Dear First Years - A Letter From A Graduate

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Dear 'First Years',

This month, thousands of you are to descend onto the streets for the all-important fresher’s week, before beginning your degree with a newfound sense of independence (and a cracking headache).

However, recent statistics demonstrate that unfortunately for many of you, the initial enthusiasm doesn’t last long. In fact, first-year dropout rates are beginning to rise. As a first-year dropout myself, who later returned - here is my advice:

In my experience, we referred to first year as the ‘party year’. After all, “you only need 40%”. Partying and meeting new people often feels like it should take precedence over the main purpose of university (an education). Work subsequently takes a back seat as you settle in with new friends in your halls accommodation and relish in not having any parents around.

But, first year isn’t a time to rest on your laurels. You worked damn hard to get here, don’t squander it. In order to survive your first year and the following ‘important years’ it’s key to find a work/play balance that lays strong foundations and enforces healthy working habits.

Socialising often takes priority and I’m not saying that’s the end of the world if it does, but there is definitely a level of socialising that evokes a degree of guilt as you nearer closer to your deadlines and find that you should have started your work earlier. Though with that said, there is also a level of socialising that can be enormously beneficial to your university career. Societies are an awesome way to meet new people and contribute positively to your education. Again, it’s essential that you find the balance between working hard, socialising, and organising your workload.

Many of my uni friends felt they discovered the that balance too late and really regretted not taking their work more seriously from the offset. My classmates that took first year seriously got the best degrees and built the strongest relationships with their lecturers. As a result, they’ve been the ones who have progressed (seemingly seamlessly) into their Master’s courses or postgraduate careers. They fully appreciated the patience and tolerance from the lecturers whenever late nights rolled into late mornings. I even saw a number of them giving their lecturers thank you gifts as a small token of appreciation for of their cooperation. Lecturers are there to help you, don’t get off on the wrong foot.

Luckily, in recent years it seems that many of you are now starting to realise the importance of your first year at university as a foundation period. Because, even though the first year dropout rate has risen, the number of students leaving university with first class degrees is at an all-time high. I realised this importance after leaving my history degree and taking some time out to travel before knuckling down into a new creative writing course with a fresh (non-hungover) head.

Although leaving wasn’t all that bad as it made me realise what I really wanted, I do regret essentially throwing away a year of my education because of an overindulgence in socialising and drinking.

Moral of the story? Play hard, work harder. Find the balance. Be one of those first-class degree holders because these 3 years will set the mark for the rest of your life.

Yours Sincerely,

Ed Phelan