There is a lot to think about when starting university. For many people this is the next step in getting the job they are aiming for. It could be the first time back in education for a while. University is often the first time that we've had to pay for education. This area — at least for me — adds an extra layer of pressure (all put upon by myself) of wanting to do the best I can, and being as prepared as I possibly can in order to ease my nerves. Ironic, really, given that I give one hundred percent to everything that I do. With that in mind, I thought I would write a post on how I am preparing for university, in the hope that it helps at least one person out there in a similar position.
Asking questions
There are millions of people that have been to university before you, so I would suggest picking their brains to get an idea of what it is like. I would ask open-ended questions, initially.
Here are some suggestions of what to ask about:
What it's like
What is expected of you
Aside from the education, what did they get out of going to university
Did they prepare at all when they went to university
Anything they realised in second or third year that they wished they had known in first year
These sorts of questions will just give you an idea of what you thought you were expecting, versus their responses. It's important to note that however someone answers your questions, you have the responsibility and right to take onboard that information however is best for you.
For example, I am doing my degree online, therefore I don't have the same things to consider. A computer and WiFi connection is more important than accommodation, because I do not need it. You need to work out what's relevant to you, and stick to that.
A few people I have asked read the mandatory texts before their degrees started, to get a good idea of what they'll be studying. Others didn't prepare at all (from what I can gather), and just waited to get started. Both sides of this I can understand: just going for it is almost like taking a deep breath and diving into the deep end — which I quite like because there's an element of throwing yourself into it, and tackling the obstacles as they come. There is also this idea that if we prepare too much, too quickly, we could be stressing ourselves out more than necessary. Then again, I don't like the feeling that I don't know what I'm doing — and I don't really understand why I would add more stress to the situation.
Another big one for me is asking what sort of thing is expected of me in terms of workload; how did they balance their workload? Some people choose to work a day job during their degree and — don't get me wrong, I’m happy to do almost any amount of work — I just like to know that my efforts are going in the right direction, and I am putting the right amount of effort in the right places. Making sure that I'm managing my time right. Is the type of research that I will be expected to do as part of my essays any different to the kinds of research I have done in the past, followed by more in-depth explanation, unique analysis and perspectives?
This depends how you're asking your questions, but asking questions is an opportunity to talk to humans. I feel that kind of discussion is a lot more beneficial than a discussion in a chatroom, because you can gauge a person’s emotions, and how they feel. This can be an important part of making you feel more at ease with what is ahead.
Going into it assuming and accepting that I won't know everything
This isn't to say that I think I know everything about everything in life — because I certainly don't — but I do have a tendency to want to know everything I can about something. Then, in theory, I cannot get it wrong (even though it is impossible to never get anything wrong, and it is more about learning from mistakes). By accepting that I will not know everything straight away, I can then appreciate the things that I do know — such as how to analyse a text, or how to begin an essay. Comparing what I do, and do not, know is vital in understanding how to improve and build upon my skills. You'll likely find that you know more than you think you know.
To put it more literally: how I have been expected to analyse a text in the past will most likely be different to how I am now expected to analyse as part of my degree (though the foundations of those skills will be the same).
Accepting that I won't know everything immediately will hopefully allow me to be more open-minded, because I'm ready to soak up information like a sponge. I will be ready to learn. I will be able to build upon previous knowledge, skill, and expand my horizons.
Obviously I'm going to try my best (I don't know how not to, honestly), but with my first assignment, I think I'm going to treat it mostly as an opportunity to figure out what the tutor wants from me throughout my degree (yes, an essay, haha), and pinpoint that, so I can utilise it in future essays and assignments. As well as using the time overall to become more familiar with texts that I will be reading and studying throughout the year. There is an exciting aspect to the nerves as, by the time I get to the end of this, I will know more than I did (which is obviously the point). This is the start of a new chapter — a new opportunity. Don't let nerves detract from that.
Checking that you have all the resources you will need for the foreseeable future
This is seemingly a simple one, but you want to make sure that you have all the resources you’ll need for the start of term. It is all part of being as prepared as possible. It's a bit like forgetting your lunch on the first day of a new job; it's not necessarily the end of the world, but you could do without it. In a more literal sense — especially in the case of English Literature — you need the text that you're going to be studying, otherwise you can't study. There are digital copies, of course, but in my experience they can be inaccessible to a point. It all allows for the minimising of stress. After all, there will be the stress of getting to know your module, getting to know students that you'll be working with, and getting into a routine. If you pile on the stress at the beginning of term — at least in my experience — you will begin to associate studying with stress. And frankly, studying is stressful enough without that mental association before anything even starts.
Plus the start of term is always a nice excuse to buy some new stationery. If I buy a new notepad, or new set of pens, I feel like I'm starting a new chapter. That new chapter then means that I can set aside things that are stressing me out, and focus on that reason as to why I've bought that notebook (you can see my writer geekiness shining through right there!) Do you have a favourite type of pen? That's always a good way to get started excited about the new term.
An important side note to this is, whilst you are buying all the resources you need, I recommend having the idea of being ready to buy resources and materials that you weren't expecting, in the back of your mind.
What do I mean by this?
I write a lot through dictation, as it is much quicker, and I feel like I am able to better formulate my thoughts. During which, I use headphones. I need to be prepared for a set of headphones to fall apart, or for my Wi-Fi to cut out at some point.
So, it's allowing that mental buffer or financial buffer for unforeseen obstacles to arise. I’m not saying that everything will go wrong — it's just that if something does go wrong, it's good to have a plan and a strategy to get it solved as quickly as possible. Again, minimising stress as much as possible.
Become familiar with all your texts before the beginning of term
This might look slightly different for everybody, but the principle remains the same: become familiar with your texts before you begin to actually study them.
It could mean that you look up summaries of the novels, the dramas, the plays — or it could mean that you read them cover to cover. It could mean that you read upon summaries, themes and analysis. These are just a few ideas. You could use a combination, or you could use none at all, it is all up to you. Depending on how you and your brain like to work.
I like to look up summaries and themes before I even begin to read my texts, so that as I read the texts for the first time, I have an idea of what I'm looking for, and what the important ideas are. Making a note of the areas in particular that I will need to zoom in on at a later date.
After I've done that, I look at key sections and read them in more detail. Linking ideas between and from the perhaps less significant chapters or scenes, thinking about how it is all connected. This means that I can bring all this information together; creating a dot to myself, figuratively speaking. When it comes to actually reading the text for the ‘first time’, it is less straining because I'm not having to figure this all out for the first time. When I eventually come to writing the essay, it is so familiar that I can focus on getting the actual writing of the essay correct. I say this, and it doesn't always happen as effectively as I would like, but I definitely give it my all. It definitely feels a more constructive approach to me than just reading a text cover to cover, and then analysing it. It breaks the process down.
Read essays; any essays
It all helps as research and developing your understanding. And that's without mentioning the fact that you could have been out of education for a while; needing to refresh yourself on how to structure an essay, how to convey your points, and what research may need to be done in order to complete said essay. However, I feel the real benefit is that essays can show you how to expand on your ideas, develop explanations and analysis. As well as looking at how different types of questions are approached.
I would say — from the analysis side of things — that it is better to read essays that are related to your subject area, because the way that you are expected to analyse or approach a question could be a lot different, depending on the subject. I certainly found that to be the case in studying English and Sociology.
If nothing else, it gives you hope: somebody else has written an essay, so therefore I can. Reading other people's essays can give you inspiration and ideas of how to start your essay — as a writer, I definitely understand the fear of a blank page (important note: do not plagiarise! I am literally suggesting that you look at the structure, and how the ideas are compiled). I also find that reading an essay can inspire you into the act of actually writing. Especially when you have all the ideas, and it is a matter of writing them down in a way that is accessible and appropriate.
Remember to enjoy what you are doing
As much as I have discussed the idea of preparing yourself physically, resourcefully, and emotionally for starting a new term at university, I also want to remind you to enjoy yourself.
You have signed up, and paid, to do a degree that will help you in the future — and ideally because you will enjoy it. Whatever your reasons for doing a degree I feel it is important to always find at least one element of what you're doing that you enjoy. That way, you are more likely to be successful, and find it easier to reach your full potential. When preparing for what can be a colossal academic task, it can be hard to remember that in amongst all that there is enjoyment to be had. For example, if you are bogged down with an essay and (you will see my writer geekiness coming through again), and you are not entirely sure where to take the essay, then I find focusing on the fact that I am actually writing the essay, that I am making progress, to be extremely helpful. I enjoy the act of writing. Frankly, even if what I write is complete rubbish, at least I have words down to edit later. Avoiding the dread of the blank page (writer geekiness right there). I have suggested that you find something enjoyable in every aspect of what you're doing, keep reminding yourself of why you do something. I also suggest that you find something that you enjoy at every stage of the process. So, for example, when you are studying a degree there is research, there is learning, there is writing, there is analysis, there is an opposition of ideas, and if you can find aspects of that you like at every stage, that could potentially lift the weight of what feels like a massive task. From my experience, I find that my brain will be less resistant to cracking on and doing the best that I can. Otherwise, it is very easy to get overwhelmed and focus solely on reaching the word count — rather than focus on enjoying and exploring what you're writing about — which can then very easily lead to waffling and your time not being used as effectively as you would like.
Finally...
As you can see from all that I've discussed, I have lots of thoughts about starting a degree and writing this for you (dear reader), has been beneficial for me as well. It has allowed me to process my own thoughts and come to terms with how I feel about starting my degree. It is also worth noting that everything I've said here (although I consider it extremely beneficial), it is up to you to apply or disregard the information as and when you see fit. It could be that everything I've said right here means absolutely nothing to you, and that is okay. There will be people out there that find this reassuring and extremely helpful; even something as small as prompting a train of thought that could help said person.
Interesting