What Do You Wish Someone Had Told You Before Starting University?
If I could go back and talk to myself before starting university, I’d say: there’s a lot no one warns you about, but you’ll be okay. Everyone talks about the excitement, independence, and academic challenge, but few prepare you for the quieter realities. Here’s what I wish I’d known before I walked through the doors of my university.
1. Independence Isn’t Just About Freedom
Yes, you can eat cereal for dinner. But independence is more than being left alone, it’s about learning to structure your time, ask for help, and build your own support system. At Ashbourne, we had structure: Mock Weeks, small classes, and teachers who knew how to check in. At university, you don’t always have that.
Part of being independent also means learning the small but important life skills, like cooking basic meals, doing your own laundry, or budgeting your weekly shop. You don’t need to be a gourmet chef, but knowing how to cook a few simple, nutritious meals can make a big difference to your wellbeing and wallet.
2. No One Has It All Figured Out
Everyone looks like they’re doing fine. Social media makes it seem like people settle in immediately. But in reality, most of us felt overwhelmed at first, homesick, unsure, and a bit lost in lectures with hundreds of students.
I wish someone had said that those feelings are normal. Just because it looks like everyone else is thriving doesn’t mean they’re not struggling in their own way. In fact, that uncertainty is a shared experience, and talking about it can make it less isolating.
3. Asking for Help is a Strength
I was used to being the one with answers. At Ashbourne, I felt safe to ask for help, teachers encouraged it. But at university, it took me a while to realise that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a strategy for success.
Whether it’s emailing a professor, going to office hours, or asking a flatmate how the laundry machine works, it’s all part of learning. No one gets through on their own, and most people are happy to help, they’ve been there too.
4. Use Your Time, and Use It Well
University can feel very unstructured, especially compared to A-levels. That can be freeing, but also overwhelming. One thing I didn’t expect was how much spare time I’d have in between lectures. Looking back, I wish I’d used some of that time to explore part-time work or internships.
Not only does a part-time job help with finances, but it gives you experience, structure, and confidence. You don’t need to overload yourself, but if you can, it’s worth exploring.
5. Don’t Miss Accommodation Deadlines
This one’s practical but important: university accommodation gets snapped up fast. Make sure you don’t miss those deadlines. Apply as early as possible, especially if you want to be close to campus or have specific preferences.
6. You Don’t Have to Join Everything, But Do Join Something
There’s pressure to “make the most of it” from day one, join every society, go to every event, always say yes. But you burn out quickly. I wish I’d known that it’s okay to pace yourself.
That said, societies can be a great way to meet people, develop skills, and even network. Whether it’s a career society, a cultural group, or just something fun, getting involved helps you feel part of something bigger, and you never know who you’ll meet or where those connections could lead.
7. Your Routine is Your Superpower
At Ashbourne, we had a rhythm. It kept me grounded. At university, that rhythm disappears unless you build it yourself. Once I started setting weekly goals and blocking off time for reading, I felt more in control.
No one will hand you a routine. But if you create one, everything becomes easier, studying, socialising, even relaxing.
8. Start Thinking About Your CV Early
Don’t wait until final year to think about your CV. The earlier you start, the easier it becomes to track your progress, spot gaps, and build experience gradually. Volunteering, work experience, societies, they all add up.
Keep a simple record of what you do, any skills you develop, and feedback you receive. Future-you will appreciate it when you’re applying for jobs or internships.
9. Coursework and EPQs Really Do Help
If you’ve done an EPQ or coursework-heavy subjects at A-level, you’re already developing skills that will be essential at university: independent research, time management, extended writing. I didn’t realise how much of a head start those things gave me until I was knee-deep in a 2,500-word essay.
Finally
University is full of freedom, but that freedom can feel overwhelming. What I wish I’d known is that it’s okay to feel uncertain, okay to make mistakes, and okay to move at your own pace.
Ashbourne helped me build confidence, strategies, and a strong academic foundation. That made a huge difference. But even with the best preparation, university is a new world, and no one expects you to navigate it perfectly.
What matters is knowing you’re not alone, and that asking for help, slowing down, and building new habits are all part of the process.