How to Settle Into University Life (Even When It’s Overwhelming)
Starting university is one of the most exciting milestones after A-levels. It comes with the promise of freedom, new friends, and the chance to study subjects you genuinely care about. But what many don’t talk about enough is how overwhelming it can feel once the initial excitement fades. If you’ve found yourself feeling lost, homesick, or simply unsure of how to find your rhythm, you’re not alone.
Embrace the Unfamiliar
The first few weeks can feel like sensory overload. New city, new flatmates, new routines. It’s natural to feel like everyone else has it all figured out, but the truth is, most people are just as unsure as you. Give yourself permission to not have all the answers straight away. Start by exploring your environment at your own pace. Find your local café or quiet study spot. Building familiarity breeds comfort.
Build a Routine (But Be Flexible)
University timetables are far less structured than school, and that can be both freeing and confusing. Without someone keeping tabs, it’s easy to let time slip away. Try creating a loose weekly routine, set times for lectures, meals, exercise, and study. But don’t stress if things don’t go exactly to plan. Flexibility is key to avoiding burnout.
Say Yes, Then Learn to Say No
In your first term, you’ll be bombarded with invitations: societies, parties, sports teams, group chats. Say yes to opportunities, even if you’re unsure. Trying things out is how you discover what you truly enjoy. But as the weeks go on, learning to say no becomes just as important. Your time and energy are limited. It’s okay to choose rest over yet another night out.
Keep the Support Lines Open
Staying in touch with people from your life before university, family, school friends, even teachers, can help you stay grounded. Ashbourne College has always believed in supporting students beyond the classroom, and that doesn’t stop at graduation. Many alumni find that reconnecting with their sixth form teachers, even for a short chat, provides a sense of familiarity and reassurance in those early uni days.
Don’t Fear Homesickness
Missing home doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It means you had something worth missing. Acknowledge those feelings without letting them take over. Little comforts from home, a favourite snack, a video call, your old hoodie, can work wonders when you’re having an off day.
Get to Know Your Support Services
Most universities offer counselling, mentoring, wellbeing check-ins, and academic advice. Use them. There’s no badge for struggling in silence. If you’re unsure where to turn, asking for help is often the bravest and smartest thing you can do. Remember, you’re not alone in finding the transition hard, others are probably waiting for someone like you to speak up.
Look Back to Move Forward
Your time at Ashbourne College may feel like a world away, but the habits, values, and relationships you built there still shape your present. Whether it’s the study discipline you developed for A-levels or the way you learned to express yourself in tutorials, that foundation will support you more than you realise.
Settling Takes Time
The truth is, you don’t need to have it all figured out in your first term, or even your first year. Settling into university life is a process, not a single moment. The best thing you can do is show up for yourself, try things out, and stay open to change.
And whenever you feel unsure, remember that Ashbourne is always here to help. You’re part of a community that doesn’t end with graduation.
For more advice on making the transition, take a look at our post: What do you wish someone had told you before starting university?
1. How can I settle into university life when it feels overwhelming?
Settling into university life takes time, and it’s normal to feel unsettled at first. Start by exploring your new environment, creating small routines, and giving yourself permission not to have everything figured out straight away.
2. What should I do if I feel homesick at university?
Homesickness is a common part of university life. Keep in touch with family and old friends, bring comforting items from home, and allow yourself to feel those emotions without judgment.
3. How do I make friends during my first term at university?
Join societies, attend social events, and say yes to opportunities early on. Meeting different groups of people helps you discover where you feel most comfortable and can lead to lasting friendships.
4. Why is building a routine important at university?
A routine helps you balance lectures, study, social activities, and rest. Unlike school, university timetables are less structured, so having a plan reduces stress and keeps you on track academically.