General information for Students 

We want to help you stay at University to successfully complete your course. And we hope that you will make new friends and have fun while you’re studying with us.

But we are aware that you may meet difficulties, either personal or educational, which might cause you to reconsider your decision to stay at university.

We hope that you will always ask university staff for help immediately when you face problems.

We are here to help you. We are aware that you may have problems when you first start at university:

• It will be hard to find your way about, to remember names and room numbers

• It might be hard to make new friends and get to know people on your course

• You may think your lecturers and tutors are not easy to speak to

• Large lecture theatres may put you off or cause you anxiety

• Transport and car parking is a problem

If you face any of these situations, please tell your Studies Adviser, Course Director or module tutor or tell the Students’ Union and they can advise us about your concerns. Or they might be able to resolve some of them straight away or get you help. If you live in university accommodation, your Resident Assistant or warden will also be happy to help you. Ask at Accommodation Office. Don’t delay – do it today!

We assure you it will get easier! You will find your way about and soon the campus won’t seem so large and unfriendly. You will remember names, and you will find that staff are helpful and you can talk to them. Remember some of them are shy and retiring too! And they’ve all been there, away from home, feeling lonely or tired and emotional from late nights and early morning sessions.

Don’t decide to take time off and miss lectures – that way you will only miss out on important information that your tutors and others will be giving you. 

• A hangover does not constitute a good reason for missing lectures. You must get your study –life balance correct. Don’t let other students decide your priorities.

• If you are feeling very anxious, we have a counselling service where you can make an appointment to discuss your concerns confidentially. No one else will know, unless you want them to be informed.

Here are some other problems you may face later in your course:

• You have difficulties with modules or you can’t understand what a lecture was about

• You may have anxieties about exams

• You are not familiar with regulations and progression

• You need help to prepare an assignment

• You think your study skills need refreshing

• You have financial worries or you are spending too much time in your off campus job

Again, get help straight away. Don’t waste time worrying. Talk to your classmates – see if they want to form a study group. Ask your lecturer to revisit some of the points from the last lecture. Ask for more information about what is required for the assignment – other students will be grateful to you because some of them will have the same concerns. Visit the Student Support office and the Students’ Union – ask them to provide advice on how to get study skills support. Ask to meet the financial advisor and see if there are any other jobs available that won’t take up so much time; or see how you can budget better.

Keep on asking for help! Keep on asking questions!

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