Chat with our students

What’s the best way to make friends? 

“Try not to be scared to approach people in your first year, keep in mind that everyone is in the same boat as you and we’re all looking for friends - nobody will judge you for having the courage to say hi first!” – Danish 

“I think the best way to make friends is by joining a society. You can find like-minded people from different courses across the university with similar interests to you. There are usually different types of societies you can join from reading groups and course-specific societies, to dance and sports societies.” – Emily 

"Try to spend time with lots of different people, whether they are from your course, a society or your accommodation. Invite them to join you if you are going out so all of your friends can meet!" - Sophie

Is university life expensive? 

“University life doesn’t have to be expensive, but it isn’t always cheap either. I try my best to budget - my main outgoings are my food shopping, course materials, transport and subscriptions. I often shop second hand to save some cash and make use of store loyalty schemes and student discounts to help my expenses.” – Emily 

“University life can be a bit of a balancing act. Between my studies and placement, I’ve found that budgeting is crucial. I try to stick to a set budget for groceries, transport, and study materials, and I always look for student discounts whenever possible. I use apps like Student Beans and UNiDAYS, and I ask at the till if they offer student discounts. Make sure to have your student ID with you when you go shopping. ” - Mercy

"It can be if you are not careful to budget your money, especially when you first start. I found that testing different supermarkets helped me to save money because I knew where I could get a cheaper shop." - Sophie

What should I bring or not bring to university?

“As an international student, I would definitely recommend you bring some mementoes to your new place, bits that remind you of home. This really helped me settle into university.” - Danish 

"If you're living in accommodation, then it's useful to have a pair of shoes that you can easily slip on for when you are going to the kitchen or taking the bins out. I loved my crocs for this!" - Sophie

“Don’t forget plenty of comfy clothes. In first year, I packed lots of nice outfits but found myself living in pyjamas and joggers. I found some great loungewear that I can wear into uni too and I still feel put together with my outfits.” – Emily 

"Bring things that help you feel comfortable and settled like your favourite snacks, cosy loungewear, and small decorations for your room. A sturdy everyday bag and a reusable water bottle are must-haves too, especially for long days on campus." - Mercy

What’s the biggest difference between college or sixth form and University? 

“The biggest change is the level of responsibility. At uni, you’ve got to take care of most things yourself, like balancing your time between studies and your personal life. It can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, but there’s more freedom in structuring your time. That means it’s up to you to stay disciplined and make the most of it!" - Mercy

“The biggest difference has been the level of independence I’ve had at university compared to college. I studied fashion design at both, but I’ve had a lot more ownership over my work at university, and I feel like I’ve been able to start building up my designer identity more freely while at uni.” - Emily 

What does your average day or week look like at university?

“In the second year, I only had to attend uni two days in a week. I had a full day on Monday and Thursday and had the remaining days to myself or to work on upcoming deadlines.” – Danish

"My week alternates between lectures, practical sessions, and placement. Some days are packed with classes and study time, while others are spent on placement, putting theory into practice. It’s about finding a rhythm that allows me to stay on top of everything while ensuring I don’t burn out." - Mercy

“I usually have two full days scheduled at university where I have contact hours with my tutors. This adds up to around 14 contact hours a week. I also like to go to uni in my own time during the week to catch up on work and stay ahead of my deadlines. I like to break my week down into 4 days for uni work, 1 day working my part-time job, and two days off – but I work on these days too nearer to my deadlines.” – Emily 

"I normally have 2 days in university, work my part-time job 1 or 2 days, and then try to spend 2 days on my uni work. In between that I go to the gym, spend time with my friends and explore the city." - Sophie

What’s one thing you wish you had done during your first year?

"I wish I had explored more of the study spaces on campus as I lived close to campus during first year. It would have been really convenient to go and do my work there in spaces that are made to improve focus or that are great for group study." - Sophie

“I had the most “free time” in the first year, I wish I had visited more places around Birmingham and made more memories that way. There’s still so much to see and do that I still have yet to do now that I’m about to approach my third and final year.” - Danish 

“I wish I had tried more societies in my first year. I really enjoyed the group I joined, but it could have been nice to meet more students and to try new activities. Get stuck in as much as you can.” – Emily 

"I wish I had focused more on my academic work in my first year. Many people say the first year doesn’t count, but I’ve learned that adopting that mindset can hold you back. Establishing solid study habits early would have helped me feel more prepared for the following years." - Mercy

If you still have lots of questions to ask then join Emily, Danish, Sophie and Mercy on The Student Room, where they’ll be able to answer all of your questions.