By JOY ETTA
If you’re reading this, the chances that you’re a student and/or a newcomer in the UK are pretty high. If you are a student, at any level, there are some things that you may find difficult to figure out, especially if you are new or have been away from a formal learning environment for a long time. Either way, you will have to learn to keep with the pace of school, perhaps a job, friends and all other distinct sectors of life.
In this article, I discussed how to navigate the new environment as a student. I included a few tips that helped me when I started working towards a postgraduate degree. Before my Master’s, the last time I had to sit in a classroom facing a teacher was in 2017 when I completed my Bachelor’s. Clearly, not a long time ago as I have met several people who returned to “formal education” after a decade or more. The point I am trying to make here is that irrespective of how long it’s been for you, there are a few ways to ensure that you don’t miss out on the opportunities that school has to offer. In truth, “waiting to adjust” to being a student may take longer than you have time for and may never truly happen. You will have to make a conscious effort to ensure that you are where you have to be.
The first tip for navigating the new environment as a student is to take advantage of all available academic support. I believe that in every university, there are places to find the support you need; specifically for your program, and in general as a student. You can sign up for group study sessions, mentorship programs, academic advising and other forms of support. If you are unaware of what exists, speak to staff at your university. When I officially registered as a student, I was sent an email of all services, academic and non-academic, offered by the university. I signed up for extra modules on Critical Thinking and Academic Writing from the Language Department. These added to my workload as they are structured similar to regular coursework but they paid off, especially as I wrote my final assessment. I will also recommend the careers team at universities, if your goal is to get a job then you will need quality advice from trained recruiters. As a regular at my university’s career office, that is one support you cannot afford to miss. At my university, the careers team offer five-one hour sessions to students to help with LinkedIn profiles, preparing for interviews, choosing a career path etc. There is always an office designed to offer help to students for everything from finance to mental health. Take full advantage of them.
Tip: If you’re hesitant to speak to staff, look out for student-led sessions. They are usually advertised as student mentorship programmes and can be invaluable to your total student experience. I worked in the Academic Development team as a Mentor, and I sincerely recommend our services.
Secondly, which should have been first, keep your focus. Whether you are funded through a scholarship or out-of-pocket, you know how much a degree costs. Also, you are in school to upskill, to gain knowledge and a degree, and eventually, a job. So, keep your eyes on the prize all the time! Besides studying like your life depends on it, keep an eye out for skills that can enhance your degree. Be on the lookout for societies and groups that are in line with where you are going. Again, speak to others who will have more knowledge of what is available. And evaluate whether they will add to your personal growth because that is the most important thing. It is common knowledge that the coursework is bulky but keep abreast of them. Don’t let anything estrange you from your academics, I don’t think it will be worth it. Don’t slack on anything from assignments to a simple reading list. Give 101% of your effort to your coursework and watch it pay off in the end.
Tip: If you’re having trouble keeping up with coursework, divide your modules into those with formal examinations and tests and those without. Spend time studying, in general, but give a little more of yourself to those with an end-of-semester examination.
Thirdly, and this is pretty radical coming from me, please make connections. Make connections with people around you. Be friendly and professional with people beyond your country of origin. This should go without saying, but when I say “make connections”, I mean asides from LinkedIn and other socials. Social media is great, fantastic, and I recommend, but get to know people with different lived experiences from yours. Your classmates and new friends can make a world of difference in your academic life by providing quality support, professional advice and friendships that will last longer than your time in school. Introduce yourself to people, including your professors, and make small talk. Universities in the UK are famous for having industry leaders within departments and faculties, so take some time out and speak to them too. If the majority of your classes are online, then email is your friend; it is also quite helpful to ask or answer questions during classes, so they can be familiar with your voice and your face if you dare to turn your camera on.
Tip 1: I got the “gist” of my dissertation topic from speaking to the Head of my Department (I did not know him, at the time) over a cup of coffee as we lamented about being stuck in the office – for him – during a thunderstorm.
Tip 2: If you’re more introverted, and looking for new friends, find a society. Societies can be academic or non-academic in nature, so your new friends might be waiting at the “Game of Thrones” society at your university.
Some of my other tips revolve around staying organized and getting your priorities in order. I would also recommend that you take out time to rest, all the time. This is to prevent burnout which can manifest physically and mentally. My only tip here comes from a friend who told me to work/study from Sundays to Friday afternoons and rest from Friday to Saturday evenings. There is no singular way to navigate school as a newcomer because you are doing a many-in-one job – adjusting to a new environment, being a student and all the other things we cannot opt-out of. However, I think you can do it and I believe in you!
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