'try new things': what students wish they'd known before university

Choosing what and where you want to spend the next three to four years studying is a huge decision – and with so much conflicting advice it can feel overwhelming. We asked six different

students to tell you what really matters. BE PREPARED "Look back at how much you've changed from the start of secondary school to the end. You're going to go through a similar

development in university so make sure you do your research and pick the right fit for you." _Shehzore Adil, BSc Medicine, __U__niversity College London_ BE CONFIDENT "You

don't need to know everything about the subject you're studying. Everyone is in the same boat as you and has probably never been to uni before. You learn more and more as you start

your course and lectures." _Imogen Cooper, BA history and English, University of Greenwich_ BE OPEN-MINDED "See what's out there and try new things. It takes time to get

settled so don't worry if you don't feel comfortable immediately. Ultimately, your experience will be unique to you." _Tom Putnam, __BA history, Leeds Beckett University_ BE

INTERNATIONAL "Doing a placement abroad is so valuable. I would urge every student to do a degree with that option." _Morgan McArthur, BA modern languages, University of Sheffield_

BE FOCUSED "University is ideally about studying a subject you're interested enough in to dedicate decades of your life to it. That doesn't mean you won't be going out

much or won't make any friends, but don't judge the success of your university experience on that alone." _Luna Doric, BA events management, University of Greenwich_ BE

YOURSELF "Don't worry if you're not a massive drinker or a huge party-goer. That's not the only way to make friends. Join societies or sports that you like. A common

interest helps with starting conversations with people." _Luqman Halim, __BSc mechanical engineering, Loughborough University_