How different is it to be a student now compared to five years ago? Ten years? Twenty years?
The world continues to change. Your experiences are shaped by advances in technology. What you take for granted today may not have existed when you were born.
But how different are your worries compared to previous years?
Feeling anxious? (photo by jαγ △)
A YouthInsight poll of more than 1,500 students has asked current students and this year’s uni applicants about their anxieties about campus life. Times Higher Education reports on the top five concerns as:
- Money (63%)
- Difficulties settling in (50%)
- Trouble making friends (48%)
- Getting on with flatmates (44%)
- Too much partying/drinking (22%)
There is nothing new in this list. And it’s understandable that you’d be worried about these things. For many, stepping on campus for the first time is also the first time away from the family home. The first time you’re fending for yourself in a major way.
If any of these matters are causing you anxiety, check out these links from the archives…
Money
- 29 Money Matters
- More Money Saving Tips
- Your Money: 7 Things Not To Do as a Student
- Your Money: 7 Things To Do as a Student
Settling In
Making Friends
- Turn Smalltalk Into Bigtalk: 7 Ways To Find Things To Talk About
- Make Contact, Make Friends
- Meeting New People (a fab guest post from Ali Luke, who is awesome BTW)
Getting Along
- 20 Hints For Living With Others
- Living With Others: Be the Genuine Article
- 11 Ways To Improve Your Communication Skills
Partying/Alcohol
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Many of your worries may be similar to others around you. The cliché goes that you’re all in the same boat when you start university. Cliché or not, that means you’re all trying to make sense of what’s new. And that’s not always easy.
Remember, you’re not getting it wrong. You’re exploring and discovering. The awesomeness can take time.
It’s worth the wait. 🙂
