FIRST STEPS: Landing on your feet

Starting out at university or college is a big challenge, particularly if you are leaving home for the first time. It is exciting, but also a little daunting. But don't worry; just remember that whatever you do, whether it is finding yourself somewhere to live, sorting out a loan or learning how to cook lasagne, there is always help at hand. The students union and the university or college welfare office are there to guide you through any sticky patches. So give it your best shot, join a club, make lots of new friends, get stuck in to your course work and if you want to aim for a first, get organised. But don't forget, enjoy the start of what with any luck will be the best years of your life.

Starting out at university or college is a big challenge, particularly if you are leaving home for the first time. It is exciting, but also a little daunting. But don't worry; just remember that whatever you do, whether it is finding yourself somewhere to live, sorting out a loan or learning how to cook lasagne, there is always help at hand. The students union and the university or college welfare office are there to guide you through any sticky patches. So give it your best shot, join a club, make lots of new friends, get stuck in to your course work and if you want to aim for a first, get organised. But don't forget, enjoy the start of what with any luck will be the best years of your life.

JOINING UP

The first few weeks at university or college can be quite unsettling and the best way to find your feet and start having fun is to make new friends. One of the easiest ways to make new friends is to join a club or society. Every institution has dozens of organisations that offer fantastic opportunities to learn a new skill or improve an existing one.

Sian Davies, president of the students union at the University of Bournemouth says: "Student clubs give students the opportunity to try things they won't get a chance to do anywhere else, without spending too much money." At Bournemouth University students can do anything from extreme adventure sports and paint-balling to rowing and scuba diving. Many of the clubs are also linked to clubs in the local community so it is a good way to meet some of the local people.

So if you have always wanted to learn how to snowboard or sail, now is your chance to get down to the clubs and societies fair during freshers week and check out what is on offer. Now is your chance to make that bungee jump you've always dreamt of – and with any luck you will make some new friends at the same time.

ADJUSTING TO INDEPENDENT STUDY

Settling down to studying on your own for your degree can take a bit of adjustment after the intensive spoon-feeding that takes place at A-level. Teaching revolves around lectures, tutorials, seminar groups and practicals, but you will also be expected to do a lot of independent studying. It is a good idea to establish a solid rhythm of work in the first term that will set you up for the rest of the year.

If you are having problems with your studying, there is plenty of support available. Most universities and colleges offer courses on learning techniques and computer training and you can always go to your personal tutor for help and advice.

...AND IF YOU WANT TO GET A FIRST

If you do want to aim high, then you need to establish a regular routine of work and to start building up the pace. Katherine Blaker is vice-president (community action) of Hull University students union and she graduated last year with a First in politics and international relations. She thinks the most important thing to do if you want a First is to go for it. "I aimed for a First from the word go, but never thought I'd get there. I always wanted to do well at what I did. I aimed for As at A-level and got two, and I think that gave me the idea that I could get a First."

You must also be studying a subject that you are really interested in. Katherine Blaker started out studying business management but wasn't enjoying it and transferred to politics and international relations. "I was lucky to find a subject I was passionate about," she says. "That is the key. I found my ideal subject and I was able to work hard for it. I was really interested in every seminar we had."

To broaden your depth of knowledge, try widening your experience of university or college life beyond your academic studies, like Katherine Blaker did. "I was very involved in community-based volunteering. I volunteered to work with refugee children in school supporting their English work and I went out with older people on shopping trips. That was quality time out of studying and it really helped and refreshed me to spend an afternoon not thinking about work."

Finally, if you want to do well you must be well organised. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare for dissertations, do loads of extra reading around your subject and tell your tutors that you are trying for a First so that they can push you on and give you a helping hand.

BE A STUDENT POLITICIAN

If you want to add an impressive list of new skills to your CV and help your fellow students at the same time, why not think about getting involved in student politics? Students unions nowadays focus more on campaigning for better funding and conditions for students than party politics and there is a wealth of experience to be gained by learning how to run a campaign or introduce new student legislation.

Alternatively, you can get involved in the music and entertainments side of things and help organise major music events. Jonathan Hill is vice-president (education) at Queen's University Belfast Students Union. He became involved in the students union because some of his friends who already worked there asked him to give them a helping hand. He found the work so rewarding that he decided to get more involved: "I like the advice and representation side of helping students with ordinary issues which is why I was delighted to be elected as education officer. If students have any problems with their courses or exam results, we can help them through the appeals process and give then advice and guidance."

Hill advises anyone to find out how their students union is run. "I realised that you can make a difference by getting involved and that is very satisfying," he says. "By helping other students you enhance your own student life."

Most students unions also have a selection of part-time jobs that offer flexible working conditions and are a lot more interesting than stacking shelves in Sainsbury's.

GET ORGANISED

Leah Isaacs
Leah Isaacs, 20, is starting her second year of a BSc in economics/business economics at the University of Hull

The first few months were pretty hectic. At A-level you are very spoon-fed and at university you are expected to do everything on your own. I did keep thinking what do I do? Where do I go? But the lecturers give you advice. It is easy to go to lectures and just sit there and think you are taking it all in but you're not learning to the depth of knowledge that the tutors expect. You need to think about what work to do around your subject.

In the first year you have time to settle in and make friends and find a way of combining your work and social life. You need to find a happy medium between work and play. If you start to struggle or feel that you can't handle the pressure, don't worry. The lecturers are there to help and they will always open their doors to you if you want their advice; the students union also offers training courses on how to study for students who are getting into difficulties.

You need to be well organised. In economics we were given a six- to eight-week advance deadline for some subjects. Once you know your deadline, you have to work steadily towards it and try not to leave everything to a last-minute panic. If you hand an essay in late, the tutors won't accept it, so you do need to be pretty self-disciplined.

GET STUCK IN

Michael Hayton
Michael Hayton, 23, is doing a BSc in applied geology at the University of Sunderland. He is president of the University of Sunderland's students union

I first got involved in student politics when I saw that delegates were being elected to go to the NUS national conference in Blackpool. I put myself up for election, got elected and went along. That was my baptism of fire. I got thrown in at the deep end and I got very interested in student politics as a result. I also worked in the student bars and then I ran for president because a lot of people said I should go for it.

The biggest rewards come from meeting so many people and making so many contacts. I've been able to help other people and I've learnt a lot in the process. Being president is an amazing experience: the situations I've been put in are unlike anything else. It is like a canoeist being put in charge of a supertanker without any instructions. It is that sort of leap in skills and aptitude.

My skills now look fabulous on a CV but we will have to see how it all works out. You have to create the job as you go along.

We've founded a new type of legislation for student appeals and we helped organise the rally in London against tuition fees. That was very satisfying. It is important to make sure that students are represented at every level. I would advise anyone to find out about their students union. Talk to your executive officers; don't be intimidated – they are there to help you.

GET FIT

Hannah Bratley
Hannah Bratley, 20, is about to enter her third year at the University of Plymouth where she is studying for a BSc in marine biology and coastal ecology

Before university I played hockey and netball at school and I did gig rowing for the local club in Hayle. I decided to join the hockey club because I enjoy hockey and I like the social life. It is quite expensive to join – £35 for the year – but for that you get a T-shirt with your name and number on it to wear in team matches and another T-shirt with your nickname on it and that's to wear when we go out drinking! We train once a week on Monday night and we usually go out on a Wednesday night with all the other sports clubs and societies to the Millennium student nightclub in Plymouth.

I like playing hockey because it keeps me fit. It makes me feel good because I know I can have a laugh with my team mates at the same time as playing. We travel to matches together and we get to see other universities. I will definitely be joining again next year and I might join the ladies rugby club or the ladies football club or the netball club as well. I'd recommend to anyone that they join a club or society. It is an excellent way to make new friends and it is nice to be with people who share your interests.