A warm welcome to all our Freshers.听You’ve made it, you’re finally here and it’s time to start your university journey.
This will be a time听of great change for you听all as you get used to your new surroundings, lectures, peers and responsibilities. But don’t worry, because everything will fall into place in the coming days and听weeks and, before you know it, you’ll have completed your first term with us.
We thought we’d compile some advice to help you navigate your way through this transitional period and make sure you’re aware of the resources and support听network available to you.
There are various support networks听provided by听the University:
- 鈥撎齳our primary point of contact for advice and guidance on academic work and progress.
- 听鈥� support and advice for all students from听13:00听– 15:00, Monday 鈥� Friday听(term time) in the Student Services Waiting Area, B37.
- Enabling Services Study Skills Support – an opportunity for students who may have a specific learning difficulty to meet one-to-one with a practitioner for practical study advice and support. No appointment necessary, the service is available during term time on听Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 14:00 – 16:00 in room 2047 (AT Suite), Hartley Library, and is available during holidays on听Wednesdays from 14:00 – 16:00.
- Student Life –听available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, this dedicated team听is here to support your wellbeing, whether you live in halls or private rented accommodation. Call the team on听Tel: +44(0)23 8059 8180, email: studentlife@southampton.ac.uk or alternatively, visit your nearest Halls of Residence.
And the Students’ Union also听offers various support services:
- 鈥� the team provides students with听free, independent, confidential advice and representation in a friendly, relaxed environment. The Advice Centre can be found on Level 3 of Building 40 on Highfield Campus.
- 听鈥� the listening service run by students, operates every evening in term time from 20:00 – 08:00.
- 鈥� Held in partnership with Student Minds and the Union Advice Centre, students can sign up to 鈥楲ook After Your Mate鈥� training sessions to help equip them with the tools they need to support their friends during difficult times.
One of the biggest differences you’ll notice between school and university is that lecturers aren’t like teachers – they’ll treat you like adults and won’t spoon feed you knowledge and answers. This being said, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help, as lecturers are always willing to听discuss anything you’re unsure about.
You will need to听undertake a lot of independent research to complete your assignments, and learning how to reference properly will be an essential skill. The University provides relevant to your respective faculty.
Lectures won’t fit听into a听neat pattern听of five periods a day so you should听familiarise yourself with your timetable, which you can access, alongside campus maps, on the .
As well as your academic work, you will also need to organise and plan听your finances. Creating听a weekly budget will help you to keep a grip on your听money and avoid the struggle of having spent too much in your first few weeks as a student.
We hope you all have a fantastic Freshers’ experience. Get involved and听try out as many new things as you can through the various societies and events听on offer.
While you are travelling to and from events as a new student, it’s important to be aware of the effects alcohol can have on you. You can find advice on how to on both and through .
