For many students, the years they spend at university are counted as some of the best of their lives. But instead of excitement, you may have started uni just feeling overwhelmed. Now the first month has come and gone you may also have feelings about whether uni is right for you.

Maybe you are struggling to fit in.

If that’s feeling familiar to you, its time to take that expectation away from yourself and just focus on finding your balance.

We’re taking a look at some of the concerns students are having at this time, and why you should power through the next few months. Even if it’s bumpy along the way, it will be worth it.

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I haven’t made any friends since starting university or I have trouble connecting with other students

Making friends at uni can take time, as it’s a little bit different from when you made friends at school. You have to put effort into it, especially outside of people that you live with.

As you spend more time with people and get to know them, the easier it is to bond with them. Be open, friendly, and ask questions. Don’t hesitate to be the one to initiate plans and try to talk to as many different people as possible.

The more people that you interact with, the more likely you are to find people with shared interests. Remember that other students can be shy especially when they are first meeting new people.

Outside of my flat/housemates, I don’t know where I can make friends

Your first action should be to look into societies that are run by your university. Look into groups or activities that interest you. If you don’t find any, start your own. Focus on the things that you have an interest in, rather than worrying about trying to fit into what others might be doing.

Outside of university, look at what groups are set up on your local Meetup app.

I don’t know if university is for me.

University life is a big adjustment. Like with any change, it can take time to get used to. Trying to get everything right all at once can be hard. Academically and socially. It’s all about finding the balance that suits you and not rushing yourself. Identify areas where you are struggling and ask for help. It is better to give the university experience your best effort before you decide on next steps.

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Finding the motivation

The promise of decent grades and opening doors to the job market sometimes isn’t enough of a motivator, especially in your first year of university. If you haven’t been shown how to manage your study schedule, it’s time to start. Set yourself short and long term goals for your course, break up your year into periods of study and don’t forget to factor in time to relax and enjoy yourself. Shorter and more frequent study periods are better than long ones that can cause burnout.

Student youtubers have created their own study guides online to show what works best for them.

One last bit of advice is about the importance of having a regular sleep routine. Read our blog about Morning motivation. Combining together all of these little wins will make it easier for you to enjoy all aspects of your life as a student.