Everything you need to know about University - The Science of Living EP 11

Three years ago in 2021 I started university. I was jittering with excitement, I had spoken to a few older mates and I thought I was ready. How wrong I was, and looking back at it I wish someone had been able to out there arm round me and say it’s gonna be ok.

So over the past three years I have collected all the information that I wish I had known starting university/ college, so that you can have the best start possible and avoid all the mistakes I made. In this video I cover what you need to bring to university/ college. How to make your room at university feel like home. What kitchen equipment you need for university/ college. What you need for your bathroom for college/ uni. What you need for work at university/ college.

I then also cover all my top tips for freshers. Whether going to freshers fair is worth it. What society’s to join If you should buy a freshers wrist band. How to make friends at uni, how to meet new people, how to avoid getting hungover. How to settle in to university well.

I cover, all the best tips and tricks to get good grades be it a 1st or a 2.1 . How to get the best grades at uni, how to stay on top of your work, how to revise for exams, how to write the best essays. (All be it tips from my gf)

I also cover, how to deal with loneliness at university, how to to manage your mental health, how to stay active. Plus how to deal with home sickness.

I hope this video gives you all the answers you need! University/ college is an incredible experience, that will shape your life. Make the most of it, work hard and above all enjoy! It goes by in the blink of an eye.

As always if you have any questions feel free to drop me a dm! Or leave them in the comments :)

Have the best day!

[PainReaverX]

The three most important things I learned in college:

1. Those who say they got everything under control are either super smart, efficient, or in most cases lying/keeping up appearances.

2. Time to do assignments and study is never enough time. Make a schedule and get urgent items out of the way because it becomes an assembly line. Right when you think, you're done something else replaces it.

3. Take care of your health and try and manage your sleep schedule best you can. I went to school many times while sick but it's even harder to do in college. Some teachers will give extensions but in my personal experience most won't!

[ruth_]

Thanks James ! ☺️
My most important tip is : sleep and eat well. Some days are hard and that's okay . The college will never emphasize the importance of having a minimum 6 hour sleep .
Secondly, please do not skip BREAKFAST. If you're hungry your concentration span and efficiency will decline. Please carry a water bottle and a small snack.
Have fun and learn well :) You got this !

[glendalazelle]

There's still hope for the world with youth like you

[matttheo_]

Perfect timing as I'm starting uni next month. I'll put these tips to use. Thank you, James!

[alex.galiatsatos_]

Hands down I think you’re one of the coolest guys on the internet, so grounded and down to earth yet fun and inspiring. I start Uni on the 14th and I couldn’t be more excited or grateful, thanks James!

[jamesfishwick]

Completely agree with all of what James has said here, I finished my undergrad at Bristol 2 years ago now, and am abour to start a Masters at Manchester. I think maybe the only thing I would add is make use of the Careers Service that your university has from the first semester. Not necessarily the first week, but have a look at the opportunities and training, help with applications and contacts they have. They can really help secure internships or summer abroad stuff that can really make your time at University much better.

[aelinashryver]

Seven minutes in and wow this is SO extensive!!! I really appreciate you making this effort to make our lives easier hahah, also the timing is crazy bc I‘m going to uni really soon :)

[PalomaTreeJewelry]

ayyy 2 minutes!! this is the really the only series I’ll come back to every week so great job!! good luck in your future and hello from a fellow Brit 🇬🇧

[jdnajes]

It was interesting to see not much has changed since I studied for my bachelor's degree (mid-late 2000s. Main difference was that laptops were just on the cusp of taking over for note taking, and you needed special permission to take your exams on one).

Some admin tips I discovered along the way, and have served me well in my later studies too:
1. Check your program's requirements and policies for updates at the beginning of every academic year - some programs only apply them to new students (so as not to change course for existing ones), and others apply them everyone. This way, you'll know what's actually expected of you.
2. Maintain a spreadsheet with your all your courses on it, preferably grouped by semester taken in. It serves both as a way to plan out your remaining courses (like if you're taking electives), as well as show your cumulative GPA, so there are no surprises in the final transcript (I usually entered the course info at the beginning of a semester, and updated the grade when it was released at the end). The basic columns were: semester name, course name, course code, number of credits worth, grade, number equivalent (in case grades were given in letter-form), and cumulative GPA (used an excel formula for this, accounting for the number of credits each class was worth). This is also useful if you're working to achieve or maintain a certain GPA.

[alexrichter]

Watching this video the day before uni starts for me and probably for many people as well. Honestly, thank you so much for the advice, everything you said, especially in the second part of the video. It all really helped to relieve my anxiety and removed my impression that I had no idea on how to get started!

[JUSTME-J-M]

absolutely made my day whenever there is a new vid always puts a smile on my face keep up the good work!

[kroepoek]

I am about to start my econometrics bachelor tomorrow, and these tips seem really helpful. Thanks alot mate :)

[Nathan-somc]

I absolutely to love just watch these and making these small changes to my life, love the videos man

[georgelonghurst]

you know it’s a good day when james uploads 😂

[Mitch-fylw]

Every video in this series is great thanks a lot man appreciate you 🖤

[societyofdeadpoetz]

YES! YOU’RE IN A NEW CHAPTER, JAMES!! 👏

[wutrump]

The video was very useful. I think this was recomended to me cause since I've just started my second year of a levels and my tutors have pressing the idea of university onto me like crazy. They have planned out an hour a week to plan university in some way, and while I wanna go, when it comes from the teacher it sounds super corporate and filtered. None of my tutors haven't even mentioned the actual experience with friends and living on your own, it's just "can you afford it", "you may have to resit", "I want a draft of your application form". This felt like a much needed breather, as it reminded me why I really want to go to uni: become the best/most successful version of myself and have the time of my life.
In summary, cheers

[imapotato]

You dont even know how perfect timing this video is for me ❤ thanks for the advice

[lilyward]

i really second the uni group chats, i was terrified of going to uni but joined one for my uni accommodation and through it found most of my flatmates before uni started and found common ground / made plans before we even got there, and actually met my boyfriend (not in my flat obv lol) through the same chat who im now living with in my final year! so as someone who has social anxiety it made it a lot easier (still scary though ofc!)

[Micah-]

You are my role model, man. I learned a lot from you, especially 17:13. I needed that advice badly, because I am always alone. Thank you. ♥