Settling In At University: TUB-Thump 001

Since October is the month of new students hitting campus, Episode 001 of TUB-Thump is all about settling in.

Here are the show notes for the 11-min episode:

Your entire way of life is up for change when you hit campus. It’s time to focus. And that means taking action. From the big stuff (like getting to know others), to the small stuff (like unpacking all your belongings).
The rush is real. However, it’ll calm down quicker than you realise. Take control of the rush, rather than let it take control of you. It’s easy to ignore scheduling and discipline, but it makes a huge difference to what you’re able to do.
You get used to what’s going on pretty quickly. In some ways, you may end up feeling a bit of an anti-climax. That’s why some freshers get a second hit of homesickness, part way through term.
If the situation continues to be difficult, do seek help. If you don’t know who is best to turn to, check your Freshers documents/handbook and check online. Failing that, ask someone to point you in the right direction. Student Services or your Students’ Union, for instance, should be able to tell you what to do next in your situation.
I took weeks to fully unpack. It doesn’t help you feel so much at home. Put everything in its proper place.
Don’t spend all the cash on stuff to make you feel better. First, the money is meant for stuff like accommodation and living. Second, that stuff is a distraction. It doesn’t actually make you feel any better in the longer term.
Start studying as soon as you can. Sound mad? Actually, a bit of advance reading should help get your mind a bit closer to what you’re about to encounter in lectures and seminars. If you get a taste of the basics before your first lecture, you may be in for less of a shock by the language and concepts. And it may take your mind off all the other changes you’re dealing with right now!
Be prepared for better to come. Your experience will change over time. It’s not three or four years of the same things happening again and again. You won’t recognise yourself by the time you graduate.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Many students feel the same way. In the end, you’ll probably want to do even more.

Music for TUB-Thump is Life, by Tobu, which is released under a Creative Commons license. Check out more of Tobu’s great sounds on Soundcloud, YouTube, and his official site.

TUB-Thump is part of the Learning Always Network.

Keep being awesome!

Introducing TUB-Thump – Ep.000

TUB-Thump is upon us! Yay! Make the most of your time at university…and beyond.

This is an introduction episode, so call it number 000 if you like. The full-on Episode 001 is dropping alongside it (hear it in the next post).

If you already know TheUniversityBlog, you’re probably used to the type of content that appears. But if you’re in any doubt, the introductory episode will fill in the gaps.

Here are the show notes for the 15-min episode:

You have multiple purposes and multiple experiences at university. Taking it easy shouldn’t be the default option. Then again, neither should burning yourself out.
Short-cuts and life hacks aren’t useful until you’ve mastered the long-form way of doing things. Taking the quick route without proper understanding or context is a false trail.
University is genuinely like a universe. No matter how small your institution is, there’s so much stuff going on. You won’t want to do it all. And you’ll have to limit the stuff you would like to do. It calls for strategic planning, so you know what to say yes to and what to go without.
Your journey doesn’t end with graduation. TUB-Thump (and TheUniversityBlog) tackles how to showcase your university experience when looking for employment. It also looks at making use of what you learned at university long after you’ve graduated.
The show will focus mostly on full-time students, but will still cater for some specific issues for part-time students.
TUB-Thump will cover matters including academic, social, personal, and many other aspects of student life.
My aim for the show is to advise, inform, inspire, and to help you get as much out of your experience as possible. I’ll also occasionally have guests with even more great hints and tips.
We’re all unique. Just because something hasn’t worked for me, doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. I’ll still feature stuff that works for many people, even when I’m not so keen on it. After all, the aim is to check out the tools that could help you out. Only once you get hands-on can you decide for yourself what speaks to you.

Music for TUB-Thump is Life, by Tobu, which is released under a Creative Commons license. Check out more of Tobu’s great sounds on Soundcloud, YouTube, and his official site.

TUB-Thump is part of the Learning Always Network.

Keep being awesome!

Why I’m Going Where the Audio is [Big Announcement]

where-the-audio-is-overlay

Big news. I’m starting three different audio shows. This post tells you what they are, why I’m doing it, and what’s in it for you.

Since they’ll be audio shows, you can listen to the audio that forms this post instead, or read along as you listen to me say it!

Get ready for the first show, for students, to drop next week. It’s called TUB-Thump and you’ll get to hear it right here on TheUniversityBlog.

In recent months, I’ve moved away from the heavy focus on the student experience and policy analysis.

Not because I’ve lost interest. More because I’ve moved closer toward the individuals, the stories, and the excitement in other aspects in and around higher education. So, the student- and policy-facing stuff is still there, just in an evolving way.

Some of this is down to a realisation I had that’s strengthened over that time.

While I’ve spent so many years concentrating on writing words, they’ve stayed written.

It’s dawned on me that those words should sometimes be spoken and sometimes be seen. Sometimes narrated, sometimes freeform.

I love writing words down, but I also have a pretty big thing for the spoken word.

The more audio shows and podcasts I’ve been listening to, the more I recognise the intimacy it brings. And instead of being tied to a screen—like you are when reading or watching video—listening can take place when you’re doing other things.

Last year, I put out a few test broadcasts about higher education and about finding your voice. It was an enjoyable experiment.

Audio shows have been growing quickly in the US. And while the UK is playing catch-up, the enthusiasm is clearly growing. Now is a great time to be producing audio and taking the medium seriously.

Text isn’t going away. However, if I can do more to help people make the most of higher education, I’d be mad to ignore it.

Audio and video are a big deal. My current priority is with audio, because you can listen when it suits you. Even better, you can listen while you’re doing other stuff. It’s great when you’re not tied to a screen, and it’s a privilege when people choose to listen directly to your voice during their day.

In the hundreds of audio shows I’ve checked out, one thing is clear. The best stuff requires a mixture of excitement, storytelling, and communication to YOU. Very specifically, to you the listener so you feel a part of what’s going on, even when you’re not speaking back. When you feel you’re being respected, and you feel like you’re learning just enough to feel challenged, but not too much to feel out of your depth, the audio…just…works.

So here’s the deal. I’m going big on audio right now. And it might sound crazy, but I’m about to launch three shows. Yep, three shows.

The shows will be under what I call the “Learning Always Network“.

Here’s what will be on offer:

The first show is tied to TheUniversityBlog, called TUB-Thump. It’s a twice-weekly dose of help to students, so they can make the most of their time at university, and beyond. It’ll be on Mondays, to start the week with a bang, and on Thursdays, to keep the momentum going in the week. So, that’s TUB-Thump, for students.

Next up is Mind Your Higher Ed. Starting fortnightly and progressing to weekly, Mind Your Higher Ed (or MYHE for short), is for university staff (and other interested parties) to learn more about the many different facets of the university. From academia to administration, from estates to catering, from student support to students’ unions…I hope to bridge gaps between staff in very different arenas, and also demystify the world of higher education for the interested public.

And the third show in the Learning Always Network is the all-encompassing namesake, Learning Always. Also fortnightly, going in alternate weeks with Mind Your Higher Ed, Learning Always will host interviews with a wide and eclectic range of guests, discussing how they perceive learning, what they got from big milestones and achievements in their lives, and how their attitudes have changed over the years.

Like I say, MYHE and Learning Always will run in alternate weeks, but so long as I get recording enough in advance, they’ll probably become weekly shows. Anyway, having one new show is tough enough. I’ll get them off the ground and ramp it up when I see it’s sustainable.

So…three different, but related shows. TUB-Thump, with a student angle. MYHE, with a staff focus. And Learning Always, with a mix of all sorts educational.

And with loads of interviews, you won’t just be hearing my voice droning on. You’ll get to hear different views, tips, and news from a wealth of guests. I want it to be fun and informal, but also giving you valuable content as you’re being entertained. Stuff you’ll enjoy listening to, and that also helps you to take action in your field.

Text, audio, video. It’s all at our disposal now. From a desktop, or from your mobile device. It’s all possible now.

So here’s to hearing stories, here’s to loving learning, and here’s to championing higher education. This is a chance for people to listen up and find out about all the amazing work that people like you are doing on a daily basis.

If that sounds good to you, then the place to go will be learningalways.co.uk once the audio drops. I’ll remind you.

And when the shows launch, you’ll be able to subscribe to them via iTunes and your favourite audio apps.

If you’re already a regular reader of TheUniversityBlog, I’ll be posting up new editions of TUB-Thump from there too, so your student needs can all be covered under the one roof.

I’m going where the audio is. I’m all ears. Are you? I hope to hear from you…soon.

How To Move In and Make Friends as Freshers, From People Who Have Gone Through It

friends-with-freshers

When I first got to university, I didn’t know what to expect from the people I’d be living with.

Sounds familiar, right?

No matter how much work you do online to get to know your new housemates, the reality of meeting them for the first time is a big hit for the senses.

Here’s the good news: Moving in with strangers isn’t as hard as you’d think.

The randomness may be scary, but it’s the same for everyone. At least you know you’re not on your own about being on your own.

How do you make new friends and get to grips with your new housemates?

I’ve asked a couple of students’ union officers who have been through these situations and know what it’s like. You’ll find some tips from me here too.

Unique Fun

If you’re not sure how to play it, you’ve come to the right place! Your experience will be unique. And with a bit of calm preparation and a positive attitude, most of that experience should be fun.

As you’ll see, there are two very different experiences here.

Beth Moody, VP Welfare and Community at Portsmouth Students’ Union (UPSU), lived in a house on her own when she first moved to university:

“I loved my house, and being quite a shy individual when I moved to University, I couldn’t think of anything worse than potentially arguing over chicken nuggets or dirty dishes. I bought a Freshers pack, but it meant that I had to turn up to these events not having met anyone.

“That night I met loads of different people, and I ended up being invited to loads of house parties for the remainder of Freshers. Although I didn’t talk to them again after Freshers; it gave me the confidence to approach different people.”

Just because Beth didn’t move in with others, she was still able to go out and make an impact. It doesn’t matter if you live on your own or in a flat with 50 people, it’s important to approach others. Nerves are normal and everyone is new.

The big issue I always see is when someone shuts everything off and doesn’t interact with others. Sometimes they want to engage, but are scared to (more on that in a moment). Sometimes they don’t think the social side of student life is important.

If anything, the social side can have even more impact than the academic. Why? Because you know roughly where the academic side of things is headed. The whole point of activities and relationships outside of the degree is that you’re exploring new things and new people.

I like how Beth avoided the arguments over kitchen duties and who nabbed the food, but didn’t let living alone get in the way of making new friends and having a great time right from the start.

Food…And Parents

Many freshers move in with others, however. And that’s what happened to Liam Bligh, President of Northampton Students’ Union:

Liam Bligh – President of Northampton SU 2016/17

“I lived in Margaret Bondfield halls in my first year, having only known the name of one of my flatmates through the Facebook group. After the 4 hour drive up from Devon and waiting for registration I was exhausted.

“Luckily for me, my parents went straight into the kitchen and introduced themselves to my future flatmates whilst giving out bits of the 3 cakes mum had insisted I brought to ‘help make friends’.

“After attempting to unpack some things and failing I went into the kitchen to then have my parents go around the room and introduce me to my flatmates one by one as if they had known them their entire lives…you can always count on your parents to make it weird.”

Okay, so I’ve long said that dishing out cake and doughnuts will make you popular. Then again, I assume you’ll be doing the dishing out and not your parents…

Anyway, back to Liam:

“Thankfully my parents eventually left and I was able to meet my flatmates properly, we spent the rest of the day chatting about stuff and eventually made our way to the SU for the welcome party, met so many people there, including one guy who I ended up living with for the 2 years after I moved out of halls!”

Liam was lucky to find such a close friend so quickly. Don’t be surprised if it takes you weeks, even months, before you find friends who you end up spending huge amounts of time with. That’s pretty standard.

Some people move out of halls and into a house with the same people they shared the place with. But many others group together with the friends they’ve made elsewhere.

For example, I was well into the first semester before I met the people I ended up living with in my second year. No stress, no rush.

Say Hi, With or Without Nerves

But what’s the secret to making friends?

Actually, it’s not that difficult. Here’s Beth again:

“During Freshers, everyone is in the same boat, no one really knows anyone; so if you are feeling nervous, they probably are too!”

Yep. When you’re all starting fresh, nobody is expecting anything in particular.

Remember that most people are worrying about how they’ll come across. They won’t be thinking about your faults and failings; they’ll mainly be thinking about their own issues.

While everyone is second-guessing themselves, why not take the plunge and say hello to people. No need to judge, and every need to be as welcoming as possible. If you don’t know what to talk about, ask questions and listen to others instead. People will feel relieved that you’re interested in them and you’ll feel relieved that people are so easy to talk to.

Liam has a similar view:

“I would just say it’s really important to try to meet as many people as possible in the first few weeks; you don’t have to get everyone’s numbers (I know loads of people that did this, kind of weird). I’d also say to use the Students Unions sports, societies and volunteering groups to find people with similar interests; I’ve lived with members of the cricket club in both of my 2^nd and 3^rd year after getting involved, so it definitely is a good way to meet people!”

One of the great things about clubs and societies is that you already have a common interest with the other members. Whether it’s cricket, quiddich, or computers, you’ve got one core subject even when you don’t know what else to talk about.

And once you get chatting, the other subjects come along soon enough.

Summing It Up

Here are the main points to remember for making new friends:

Everyone is new – Being on your own means you’re not on your own. Since the Fresher experience is new for practically all students, there are no big expectations of you.
It’s good to talk – In other words, don’t be shy. Social gatherings may not be your thing, but all you need is the word “hello” and you’re ready to strike up a conversation. On the other hand, if you’d do better in a crowd, go out to the events and say hi to people that way. Whichever way, get talking.
It’s better to be interested – Ask questions and find out what makes other people tick. That way, you don’t need to talk about yourself so much, and people will still enjoy your company because you let them talk about themselves. Us humans are so easy to please!
Be social – Don’t stay in your room. Venture out. And at the very least, have an open door so people can see you’re available. You never know, someone who pops their head around the door to say hi may end up being a great friend over the coming years.
Be generous – Offering food to others is great. From sweet treats to making main meals, you’ll be amazed at how thankful others are at your generosity. I’ve long said that a box of doughnuts is cheaper than a big round of drinks, yet it’s more memorable. Imagine if you bought a case of Krispy Kremes once in a while. I wouldn’t call it a bribe for friends (unless that’s literally all you do!), but it is a tasty ice-breaker that people will remember you for.
Find activities – University activities, SU clubs and societies, local groups, and all sorts of other parties and events are brilliant for making new friends.
Go online – Use your phone or laptop to keep an eye on events. Your SU probably has details on their website. Then there’s Facebook groups, regional sites, and other activities on offer through the university intranet and email lists.
Relax with the relationships – None of this should stress you out. It can be daunting, but it shouldn’t be scary. Nerves aren’t the same as having a panic attack. Take the plunge and expect a range of experiences. You won’t hit it off with everyone, but who does? Even the most charismatic and social of people aren’t universally popular.

And if you need any more tips than that, here’s some previous TUB posts with the lowdown:

Living Together Through the Years

Living With Others: Be the Genuine Article

20 Hints for Living With Others

And get ready for my new audio show coming soon. TUB-Thump will feature even more short, sharp tips on making the most of your time at university…including tips on living with others and having a happy student home.