Advice for my First-Year Self

I’m Zion and I’m studying Politics and International Relations at the University of Birmingham. Outside of academics, I’m on the Athletics Team doing heptathlon, and I’m also on the committee for Women in Politics student group. Here’s some advice that I wish my first-year self knew while navigating university.

For myself, moving almost three hours away from home was quite a challenge, coming from a large family and living near to all my friends who I’d known for years, to a city that I’d only visited on open days was something that took some time to get used to. However, I found comfort in reminding myself that everybody was in the same boat and feeling just as uncertain as I was!

Adjusting to living in a new city can be difficult, but I found it helpful to just walk around and explore. Living on the Vale, I walked around Edgbaston and into Five Ways just to get my bearings and also through campus and into Selly Oak. After a couple times I started to get used to where I was and everything felt much more familiar, I also started to invite friends with me to explore new areas like Harborne. This helped me to get closer to some of my friends as well as becoming more comfortable in Birmingham.

Making friends

When I came to Birmingham, I didn’t know anyone else joining. Going from knowing lots of people at home, to suddenly being alone can feel quite isolating, but this feeling was temporary, and you quickly meet people who will become some of your best friends.

A few ways that I met people were by joining group chats before coming, through a society group chat, I ended up meeting one of my best friends who I also found out was living in the same block as me! Other ways that I met people were through my sport, through church, and my course. Studying a subject that has seminars meant that I ended up speaking to a lot of different people and would sometimes do work with them after lectures.

Making the first brave step to say hello to your neighbours can also be a great way to meet people in your accommodation, some of the best nights that I had in first year were sitting in our kitchen with our neighbours over and a bunch of friends! I would tell my first-year self that it all starts with a ‘hello’, everyone wants to make new friends at the start of the year and is probably just waiting for others to start the conversation as well!

Try new things

Coming to university and seeing just how many different societies were available (350+!), was something that I could never have anticipated. I would encourage everyone to attend all the give-it-a-go sessions held by the Guild and just get stuck in with new things.

I tried writing for the Redbrick Newspaper, kickboxing and even craft soc! I discovered some new hobbies, and it broadened my experiences. The Guild hold lots of events in accommodations such as playing mini golf, tote bag painting and quizzes. They often had free food which is such a bonus as student and not having to cook a meal! Next year I’m hoping to join more societies such as polo and craft soc, I might even try and join a campus league team! There’s so much to do here and keeping busy can also keep any homesick feelings at bay. Remember if you do start to feel overwhelmed, the Guild have lots of support available to you at the Guild support hub.