Back To Uni: Bits and Bobs

Dear Readers,

While my previous posts from the 'Back to Uni' series where quite subject-specific, bags and clothing respectively, this post collects some other tips that fall somewhere between the 'organise yourself' and 'random things' categories. 

Get a Laptop

Or preferably, a netbook. I am quite dependent on technology, I must admit, but I really don't understand how people survive university without a macbook, a laptop or a netbook. Universities and colleges will obviously have IT facilities on campus, however they're nearly always occupied. I know it, from experience. During my last 4 years at University, I figured out that unless you occupy a PC before say, 9:30am, you're most likely to find them all taken. Having your own 'equipment' helps immensely for last minute assignment editing, note-taking, as well as the occasional game of minesweeper in the canteen. Watch out for student offers on laptops and netbooks during this 'back to school' period, you're bound to save quite a bit of cash!

My Netbook

Know your Routes

I've no idea whether this tip is relevant to my non-Maltese readers, but I believe that Maltese students should heed my advice. Well, I don't need to remind you that bus routes have changed from the previous academic year. Oh, and just in case you haven't noticed, they keep changing all the time, which sucks. So before leaving for university next time round, make sure you know which bus takes you where. Arriva should be re-introducing their direct routes come October, but you never know! I've made a list of the routes I can catch from Uni to go back home, and most importantly, to my favourite shopping places.

Don't laugh!

Be Systematic

My very strict, English sixth-form teacher taught me a lesson I'll always remember: work systematically. Those words echo in my mind as if I was hearing them for the first time. Anyway, what I intend to say is that you shouldn't spend the first months of Uni/College lazying around thinking that studying 2 days before will save you. It might work for some courses, but it doesn't quite work for most of them. I remember being overwhelmed by the amount of work that my course involved during first year. Yet, I spent at least half of it panicking about it and not doing anything! By the end of the year, I had piles of material to read and not enough time. What was the result? I still made it to second year, still made it to Honours, got good grades but could have done way better. You don't want that to happen to you, do you? Especially if you're in your final year!

Lovely Books

Understand How The Library Works

First of all, do us all a favour and use the library. Secondly, get used to its dynamics. The library at my university, namely UoM, has this tendency of intimidating people, especially freshers. Well, there are a lot of books, granted, but that shouldn't keep you from using it in the first place. Oh and trust me, you will eventually realise that the library doesn't have enough books. This epiphanic moment - complete with background music, if you desire - usually happens when you're about to write your very first assignment. Ask a friend for some library tips or sign up for the library tour if you really have to.

I'm going to self-promote myself as one of your friends to give you some tips. First and foremost, always have a 2 euro coin handy to reserve a locker. No one will give you a 2 euro coin if you don't have one. People aren't that nice, or are they? Anyway, just keep one handy. Secondly, if you plan on reserving a locker then you shouldn't even think about going to the library later than 9:30am. By that time, most lockers will be taken. Most of us library users know this always happens, especially during exam period, when a herd of buffalo-like students - including me of course - storm into the library at 8:30 am sharp to book a locker. Unbelievable and embarrassing, but you just have to do it if you want a locker.

Two Euro Coin, surprised? Hah!

Some Final Recommendations

Mhmm, the following are some little things I want to share with you before concluding this post:

• If you can't focus on your studies because you're always procrastinating on the internet, set your desktop image to something like 'WHY ARE YOU STARING AT THIS SCREEN?' I have plenty of such images that I made myself during my B.A's final year. I can share them over here if you want me to.
• Buy pretty / cool stationary. It will make you happy.
• Use Journals. They usually have the most recent research on almost any subject imaginable. Sometimes, they're even better than books!
• If you're an extremely organised person, you might want to use programs like 'Evernote' to keep yourself constantly updated and technologically avant-garde. Woot!

I'm sure I had more tips for all of you out there, but I forgot to mention them. I'm getting old!

Good Luck for your studies dear readers! I hope to see many of you during Fresher's Week. I'll be there shooting street style :)

-B