Starting at Sheffield Hallam
Module 1: University and you
What do you expect your first year of university to be like? Why are you pursuing a degree or qualification?
What is your experience of higher education going to be like? There are so many possibilities and opportunities – few students know how to get the most out of their studies without a helping hand.
Everyone has assumptions about a 'typical university (or college) experience'. What comes to mind when you think about higher education?
In the activity below, click 'Next' to see some stereotypical images that might come to mind when you think about university life. On the final screen, consider the question and use the space provided to write down your thoughts.
What about these images seems realistic and what seems fictional? Do you expect your experience to relate to any of these depictions? Use the space below to write down your thoughts.
This might be how student life is portrayed in the popular imagination, but each institution offers different experiences, and even within each institution everyone's experience is different.
In the video below, new students discuss their expectations about university and other current students and graduates compare their expectations with their actual experience. Click 'Play' to watch the video.
Students say
I think I imagined a campus experience, because you see all these things on TV and they're all very American. My institution wasn't like that at all.
Second-year history and politics student
At first I thought, I don't have to do much work, I can go out, I can party and have a really good time, I'll do a bit of cramming two weeks before the exams, and it's all going to be great. It took about a week and a half to realise that was not going to be the case...
Second-year law student
Useful links
Are you an international student? This website has some great resources to help you adapt to study in the UK: www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk
Useful links
If you are a mature student, you will likely have different challenges to some of your peers. However, you also bring a different set of experiences – and these experiences are an asset!
For some tips on pursuing higher education as a mature student, see:
- Tips for attending university as a mature student:
www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/student-life/10478366/University-as-a-mature-student-top-tips.html - Survival guide for mature students at university:
www.theguardian.com/education/2011/aug/18/mature-student-university-survival-guide - Opportunities and challenges for mature students in Australia:
www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-13/uwa-mature-age-access-program/3570122 - The advantages of being a mature student:
www.irishtimes.com/news/education/the-advantages-to-being-a-mature-student-at-third-level-1.2062353
New adventures
Your experience is shaped by what you study, the activities you pursue and who you meet. The more involved you get with your institution, the more you will get out of it. What do you want to get out of your experience?
Consider the question in the poll below and choose the answer that best matches your experience. Then, click 'Vote' to register your response. How does your answer compare with those of your peers?
Why did you choose to pursue higher education? Several of the options below may apply to you. Choose the answer that you relate to most.
- 'I need to get the education necessary to become a professional in my field.'
- 'I want to explore, try new things, make friends, have fun and develop as a person.'
- 'I need to gain basic knowledge to carry on with my studies at a deeper level.'
- 'I want to better understand and be able to help solve the world's problems.'
- 'I'm not sure exactly why I chose to continue my studies... but I'm sure I'll find out!'
There is no right or wrong reason for pursuing higher education. As you can see, different students have different priorities. What's important is thinking about your own reasons and motivations – if you know why you are at university or college, then you can get more out of it! Plus, keeping in mind what your long-term goals are can help you stay relaxed and focused.
Now we will look at the different experiences you might have in the early days of your programme.