Ten months ago, in October 2022, I was filled with anxiety and uncertainty regarding what lay ahead. I was on the verge of starting my degree in Materials Science and Engineering as a freshman. Venturing into the unknown wasn’t something my formerly reserved self was used to. Reflecting on this year, I recognize it as a period rich with personal development, hurdles, and enjoyment! But what insights have I gained, and where do I stand now?<\/p>\n
One of the first and most intimidating obstacles was forging friendships. This is typically a significant worry for newcomers to university. On my initial day in my accommodation, I remained in my room the whole time, feeling too daunted to step out and meet others. Now, I can proudly say that I’ve formed some of the best friendships during my time at university and in my course. I\u2019ve discovered a second family at Imperial, and it all began with casual conversations with individuals in similar circumstances. I realized that taking a leap at the beginning of the year is essential. If you’re not prepared, don’t fret! There are numerous ice-breaker events designed to help you connect with others. Also, be authentic. With such a diverse group of people, you’ll encounter those who resonate with you.<\/p>\n
Another hurdle was the volume of coursework and the complexity of the material. There was a noticeable leap from A-levels, and an even greater jump from the first to second term. It’s easy to feel less capable when observing others study. Keep in mind, everyone shares similar experiences. If you’re struggling with something, others probably are too. Therefore, seek assistance. This is vital in your first year. Don\u2019t hesitate to ask peers and faculty for support!<\/p>\n
The faculty in Materials are exceptional. They genuinely want you to succeed and comprehend the challenges students encounter. They keep us informed about our concerns throughout the year. I didn’t utilize the pastoral support until the end of the year, but I wish I had done so earlier. I took a bold step by becoming a year well-being representative, which allowed me to build relationships with the staff, a priceless opportunity. There are numerous avenues to connect with faculty, and this is among the most beneficial actions you can take! Make the most of the support available; you can never have too much assistance!<\/p>\n
In summary, this year has taught me that feelings of nervousness regarding university are frequently misplaced and can be eased with the support provided by staff and fellow students. I’ve learned that I’m never alone and how to have fun even amidst stressors such as exams and deadlines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ten months ago, in October 2022, I was filled with anxiety and uncertainty regarding what lay ahead. I was on the verge of starting my degree in Materials Science and Engineering as a freshman. Venturing into the unknown wasn’t something my formerly reserved self was used to. Reflecting on this year, I recognize it as…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":316327,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-316326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/316326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=316326"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/316326\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/316327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=316326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=316326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/youjustlive.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=316326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}