"I wish I'd known that lecturers can't help but be boring. Lectures are just lullabies that cost £100 a pop. But luckily the presentations are always on the internet. Also, the first year can seem more pointless than a broken pencil. I'm studying a BSc in psychology, but I'm learning about alien abduction, hypnotists, and sociology. You're probably asking 'what's that got to do with psychology?' Also, you really learn what university is like when the weather turns crap. In the prospectus, it looks brilliant. Even when you visit, the uni is somehow bathed in sunshine, and the people smiling. As soon as you live in the place, it becomes grey and miserable – as do the people. Don't forget, when looking at a university, that that will be your life. The university and town may be showing their airs and graces for an open day – could you live there when they're not?"

 

• Megan Harrison, 22, studying marketing and advertising management at Leeds Metropolitan University

 

"Things I wish I'd known from the start? That Wikipedia will become your best friend. That it's acceptable to nap in the library. It's OK to 'borrow' toilet roll and ketchup from the pub. Christmas lights are an acceptable form of decoration all year round. You'll probably speak to the takeaway guy more than your mother. Forget textbooks, it's all about Facebook. The library is empty all year round except for the two-week run-up to deadlines. Do a paid placement year if you can, it will change your outlook on the world and mature you beyond words."

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• Jodie Ford, 21, studying advertising with design at the University of Northampton

"I didn't realise how much the "vital" core text books would tot up to. Buy all your text books second hand. If you're not going to buy them, make sure the uni has enough copies as you'll find all copies are on loan close to that deadline and panic will set in. And make the most of your first year. I wish I'd joined course-relevant society groups and gained more work experience in my first year. During my third year (the hardest and most stressful), I'm having to contact agencies for work experience to beef up my CV, which has eaten up crucial study time. Don't leave gaining work experience until the last minute."

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• Jeremy Power, 42, studying IT at the University of Gloucestershire"My one regret is not looking at the timetable more closely – I didn't notice that the 'summer' holiday starts around Easter and ends in September. Mature students want to get the degree over and move on. So, not wishing to sit idly around I have started my own video production business which operates outside term times. I was previously a post-production editor with BBC TV and entered university after taking voluntary redundancy – and I'm more within the age bracket of the lecturers than most of the students.

• "Jayne Larsen-Edgar, 22, drama and English at University of the West of England

• "Don't worry if you don't take to university like a duck to water. I certainly didn't. After a gap year, I found adjusting difficult as I was used to earning a living. In the first year, I was having second thoughts. But throw yourself into university, and join societies to meet friends."

 

 

 

Article from "Theguardian".

 

 

UNICHAT 

 

 

 

 

Link for Orginal article is at: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/may/17/university-guide-student-advice