[lonely and scared]

i am starting university tomorrow for the first time. i am both excited and very nervous about starting. am just wondering what is it like and if anyone else is going through the same sort of thing

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Hello lonely and scared,

Starting Uni is both exciting and petrifying. Remember how small you felt starting school and how huge the buildings seemed? Well Uni is the same but you are all grown up and so are the buildings, so everything seems so much more daunting.

But once you are in your classes you will get used to them and you will feel comfort knowing them and where they are. It won't take you long to feel quite at home and really into your subects. Just take it one day at a time and enjoy the settling in time.

Won't be long before you are an old hand helping the newbies, good luck and have fun

[Ygrec23]

Originally Posted by lonely and scared

i am starting university tomorrow for the first time. i am both excited and very nervous about starting. am just wondering what is it like and if anyone else is going through the same sort of thing

It's not that bad, lonely. There will be all kinds of people. Some the kind you would like to be friends with and who would like to be friends with you. Some you don't like, and that's okay too. You'll get your course assignments and schedule, if you haven't already, then you'll start looking for textbooks.

Sometime soon you'll sit in a lecture hall and listen to an instructor or professor and think about whether or not this is really someone you want to learn from. You'll go see the student union (or whatever they call it in your country), and find out where you can have lunch or a snack or just study (you might already have done this). And you'll calm down. Because it's not really that awful. Most people, once they get used to it, have a good time at uni. A good time finding out about people and making new friends. A good time thinking and studying about things they haven't known before.

It's true, strangers are scary, but soon they won't be strangers. However, a lecture room is just a big classroom, and you've been through many of those before. You'll study your textbooks, just as you've done before. And you've met new people before, so that won't be as bad as you expect. Don't worry about your mind problems. Most of them will have mind problems too, whether they know it or not. Don't let any people who are in their second or third year make you feel dumb or worth less than they are. Last year (or the year before), they were just like you are now.

So. I wish you well. I hope that everything works out. The possibility of it NOT doing so is pretty small. Have courage. Have faith. Enjoy your new possibilities. Take care!

[lonely and scared]

there was no need to actually worry as it was ok, a bit tiring but it was fun meet some nice people

[Travelinglady]

Hi! Welcome to the university world! I've lived on both sides of the "lecturn" (that is, I was a student and then I was a university professor for 20 years). I can understand your fears, then. You're definitely not alone. Before too long, you'll be meeting all sorts of people--some who you'll think came from another planet. But you'll meet some that you can become friends with, and soon you will feel more at home. I encourage you to look for some clubs and organizations to get involved in. And, take it from a former professor, we do care about you students, and I always wished more students had come by to see me during my office hours. That's what they're there for! Good luck! Feel free to drop in here at the forum anytime and let us know how things are going.

[mangomilkshake]

Uni can be good fun. It might be a bit overwhelming at first with the campus and making new friends but it is not too bad. Classes can be okay you just have to try not to fall behind on work.

I would also advise you to find the counselling service since they can help a lot. I know mine have and it makes uni life that much easier to have someone to talk to.

[sundog]

Glad to hear it went well today! I really enjoyed uni! I miss those days!

[lone_twin4]

I love university

The best advice I have is to not take it to heart when people say 'university will be the best years of your life!' I went through a low spot in my first year, and that thought (that I was living my best years, and nothing would ever get better) was immensely depressing. But it's not even true! University doesn't have to be mega totally super awesome amazing fun all the time. Relish the academic challenges, too.

Clubs (or societies) are great places to meet people. I joined the LGBT, the writing group, the History club and something else I forgot because I hardly go to it, but I did meet people there. You will learn a lot about yourself

At my university, we say that 'there are 3 things which must be done. Working, socialising, and sleeping. But you only have time to make a good job of two.' Without too much procrastination or time on Facebook, though, it's not too hard to cram everything in properly. Always talk to your tutors or your counselling service if you are having problems with anything - even not work related, even to your tutors. They are paid to help you and most are happy to do so, because they actually do care about their students (at least in my experience).

The thing I love about university the most is being with other people who want to learn stuff.

And never say never!

Oh, and what are you studying? I'm doing English Literature ('good luck getting a job' I hear all the time, pfffftt. I have certain ambitions ;D) and love it very much.

[lonely and scared]

thanks for all your words on what uni should be. i have made a few friends and it doesnt seem so daunting as it did when i went there yesterday for the first time. all my lectures seem really nice and they have said that they are approachable if we have a problem. also they have mentioned about all the help we can recieve.
i am studing radiotherapy

[(JD)]

(((las)))) That's good to hear. Oh please do talk to them long before you feel worse (in the future) uni has ups and downs, remember that, and tell yourself that when you are down, that it'll be up again.