The first weeks at university can be quite a ride. One day you are looking for a classroom, the next you are trying to sort out enrolment, and in the evening you realise you have no idea where to get the lecture notes. Add to that a new city, lots of people and the feeling that everyone else knows more than you.
To help you find your footing, we have put together nine tips that every fresher will appreciate. These small hacks will help you manage the start of the semester with more ease and get into the rhythm of student life faster.
1. Follow the university Instagram
The official account @newton.university will keep you updated on events, important dates and announcements. On @newtonstudentlife you will see student life as it really is. Expect memes, behind-the-scenes moments and an atmosphere that will draw you in. Instagram is simply the fastest way to make sure you do not miss a thing while still having fun.
2. Check the information system
The information system (IS) will become your daily base. Timetable, enrolment, exams, results – all in one place. Sounds boring? Maybe. But once checking IS becomes a habit, you will avoid unnecessary stress. The best advice? Bookmark it in your browser and check it once a day. Five minutes is enough to stay in the loop.
3. Ask senior students
Google is useful, but classmates who are a year or two ahead are even better. They know where to sit, which lecturer values activity in class and who is strict with deadlines. Do not hesitate to ask. Most senior students will gladly give you advice because they still remember what it was like to be a fresher.
4. Find your own note-taking system
Notebook, iPad, laptop, or a mix of everything. Everyone prefers something different, but the key is to have a system. Whether you use apps like Goodnotes or classic paper, the important thing is keeping order. During exams you will appreciate finding everything where it should be instead of desperately scrolling through group chats.
5. Do not ignore notifications
It may feel overwhelming, but notifications from IS or your university email are a lifesaver. Thanks to them, you know about timetable changes, new exam dates or important announcements. Yes, sometimes they arrive on a Sunday evening, but that is still better than finding out only when you are standing in front of an empty classroom.
6. Join the group chat
Every year group has its own chat. You will find shared notes, tips and plenty of memes to brighten your day. It is a space where you can quickly solve what you missed in class and at the same time get to know your classmates outside the lecture halls.
7. Keep an eye on noticeboards
Yes, you heard right – physical noticeboards still exist. They may feel old school, but this is often where posters with event invitations, photos from recent activities or quick reminders appear, things that online channels can easily bury. So when you walk past, take a look.
8. Subscribe to the newsletter
Emails may feel a bit outdated, but the university newsletter can be surprisingly useful. It provides an overview of events, deadlines and tips that you might otherwise miss. Even if you only skim it, it helps you keep track of what matters most.
9. Go to events
University life does not take place only in classrooms. Sports tournaments, networking evenings, workshops, lectures and of course student parties – all are part of the experiences that make university special. The nearest chance to meet your classmates and enjoy an evening outside the lecture halls? The Welcome Party on 22 September in Brno and 24 September in Prague. Registration is open and you definitely do not want to miss it.
In conclusion
The start of the semester is always a bit chaotic, but it does not have to be hell. All it takes is following the right channels, not being afraid to ask questions and getting involved in the community. Studying is a mix of knowledge and experiences – and that is what makes it a time you will one day look back on with a smile.
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