A-Z of Student Life

At TABLEtalk this past week we looked at the theme of an A-Z of Student Life.  We began by brainstorming various topics of importance; subjects, around which, current students might want to give advice to new students.  The list below is not exhaustive but gives a good idea of the things we reviewed ...

Here are some of the more detailed aspects of advice. Once again, not an exhaustive record of what our students wrote.

ACCOMMODATION - choose a good

location and good facilities.

ASSESSMENTS - understand the brief, 

ask questions and get clarification, 

follow the brief and achieve good grades.

BANK - sort out your bank

account as soon as possible.

Manage your money well, keep

some emergency funds available.

BE BRAVE - be brave enough to face your hurdles.

Life can be tough but try.

BOOKS - don't buy them,

make use of all the library facilities.

BUDGET - learn how to improve

managing your finances.

CHAPLAINCY - a great place to get advice

and help when you need it, or even when

you don't know you need it.

Miss Lynne is very important.

CONFIDENCE - 

be your best cheerleader 😀

DEADLINES - outline your

deadlines early on and mark

them on your calendar.

DEEP END - visit frequently,

play and party with friends.

DETERMINATION

- will help keep you on the right path.

ENGAGEMENT - in all sorts of activities,

including TABLEtalk. It's fun!!

EXPLORE - the area and

the country you have chosen

to study in, including the cuisine.

FOOD - you'll need all the energy you can get. 

Also stay hydrated!

GOOD GRADES - aim for 100%,

be happy if you get 50 or above 😀

GP (General Practitioner) -

register with a doctor as soon as possible!

GROWTH - make sure you leave a

better person than when you came!

HOME - make this your 'home from home'.

You can find family here!

JOY - find joy in the little things

and expand your mindset.

KINDNESS - you deserve it,

so keep that in mind.

NET-WORKING - create acquaintance

that will help to develop your career.

NEW EXPERIENCES - get yourself out there, 

embark on a journey to find what gives you

long term happiness. Don't be afraid to step

out of your comfort zone.

OPEN-MINDED - things may well be different

compared to what you are used to.

Do not be afraid of new things and changes

in your life. Embrace them and benefit from them.

ORGANISATION - time-tabling your activities

will help you balance your studies, work

and personal life.

PLACEMENTS - don't be afraid to

get involved with placements

because it will develop your

networking and your career.

PLANNING - don't just make a plan and

wait for it the magically work, put in the effort.

REST - life as a student can feel hard and overwhelming.

Be kind to yourself and get enough rest.

REVISION - good revision

helps reduce stress and keep

you prepared for exams.

SELF-CARE - exercise, eat well,

sleep well and socialise.

SUPPORT - ask for help, you'll find it all around you.

There are lots of support services at university,

use them, they are there to help you succeed.

TABLEtalk - a great way to meet new and

culturally diverse people on a Thursday night.

Helps you relax and unwind. Come and see!

TEAMWORK - be open to participate

in group activities, it could help

you bond with other students

that will last beyond university.

TIME - time-management is an important skill. 

Time at university goes very quickly, be sure to 

allocate enough time throughout the term for 

study and assignments.

UMBRELLA - the weather is horribly unpredictable,

buy a good quality umbrella.

UNITY - work well with others, you're all there to learn, so help each other. If something is not the way it should be - Speak Out!

WELL-BEING -

look after your mental well-being

and remember there's help with the Chaplain.

WORK/LIFE BALANCE -

both are equally important to keep

you moving forward. You need to

give time for rest and socialising.

WORLD CAFE -

free drink and snacks every Wednesday (12-2pm).

XENOPHILE - welcome strangers,

help them feel at home and be kind!

YOURSELF - be yourself in whatever

you are doing. Leave a positive mark.

You are more important than you think!

Zzzzzzz - good sleep is crucial to our success,

make sure you get enough,

especially the night before an exam.