Written by Tabitha and reviewed by our team. Tabitha was a student ambassador for Kortext in the last academic year.
Starting university felt like diving headfirst into the unknown – exciting, terrifying, and a little bit surreal. I remember arriving with my suitcase and big expectations: I thought I’d have it all figured out in no time. I didn’t.
Looking back now as I prepare to graduate, I’ve learned so much more than what’s on my course syllabus. So here it is, a letter to my past self, and maybe to you too: what I wish I knew as a first-year student.
Everyone feels awkward at first, even the ones who look like they don’t
In the first few weeks, I was constantly convinced that everyone else had already found their people, figured out the campus map, and was thriving.
Meanwhile, I was calling my parents for every minor issue and pretending I knew where my seminar was.
Truth is, everyone’s faking it a little in first year. Everyone’s nervous. Give it time, real friendships don’t always happen overnight. I made some of my best friends towards the end of first year, so give yourself a chance.
It’s okay not to love every second
There’s so much pressure to treat university as the ‘best years of your life’.
But honestly? Some days are tough. Some weeks feel overwhelming. And sometimes you just miss home, or feel lonely, or question why you chose your degree.
That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It just means you’re human. The highs are beautiful, and the lows teach you more than you expect.
You don’t need to say yes to everything
In first year, I said yes to everything: every night out, every society, every group project, every plan. I thought if I wasn’t constantly busy, I was missing out.
But I wish I knew that rest is just as important as involvement.
It’s okay to miss a night out. You’ll still find your people and they’ll love you whether you go clubbing every week or not.
You’ll change (and that’s a good thing)!
First year felt like a blur of discovering who I was without school uniforms, routines, or childhood labels.
I learned that it’s okay to grow, to change opinions, to try new things and let go of old versions of myself. University is a space to expand, not shrink. Don’t be afraid to evolve.
Don’t wait until the last minute to do your reading (but if you do… skim smart)
I spent a lot of first year either procrastinating or panicking. I wish I’d known that getting into a routine early saves so much stress later. Even doing some of the reading consistently makes seminars so much less intimidating.
And if you fall behind? Learn how to skim strategically. Highlight. Annotate. Use tools like Kortext to help you catch up without drowning. You can try it out here.
Talk to your lecturers, they’re not as scary as they seem
I used to think lecturers were these distant, unapproachable beings who only spoke in essay feedback and academic jargon. Wrong!
Some of the most helpful advice and encouragement I got came from just popping into office hours or asking questions after class. They want you to do well. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It doesn’t make you look weak, it makes you look engaged.
Make your room a safe space
Your uni room isn’t just a place to crash, it’s your little sanctuary.
In first year, mine was a weird mix of washing piles and random lights, but I learned how important it was to make it feel like mine.
Photos, cosy blankets, fairy lights, tiny things make a big difference when you’re trying to make a new place feel like home.
From me to you
First year is messy, magical, emotional, and full of lessons that don’t come from a textbook.
And while I made plenty of mistakes, I wouldn’t change a thing, because every awkward encounter, every small win, every tear and every laugh shaped the student (and person) I’ve become.
So if you’re in first year and feeling a bit lost, you’re not alone. Take your time. Be kind to yourself. Trust that you’re growing, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
