How to survive your first year at uni - from a second year student
Liv Thompson
Psychology BSc(Hons)
Hey, I’m Liv, a second-year Psychology student here at Huddersfield. Starting university life can be a bit of a whirlwind, so I’ve pulled together some advice from my own experience to help you find your feet. Think of this as your very own first-year survival kit!
Mistakes I made
Everyone makes mistakes - and while I’d love to say I’m perfect, I’m not.
Like most first-years, I had my fair share of rookie errors. I pulled too many late nights trying to finish assignments, ditched the gym and my social life in favour of “getting uni work done,” and constantly tried (and failed) to juggle my studies with a part-time job.
To make things even trickier, my timetable seemed to change every week, which completely threw off my routine. As someone who lives for organisation, I found the constant changes a bit overwhelming at first.
But don’t worry, it all worked out in the end. I found my rhythm, figured out what actually helps, and somehow wrapped up the year with a first!
Time management
I soon realised that one of my biggest struggles was time management.
When you’ve got an 11am lecture, it’s hard to convince yourself to get up early… those extra hours in bed feel like pure bliss, until you’re pulling an all-nighter to finish an assignment. So, I made a pact with myself: start treating uni like a 9–5 job.
Even if I wasn’t doing actual coursework the whole time, those hours became my “productive zone.” I’d fit in lectures, reading, assignments, and even sneak in a gym session or a quick run. Getting up earlier honestly transformed my life - no more bleary-eyed 3am essay sessions just to hit the word count.
I also started physically scheduling my hobbies and social life. Every Sunday, I sit down and plan out my week - when I’ll go to the gym, when I’ll catch up with friends, and when I’ll get some downtime. It’s become a non-negotiable part of my routine and has helped me stay balanced, productive, and enjoy my time at uni without feeling burnt out. Google calendar is great for this - you can even colour code!
Balancing work and study
Once I finally got my routine under control, the next big challenge was work. Trying to juggle long shifts with uni deadlines was exhausting, and it quickly became clear that something had to give.
During my time management crisis, I decided to cut back my hours and switch to a daytime café job instead of late-night shifts. It made such a difference; having evenings free meant I could rest, socialise, and keep up with uni without feeling completely drained.
Money-wise, I also had to get a bit smarter. When that big student finance payment hit my account, I resisted the urge to spend it all on clothes or a holiday (though I was very tempted). Instead, I set up a separate bank account and started “paying” myself a monthly wage from it. It sounds simple, but it’s been a game-changer- my bills are covered, I know exactly what I can spend, and I don’t feel the pressure to overwork just to stay afloat.
Surviving lectures and learning stuff
One thing about me is that I genuinely love my degree. I’ve never really seen lectures as a chore. That said, some topics grab my attention more than others (we’ve all been there).
My biggest piece of advice? Read, read, and read some more. But don’t fall into the trap I did at first - trying to read everything. It quickly becomes overwhelming.
You know what they say: a jack of all trades is a master of none. Once I figured out which areas I was truly interested in, everything clicked. I can’t speak for all subjects, but with Psychology, you can apply most assignments to your areas of interest. This just makes assessments more enjoyable, and so much easier!
I’ve also noticed a huge difference between students who regularly attend lectures and those who don’t. It might sound obvious, but actually being there, listening and engaging makes such a big difference.
Personally, I prefer taking notes by hand; if I’ve got PowerPoints open, I end up half-listening (and half-scrolling). But plenty of people do it differently: some write up notes beforehand; others type alongside the lecture. The key is to experiment and find what works best for you.
Making friends and connections
I’ll be honest - it took me a while to make friends at university. It may not seem that important at first, especially if you’re commuting, but having friends on your course makes a huge difference.
By second year, when you’re in option modules and seminars that involve discussions or debates, it’s so much easier to speak up when you recognise a few friendly faces. My best advice? Just chat to the people next to you - everyone’s in the same boat and just as keen to make friends as you are!
Another thing that’s helped me massively is getting to know my lecturers, particularly the ones who teach in my areas of interest. Having those relationships makes university feel more personal, and it’s comforting to know exactly who you can go to for advice or support when you need it.
Stick around after lectures to ask questions or find out where you can learn more about something that caught your attention. Get involved in discussions on Brightspace or even arrange a quick chat with your module leader.
My best tip? Always go in with a question - lecturers are incredibly busy, but they really appreciate it when you show genuine interest in their subject. It’s a great way to stand out and build a positive connection.
Trust me, it gets easier
First year can feel like a whirlwind - one minute you’re feeling on top of the world, the next you’re stress-eating instant noodles at 2am and wondering why you ever thought university was a good idea.
But trust me, it gets easier. Once you figure out what works for you, everything starts to fall into place. Be kind to yourself, keep showing up, and don’t forget to enjoy it. You only get one first year - so make the mistakes, learn from them, and maybe even write a blog about it later.
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