Have you recently started at Reaseheath College, but maybe you don’t quite have that ‘settled-in’ feeling just yet? Don’t worry, that’s completely normal and will come in time!
Jumping from school to college is daunting as there’s lots of new people to meet, a new campus to discover and a different way of studying to get to grips with. But all of this change can be exciting too.
To support you through this change and to help you settle into college life quickly, here are some tips to help you:
- Remember that everyone is in the same position – some people may not seem fazed by the change, but the reality is no-one knows where they are going or what they are doing just yet. You are not alone in this, and it will take time for everyone to adapt to the change. It will happen though!
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions – asking questions is how you learn, so don’t be scared to ask for help. If there’s something you don’t know yet, the chances are there is someone else who isn’t too sure either! Ask a classmate, teacher or member of staff you see around campus, and you’ll be sure to get the answer you need.
- Get involved in college life – college is more than just lessons, it’s a time to meet people and explore your interests outside of the classroom too. There are lots of sports clubs you could get involved in, or you could join the college gym or even a Reaseheath sports team. We have a number of student societies which you can join too, in areas such as Animal Enrichment, Conservation, Communications, and many more. The more you do, the more you will feel part of the college, and therefore more settled – so get stuck in!
- Keep walking around campus to get your bearings – colleges tend to be a fair bit bigger than schools, which can take some getting used. You may be thinking “how long does it take to get from one classroom to the next? Where’s the canteen and the library?” Why not spend your lunch breaks in the first few weeks walking around campus? This way you’ll gradually find out where everything is, without any time pressure.
- Spend time getting to know your teachers and classmates – these are the people you will see every day and will become your main source of information, support and fun! Spend time getting to know everyone and you will have a great support network. Make sure you support your fellow classmates too, and if you see anyone struggling, be sure to help them if you can.
- Work hard – this one may be something you’ve heard time and time again, but by working hard you really will be helping yourself enjoy college life. The more you put into your studies the more you get out, so hit the books and reap the rewards!
If you have any other questions about settling into college, please just ask! Your tutors will be more than happy to help, or you can contact the student life team or our well-being team if you need more specialist support.
See how moving in day looks for UCR student, Elliot, living in our brand new town houses!
When being away from home, it is understanding to be a little bit homesick. You tend to miss your family, friends, pets and general everyday life that you would be used to. It’s nearing the end of my first year now and I thought I’d give you some pointers on how to avoid homesickness when here at Reaseheath.
The Student Association (SA) works alongside Student Services to organise a range of exciting eventsand is run completely by a group of student volunteers. The SA is made up of current HE and FE students from different courses.
