Transitioning to life at university

Transcript for Welcome video

All: Welcome to the University of Manchester.

Jen: Congratulations on your offer to study here at the University of Manchester. We are the Library Student Team, and we are here to help you through your journey here at the University of Manchester. This resource is here to help you through the initial weeks here at the university. We hope you have lots of fun…

Jen: …and enjoy learning new skills.

Aleks: Change is difficult…

Aleks: …but it’s also exciting. For those moving out of your homes for the first time, we have been there, and we know how difficult it is. We know you will do great, but here are some tips to make it easier.

Jen: One of the many important things to remember is to be yourself. Stepping out of your comfort zone is necessary, but you don’t have to change yourself or what you believe in to do that. We have over 250 student societies and communities, so you will definitely find one that helps you feel like you belong to it. We also have the opportunity to create your own society if you’d like to.

Aleks: Making friends and building new connections can be difficult…

Aleks: …especially when there is so many people to connect to. So, don’t worry about meeting everyone…

Aleks: …and making best friends in the first week. It can happen, but not always, and that’s okay.

Aleks: You will make many meaningful connections throughout your journey, so trust the process.

Jen: We really want this guidance to help you to join in, strengthen your own voice, listen to others, and connect with the community. So what you need to do now is focus on taking those next little small steps.

Aleks: University life can be amazing, and we want you to enjoy as much as possible.

Aleks: We hope that following this resource will help you to feel more confident.

Transcript for Alternative guide to freshers video

Aram: Hi, I’m Aram, and I’m studying chemical engineering.

Liv: And I’m Liv. And I’m studying history and politics, and both of us are members of the Library Student Team.

Aram: So what we’re talking about today is our alternative freshers guide. So we’re discussing the aspects of our uni experience that isn’t talked about as much because we’re students that didn’t fit the conventional mould.

Liv: So firstly, we are both living at home students who never moved out when we started uni. You might hear a lot about moving into halls when you start uni, but we just want to reassure you that this isn’t for everyone, and we still had a really great time staying at home.

Aram: Yeah, we definitely did. In terms of travel, you will have to get used to it, for some students commuting is really really long, but at the university we do offer cosy campus spaces, which is just a place for students to chill out that travel to uni. And there are also lots of societies to get involved in, which are a great way to make friends without having to have moved out.

Liv: I think that idea of meeting people, and missing out on that was something that we definitely struggled with when we were starting, thinking you kind of miss out by not being in the halls.

But we would also like to reassure you that, you know, you can meet so many great people on campus even if you don’t live in halls, you might meet people in your course, or through part-time work. That’s how we met each other, and we never would have come across each other and that’s how we’ve become good friends. Also another one is societies as well.

Aram: Exactly, especially because our courses are so different, so if it wasn’t for this job, we wouldn’t have met.

Liv: Exactly.

Aram: Me and Liv both happen to not drink for different reasons. So for me personally, it’s a religious choice.

Liv: And I just don’t drink out of personal preference.

Aram: Yeah. So basically what we’re saying is, regardless of what your reasoning is, number one, you don’t have to have a reason, but regardless of that reason, it’s OK not to drink.

But when you come to university, you can feel that pressure, especially during welcome week and freshers events that are centred on night outs, clubbing, and drinking. But you don’t have to take part in that if you don’t want to.

Liv: I think even if you can be around alcohol, or you do drink, that might not be the only way that you want to socialise. And it can also feel a bit overwhelming when it feels like it’s the only way to meet people, but that’s definitely not the case, and there are so many other options available in welcome week to get out there and get involved.

Aram: Yeah, definitely and to bring it back to Manchester itself, the uni offers so much. Like we mentioned, societies, volunteering even, like, well-being events. But Manchester is a city has absolutely loads to do. I myself enjoy escape rooms, going to the cinema, finding like really cute cafes in town, there’s so much to do. You just need the right people to explore it with. But sometimes you can just go alone or with your friends from home.

Liv: Another stereotypical idea about uni students is that you have a few hours of lectures but then do nothing for the rest of the week and have loads of free time. While some courses do have a lot of independent study, and that was definitely my experience doing history where you have a lot of time to work independently and read and work on assignments. But that doesn’t mean that everyone has the same workload or the same demands on their time. A lot of people could be studying at uni whilst having family commitments, also while working part-time. And this is definitely something that we’ve both juggled as we’ve been doing our studies and we wanted to reassure you that if you’re thinking of taking a part time job in September you will not be the only one.

People have a variety of jobs while they’re at uni. That’s completely normal and you don’t have to feel like you’ll be missing out and by doing this: it can actually mean that you meet so many new people, have some new experiences that enhance your time at uni. You will not be alone in having a job.

Aram: Definitely. Yeah. I feel like my part time job was almost like a relief from uni work, it definitely gave me a lot of peace and space to work on something else. Otherwise, I would have been sitting on my laptop, working on my degree for hours. To consider something a bit more specific, I do want to touch on placements because that’s something a lot of students do and you might experience that as well. Even having a bit more demanding hours, so if you’re required to go into labs, that’s definitely taken away from the conventional traditional university experience.

From the placement side of things, it can be really overwhelming. You know, it’s a nine-to-five, being away from friends for a year and being away from campus in a new city does take its toll. But there’s so much positive that comes from a placement, so you get to actually work in a job that reflects your potential career choices. So as a Chemical Engineering student, you can do year-long industry placements at engineering firms, plants, and it is a rewarding experience. So it’s definitely something that is life changing and you don’t feel like you’ll be missing out.

Aram: Another aspect of starting university is the potential for family or relationship dynamics to change. It can definitely relate to you moving away and not getting to see your family as much, especially if they live in a different country. But for us living at home, you can also find that change and that your relationships may be different, especially as you’re building up your independence. Not everyone’s family has a history of going to university, so you might actually be the first person to experience this and no one else can really help you. Not everyone is from a privileged, wealthy background, and that’s really reflected in our student body here at Manchester.

Liv: Yeah. And that doesn’t mean that when you come from a family where there isn’t a history of going to uni, that your family aren’t supportive. In my case it probably means they are even more so, because they didn’t have this experience themselves. They were so proud that I went to uni and even more interested in what I’m doing. And yeah, these kind of new experiences can be evident when you think about your existing friendship groups as well. Especially if your friends are taking different paths to you. And that can also feel overwhelming and maybe you feel like you can’t relate to them and they can’t relate to you. But, you know, I think we both agree that this isn’t a negative. You don’t have to lose those existing friendships and relationships, especially if you live at home and you’re in the exact same environment. There is the opportunity to make so many new friends but it’s also really good to carry on some of those existing relationships and kind of enhancing what you already have.

Aram: So these are just a few things that make our uni experience unique. Everyone’s experience is different and some of these things might apply to you, or you might not even encounter them.

Liv: However, the key thing is that, regardless of your experience, you deserve to enjoy your time at Manchester as much as possible, the same way that we have, once we realised how to make the most of it.

Aram: We hope you’re excited to start in Manchester, and good luck with starting in September!

Transcript for The first 50 days of university video

Danial: I’m Danial, a student within the faculty of biology medicine and health.

Danial: Obviously joining the university felt quite overwhelming, but it was nice to know that there was support around me. I found going to welcome week events and the fresher’s fairs really helpful for finding information and meeting people.

Danial: Something I think I would have liked to know, before starting university, would be about the MLE programme for writing and referencing support.

Danial: I think my biggest piece of advice to new students, is to not be afraid to do what’s right for you. The first 50 days of university can be a challenging time; it can be quite social and exhausting, and for a lot of our students, you are in a new city, away from home and family. There are no right steps of what to do when you start University, make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

Danial: I think I didn’t expect my course to be as independent as it was. Obviously for FBMH students, there are times for more practical learning, but for in the first 50 days, I would say most of your learning is with lectures and readings, which are independent, and that can be quite hard to keep on top of in the beginning.

Danial: If you’re only 50 days into university, just remember that you are still at the beginning of your journey. It takes time to settle academically, socially and personally. Things do get easier as time goes by, as you build confidence, routines and connections. So don’t rush the process. You’re exactly where you need to be.

Adrian: Hi, I’m Adrian, a student within the faculty of science and engineering.

Adrian: Joining University is quite an interesting life transition. Years of home training on how to cook or clean your bathroom properly, and it still does not seem like enough when having to suddenly be in control of your own life. But remembering that everyone is in the same situation is quite a good bonding mechanism.

Adrian: Welcome week events really are a perfect place to meet people. I am still friends with some of those people that sat down on the same table with me during our introductory “Scavenger Hunt” to explore the university campus.

Adrian: I also really recommend joining a society! In your first few weeks you would have already met quite a few people in your accommodations, or on your course. But a society will give you the opportunity to meet the small groups of people with similar interests or cultures. It can make a huge difference to your university experience.

Adrian: My final suggestion would be, don’t have any strong expectations for how you will be living once you move into uni. Because once you are in this situation, everything changes, often for the better, sometimes for the worse, but these are all learning curves which build you up to reach your goals.

Keira: Hi, I’m Keira, a second-year student in the Faculty of Humanities.

Keira: Something I wish I’d known before starting university is where to find advice on assignment structures, particularly for essays. Most of my degree is essay-based, and sometimes that writing can be quite different from A Levels, like I was used to. So knowing where to get support first would have been really helpful for me.

Keira: One of my top tips’ is don’t be too hard on yourself—this is a time to make mistakes but also to learn from them. Many of our student will be moving away from home, so it’s a great opportunity to take time to get to learn the campus and to get to know the city. Also, make sure you give yourself some time alone—freshers week can be quite socially draining, so it’s important to look after yourself in this time, too.

Keira:: My biggest piece of academic advice is to find a note-taking strategy that works for you. This will really help with lectures, with getting the most out of them, and really help- if you’re not so organised when you want to come back to materials- this will set you up really for the rest of your time at university, too.

Keira: I think university wasn’t really what I was expecting, but if you enjoy your subject, you will really love it. I recommend trying to engage with your reading as much as possible. I think this really makes the most out of your degree and I hope you enjoy your time here.

Transcript for No singular student video

Liv: Hi I’m Liv, I’m just about to graduate with History and Politics and there is no singular student. I am a first generation university student, first in the family to go to uni. I am from North East, I’m from Sunderland and because of this I have always worked multiple jobs at uni, I have always worked two jobs at a time and this can be challenging. It can be a lot of pressure on my time, but it has given me so much independence and overall my time at uni has been really positive.

Divya: Hello, my name is Divya, and I am an integrated master’s final year student studying Environmental Science here at The University of Manchester. There is no singular student; I am a student with ADHD and when I came to university I registered with the disability and accessibility service. I was scared I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the workload demand and my peers, but just as there’s no single student experience, there’s no single way to learn correctly, and with the support from our disability services, I feel like I can say, as I near the end of university and reach graduation, that I have had a fulfilling and enriching university experience.

Fariha: Hi, I’m Fariha, and there’s no singular student, because I’m a commuter student.

As a final year Public Health student, it has been difficult finding a balance between my home life and my university life and I haven’t been able to immediately fit into university life the way a lot of my peers have.

In first year I had to experiment a lot to find a balance between my home life and my university life, including finding social events that finished early enough for me to catch the bus to go home, and sometimes I had to come in really early as well so that I could avoid the commuter rush and be here on time.

As I settled in though, I quickly realised that there are hundreds of commuter students on campus at the University of Manchester, and as I went to different events and things I met my people and I met other commuter students found other commuter students who had a similar timetable and responsibilities like me.

It can be difficult balancing home responsibilities, while also trying to study, while also trying to have a social life and a university life. But it’s absolutely doable and there is loads of support here to help you be able to do that as well, including things like the commuter society. Have fun commuting!

Danial: Hi, I’m Danial, a 2nd year Nursing student here at The University of Manchester. There is no singular student. I’m an international student, all the way from Brunei Darussalam. 2 years ago, I came to the UK for the very first time. Moving so far away from home was exciting, but it was also a big change. I didn’t really know what to expect from life in Manchester. It took me months to properly settle in and get used to being away from my family and friends. At times, I missed home and everything that felt familiar. But what helped me was remembering that I wasn’t alone. Manchester is such a diverse and welcoming city, and the university community is full of people from different backgrounds who are all on their own journeys too.

Over time, I started building a new routine, making friends and creating memories that made Manchester feel like home.

My advice is to try new experiences, give yourself time to adjust and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Everyone’s journey is different and that’s what make it special. Before you know it, you’ll find your own space here, just like I did. I hope you can enjoy your time in Manchester and create a home away from your own.

Transcript for Navigating relationships at university video

Di: One of the great things about your time at university is the opportunity to build so many different types of relationships! These could be friends, romantic relationships or even professional ones like the relationship you’ll have with your academic advisor.

Keira: Whether it is your flatmate, professor, course mate, someone you met at a society or on a night out, these relationships will be a crucial to your university experience.

Di: You may encounter people from diverse cultures and experiences that you’ve not seen before. This can feel really overwhelming, but that is okay. It’s completely normal!

Keira: The important thing is you listen to your gut and only do what you are comfortable with!

Di: Remember that you don’t have to go past your personal boundaries or your limits just to make friends. It’s totally acceptable to leave an event early, go to the events that appeal to you, or go on a night that’s completely sober. Just do what you’re comfortable with.

Di: It is also important to note as well that some people feel pressured to make their friend groups right away, especially with social media and student group chats. Just remember that sometimes you may not make friend through conventional ways or right of the bat– Some people may make their best in the freshers week, and some people also don’t meet their best friends until second or third year.

Keira: Everyone builds relationships differently and there is no right way to do this. Don’t be afraid to strike up conversations or put yourself out there.

Di: As for academic relationships, your academic advisors and teaching staff are there to help you. If you need help with anything, do not be afraid to send them an email or go along to office hours.

Keira: I often go to office hours if I have ever a question about an assignment or exam. Building relationships with academics has been very useful throughout my university career, and hopefully will be, for you, too.

Di: Whoever you are, wherever you are, the right people will be waiting here for you at Manchester.

Transcript for Preparing for study video

Adrian: Hi, I’m Adrian from the Library Student Team. Starting university is exciting but can be intimidating. But don't worry, we have lots of support!

Rachel: You’ll meet so many people with different ideas, plans and expectations and it's easy to feel like you should follow the crowd but remember that this is your journey.

Adrian: Strengthening your voice means taking time to figure out what works best for you, not others around you. Everyone starting university has a different experience and priorities!

Rachel: Before I started university, I thought I had to have everything figured out, including study habits, goals and friendships. But honestly, I didn't feel fully prepared and that is completely fine. You don't need to have it all planned from day one!

Adrian: One way to start preparing is to explore how you like to study. This could be making notes, discussing ideas with others in a study group or working independently.

Rachel: Don’t be afraid to try things out at the beginning. University gives you the space to adapt and find what suits you best. Take the time to recognise your strengths and make choices that feel right for you.

Adrian: Also, think about how you will balance your studies and social life especially in your first few weeks. There are many events happening and chances to meet people but try and think about how you will balance these with your studies.

Rachel: And remember, there's plenty of support, so you’re not expected to figure it out all alone.

Adrian: So as you prepare, focus on taking small steps, staying open minded and doing what works for you.

Rachel: You don't need to have all the answers right now; you just need to start. We can’t wait to see you here, good luck – you've got this!

Transcript for Imposter syndrome video

Hafsah: Hello everyone, I’m Hafsah.

Tim: Hi, I’m Tim.

Hafsah: Today we’d like to discuss something that is so common among many students when they first arrive at university yet is not talked about enough: imposter syndrome.

Tim: Imposter syndrome is that feeling that everyone else but you belongs in here, and that you’ve somehow arrived here by mistake.

Hafsah: I definitely felt that when I first started. From the first week, people seemed so confident. They were discussing how many societies they’ve joined, future career plans, and even what pubs they’re planning to visit with their new friends!

Tim: I had a similar experience. As an international student, when I came for university, it was my first time in Manchester, so I felt completely unfamiliar with the city and even the language.

Hafsah: I also felt like an imposter in lecture halls. At school or college, many of us were among the strongest students in the room. Then you arrive at university and suddenly you’re in a big lecture theatre surrounded by high achievers. It felt like everyone already knew how to study, manage their time and take notes! It must’ve been like everyone received an exclusive handbook but me.

Tim: Thankfully, this is not the case. The good news is that these are all skills you can learn here at the University. The Library offers lots of support, including the My Learning Essentials study skills workshops which range from time management to academic writing support.

Hafsah: Another thing which helped me is realising that if I was feeling this way, most probably other students were too.

Tim: Exactly. Once I started talking to course mates and friends, I realised that they actually had the same thoughts and doubts, even though they might seem more confident.

Hafsah: Looking back, it is natural to compare yourself with other people and feel like you’re falling behind. But I’ve found it’s much more helpful to compare yourself to your past self and focus on your own progress.

Tim: That being said, if you are struggling with imposter syndrome, you don’t have to deal with it alone. There is plenty of support available here. You can talk with your academic advisor, other students within the peer-support sessions, and contact your School Student Support Hub.

Hafsah: You can also book appointments with the Mental Health Support Team and the Students’ Union Wellbeing Team.

Tim: But most importantly remember that the University of Manchester offered you a place here because they believe you can thrive.

Hafsah: So be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Tim: We look forward to welcoming you at Manchester, see you soon!