Your stint as a student will undoubtedly sharpen your academic and professional skills, but don't overlook the invaluable life lessons that university will teach you along the way
As Isabella Guthrie, student engagement officer at Liverpool Hope University puts it, university isn't just about academics. 'It teaches you so much about the world and how to live your life to the fullest. It gives you confidence and teaches you how to become an individual.'
People skills
It's impossible to graduate from university without plenty of people skills under your belt. These everyday abilities - like communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution - help you navigate the world with ease.
While studying you'll come into contact with a range of people, make new friends and learn to get along and work with those from different backgrounds. You'll encounter:
- academics
- fellow students
- programme administrators
- support staff.
This means that you get to practice your people skills with all sorts of different cultural norms and preferred ways of communicating.
Making the most of freshers' week and joining a club or society are easy ways to quickly acquire skills in this area. If you have a part-time job you'll pick up people skills there too.
When it comes to flatmates or housemates you're thrown in at the deep end - more often than not (especially in your first year) you'll live with people you've never met before. Navigating this - bonding with certain flatmates, while learning to tolerate and compromise with others - provides a wealth of people and social skills.
Responsibility and self-motivation
Being at university is totally different to being at school and college. One of the main differences is the amount of freedom you have over what you do and how you do it.
'Responsibility is a huge aspect of university,' explains Isabella. 'You have to take responsibility for yourself, university work, money and your flat or house. Which is a lot after your mum has been doing your washing and cooking for the last 18 years.'
With no one there to wake you up in the morning and insist you get out of bed, getting to lectures and seminars on time is down to you. Assuming that responsibility is another life lesson that university teaches you.
As is self-motivation. A lot of university study is self-directed - it's up to you to plan and organise your workload, juggle multiple projects and manage deadlines. You’ll need self-motivation to:
- attend social engagements
- complete your dissertation
- fulfil work commitments
- revise for exams
- write essays to a deadline.
By the time you graduate, your student experience should have given you enough 'get up and go' to see you through your working life.
All that responsibility can weigh heavy though, so if you're struggling read about 5 ways to manage student stress.
Self-sufficiency
The biggest life skill university teaches you is undoubtedly how to look after yourself in a practical sense. As a student living away from home, you'll learn how to cook, clean and do your own washing. As well as domestic chores, you'll figure out how to get around on your own (in the absence of mum's taxi) and how to fund your lifestyle now the bank of dad is closed.
The level of independence afforded by student life is one of its main draws - and while some students take to it well, others need more time to adjust. Find out what to do if you feel homesick.
Budgeting
This is another essential life skill and by the time you finish university, you'll be a pro at it. Throughout your studies you'll have to deal with a number of financial concerns such as:
- bills
- living costs
- rent
- social outgoings
- student loans
- travel expenses
- tuition fees.
As a result, you'll often operate on a tight budget. Knowing how to manage your money and balance your incomings against your outgoings is a skill you’ll pick up along the way.
'Budgeting is a difficult obstacle when coming to university,' says Isabella. 'You get your loan and think you have all the money in the world until two weeks later, when you've partied every night and now have £4.27 left in your bank for the next three months.'
'The best financial advice is to try and get a part time job, whether it be in your university or in a nearby cafe or bar, the extra money provides some breathing room so you can live your best life.'
Working part time will also teach you to be responsible with your money - when you've worked hard to earn it, you're a bit more careful about spending it.
For tips on saving, student banking and dealing with debt, see saving money as a student.
Resilience
Whether academic, work related or personal, you'll face your fair share of hurdles as a student.
'Resilience is probably biggest life lesson university will teach you' says Isabella. 'People are coming from all over the world, there are different cultures, backgrounds, likes, dislikes and you are lucky to be in an environment that encourages differences, but some things may not align with you, and you may not align with others.'
Maybe you get a lower than expected mark for an important assignment, have to deal with an unsympathetic boss in your part-time job, experience a relationship breakdown, or struggle to make friends. Perhaps you have to battle against mental health or money struggles.
Without the safety net of your family and friends from home close by, you'll have to stand on your own two feet and be resourceful and resilient enough to solve these issues yourself. You’ll graduate from university with a level of maturity you didn’t have before when it comes to overcoming obstacles. 'Throughout your student journey you'll learn to back yourself and become a stronger person,' adds Isabella.
That being said, there’s always help at hand if you ask for it.
Organisation and time management
If you were a bit unorganised before you went to university, you won't be by the time you leave. To successfully navigate student life, you'll need to handle a variety of study, work, social and personal commitments and the only way to do this is with organisation and time management.
'Organisation and time management work hand in hand,' adds Isabella. 'Create a routine for yourself.'
Alongside your course you'll learn how to manage deadlines, balance work and study, schedule time for extra-curricular activities and fit in time for yourself. No mean feat.
Discover our 7 time management tips for students.
Confidence
Confidence comes from trying something, seeing how it goes, learning from it and then trying it again. Your university years are full of these opportunities to step outside of your comfort zone, and importantly to fail, but be willing to give it another go.
As a student, you'll get the chance to build your confidence in a range of ways. Academically speaking you'll:
- work in groups and host presentations
- complete work placements and internships
- attend careers fairs
- maybe even stand for student election.
The social side of university life offers up many more. Parties, pub outings, student nights, summer BBQs and joining a club or society all help to bring you out of your shell.
Even the most introverted of students will leave university more confident than when they started.
Find out more
- Read more about university life.
- Learn how to beat imposter syndrome.