Dear counsellor,

I am starting lectures at the university this month, I am so excited to be at campus, but some of my friends warned me that its not that easy. I need your advice on how to cope with campus life.

Yours, Leticia 

Despite many completing higher education without any challenges, joining university can be a nerve wrecking experience for fresh students.

For the first few days, many feel some kind of anxiety and loneliness. Such feelings would be normal at this stage but you need to learn how to make friends. With positive friends around you, university life becomes as smooth as silk.

Begin by identifying your own needs and your potentials, then figure out appropriate ways of making new friends. You should not forget that university is a great opportunity to explore different interests and inner talents. So do not spoil this chance of reaching greater heights.

However when selecting friends, you need to be cautious to avoid falling prey of the dreadful actions such as drug abuse.

In case you feel disconnected and alienated from your surrounding, take part in social activities like inter-house competitions, quizzes and leadership campaigns. These will connect you to more people within the university.

The other thing you need to know about university is respecting other people’s views. The sooner you adapt to all sorts of environments, the less you’ll be affected by the anxiety of being in a new place.

At university, individuals are faced with huge amounts of academic tasks ranging from coursework assignments, essays, projects and exams. The best way to prepare for your success is to begin strategizing how to apportion your time for reading, social events and healthy relationships.

On top of these, students should not neglect their health and personal wellbeing. Make sure you follow good health habits such as proper feeding, proper hygiene, regular exercise and adequate sleep.

At all times, understand that the only trick to a fruitful university life is doing the right thing at the right time.