Beginning at university can be exciting - it can also feel like a big step. You are likely to find yourself learning in new ways, needing to manage your time differently, and adjusting to a new academic and social environment. It’s completely normal to feel unsure or uncertain. In fact, many students share this same experience. All of this is part of the settling in process, and this time is about discovering what works best for you.
This section explores what it means to become and be an effective university student, drawing on Imperial students’ lived experiences and practical strategies they have found helpful along the way. Through these resources, you will hear from students about how they effectively managed their transition from school to university, how they learned to balance long-term goals with immediate tasks, and how they discovered that different study environments can impact their focus and productivity. Students also share insights on the role peers have played in developing effective study habits, their views on how digital notes can support learning, and strategies for navigating the study journey in ways that work best for them. Each insight serves as a valuable reminder that there is no single ‘right’ path to success – instead, effectiveness comes from taking time to understand yourself as a learner and using this to find what specifically works for you.
