AD- This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
University can be a tough, exciting, fun, stressful and memorable time for students across the world- and everyone’s University experience is different.
I recently graduated from the University of York, and I’ve had a year to reflect on my time at University.
One of the big things about University is the number of opportunities it brings.
While studying, there are so many internships, jobs, new friendships, powerful connections and opportunities to learn.
It can feel a bit daunting at first, but it’s important to find a few ways to make the most of your University experience.
This doesn’t mean you have to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable- it just means finding simple ideas to make this time count.
In this blog post, I’ve put together 5 ways you can make the most of your University experience!
1. Push yourself
When you start University, it’s so important to establish your boundaries and know exactly what you want from the experience.
First and foremost, you should feel happy and comfortable in this next stage of your life.
However, it’s also a great idea to push yourself a little whenever you can.
This might mean making new friends, going to a guest lecture or joining a new club. If you want to try out a new experience, University is the perfect time.
2. Act like a tourist in your University city
This is something I wish I had done as a student!
If you’re in a new city, or even if you stay in your hometown, try and see your new home with fresh eyes.
Starting University somewhere is a great opportunity to explore a new place, so make the most of that chance!
I studied in York, and I wish I had visited all the “tourist” places in the city, such as Betty’s and the historic sites.
3. Find a balance
At University, there needs to be a balance.
You don’t want to just be working on your degree for three straight years, but you also don’t want to come out of the experience without achieving any of your academic goals.
Try and find a balance as much as you can.
Enjoy time with friends and enjoy going out, but also make the most of your experience, and the great academic environment you’re in.
4. Get experience before you leave University
Whatever your degree, try and get a bit of experience before you get to your final year- and suddenly realise that you’re going to be out in the real world soon.
Take it from someone who’s been spending a lot of time job-hunting, employers want experience!
This might mean getting a part-time job during the holidays, finding some volunteer work or applying for fantastic internships in London.
If you don’t know what you want to do after University, try out a few things. It’s better to try out something you might want to do as a career first, just in case it’s not something you enjoy.
5. Stop putting pressure on yourself
While University can be an amazing experience, for some students it’s not the “best time” of their lives.
In fact, I have a real hatred for this phrase.
No time is the “best time” of your life if you’re unhappy, and you should never feel pressure to constantly enjoy your University experience.
All students experience ups and downs. Don’t put any pressure on yourself to always enjoy yourself, and speak to someone at University if you’re struggling.
Do you have any tips to make the most of your University experience? Do you agree with my ideas for making the most of University? What was the best thing about your University experience?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 
Some really useful tips here for any current or prospective students — I wish I’d had these when I was at uni! It’s such a great opportunity to make the most of this part of your life so I particularly like the idea of acting like a tourist. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you Molly 🙂 I think so too, there are so many ways to make the most of it for fun and for creating opportunities in later life x
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These are good suggestions. I definitely think its important to make the most of it because its a unique part of life.
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Thank you Kelly 🙂
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Great tips for anyone about to embark on uni life! I especially like the one about not putting pressure on yourself. So very true!
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Thank you 🙂 I agree, it’s important in any situation in life x
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There are some great tips here! Adapting to university can be really hard, especially if you’re going to a far away school. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you! Yes that’s very true x
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These are amazing tips! I have never been to university, so will keep this for one of my sisters who just got back to studying. I think that finding opportunities to get experience and find a good balance is a must x
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Thank you Christina! I think allowing yourself to do what you want and need is so important, and also finding a bit of experience if you’re looking for it to lead to a career x
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I’m not at uni myself but I know some many people will appreciate this post and find it helpful. You’ve shared some really great tips! Thank you so much, I’ll be sharing this with friends Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
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Thank you Elle 🙂 x
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I love this!! During my time in college, I just pushed myself to say yes to everything. Which was good and bad. I definitely was a little stressed haha but looking back on it, I’m so glad I have so much experience under my belt! Lovely lovely post, Eleanor xx
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
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I think you definitely get a feel for what you end up enjoying, and what isn’t worth it! Thank you x
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These are great tips! Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is always so worthwhile – especially when you’re in such a new environment like uni x
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Thank you! I think Uni is a chance to try new things if you feel comfortable pushing yourself x
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Great tips, I’ll definitely take these on board! x
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Thank you Caroline 🙂
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Really great post and tips! It’s so important not to put pressure on yourself xx
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Thank you so much, I agree x
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Really great suggestions here!! my first year was the only year I could enjoy, and then covid happened. But making new friends, doing things out of my comfort zone, taking part in activities was a great experience. Loved this post
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Thank you! That’s such a shame I completely understand- it ruined the end of my final year too… I’m glad you agree x
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I spent 7 years at Ohio State (2 degrees double major) and couldn’t agree more. I was a communication major and worked at the college radio station as well as two commercial stations my entire 4 years of undergraduate work. Joined a fraternity and served two years as social chairman planning all the parties. Invaluable experience. Oh and I went to class once and awhile too.
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Wow that sounds so interesting, and great experience if it’s something you enjoyed! I’m glad you managed to balance everything, and have some great experience ready for when you’re applying for jobs. Thanks for sharing Rich 🙂
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Great tips! I sometimes feel like I didn’t make the most of my university experience but it was also tough completing 2 years during a pandemic so it was hard to make the most of it. I definitely agree about being a tourist in your city – it’s so fun!
Tash – A Girl with a View
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Thank you Tash 🙂 I agree, it’s so hard when a lot of it is during the pandemic or a tough time in your life x
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I’m not at university myself, but I’m sure this will be a super helpful post for those who are about to start at uni x
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Thank you Sophie, there are definitely a few tips to remember when you start this exciting chapter x
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This is such great advice! Perfect for those in University! Thanks so much for sharing.
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Thank you 🙂
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My advice for anyone going to university, if you have concerns that you may have dyslexia, talk to your university about it and they’ll get you tested. I didn’t get my diagnosis until I started my postgraduate, if I’d of found our earlier, my life and my grades would have been a lot better
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I understand, it makes sense to get any help and support you might need as early as possible
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Goodness, my uni days were SO long ago, but these are great tips, Eleanor. Not putting pressure on yourself and getting some experience are the two I’d choose, I think 🙂 x
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Thank you 🙂 yes I think so too, looking after yourself first and worrying about grades etc second is something to live by whatever you’re doing :)!
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Yes I agree, we hear that phrase a lot and we shouldn’t put so much pressure on a certain time in your life! Thank you 🙂
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Thank you Alicia, I think when you start a new chapter in life you need to look after yourself x
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Couldn’t agree more with these suggestions! Definitely needed for freshmen 😀 Thanks for sharing, Eleanor x
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Thank you!
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This is a great post with so many useful tips. I wish I experience more when I was in university. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so much! I should have got more experience before I left University x
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Great post. I loved university and I really did push myself and come out a more independent person for it!
Corinne x
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These are really good tips and I’ve shared with my Uni friends! I personally don’t go to Uni, but taking on experiences and enjoying yourself is deffinitly something I have heard a lot of people recommend. Thanks for sharing, Em x
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Thank you Em! Yes I think it’s important in any life event if you want it to lead onto something more. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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This is all good advice. I only regret not partying more. I was too goodie two shoes at the time.
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Haha I think having the chance to go out and enjoy yourself in a new place is great 🙂
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Definitely.
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Great tips for anyone starting University. I wish I had these back in the day. This brings back fond memories of my Uni experience. Thank you x
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Thank you! It was nice reminiscing about that time in my life x
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Great tips here. It’s been a while since I was at university and I wished I’d made the most of it. But I’m also impressed with how much I did. I was also away from home and really got to experience life in another city and enjoy it. I joined societies and volunteered and those experiences taught me so much too. They were also great for my CV for future jobs!
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That’s great Emma, me too! I think it’s great when you can take a step back from your experience and realise that you got a lot from it, and I certainly matured over those 3 years! That’s fantastic x
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