE ADVISOR, OR MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
WITH AN ACADEMIC GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR TO SEARCH FOR HELP. DON’T BE AFRAID TO
REACH OUT TO PEOPLE YOU TRUST OR YOUR UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES FOR
GUIDANCE.

• MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN PARTICULAR ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY PROMINENT AMONG

STUDENTS, AND NOBODY SHOULD FEEL AFRAID TO SPEAK UP ABOUT THEM. THERE IS NO
SHAME IN ADMITTING THAT YOU ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME AND ASKING FOR HELP – ALL
OF US DO AT TIMES AND YOU’RE NOT ALONE, ITS NORMAL, AND UNIVERSITY IS HARD.

• YOUR HAUORA (HEALTH AND WELL-BEING), IS CRUCIAL FOR KEEPING YOU ON YOUR FEET
AND MOVING FORWARD SO THAT YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR UNIVERSITY YEARS AND SUCCEED.
 2 ND
DON’T:

BREAK THE BANK

University is expensive, be mindful of
managing finances
 2ND DON’T: BREAK THE BANK
• SOME STUDENTS GET PART-TIME JOBS AT UNI WHILE OTHERS LIVE ON SAVINGS,
PARENTS’ SUPPORT OR THE GOVERNMENT. BUT ALL NEED TO BE THRIFTY. 

• EAT WELL, BUT DON’T SPEND A FORTUNE. BULK BUY MEAT, CHOOSE CHEAPER,
SEASONAL FRUIT AND VEGGIES AND COOK MEALS IN ADVANCE.

• ALWAYS EAT A DECENT BREAKFAST WITH PROTEIN, FATS AND LOW GI, AND STOCK
UP ON LOW-COST BRAIN FOODS LIKE VEGES, EGGS, OATS OR SALMON.

• SKIPPING BREAKFAST MAKES IT HARDER TO CONCENTRATE AND CAN LEAD TO

CRAVINGS FOR CAFFEINE AND SUGAR LATER IN THE DAY AVOID BUYING SNACKS BY
PACKING YOUR OWN VEGGIE STICKS, FRUIT AND NUTS.
 2ND DON’T: BREAK THE BANK
• ESTABLISH A BUDGET. A GOOD WAY OF TACKLING FINANCES IF YOU HAVE A SMALL FLOW OF
INCOME FROM A PART TIME JOB OR ALLOWANCE, IS THE RULE OF THIRDS.

• AFTER PAYING ANY RELEVANT EXPENSES SUCH AS RENT OR BILLS, PUT A THIRD OF YOUR
INCOME STRAIGHT INTO YOUR SAVINGS, A THIRD INTO YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT, AND A
THIRD INTO A BUFFER ACCOUNT.

• THE BUFFER IS THERE IN CASE YOU GET THROUGH THE MONEY IN YOUR CHECKING, BUT IF YOU
MAKE IT TO THE NEXT PAYDAY WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BUFFER, PUT IT INTO YOUR SAVINGS.
THIS IS A GOOD AND FAIRLY EFFECTIVE WAY OF MANAGING FINANCES THROUGH UNI.

• BE MINDFUL OF WHAT YOU BUY, SORT OUT THE NEEDS FROM THE WANTS FIRST BEFORE
TREATING YOURSELF, AND WHEN YOU DO, DON’T GO CRAZY, UNIVERSITY IS EXPENSIVE.
 3 RD
DON’T:

PULL ALL NIGHTERS

Diamonds are made under pressure, not your
exam grade.
 3RD DON’T: PULL ALL NIGHTERS
• THOUGH AN ALL-NIGHTER MAY SEEM LIKE A GOOD IDEA IN SOME SITUATIONS, YOUR BRAIN
JUST ISN'T WIRED TO ABSORB VAST AMOUNTS OF INFORMATION ON NO SLEEP AND THEN
RETAIN IT FOR AN EXAM. YOUR BRAIN ISN'T DESIGNED TO PERFORM AT ITS PEAK LATE AT
NIGHT; IT OPERATES AND LEARNS BEST IN THE MORNING AND DURING THE DAY.

• STUDENTS WHO ARE SLEEP DEPRIVED HAVE A HARDER TIME CONCENTRATING, SOLVING
PROBLEMS AND THINKING ABSTRACTLY. ALL OF THESE FUNCTIONS ARE IMPORTANT WHEN
TAKING A TEST, SO NOT ONLY ARE YOU LESS LIKELY TO REMEMBER THE INFORMATION YOU
WERE TRYING TO CRAM AT 4AM, BUT YOU MAY ALSO HAVE A HARDER TIME
UNDERSTANDING THE QUESTIONS YOU'RE BEING ASKED

• MOST COUNSELLORS ADVISE AGAINST ALL-NIGHTERS AS SLEEP DEPRIVATION CAN

POTENTIALLY CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN, DEPRESSION, ILLNESS, BAD MOODS, SKIN ISSUES AND
MANY OTHER PROBLEMS.
 4 TH
DON’T:

FORGET TO DO THE
ACTUAL WORK
Studying in your own time is a requirement, not a
recommendation
 4TH DON’T: FORGET TO DO THE ACTUAL
WORK
• THIS IS QUITE AN IMPORTANT ONE. UNIVERSITY IS DIFFERENT TO HIGH
SCHOOL, THE RECOMMENDED HOURS OF STUDY PER PAPER IS 10 HOURS A
WEEK. THIS IS THE MINIMUM.

• IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET GOOD GRADES AT UNIVERSITY WITHOUT

DOING YOUR OWN STUDY. ATTENDING LECTURES DOES NOT COUNT SO MAKE
SURE YOU USE YOUR TIME WISELY.

• TRY SET IT OUT SO THAT ON DAYS YOU HAVE LESS CLASSES YOU DO A BIT
MORE STUDY THAN ON A DAY YOU HAVE FULL CLASSES, USING PLANNERS
HELPS MANAGE TIME TO FIT IN THE 10 RECOMMENDED HOURS PER PAPER.
 5 TH
DON’T:

FORGET TO TAKE A
BREAK
As much as you need to study, you also need to rest.
 5TH DON’T: FORGET TO TAKE A BREAK
• THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE. TAKE CARE OF YOU AND YOUR BODY.
SLEEP WELL, EXERCISE AND EAT HEALTHILY. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT YOU CAN’T DO
SOMETHING WELL IF YOU’RE HALF-ASLEEP, FEELING LETHARGIC OR WORKING ON AN
EMPTY STOMACH.

• YOU ALSO NEED TIME TO REST AND RESET YOUR BRAIN. CONSTANT STUDY ISN’T GOING
TO BE BENEFICIAL AS YOUR MIND WILL GET TIRED AND WON’T BE ABSORBING THE
CONTENT LIKE IT COULD BE. TRY METHODS SUCH AS THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE.

• AFTER BLOCKS OF STUDY, DO SOMETHING PHYSICAL AND/OR RELAXING. GO FOR A WALK,

GO TO THE GYM OR EVEN JUST GROCERY SHOPPING. ITS IMPORTANT NOT TO BECOME
CONSUMED BY STUDY AND TO TAKE TIME TO RECHARGE, EVEN IF IT’S WATCHING AN
EPISODE OF SOMETHING. BE CAREFUL NOT TO TAKE TOO MANY BREAKS THOUGH.