Happy New Year from the Advice and Information team! Have you just returned to Sheffield after the holidays? Perhaps you don’t return to uni for another week or two. We just wanted to let you know we’re still here and understand the challenges that a new year and new semester can bring.

Completing your first semester of any year is a real achievement, but sometimes coming back to university after Christmas can be a struggle. You may find you have some doubts about your course, or how much you are enjoying living away from home.  If you’re a local student, you may find it difficult to balance study with other parts of your life after having some time off uni. This can feel really unsettling.

If you are feeling like this, then remember there is a lot of support available. Read on for some top tips and details of useful services that might help you to get extra support or find ways to make positive changes.

student accomm - living room

Study skills

University life is, and should be, challenging. Academic study requires you to work independently and manage your time effectively. However there is a range of support available to help with your academic study skills. You can

Time management and homesickness

At university you are expected to try and manage all aspects of your life, including your studies. It is easy to feel overwhelmed or homesick, especially if you have not been used to doing things for yourself.  Some tips for helping with time management and homesickness are

  • Make a routine for your days, make lists, organise yourself
  • Treat study like a job
  • Join some clubs, societies or go to events that interest you
  • Make a list of the positives and negatives of your university experience so far. Make an effort to do the positive things you like, rather than focussing on the negative
  • Try not to go back home at every opportunity. Give yourself a chance to make a life here as a student. You can still get support from friends and family at a distance
  • If you feel there are deeper reasons why you are feeling overwhelmed, unsettled or homesick, you might consider speaking to a Student Wellbeing Adviser. Our Wellbeing Advisers are highly experienced and are there to help you work though any difficult emotional times you are experiencing

student accomm - living 2

Changing or leaving course

You may think you are the only one having doubts about university life, but you are not. An average of 15% of undergraduates across the UK discover the course is not what they want or expected, don’t settle in or have personal reasons for wanting to leave. Many students find that things feel better in the second semester with a bit of practice, advice and support from friends and the University.

However, if you are seriously thinking about leaving university then make sure you

  • Take your time and do your research. Making a hasty decision may be something you live to regret
  • Get some advice. Advice on changing or leaving course is available from Student Advisers at the Student Services Centres, there is no need to book, just drop in. You can also talk to your faculty Student Support Officer for help with these issues, just ask at your faculty helpdesk.
  • Leaving university without any sense of where you’re going next often makes the situation worse. Having a clear plan of action (and a back up plan) will hopefully make things easier
  • Think carefully about the financial implications of any decisions. Advice on financial issues is available from Hallam Union Advice Centre and the Student Financial Support Centre.