Hear it best from those who've been in your shoes

Being new to university is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. From the pressure of making new friends to managing coursework, there's a lot to figure out. 

Who better to offer guidance than those who've been in your shoes? To help you navigate your first year with confidence, here are some of our graduate's top tips!

Don't be too hard on yourself

It's easy to have high expectations of your first week of university, however...

Whether you're struggling to find your people or are already getting overwhelmed with emails, the jump from school to university is a big one. So don't be too hard on yourself if your experience so far is not as expected, it can take time to get used to. 

Talk to loads of new people

Speaking of finding your group, it's important to make an active effort in talking to new people whenever you can. Think about joining your flatmates in the kitchen and finding out more about their favourite food, watch a movie together or go to an event. 

Not sure where to start? Read more of our tips on getting to know your flatmates. 

Join as many societies as you can

Joining a society - or multiple societies - is also a great way to find your friend group as it helps group students with the same interests and hobbies, so you're sure to find like-minded people here. 

With one of the biggest Athletic Unions in the country with 142 clubs AND 249 societies available to join - there's something for everyone to be a part of! 

Make use of the university facilities

You'll be surprised at how many of the university facilities you'll miss once you're student journey is over, so take advantage of them while you can. Think sports, studying, support and social life. 

We have a wide range of study spaces with specialist equipment that will help you get the most out of your course, from laboratories to libraries. Or head to the SUSU to get involved with a range of activities, help and support or a bite to eat - totally independent from the uni, the SUSU is run by students, for students! 

Don't leave your essays to the last minute

We've all been there. Student life can make it hard to balance all of your studies, your social time and your you time. However, there are some tips and tricks which make it a lot easier to make sure you're getting your assignments done on time without doing an all-nighter - it's all about developing a healthy routine.  

Listen to our students chat through some top revision tips and ways to avoid exam stress on our Bridging the Gap podcast.

Welcome to the University of Southampton!

And no matter what, if you ever need a helping hand, we've got you covered. Find out everything you need to know about where to find support here.