It's That Time Of Year Again Academically....

Image thanks to -Snugg-

Well I'm still feeling bad about neglecting my blog over the last few weeks but university has also been a pretty much permanent fixture in my mind and the fact it's not even very far away any more. It's coming up to the end of August, the time when we are all starting to think about university again after enjoying all this time off. We have to make decisions about which modules we want to take and how out timetable will look. We have to think about work and what this will mean in the second/third year. We will also be thinking about socialising and how important this is regardless of the fact we are at university! 


Thus, August/September can be a mind draining time  as I'm sure you'll agree. 


Well, that's why I decided to make a list of everything that needs to be thought about before starting the new/second/third year at university and why. Because not only will this help me organise my mind, it might help you too.

First up is moving into your new house/back into halls or commuting. By now you all would have thought about this and made a decision on which is best for you. If you are moving into halls or living in a shared house with friends, be careful what you pack. If some of you are on your second year now as I am, you know full well that what you packed last year was  mostly junk and had to buy mostly new things (or maybe not but that's what happened to me!). So remember to pack essentials and not stuff that is just going to clog up the car and make unpacking longer. 


Speak to your new house mates (if you're going to be in a house with mates), as there is no point buying 5 kettles/toasters etc. when you could all save money and put a little kitty together for all of these things. 


If you have decided to commute it, make sure your incomings and outgoings are all planned. The majority of people who decide to commute chose this option to save money as I did this year, but there's no point if it doesn't save you any money in the long run.  Remember to make a plan of all your outgoings and incomings for this as I went over last year in my money guide for university.

Next thing to think about is stationary. I admtted earlier that I am a bit of a stationary freak and absolutely love buying new stuff. Maybe you don't need any extra but it is worth going back and organising all your notes ready for the new year. Get some new folders, clips, paper, a new diary, etc. ready for the new academic year and you'll be well ahead! By doing this you are preparing yourself ready for getting back into study and will be ready for anything when you start.


Need some help? Why not have a look at:


Surviving College: Kick start your study habits
Every College Girl: Back to school: getting & staying organised

Now, I don't know about you but thinking through all of this sorta stuff does kind of depress me. It's knowing that just around the corner is more assignments, essays, project work even when you really don't feel like it. For some good advice, check out CollegeView's guide on beating back to school blues. Don't forget about your friends either. Maybe make time to meet up with all your old mates from last year and it might help you relax a little bit for the academic year. Also, you might not realise it now but further down the line, you may need your friends for some help on a certain bit or work, group work or anything like that so it does pay off to stay close to your friends regardless.

Money is going to be a big worry for all of us, especially when circumstances change from last year. If it's your first year, then check out my guide on money issues, but if not, then you probably know a bit on organising your money this time round. However, it still helps to plan things out, like when your grants and bursaries will hit your account, your pay days from work etc. make a note of every single one in your diary so you know exactly what is going on this year. When it comes to money it really doesn't help to be un-organised. I've found a few useful websites on organising your money which may be of use:


50 smart and easy ways to save money in college
Beyond the cafeteria: Find fun and educational jobs on campus
The balancing act of a part-time job and a full-time student
6 tips on what to look for in a college job

Remember to balance university/social and work life well. You don't want any of these to suffer but learning to balance these will help you no end. If you do find yourself falling behind, stop and think for a second. Figure out why it is you are falling behind and why. Maybe write it all down or brainstorm to plan your mind out and figure out ways to resolve these conflicts. If it means staying in one night rather than going out then so be it - there will always be plenty more nights out.

If like me you're in your second year, you may also be thinking about the future and what's next. The better prepared you are, the better start you will have - so thinking about it now will put you in good stead. Mostly, these are the three main choices after finishing university:


1. Further study
2. Full time work
3. Gap year


Each one has it's pro's and con's and if you aren't sure right now, write these down and think about them. Research your options on the internet, at your careers advice at uni, with friends and family, and so on. But remember - it doesn't matter if you have no idea what you want to do. You still have time to think and who knows, maybe you next modules will show you.

Finally, for a few more tips for uni, I have found an amazing list of over 100 tips for survival at college/university which is definitely worth looking at.


Good luck!