Ten things no one tells you about studying at university

You can find a lot of information online, but there are a few unspoken rules that come with studying at university. Older students already take them for granted, so they may not think of mentioning them to you. We’ve decided to break the silence and tell you ten things no one will before you start university.

Don’t let your eyes be bigger than your belly

Starting your university years opens a world of virtually limitless possibilities. One student society after another, an unlimited number of interesting subjects, a party every day… It’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed. Don’t rush headfirst into everything, do your research first and pick just a few things that really interest you.

Friends from day one?

Friendships form gradually, and if you don’t deliberately choose another path, sooner or later you’ll make new friends. Be friendly to others and you’re bound to find common ground with someone. Besides, in the first semester new students tend to get stressed out and don’t even think about making new friends. So, take your time and don’t rush things.

There’s no shame in dropping classes

After registering, there is a weeks long drop period during which you decide which classes you’ll end up taking. If you find out in your first lecture that you don’t like the teacher, the subject doesn’t interest you despite its intriguing title… drop it and use your time more efficiently.

Changing majors never killed anyone

Not everyone knows what they want to do for the rest of their lives right after high school graduation. So, if you find out in your first semester that you made the wrong choice, don’t be afraid to switch majors. You may lose a little time by doing so, but that is better than feeling constant regret.

Flip-flops are a must

If you live in a dorm room with shared showers and prefer to see fungi and mold in pictures in specialized publications rather than on your own body, wear flip-flops. Not everyone who showers follows basic rules of hygiene… we’ll leave the rest to your imagination.

Register for courses ASAP

Registering for classes is like fighting over a watering hole in the desert. The faster one wins. So, before you start registering, prepare your ideal schedule and prioritize the subjects you want to take the most. Make sure you take more courses than you need to. You can always drop them.

Stay up to date

Get a diary or start using Google Calendar or another time management app. This will help you keep track of when you have exams and other important deadlines. If you want to keep your university memories forever, keep a diary. These times are unique after all.

Let the early bird sleep

If you spend the evening at a party or working on a particularly complicated assignment, you’ll have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning. And that goes for the early birds, too. If possible, organize your schedule so that you don’t have to leave for school early in the morning. You’re starting a new stage of life, and with that comes a new routine you must get used to. And that’s going to take some time.

Dress for success

You don’t have to wear a suit or a ball gown to lectures. But at the very least, you should put on clean and wrinkle-free clothes. People – sometimes even unconsciously – judge others by their looks. This is also true for teachers. In other words, if you come to class in pajamas or they smell you before they see you, you will probably not be too popular.

Invest in a quality mattress

You can save money on lots of things but definitely don’t skimp on a mattress. A bad mattress equals a bad night’s sleep, which will have a negative impact on your studies and academic performance. What’s more, a bad mattress can also cause health problems that you might struggle with in the long run.

Source: Society19