Three rules that changed my university life

Written by: Sadha Pandu Regawa

On September 21st 2021, I arrived at Newcastle Central Station, ready to start classes in a week. I was scared, under pressure, and unprepared. University life can be daunting, it’s a completely new chapter in life where you live independently, and the change can be overwhelming. But three years later, I don’t feel that pressure at all thanks to three life-changing rules I made for myself throughout my years here, which I hope you’ll find useful too.

Catch opportunities like you’re catching Pokémon

I mean it. I never would’ve done swing dancing had I not seen the flyer for it on my way to class. I wanted to watch Netflix that day, and all it took was one leap into the unknown that led me to learning how to swing dance with a girl I had just met, and it was very fun! We shared laughs about how we fell and failed miserably at swing dancing, but it was fine as a new friendship had been made. This success inspired me, and I soon found myself in paintball matches, archery ranges, and baseball fields. 

My point here is that unforgettable memories can sometimes form in the most unexpected ways. I know the comfort zone is well, comfortable, but university life is a time where stepping out of it can lead to the most beautiful experiences. The university provides lots of opportunities for you to engage with, be it axe throwing or bubble tea making. University life is after all, yours to shape. So, catch opportunities like you’re catching Pokémon. They won’t stay forever.

Learn or experience something new from every culture you come across

Here’s an eye-opener that my father told me: “People from all around the world can have different values and lifestyles than you. And yet you will often find them with the same warm smiles as you do.”  

Newcastle, both the university and the city itself, is a multicultural playground. You’ll be able to meet so many unique people. Cultural barriers do exist, and while they can be difficult to break through, when it does happen and you find someone you genuinely bond with, it’s incredible. I remember my first Halloween party, I was with people from Japan, Spain, South Africa, Germany, and Brazil. It was so fascinating to hear everyone’s stories, and we all had fun together. 

Regardless of making international friends or not, it doesn’t hurt at all to try a new cuisine or embark on a new experience. One of my earlier memories was trying Greek gyros and Portuguese pastel de natas in the Sunday Quayside market. If that doesn’t cure at least some part of your homesickness, then share it with others. I felt right at home the moment I cooked my beloved Indonesian fried rice for my friends. 

The Library is there to help (no, seriously)

University is a huge shift from school or sixth form. The good news is that university classes are, for the most part, more flexible than A-Levels. However, you’re now expected to learn independently, and lectures are also more unstructured than classes, taking knowledge from a wide variety of sources as opposed to a single textbook. 

Yes, university is about socialising and making great memories, but a delicate balance is needed between social and academic life, which means no last-minute studying. You need to academically research from journal articles, and you can’t simply read concepts from a textbook like you did in A-Levels or GCSEs. You need to challenge those concepts, compare and contrast, and build convincing arguments. All of this can be overwhelming, but don't worry as there is plenty of support available, ranging from referencing websites, academic writing workshops, and yes, the library which is open 24/7. 

I still have, to this day, terrible time management. I procrastinate a lot and I sometimes forget about assignments, only to panic weeks later when I realise that the deadline is approaching. I recommend making the most of the 24/7 library and the resources that are provided. They’re there for you to use. Additionally, if you’re a procrastinator like me, use organisation tools like Notion. You can get the pro versions for free using your university account, and that way you can effectively plan and segment what you want to focus on. 

That outlines my three life-changing rules that have drastically improved my university life. I hope this has some impact on you, and if you are coming to Newcastle, see you soon!