5 Emotions to Look Out for When Starting University

Starting university is a brilliant achievement that you should be proud of. As you finish A-levels and your time at school comes to a close, it's important to know that you might go through a bit of a whirlwind of emotions. Though it can be extremely exhilarating for some to be moving on to university, for others it may be difficult to say goodbye and accept change. Here are some of the emotions that you might experience as you start this new chapter.

Accomplishment

It's important in life to always be proud of what you have achieved. Though attending university may not be the right path for some, the fact that you have made the decision to go for it and stuck with it is something to be proud of. There is a lot that you can learn at university, not just in your course but in the life you live, the friends you find and the choices you make. It can be a brilliant time for self-discovery, finding out what things you enjoy doing and growing in your responsibility and independence.

Stress and Worry

Though starting your degree can be thrilling at times, it's also important to take into consideration the stress you could experience. Change can be difficult for some to process, as the uncertainty of what your year will look like looms in the distance. It's OK to be a little bit worried about what happens next; we all would be too. Try to embrace the excitement of new things, while also remembering to savour every last moment you have at home with your friends and family.

 

You can also aim to be organised and plan. If you can write out your travel plan to university, your packing list and get to know your course schedule and modules, you might feel an immense sense of relief. Planning can help ease the stress of the unknown and can help you stay grounded during the somewhat chaotic process.

Determination

Just like you mustered the strength to get through college and A-levels, don't forget to keep pushing. You have gotten this far, and it is important to hold on to your determination as you begin the new year. Take a look back at all you have accomplished and remember that you can do anything you set your mind on. If you can start your university year feeling confident and excited for what is to come, you will most likely find it easier to make friends, master your schedule and start the year with a bang.

Sadness

Just as you might be feeling full of life and confident about the upcoming year, sometimes the reality of life and all of its changes hits hard. Though the thought of going to university is brilliant and exciting, the realities of leaving everything behind can be hard to process. For many of us, we seek independence and a time and place to find ourselves and experience life.

Though this yearning can be thrilling, it's still important to know that you may not be ready to fully say goodbye. You will be leaving an entire life behind that is familiar and comfortable to head off into the great unknown. That is a big, scary step for anyone to take. It's OK to feel sad and excited at the same time. This is a defining moment for you, so make sure you don't forget to process your feelings and say the goodbyes that will help you move onto the next step in your life and career.

 

Let's also not forget, that as great as independence is, being an adult can be extremely scary and daunting. Suddenly you are paying bills and rent, doing your shopping and cooking, looking after your money and managing your university schedule as well, all on your own. You are responsible for your own life, relationships and the choices you make.

 

Excitement

One of the best ways to approach the upcoming year is by embracing your excitement. Trying new things and experiencing new situations can be extremely stressful for some, so try to hold onto the excitement you have as much as possible. Try replacing the worry with the potential for opportunity. University is supposed to make you feel a wide range of emotions, and it should never stop being exciting. Make sure you find things that make you happy and interest you.

 

Whether that is course projects, university groups and activities or friends, keep your days fun and full of things you love. And when you are struggling, remember the reasons why you wanted to come to university in the first place. Whether you came to learn and develop in something you are passionate about, experience a new city, meet new people or go out and have fun, you now have the chance to do exactly that.

University is meant to be an exciting time of independence, development and self-discovery and there is so much to be excited about. Try to hold onto the good parts when the moments of doubt come your way.

What Unihousing can Offer You

Regardless of what you may be feeling, remember that there are thousands of other students who are experiencing similar things. To keep yourself sane and in complete control over your university experience, make sure you don’t leave the important things until last minute. Here at Unihousing, we offer a variety of student accommodation to satisfy your needs. Whether you are wanting a shared house or a studio just for you, we have got you covered. Head over to our website at www.unihousing.co to see all of our available accommodation for the new term.

What’s Your Preferred Method of Learning? Take the Quiz to Find Out

Learning isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing; we all have our preferred methods of learning which help us the most. Knowing what kind of learner you are can help you revise and study during university. Many different models have been proposed to help people understand the ways they learn best.

The VARK model is a popular theory, which proposes that there are 4 types of learner: auditory, visual, kinaesthetic and reading/writing. Most people will have a balance of these types, with a preference for an individual learning style. By discovering what type of learner you are, you can adjust your revision and study techniques to help you retain more information while studying.

Below, you can discover what kind of learner you are, and how to apply this information.

Auditory

Auditory learners take in the most information from listening to others, discussing and questioning the subject matter, and recalling the information to someone else. Hearing the information or talking about what you’re trying to learn will help your brain process and retain the information. Group revision sessions or lectures where you can discuss, question and listen are a good method of learning. Other useful tools you can use include recording yourself reading your notes or watching old lectures. You may also find online video tutorials helpful, including podcasts.

Visual

A visual learner will find that they can learn most effectively using illustrations such as charts, diagrams, graphs and flowcharts. Anything that can demonstrate the relationship between concepts or easily show a structural approach to a process will help visual learners. Highlighting with different colours, underlining key sections, or using white space and lines are all good methods for helping you retain information. As you’re going through your revision notes and studying, pay attention to the aesthetics of your work.

Kinaesthetic

The word kinaesthetic relates to the awareness of the position and movement of the body. This means that the most effective methods for kinaesthetic learners are the use of senses, experience, and practical exercises. Using real-life examples can help these learners memorise information, even if they’re examples from a third party such as a lecturer. Getting hands-on with practical learning experiences, including lab work and field trips, will also benefit kinaesthetic learners. Make sure you use lots of case studies and examples to learn, and wherever possible use practical examples.

Reading/Writing

Those who learn the most from reading/writing are going to find that writing information and reading their notes will be the most effective method for them. Utilising lists and handouts are going to be crucial for your success. You may find that rewriting your notes into a new notebook, making alterations as you go will help you remember the most. You’ll also find that converting visual information or rewriting ideas can be very helpful. Make sure you stock up with a good supply of notebooks and pens.

Take the Test

Now you know about the different methods of learning proposed by the VARK model and how to get the most out of them, you can take the quiz to discover which categories you fall into. Bear in mind that you may fall into several categories, so trying out several techniques may be required for you to find what works best for you.

About Unihousing

Unihousing provides quality student lets in Selly Oak, only a short walk from the university. Our accommodation includes modern studios, flats, apartments and shared houses, all of which are fully fitted and furnished to suit a student lifestyle. Don’t miss out on your ideal choice of student accommodation, take a look at our website today.

Interview Tips to Help you Succeed

Interviews are a part of life, and they give the employer the chance to see what you are capable of, and what you can offer them. It’s extremely important to learn and develop your interview skills to help with this. Though it can be a daunting task, it is also a brilliant way for you to be proud and showcase your skills, experiences, projects and everything you’ve done throughout your education.

This is your chance to shine, and we’ve provided a few tips to ensure that you can express the best version of yourself.

Five Commonly Asked Interview Questions

It’s vital to be as prepared as you can be before your interview. Many jobs and employers ask 5 standard questions that you can prepare in advance for.

1. Tell me about yourself.

This is a question that allows you to highlight the most interesting and unique parts of who you are and what you have accomplished in your life. You can talk about your degree, previous jobs and any relevant interests.

University is a brilliant place to learn, make mistakes and collaborate with different kinds of people. If you are fresh out of university and have little to no work experience outside of your degree, don’t be afraid to showcase all that you accomplished and learned throughout university, and relate it to the job role if possible.

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Some may find this a tricky question to answer. Employers want to see your self-evaluation skills. We all have weaknesses that are balanced with our strengths. When you do mention weaknesses, turn the negative into a positive, and express how you proactively work to improve your weaknesses and grow.

For example, if you struggle with organisation, highlight what coping mechanisms you have put in place to help you stay on top of things. Do you make lists, leave extra reminders for yourself or organise in a particular way so that you do not lose things? This is a great way to positively show your weaknesses and how you manage them.

When it comes to your strengths, don’t be shy. Speak honestly about what things you do well and are proud of. Employers love seeing the passion and excitement for life.

3. Why should we hire you?

This is your chance to show your value and what you could bring to the role and business. How can you help their business succeed and what skills are they in need of that you could provide? It’s important that you know your worth; don’t forget that you have a unique set of skills and have experienced different things from anyone else. Have confidence in this and don’t sell yourself short. It’s also a good idea to keep role requirements in mind and highlight the skills and strengths that best match you with the job description.

4. What do you know about the company?

This question can stump anyone. Try to avoid being caught off guard by researching businesses before your interviews. Many people go in for interviews without researching, but knowing about the company will set you apart from others and can help you stand out amongst other applicants.

Try to find out the core business competitors and write down some interesting facts that you can share in the interview. Additionally, conducting your research will give you more insight into whether you want to work there in the first place.

5. Do you have any questions?

Before your interview, try to gather and prepare at least three questions in advance. By asking questions you will show the employer that you are interested in the position. Additionally, asking questions allows you to learn what you need to know about the business and the employer, to develop a better feel for who they are and whether you’d be comfortable working there. This is your chance to grill the interviewer, so do not be afraid to ask away and be confident with your questions.

Body Language

Now that we have the questions out of the way, let’s talk about body language. Employers don’t just want perfectly worded answers. Your physicality and the way you present yourself is also extremely important and will contribute to the employer’s impression of you. You only have one shot to make a good impression, so make it count. Here a few things to look out for:

1. Be attentive.
2. Sit upright.
3. Eye contact.

Throughout your interview, it’s important that your employer feels that you are interested in. Posture and physicality are good ways to communicate that you are invested in the discussion, and can also show that you are assertive and confident in your answers.

Be mindful of your body language and catching yourself if you suddenly are slouching or getting distracted. It is a good idea to practice in a mirror or even film yourself so that you have a bit of a reference of how you naturally sit and what things you need to work on.

Another important factor is eye contact. It can feel quite intense when you are looking at the interviewer for a long time, but it is so important to keep your eye contact in check. If your eyes are wandering away while the interviewer is speaking, you could seem disinterested. When you are answering questions, lack of eye contact can communicate a lack of confidence and strength.

All of this put together hugely impacts whether the employer gets a positive or negative perception of your character and devotion to the role. Just remember, you have all that it takes to succeed. Don’t be shy in expressing the major assets you can bring to a business and be passionate. With a few tweaks, you can ensure that you make a positive and influential first impression that the employer will not forget.

How can Unihousing Help You?

For many students still at university, looking for accommodation for the new term will be a big priority. Unihousing is here to support you through your search and can help with finding the right accommodation for your needs and budget.

With a wide range of properties including studios, twodios, flats and houses, we are confident that we can find a property that best suits you. We also offer student accommodation for couples and many of our properties come fully furnished, with high-speed 100Mb broadband and utilities included in the rent.

Visit our website at www.unihousing.co or call today to see how we can help.