This is part two of how to survive first year. In the first part, hopefully, I gave some useful insight into making the most of your first year at LSE and enjoying the new experiences it will bring you! So, what else can make it a successful year?
Get to know the people in your halls
Homesickness is very real and living in a new city without those home comforts can be tough. Halls is a strange place to be at first, surrounded by entirely new people from around the world. I know when I first moved into High Holborn, I wasn’t entirely sure I would have much in common with anyone there. Sat in the common room one evening, I randomly got chatting to a girl who sat near me, and from that moment we would catch up nearly every weekend. She introduced me to other friends of hers and through one quick chat, I found myself doing new things with new people and making international friends.
Get help if you need it
The reality is that there will be moments when you struggle, be that with settling into halls, making new friends, or managing workload. That is completely natural and to be expected as part of the process of becoming a university student. So I must remind you that you are not in it alone. LSE has a huge range of resources to help you. The Student Wellbeing team can provide support in challenging moments. LSE Life is a team based in the Library who can help you thrive academically through essay writing and skills workshops, as well as resources to help you in the right direction. Your academic supervisor is a point of contact for academic or pastoral issues, whether via email or during Office Hours. Your class teachers are there to answer all of your module-related questions. Make the most of this by speaking to them when you are confused or curious to know more. This will be the best way to ensure you are on track with your knowledge. All of these people are fundamentally there to help us, the students.
Don’t become obsessed with what other people are doing
It can be easy to get swept up in everything that is going on around you. People will be talking about spring weeks or internships or comparing grades. Try not to get wrapped up in it. Remember that you are at university for yourself. If a corporate career is not what you want to focus on in first year, then do your own thing. You will thank yourself for it later down the line.
First year at university is a unique experience – not much else compares. The transition to LSE can be tricky, with new people, new content to learn, and a whole new style of teaching to adjust to. But alongside all that, you will get to try new experiences, make new memories, and find out more about yourself. My main piece of advice would be to give things a go – speak to people, join societies, go to events. As hard as the beginning can be, from experience, I can say that it does get better. Persevere through those initial hurdles and the rest will come smoothly. Take moments to breathe and reflect on how much you have achieved already. University is an incredible experience if you let it be.
