Five things I wish I'd known before uni

Hi, I'm Zahra.

I've learnt a great deal during my time at Bradford. I've learnt a lot from lectures, but mostly, it's been from life outside of the classroom. If I could travel back in time and give my pre-university self a pep talk (perhaps while sipping coffee and giving myself a few "trust me" looks), these are the five things I would say.

1. It’s never too early to gain experience

I believed that internships and experiences were only available to students in their final year. But, I know now that this isn't the case...

You'll have opportunities right from the start, including volunteering, joining organisations, taking on part-time work, and even launching your own business. It's easier to get involved than you think, and the earlier you begin to construct your experience, the more fun you will have.

Additionally, having a CV that includes more than just your degree makes the post-university job search much less stressful.

2. Budgeting is a survival skill

Unfortunately for me, I didn't know how to budget, and this meant I ended up spending the majority of my first month's student loan on takeaways and IKEA décor. I had to learn how to budget the hard way.

It's not just about buying less coffee; it's making sure you think about what you need versus what you desire. You need to know where your money is going.

When it comes to tracking expenses, apps like Emma and Monzo were invaluable to me. Budgeting is an important aspect of student life, regardless of whether you live at home or move out for university.

3. Work part time if you can

It can feel challenging to keep up with a part-time job whilst you're in university, but for me, it was one of the best choices I ever made. Although, let's face it, even though the money was helpful, it wasn't the only factor. I gained time management skills, organisation, and some relief from the stress of my studies.

However, balance is essential. I discovered that I could manage 10 to 15 hours a week without compromising my sleep or my studies.

4. Know your rights as a student

I had no idea what rights I had as a student when I first got accepted to the University. During enrolment, I assumed that policies and procedures were simply something you clicked "agree" to.

It turns out that being aware of your rights can make a big impact, whether you're dealing with harassment or discrimination, figuring out what to do if you're having mental health issues, or appealing a grade.

The Student Union is here for more than just club nights, and the majority of universities have student charters. I regret not realising sooner how much advocacy and support I had at my disposal.

5. You don’t have to have it all figured out

Alright, this is perhaps the most crucial point, even though it wasn't the one I had in mind at first. Uni can feel like a competition where you're simply going with it, and everyone else seems to know what they're doing. To be honest, though, most people are learning as they go.

It's acceptable to take a break, change your major, change your mind, or not have a five-year plan by your second year. There is no end date for growth.

Final thoughts

There is a lot of freedom, pressure, growth, and confusion at university, and nobody expects you to accomplish it perfectly. However, I would have avoided a great deal of stress and maybe saved a few hundred pounds if I had known some of these things in advance.

Consider this your unofficial welcome letter if you're just starting at Bradford or are about to do so. It comes from someone who has been there, done that, and still makes the most of their student discount.

Let's hit play.

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