Where to start? Well, a good place would be to ask what is the ultimate university experience? Put reaaaaally simply, being at university is a unique experience because there are so many opportunities right at your fingertips.
You probably won’t be in a position again where it’s so easy try a new sport, instrument or hobby and be planning to study abroad whilst also speaking to a careers advisor about an summer internship.
That might sound overwhelming, and you absolutely don’t need to be doing all of these things at once, but if you want to it’s all out there waiting for you!
The ultimate university experience will be unique to you, but is available to everyone, it just takes patience, commitment and a bit of a can-do attitude.
So, we’re here to share tips on how to manage your “build”, starting with the tools and parts you’ll need to get started!
Forget hammers, screwdrivers and tape measures – what you’ll need first, is to make sure you’re fully registered and have access to Blackboard, MYUWE, Outlook and the UWE app. These will allow you to actively engage in university life and more importantly your course.
Taking an active role in your course will really underpin the rest of your time at university. So, prepare for timetable sessions, turn up to lectures and engage with feedback and discussions with your coursemates and tutors. And it goes without saying – complete your assignments!
If anything is holding you back from doing these things make sure you ask for help. There is so much support out there, from study specific guidance and workshops, to support with your mental health.
Once you feel you have your course under control, you’ll then have some time and headspace to think about the other activities which will contribute to your ultimate university experience.
We’ve listed some ideas here but really university is about getting out there and doing it yourself. So, go and find out what’s going on and try new things!
- Joining a club or society is a great way to meet new people and try new things. And at the start of term there’s so many taster sessions taking place with can give you an insight into what to expect before fully committing. You can also reach out to societies and clubs on social media if you want to find out more.
- If you’re interested in international travel there are so many different opportunities available to you – including overseas study and volunteering – so make sure you check out our global experiences and get in touch with the team if you have any questions.
- Already thinking about life after uni? Then make the most of our Careers Service! They organise events, run workshops and you can book 1-2-1 appointments for more support. They also have a brilliant Career Toolkit full of useful resources to help you with your career plans. Why not sign up for one of their events or workshops?
- You could also boost your employability by considering an internship or placement. Not only does it help you develop your skills and experience, but it’s a fab way to learn more about different workplaces and the direction you want to take your future career.
- Why not think about giving something back to the community? Volunteering is the perfect way to make the most of your talents, meet new people, and gain new experiences.
- If your build is going well and you have some thoughts about how the student experience could be improved, why not become a student rep or joining the Student Consultation Panel? Your work can make a real difference for both current and future students.
We could go on and on about all the opportunities available to help build your ultimate university experience, but as we’ve said -this is all about you taking your experience into your own hands and finding out for yourself what the ultimate university experience means to you.
For most people, university life only lasts three or four years, so get out there and do everything you can to really make the most of your time here.