Authored by Dawson La, Materials Science and Engineering (MEng)
Nearly a year ago, in October 2022, I felt anxious, frightened, and uncertain about what lay ahead. I was about to embark on my degree in Materials Science and Engineering as a first-year student. Venturing into the unknown was not something my formerly shy and reserved self was used to. Reflecting back, I see an academic year full of personal development, challenges, and a lot of enjoyment! But what have I gained from this year, and where do I stand now?
One of the initial and most intimidating challenges I confronted was forming friendships. This is certainly one of the more daunting elements of starting university, and if you’re reading this as a future student, it might be one of your major worries. On my first day of moving into my accommodation, just days before the term began, I spent the entire day sequestered in my room because I felt too daunted to go out and introduce myself to others. However, sitting here now, I can confidently state that I’ve forged some of the best friendships I’ve ever had, right here at this university and within this course. I have discovered a second family here at Imperial, and all it took was engaging in small talk with others in comparable situations. So, what did I discover? I found that it’s always worthwhile to take a chance at the beginning of the year. If you don’t feel entirely prepared or at ease, don’t fret! There will be plenty of ice-breaker chances and events to assist you in connecting with others. I also learned that if there’s one thing you should be, it’s yourself. There are countless different individuals across the course and university; you are sure to find others who resonate with you.
Another obstacle I had to navigate was the workload and the complexity of the content. There was definitely a leap from A-levels, and in some respects, an even bigger transition from the first term to the second. Being placed in such an environment isn’t always great for your confidence; you might observe others studying and feel like you fall short. A few things helped me through that sentiment, one being the reminder that everyone is experiencing the same struggle. If you don’t grasp something, I can almost assure you that there are at least a few others who also don’t understand. So, seek assistance. This may be the single most critical lesson to learn in your first year. Request help from your peers and the staff!
This leads me to my next point. The staff in Materials are fantastic. They genuinely want you to succeed and are aware that students face difficulties. They show empathy towards students and maintain ongoing communication with us throughout the year about our challenges. I didn’t fully utilize the pastoral support until the year’s end, but I wish I had taken advantage of it sooner. I mentioned earlier about taking risks – I did take one at the year’s beginning by becoming a year well-being representative. This position allowed me to connect with the staff members, which is an incredibly valuable pursuit. There are numerous ways to familiarize yourself with the staff, and it’s surely one of the best things you can do for your benefit! My primary lesson from this aspect of university is to leverage the support being offered to you. You can never have too much!
On a broader scale, this year has taught me that feelings of nervousness, both in anticipation of and during university, are generally unfounded and can be eased with the diverse support options offered by staff and fellow students. It’s taught me that I’m never alone, and it’s taught me how to find joy amid stressors like exams and deadlines.