The first period studies really aren’t going to make or break your university career
There is so much going on in the first period of university, especially when you are a freshman. Not only are you beginning with a completely new life phase, you are also receiving huge amounts of information and meeting loads of people, all at once. Often this is also combined with a lot of events that go on late at night, perhaps leading to more or less sleep debt.
This is fine. How you manage to get through your first period is not going to make a huge difference in your studies, grades or average. Especially as a freshman, many of the courses are quite simple and it has been taken into account that there are also a lot of other things on-going at this time.
So, I wish I would’ve enjoyed the beginning of my studies a little bit more and relaxed a bit! Go have a coffee with your new friend, even if it means your lecture diary will be 200 words less. Go to the event that sounds exciting to you! Sleep in, if it will give you a better mood and energy to go on with the upcoming studies. But also, if putting all of your effort into your studies is what sounds the best, dive into that too! There is no right or wrong way to go about it, just remember it won’t make that big of a difference whether you put 100% or 75% into the first period studies.
You can be as little or much involved in outside studies activities as you want
Often many can feel pressure to live out the perfect “student life” as soon as they get into university. Don’t stress about this! Student life is honestly as the name suggests… student life. So if you are a student and you’re alive, congrats! You are living the student life.
Outside-studies activities are meant to feel fun and exciting, not draining or anxiety inducing. For some, they are the perfect gateway to making friends, socializing, getting out of the house or delving into the university community. For some, they might sound like the ultimate nightmare.
There is no correct amount of how much you should be involved in outside-studies activities. Maybe go to one event that sounds interesting, maybe don’t go at all! Trust me, there are many people that don’t ever visit any events. Find your own groove in doing things and own it!
Friend groups will fluctuate and you will find friends
Many people will cling together in the beginning of their studies, for the sake of security, comfort or ease. This isn’t a bad thing, but it might lead to fluctuations in social circles later on! People change, find new interests or meet other people that they might connect with more! Some might be more interested in partying while others might want to focus more on their studies, leading to differences in schedules and interests. Whatever the reasons might be, loads of friend groups end up fluctuating and changing after the first months or year of university studies.
Also, every year there come new students, which means loads of new, possible friends. If you feel like you can’t seem to connect or find a perfect connection in the first year of your studies, you aren’t doomed for a life as a hermit. Personally, I found some of my best friends only during the second year of my studies! Also, even if it seems like everyone has a friend group, it isn’t always necessarily the case. A big smile or icebreaker might as well light up the beginning for a brand new friendship!
Eat before sitsit
This is a no-brainer. Sittning aka sitsit are a student event known for organized singing and table games. During the sittning, a minimum of three dishes (varied in quality) are typically served, and alcohol is usually included (beer, cider, schnapps). In addition to food and drink, the clothing can also vary at different sittings.
Even though there is always some form of food at sitsit, I would strongly advise to eat beforehand, especially if you are planning on consuming alcohol. A fun night can be so easily ruined by the lack of food or oversupply of alcohol.
Scheduling will become your new best friend
In university the importance of scheduling is enhanced. No one will be telling you what to do, which can provide freedom, but also anxiety over planning your days completely. The more you schedule and plan your studies, the more you will probably get done.
I recommend noting down all the key tasks and deadlines for the course as soon as it begins. When you know how much workload you will be dealing with, you can evenly distribute your workload to avoid feeling burnt out. In addition, you can structure your days to include both efficient work and leisure time, hopefully resulting in a more balanced everyday life.
You will feel like Tampere will never become home, until one day you can’t wait to come home to Tampere
This is for everyone who might be moving to Tampere from somewhere else. Especially when you’re coming to Finland for the first time, Tampere might be very different then what you are used to. It might feel like you will never feel at home in Tampere.
This feeling can be persistent and might take time to fade away. But the longer you live somewhere, spend your time meeting new people and finding new restaurants, building a life that is enjoyable, the more homey it will begin to feel. You won’t notice a conscious shift, but one day you will be on the bus or train coming back to Tampere, and you will realize you are coming home.
Sleep. Sleep! Sleep!!!
If I have learnt anything studying in university, it’s the importance of sleep. In high school I could easily survive off 4-5 hours of sleep daily. How? I have no idea, because that could never be me anymore. The quality of the sleep you are getting affects everything, from appetite to focus ability.
Once you start prioritizing sleep, you will notice how big of a difference it has made in your life quality. You will likely get more done and feel overall better. Your time will be more efficient and your mood might enhance. So sleep! Even if it means pinching from somewhere else, it will probably pay itself back.
Engage beyond your major
The world expands past your major – you know that right? Utilize the privilege to access the university community and engage with people outside of your major. Whether it’s by attending student events that are interdisciplinary or taking a course in a completely new field, find yourself a way of meeting people who might be living a completely different life.
If you have the chance to go to the lecture, go to it irl
This might feel self explanatory, but perhaps it’s not. If you have the chance to attend the lecture in person, do it! Not only will you be able to participate in the lecture in a completely different manner and possibly even converse, there is a high likelihood you will either skip or skim through the lecture at home.
You have already scheduled the lecture for your day, so if you attend in person, you will attack it right on the spot and get it done. Leaving it for later or participating from home will set yourself into a position where it’s easier to slack.
You can’t give everything your everything
Simple, but true. Maybe some super people can, but I sure can’t. And most of us just can’t and that is completely fine. I wish I had been more merciful to myself as a freshman, instead of expecting myself to deliver straight 5’s, attend every event and perform like a competitive athlete.
It’s alright and expected to prioritize some things, prioritize less other things and completely neglect other things. Your things can be different from my things, and they are dependent on your personal interests and goals. Find what you want to give your everything to and focus on that. The rest will unfold naturally!
Have a happy freshman year!
– Taika
