What I’d do differently in my first year of university

Hi, I'm Immar, a final year LLB (Hons) Law student. I've just completed three years of study and I'm now awaiting graduation.

I started my course almost three years ago in September 2022. Today in this blog, I will be discussing my journey through my first year, and will break down some things that I wish I had done differently.

I often have many younger students ask me for advice and tips. Some of the questions that come up quite a lot are: What should I do during my first year? Should I act a certain way? Should I participate in certain activities?

Live more and worry less

Looking back, it's not about regret; it's just a little hindsight. There are a few things I'd tweak, such as living more and worrying less.

In my first year, I spent quite a lot of time getting caught up in small details, such as getting assignment references perfect and ensuring all my work was done for seminars. I used to do this on a Sunday evening, so I was ready for the week.

Whilst this is all good practice, it doesn’t matter as much as you think it does. Working hard is extremely important; however, I wish I allowed myself to be more present, to enjoy the day-to-day moments and embrace the freedom that comes with attending university.

Explore

One thing I didn’t do enough was explore the University campus.

For me, the campus was a place where I attended lectures and left. If I could go back in time, I'd take the time to enjoy lunches with friends, discover more of the campus and visit the library more often.

University is more than classes and exams; it's an entire world within itself. The University of Bradford has so many different societies, from the University of Bradford Law Society all the way to the Equestrian Team! I wish I had taken more time out of my day and explored what Bradford has to offer.

Being more forthcoming with lecturers

I wish I were less reserved with my teachers. When I was stuck or didn't quite fully understand something, I would often hesitate to reach out because I was taught to believe that university is all about independence. However, I was so wrong – our lecturers are there to teach and support us.

My advice is if you feel confused or stuck, drop your lecturer an email and take some time out to meet them and discuss your concerns. Your lecturers want you to succeed, and they are here to support you. Reaching out sooner could’ve saved me a lot of second-guessing and opened the doors to a better understanding of some modules.

Looking back

With all of the above being said, I am proud and happy with how I handled my first year.

I worked hard, and the effort paid off when it was time to begin my second year (this is when your grades really start to count). Building that solid foundation of starting work early and being organised allowed me to manage my time well. This made the transition into second year as smooth as could be. 

My first year of university really was the foundation of my journey. It may not feel like it, but the seeds you plant in your first year will grow when you reach your later stages of university.

At the end of the day, first year is different for everyone, and there's no right or wrong way to experience it. If I had to sum up all the advice I've given and give one key tip, I'd say just turn up and go with the flow – you'll be fine.

Be open to new experiences and don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember that it's okay not to have it all figured out, and there will be times when the answer will be impossible to find. But it is there. You will see light at the end of the tunnel, and the efforts that you make now will pay off later down the line.

Your first year is about learning, growing, and creating memories which will stick with you for many years to come. Have fun.

Get ready for launch.

New city. New mates. New you.

Get stuck into your first year and see what student life is all about at Bradford.