Uni 101: Common Concerns

Everyone wants to know what they’re getting into when they start university, but it can be hard to work out where to find the information you’re looking for.

We’re going to break down some common concerns and worries you may be experiencing, and give our tips for how to overcome them, and where to go to find support.

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a lot more common than you might think. It describes the experience where you feel like a fraud or doubt your abilities, particularly when entering a new environment. It can be overwhelming to come to university and find yourself surrounded by people of a similar ability, especially when you’re already experiencing a completely new education style.

Top Tips

• Remember that you have the qualifications to be here! Royal Holloway wouldn’t have accepted you were not a capable individual.
• Share your doubts, and talk about your feelings. You’ll undoubtedly find that many of those around you are having the same issues. A problem shared is a problem halved, as they say!
• When you feel proud, happy, or well-prepared in a seminar, focus on that feeling. Make a note of it, and keep it in a place you can refer to when you doubt yourself.
• Remember that it’s not a competition – you shouldn’t compare yourself to others.

Feeling lonely/struggling to make friends

It can be intimidating to move into a new environment where you might not know anyone. There’s always the panic that if you don’t meet your best friends during Freshers’ Festival, you’ll be lonely – which, I can promise you, is absolutely not true! People continue forming connections with new people right up to the end of their degrees; there’s no time limit, no cut-off point. Not everyone is going to get along with their flatmates, and that’s ok because there are so many different ways to meet people at university.

Top Tips

• A great way to meet people is by joining a club, society, or media outlet. Whether you choose an established hobby or try something new, it’s a great way to connect with a group of people who you might not meet through your course.
• Don’t be scared to reach out for support. Whether that’s from friends/family at home or the University’s Wellbeing team, it can make you feel better to get those feelings out in the open.
• Remember that everyone else is in the same boat as you!

Feeling overwhelmed/burnt out

Freshers’ Festival is always a jam-packed week; the sheer number of options available to you, coupled with the fact that everyone you’re meeting is in a similar boat, can make the first part of term an incredibly overwhelming time. Everyone always talks about Freshers’ Flu, but it’s not simply a virus that gets passed around during the first part of the term, often it’s caused by a combination of not eating as well as you’re used to, not getting enough sleep, and being generally run down.

Top Tips

• You don’t have to be doing something every second! Leave time for yourself, whether to rest your social battery or indulge in some self-care.
• Work out what is making you feel so overwhelmed – once you’ve identified those feelings, they can be easier to deal with.
• Remember, if you get burnt out during Freshers, you may not be able to take advantage of the rest of what’s on offer. It sounds cliché, but your first few months at uni really are a marathon, not a sprint; don’t use up all your energy at once.

Feeling homesick

Homesickness is one of those things about university that is often a universal experience, but people feel embarrassed to talk about it. If you’ve moved into halls or housing, it can be strange waking up in a new environment, surrounded by things that maybe haven’t been completely unpacked yet. It can take time to settle in, but until you do, there are some ways you can help make yourself comfortable.

Top Tips

• Bring things that remind you of home to decorate your room with. Creating a space that feels familiar can go a long way to feeling more settled.
• Try and wait until at least Study Week to go home – if you can, wait until the end of Term One!
• If it gets really bad, remember that your friends/family from home are often only a phone call away.

Reframing the positive

Ok, so we’ve spoken about all the less-than-nice things you may be feeling. But there’s often a fine line between a scary feeling and one that’s more positive. So, what are those good things you’re feeling?

• Excited
• Independent
• Adventurous
• Proud

Remember, you’re not on your own here! You have all your support systems from home, but also our services at Royal Holloway, including the Students’ Union Advice Centre, the University’s Wellbeing team, and your personal tutor, just to name a few!