How to Prepare for your First Semester at University in Manchester

Preparing for your first semester

Organising yourself is one of the best things you can do at uni, as it helps you keep on top of all your projects and lowers the chance of forgetting about that 1,500-word essay until the night before its due (we’ve all been there!). So, here are some of our top tips to staying organised.

Attend your registration and induction days

If you’re a fresher, your university will have some registration and induction days lined up for you, so make sure you are aware of all the ones you need to attend. It’s a great opportunity to meet the people you’ll be studying with, get an idea of what the year will look like for you, and help you to find your feet on campus. The information for these events will most likely be emailed to you, so make sure you look through your personal email as well as your university one.

Come equipped

It won’t take long for you to learn that note taking will be a big part of your university experience, but just know that there’s no one perfect way to do it. Some prefer typing, while others prefer to hand-write notes, so whatever works for you, make sure you come equipped - it seems obvious and yet it’s so often forgotten about! A new year is also the perfect opportunity to stock up on fresh new notebooks, pens, and anything else you might need to take great notes. Equally, if you’re more of a laptop or tablet person, make sure your device is all set up, so you don’t run into any unwanted difficulties when you go to use it on your first day.

Familiarise yourself with your timetable

Before you step foot on campus, make sure to take a look at your timetable for the semester and really familiarise yourself with it. Knowing what lectures and seminars you have each week will not only make you feel a lot more confident with where you have to go and when, but it will also allow you to plan around your scheduled sessions so that you have plenty of time to study, work, and enjoy your free time.

Our top tips for successful studying

Knowing how you learn best is key to making your studying life easier and making sure you’re taking in whatever it is you’re looking at. These helpful hints will give you everything you need to get you to the top of your game and smashing those assignments.

Identify what type of learner you are

Some people are visual learners, some are auditory learners, some like to read and write, and others like to learn by experiencing and doing. Our point is, there are so many ways to learn that it’s impossible for us to tell you one universal method which will work for everyone. Trust us on this one - try and understand what kind of learner you are, and once you’ve identified which category you fit into, it’ll be way easier to see which study methods suits you best.

Start with your toughest assignments

Let’s face it, there will always be modules that you like more than others, and it’ll be so tempting to put your effort into those rather than the ones you find more challenging. Even though it might not be what you want to do, you should make an effort to start on your toughest tasks first - that way, you’ll have more time to complete them (and ask for help if needed!). It’ll also mean you won’t have them looming over you at the end. No-one needs that added pressure, trust us.

Stay away from distractions

In a world of social media and constant communication, it’s hard to stay away from your phone - trust us, we get it - but in order to deliver top quality work, you’re going to have to part ways with your phone, at least for a little while at a time. Make a plan to study in blocks with regular breaks to keep your momentum high and avoid any burn-out. Try getting your head down for 45 minutes with no distraction, followed by a 5-minute break, then repeat this process. This method has been proven to boost productivity, so you should find yourself flying through any project this way.

Reward yourself!

Uni is hard and it can get overwhelming, so it’s important that you don’t get too caught up in it and still give yourself time to enjoy your hobbies and reward yourself for all of your hard work. The beauty of your first semester is that there are so many Freshers events going on to give you a much-needed break, so give them a go, have fun, and make friends. At the end of the day, the better you feel about yourself, the better you perform, so go out and make the most of your student years.

What’s on in Manchester for Fresher’s this year?

Freshers’ week is one of the biggest weeks in the social calendar for students and there’s a million things happening in Manchester at that time, but as a fresher we get that it can be difficult to find the best places to go. So, we thought we’d do the job for you – check out our pick of the best freshers’ events this year.

The Freshers Moving in Party

If there’s one place you NEED to be this Freshers week, it’s Manchester's official Freshers Moving In party as it’s the first time Manchester students come out to meet their new course and hall mates after the big move in weekend. This party is an annual ritual in any fresher’s diary and will be taking place on the 18^th of September at Factory Manchester. Grab your tickets quickly.

UV NEON LASER RAVE

Coming to Manchester’s Impossible Theatre on the 19^th of September, the UV NEON LASER RAVE will take over two floors to bring you a one-of-a-kind line-up, an abundance of neon lights, and an extraordinary atmosphere. The event is set to be a night to remember with incredible production, UV cannons, and a team of neon painters – so all you party people will glow all night. If you love to get lost in the night (and the lights!) then this event is not to be missed.

Back to the 90’s and 00’s

The biggest party of the year is set to come to town on the 23^rd of September, bringing you a night of nostalgia and old school bangers. Expect to dance the night away to the best tunes of the 90’s and 00’s while immersing yourself in confetti showers, 90’s inspired décor, accessories, and a whole lot of good vibes. This event is a sell out every year so make sure to secure your tickets.

Whether you’re a fresher or a returning student, we hope that uni is an unforgettable experience for you – and if you decide to check out any of the events recommended by us, we would love to see it, so make sure you tag us in your socials.