My whirlwind first year at the University of Huddersfield
Ayushi Dhangar
First year Psychology student
Hey everyone! My name is Ayushi, and I’ve just wrapped up my first year of studying Psychology at the University of Huddersfield. Let me take you through my whirlwind of a year, filled with new experiences, challenges, and a lot of growth.
Freshers / Welcome Week
I still remember my excitement as I walked onto the university grounds, ready for this new adventure.
Freshers Week (or Welcome Week as it's also called here) was a vibrant mix of activities and there seemed to be a society or club for everyone. I was particularly drawn to the netball, Indian, and Hindu societies.
These groups not only helped me meet new people but also boosted my confidence.
The Welcome Fair offered many freebies and student discounts, making me feel instantly welcomed in Huddersfield. From that point on, I wasn’t worried about fitting in or enjoying my time here.
Support you get at university
Settling into university life took a couple of weeks. I got the hang of navigating the campus, commuting, and figuring out my note-taking strategy for lectures.
It's a learning curve, and it's perfectly okay to experiment with different methods until you find what works best for you. If you’re struggling, don’t worry, there’s plenty of support available.
The University offers resources like personal academic tutors and the academic skills team, who you can book appointments with. Everyone’s journey is different, and some take longer to find their footing, and that's totally fine!
Commuting
One of the reasons I chose Huddersfield was its convenient location. It’s a short train ride from Dewsbury, making commuting a breeze.
My trip takes about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on whether I catch the direct or local train, followed by a 10 to 15-minute walk from the station to the campus.
Train commuting is not only easy and accessible but also affordable, especially with a student rail card.
Top tip: Invest in a student rail card! You can either buy one or get it with some student bank accounts -it’s been a lifesaver for me.
Even when there’s maintenance work on the trains, the commute remains hassle-free. The train station usually arranges buses to cover the route, which takes a bit longer, around 20 to 35 minutes, depending on the time of day. Alternatively, you can take the bus directly, which my friends recommend. For those who drive, there are plenty of safe and affordable parking options near the University.
Huddersfield is a very accessible town. There are several cafes within a five-minute walk from the University where you can go to work or just unwind.
University life
I was buzzing with excitement to start university, finally diving into a subject I’m truly passionate about. I couldn't wait for my first lectures to begin.
On that first day, I showed up feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. While waiting outside the lecture hall, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and introduce myself to a few people from my psychology course. Over the year, these have blossomed into close friendships, and I’ve met some amazing people along the way. Everyone here is friendly and approachable, and it's comforting to remember that we’re all in the same boat.
The University is a close-knit community where you often bump into familiar faces, always greeted with smiles or a friendly ‘hi’.
When I started university, I heard a lot about the heavy workload, but I found it quite manageable - about the same, or even a bit less than I experienced in college.
The learning structure is similar to college or sixth form, with scheduled seminars and PAT tutorials where you can ask your personal academic tutors for help or any clarifying questions. I found these sessions to have a familiar classroom atmosphere, which made the academic transition a little smoother.
Enjoy university is much as you can. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way."
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Changed as a person
Since starting University, I feel like I've gained a lot of essential life skills. I've become much more independent, managing things like commuting, attending lectures, and revising on my own.
This experience has really helped me grow as a person. I've also become a lot more organised, often catching the train an hour or two before my lectures and using that time to work on assignments or complete any outstanding notes.
Advice
One piece of advice I’d give to new students is to enjoy university is much as you can. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way because trust me, the year flies by, as I’m sure the second and third years will do!
My main piece of advice for any first years is while it’s important to make the most of university life, please, please, please do not leave your assignments until the last minute - it's just not worth the stress!
I hope sharing my experiences has given you a glimpse into what first year may be like. Make sure you enjoy every moment and take every opportunity that comes your way.
Best of luck,
Ayushi x
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