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With the end of one academic year comes the start of another, and for many, this will be their first at university. Having gone the traditional route of school, college and then university, I know that university is an entirely different experience from any other form of education.

Now that I’ve completed all three years of my Law degree and graduated with a first class, I feel suitably experienced to provide some key advice to students starting their university journey this coming September. 

Stick it out 

As I said, university is an entirely different experience from any other form of education, and for some, this can bring problems with adjusting to a new learning environment. Before starting university, I remember hearing someone say something along the lines of “every law student considers dropping out of university at some point.” While this is certainly an exaggeration, I can say that the number of students who finish the course is always lower than the number of students who started it.

While everyone’s circumstances are different, I’d implore any student who, at any point, considers dropping out because the work is “too hard” or they “just don’t like university” to see it through. I’ve seen some students on my course who had this exact opinion and were toying with the idea, only to come out at the end with a first class or 2:1.  

It's impossible to tell just how good you are until you’ve gone the whole way. By seeing the course through, at least it’s likely that you come out the other side with a university degree.

Use everything your university has to offer 

Many people who go to university don’t realise the huge number of resources and support they have at their fingertips until they’ve gone a large chunk of their education without using any of it. Most universities have easily accessible libraries, online books, support teams and much more. Using these resources really does make your experience so much easier, and not using them is simply putting yourself at a disadvantage. 

For example, each week there are lectures from highly educated and experienced people from the world of law. Many people will go to the lectures, half-listen to the information given and then leave as soon as they can. Stop and talk to the lecturers, discuss their experience or the work they’ve been teaching you and build an actual connection with them.

This has been the biggest support to me over the last three years – knowing the lecturers as people and approaching them if I ever need help. Lecturers have dedicated years of their life to subjects and, from my experience, they’re always keen to provide help or advice.

Be proud of your work and yourself 

You’ve worked years to be here, grafting through GCSEs and whichever other qualifications have led you to this point. When you’re studying, you should see your actions at university and the work you complete as a reflection of why you deserve to be there. Putting anything less than 100% effort is doing a disservice to yourself and the years you’ve invested to be where you are. Every piece of work should reflect that.

Now that’s not to say that if you score a 45% on a written assessment that you don’t deserve to be there, but it’s how you use that to better yourself in the future. The years of university are like building blocks and the information you gain from first-year modules often comes back around in third year. When completing an assessment, it’s best practice to put in effort early. Take pride in your work and yourself for being in the position you are in, and make sure that you’re making the most of that opportunity.