How to Make a Seamless Transition from School to University

Moving to university is not just an educational change – it can be a complete shift of your geographical, cultural, and socio-economic norms. These differences may make you nervous, but don’t worry, most people also experience these feelings. Keep reading this article to find out three key pieces of advice on making a seamless transition from school to university.

It’s important to remember that everybody’s experience of university is different. There is no singular way that university should be experienced and everyone has an individual focus which prioritises certain elements over others.

So although this blog aims to help you with how to transition from school to university, remember that this is your journey and only you can define it the way you want it.

Tip 1: Practical Preparation whilst Still at School

For many students, university is the first time that they’ve had the sole responsibility for cooking their meals, doing their laundry, and paying their bills. If this is you, then it might be worth spending the summer before going to university practising some key practical skills. 

Maybe you have a favourite meal that instantly reminds you of home? Ask your parents to teach you how to make it so that when you’re at uni, you still have a taste of home away from home.

Try increasing the amount of responsibility you take on at home so that when you leave home, the change won’t feel as significant. If you don’t already, do your own washing, clean your own room, take out your own bins. When you go to university, these things will just be a matter of habit, and you can focus on soaking in the academic and social magic.

One of the biggest responsibilities you’ll have when at university is budgeting. Before going, make sure you have a handle on your finances. Make a budget to figure out how much you can spend on food, university necessities, and social activities each week. It can be an exciting time when the first student loan drops, but the excitement won’t last if it’s spent in the first week!

Tip 2: Create a Support Network to Ease Your Transition

Freshers’ Week can be a whirlwind of meeting new people and going to new places. But as things settle down, try to start making connections with people who you think might share similar interests or characteristics. A great place to start is by trying out new societies. These are fantastic for meeting new people who may share interests with you in a relaxed and social space. Most people are open to a chat, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone you haven’t met before! 

With all the new and exciting things to experience at university, you may have some questions. Whether it’s about laundry or the library, there’ll always be someone to answer these. Universities have great support networks set up, so even if you feel as though you’re struggling, there are many people around to help.

Where possible, keep in touch with those back home. Whether it’s a semi-regular FaceTime appointment, a rolling game of Words with Friends, or the family Whatsapp group, familiar voices are sure to offer a comforting taste of home. Just because they may be far away, doesn’t mean they can’t be there for you!

Never feel as though you can’t speak to someone. University can sometimes feel slightly isolating but try to remember that there are people to help. From your academic advisors to Nightline, there are so many people ready to support you in your transition from school to university.

Tip 3: Find a Good Balance Between Work and Play

University is all about the wider experience. Yes, ultimately you want to come out with a degree that you are proud of, but at the same time, there is so much you can learn outside of your degree. That’s why it’s important to make sure you leave time for doing things that you enjoy.

Whether that’s going to the local indoor climbing centre or just going for coffee with your friends, it’s essential to your well-being to keep doing the things that you love. And don’t be afraid to try something new! 

Of course, you will still have to satisfy your academic requirements while making time for your social activities.

Try to set reasonable goals each day so that you never become overwhelmed by the amount of things you need to do. By setting aside some hours every day to prepare for your upcoming seminars and essays, you’ll reduce the chance of having a last-minute panic – which is never much fun.

Your first year at university is a good time to test what your perfect work/life balance is, so don’t worry if it takes a bit of time to figure out what works for you.

Tip 4: Be True to Yourself for a Seamless Transition

University is a challenging time for many but it can also be a great opportunity to try out new things and make new friends.

There’s often a lot of pressure to appear to be a certain way or do certain things but the most important thing is to stay true to yourself. As long as you’re doing things that make you happy and support your well-being, then you are doing a good job.

Conclusion

The first few months of university are likely to be a complete whirlwind, but there are steps you can take to ensure the transition from school to university is seamless. If you’ve cultivated a strong support network, practised the domestic skills you’ll need, and are prepared to take time to act with intention and reflection to ensure that your life remains balanced and authentic, you’ll likely experience a smooth transition that all students aspire to. If you’d like a trial run of life at university, Immerse Education’s Academic Programmes allow you to experience study at the world’s most prestigious institutions whilst still in high school.