I wish I knew…I wasn’t the only one feeling out of place

Starting university is a huge milestone, and we hope you’re excited for your next step. However, you’re probably a little nervous too. In this blog, we chatted to Raya, a second-year international student, about her experience of starting uni and her advice for new students.

What helped you the most when you moved to Leeds?

When I came to the UK, I was overwhelmed by everything I had to do to prepare for uni. What helped me the most was having people, the majority of which I met in my society, next to me who supported me and helped me to grow. Without these people, my university experience wouldn’t have been the same. Thanks to them, my first year of university was one of the best years of my life.

Do you have any advice for how other students can handle feeling out of place?

The more you put yourself out there, the more the stress will go away. I went into communal areas to talk to people, shared my interests and just tried my best to be myself. At the end of the day, all that matters is being who you want to be and just enjoying your university experience. Just remember that you are not alone in how you feel.

You mentioned putting yourself out there. How can new students do that?

If you want to have fun and make new friends that you have a lot in common with, go and try different clubs and societies. Even if they don’t interest you to begin with, or even if it’s something you’re bad at, go and give it a go. I promise you will learn a lot about yourself and have fun in the meantime. You’ll gain more confidence as you learn more about who you are.

What is your biggest piece of advice for new students at Leeds?

University is a confusing and daunting place that we aren’t always prepared for, and that’s okay. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and it’s okay to find it difficult to adapt or make friends. It’s important to understand that you are not alone in feeling this way. My advice is to be yourself and live the life you want to live, and things will work out in your favour.

If you’re feeling out of place or just want a little advice, get in touch with the Student Information Service. No matter how big or small your problem is, the SIS can answer your questions and connect you to the right people to help.