Considerations to take when chasing the University experience

Prisca, one of the interns on our Collaborative Future programme, looks back at her University experience and shares her advice for those only beginning their higher education journey.

Black man sitting on a sofa reading a red hardcover book

As students all over the UK are beginning their University journey, I have decided to look back on my experience, my reasons for going and the important considerations in the lead up to starting University. As many people who have attended a university course will say, University can be a great time in your life but you must be prepared to make the most of it. With this in mind, here are a few factors which I think are useful for new students and those considering University.

Studying at Graduate level will likely be a very different experience than what you have experienced in school. It requires much more independent and critical thinking than I was pushed to develop and use at school. This means that there is also much more need for self-motivation and good organisation as there won’t always be someone to make sure you are doing the work and understanding the content. You will be in charge of your own learning, both in terms of organising and devising your methods of study, but also with regard to taking initiative, creating or joining study groups and asking questions to the tutors and professors. Contact hours are limited in comparison to school and, depending on your course and year, they may be as little as 4 hours a week - or even less due to COVID! This means you will need to be very rigorous about your study schedule; however, it also leaves flexibility for making other plans for socialising. Unfortunately, not everyone benefits from the style of learning Universities have, but there are many other options to take.

You will meet large numbers of new and different people of different ages, from different countries and with different interests, giving you the chance to make lasting relationships with people you never thought you would.

The friendships and relationships created at university can not only impact your university experience but can also remain strong beyond your course. In addition to meeting people in your course, you can make connections with other people living in your accommodation and/or by joining or trying out societies. Societies are a great place to continue hobbies or develop new interests. Regardless of all the freebies provided (although they are definitely an incentive), going to your university’s freshers’ fair is essential to find out what you can get involved in.

If you are one of the many people who were torn as to what course to pick, or perhaps weren't 100% sure of their final decision, joining societies can provide an outlet for other interest or hobbies - a Law degree student can still join a craft society!

Going to university, especially if you are moving away from home, will be an opportunity for personal development. The ability to juggle various commitments and taking care of any and all tasks by yourself will undeniably help you grow and introduce you to the world of “adulting”. This does not mean you will have to do all this alone, there will be people to support you emotionally and materially - these being your family and friends, the university’s support system through counsellors, tutors and advisors, or from external organisations such as Mind.

One significant consideration to keep in mind about university is the cost. Undeniably, university is expensive. This is obviously because of the high fees and the considerable debt which most students take on in order to join and complete a course. I found it to be important to carefully budget any loans or other allowances and plan your spending accordingly. Many students find part-time jobs to supplement their income - these can often be flexible and be a great way to develop new skills while studying. Many automatically opt for retail and hospitality roles, however these are now far in between. If you have a skill, it's worth looking into freelancing while at university. A number of students struggle with receiving their loans and having it suffice and I personally had this experience. If it happens, it is very important to not panic and to take steps to manage the problem, knowing that there will always be someone willing to help you.

Uni is not the be-all and end-all of life. Although going to university gives you the perfect opportunity to meet new people, try new things and learn new skills, these are not exclusive to university. There are other communities or ways that you can meet new people, grow your network and mindset.

At Collaborative Future, I have been able to connect with other interns within my age range and established entrepreneurs, gain insight into industries I had no knowledge of before, and develop new and existing skills through both the work placements and the workshops provided.

The flexibility of the scheme also means that I can be in charge of organising and scheduling my week as well as choosing what type of work I want to do. Collaborative Future allows you to "adult” and to engage with the world of work (and in the process even find a job). It maintains a supportive environment and encourages young people to find their own path with the help of skilled coaches, and support of the Founder Tess.

If you want to be part of our work placement programme you can sign up as a business member or apply to be an intern.

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