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. At university, it took me a while to realise that there is help available and 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.
10. Networking is More Important Than You Think
One of the things I underestimated before university was just how valuable networking would be. At school, success feels like it’s all about your grades. At university, your relationships can matter just as much. Building connections with classmates, lecturers, alumni, and even people you meet through societies can open doors you might not expect.
Networking isn’t about being pushy or collecting business cards, it’s about building genuine relationships. A conversation with someone in a career society could lead to an internship. A good relationship with a professor might mean a stronger reference when you need one. Even the friends you make in your flat could be the people who connect you to opportunities years down the line.
The earlier you start making these connections, the more natural it feels. Think of it less as “networking” and more as being curious about people, taking an interest in what they’re doing, and staying open to opportunities. University is full of people who could inspire, guide, and support you—don’t miss the chance to learn from them.
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.
For more advice about life at university you can read our post on ‘How to settle into university life’.
1. What should I know about independence before starting university?
Independence at university is more than freedom, it means learning to manage your time, budget, cook simple meals, and build your own support system. These small life skills make a big difference to both wellbeing and confidence.
2. Is it normal to feel overwhelmed at university?
Yes, most students feel homesick or uncertain at first, even if it doesn’t look that way on the surface. These feelings are a shared experience, and talking about them can make the transition easier.
3. Why is asking for help important at university?
Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Whether it’s reaching out to a professor, using student support services, or asking a flatmate for advice, it helps you adapt and succeed more effectively.
4. How can I make the best use of my free time at university?
University schedules often leave large gaps between lectures. Using this time for part-time work, internships, or volunteering can add valuable experience to your CV and help you feel more structured.