{"id":9896,"date":"2024-11-11T09:36:13","date_gmt":"2024-11-10T20:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/?p=9896"},"modified":"2024-11-11T09:36:13","modified_gmt":"2024-11-10T20:36:13","slug":"prepare-for-your-first-semester-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/prepare-for-your-first-semester-university\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare for Your First Semester at University"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

The end of the school year is almost upon us, marking an incredibly exciting time for those starting <\/span>university<\/span> in 2025. However, with all of this excitement comes <\/span>considerable nerves<\/span><\/a>. After all, it\u2019s totally normal to be a little nervous about such an important life change!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That being said, we think the best way to combat those nerves is to prepare, prepare, prepare, and we\u2019ve put together a guide that helps <\/span>university<\/span> first-year students do just that! So, if you\u2019re a recent high school graduate who wants to learn all the necessary <\/span>university<\/span> terminology and the best ways to prepare for your first semester, read on because this article is just for you!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"First<\/p>\n

University<\/span>-Related FAQ: Understanding the Terminology<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before you even think about starting <\/span>university<\/span>, you\u2019ll want to get your head around some basic <\/span>university<\/span> terminology. While these terms may seem basic to some, they aren\u2019t always covered by your lecturers, so it\u2019s possible to go through your whole first year without developing a proper understanding; don\u2019t worry though! We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still haven\u2019t decided? Check out our blog on choosing between <\/span>uni and the workforce<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: <\/span>What\u2019s a Bachelor’s Degree?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Answer: When most people begin their university journey, they do so by studying for a <\/span>bachelor’s degree<\/span>. The best part? Regardless of what subject you want to study, there will very likely be a <\/span>bachelor\u2019s degree<\/span> that suits you!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most <\/span>bachelor\u2019s degrees<\/span> require applicants to be high school graduates, and some require a certain grade point average for admission, so it\u2019s important to check the entry requirements for the <\/span>bachelor\u2019s degree<\/span> that you want to pursue in advance.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: <\/span>What\u2019s a Master\u2019s Degree?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Answer: A <\/span>master\u2019s degree<\/span> is the next step up from a <\/span>bachelor\u2019s degree<\/span> and, as such, requires applicants to have completed their <\/span>bachelor\u2019s degree<\/span> and, in most cases, an honours course. For those wanting to pursue careers in competitive industries, studying a <\/span>master\u2019s degree<\/span> is a great way to set yourself apart from other applicants<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s equally important to note that most <\/span>master\u2019s degrees<\/span> require a certain grade point average. This means that those wanting to pursue further education can\u2019t just sail through their bachelor\u2019s with a \u2018C\u2019s get degrees\u2019 mindset; it\u2019ll require some serious dedication!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: <\/span>What\u2019s a PhD?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Answer: A <\/span>PhD<\/span> is the highest level of academic degree that one can earn. Applicants must have achieved high results in both their <\/span>bachelor\u2019s degree<\/span> and <\/span>master\u2019s degree<\/span> and have a strong knowledge of their specialisation. Studying at this level can take quite a while, but you\u2019ll come out as a specialist in your field (and be highly employable, too).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: What\u2019s the Difference: <\/span>Postgraduate vs<\/span> Undergraduate Degrees<\/span>?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Answer: The difference between <\/span>undergraduate<\/span> and postgraduate degrees can be a little confusing, but we\u2019re here to clear things up. Basically, <\/span>undergraduate<\/span> students are studying for their first degree, such as a bachelor\u2019s degree. Alternatively, postgraduate students are pursuing further education (usually in the form of a master\u2019s, postgraduate diploma or PhD).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: What\u2019s the Difference Between Majors and Minors?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Answer: Understanding the difference between majors and minors has stumped many first-year <\/span>university<\/span> students. However, it\u2019s actually pretty simple. <\/span>Your major<\/span><\/a> is the main subject area that you focus on over the course of your degree, whereas <\/span>your minor<\/span><\/a> serves as a secondary focus.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll be taking lots of courses related to your major and minor over the course of your degree, so make sure you\u2019re truly interested in each and that they relate to your planned career path!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Question: What\u2019s the Difference Between Lecturers and Tutors?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Answer: To fully understand the <\/span>different teaching staff<\/span><\/a> you\u2019ll be interacting with at <\/span>university<\/span>, you\u2019ll need to know the lingo. And luckily, we\u2019ve got you covered. Essentially, lecturers research and teach; some serve as course coordinators and some provide guest lectures, but all of them are super knowledgeable in their field and have completed postgraduate study.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tutors are who you\u2019ll be learning from in tutorial environments, rather than lectures. They\u2019re usually at an earlier stage in their careers, and most are completing their own postgraduate courses at <\/span>university<\/span> while taking the time to teach you. Tutors are who you\u2019ll usually direct any questions towards and who you\u2019ll get to know best during your time in a course.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"First<\/p>\n

How to Prepare for Your First Semester at <\/span>University<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Trust us, the worst thing you can do when starting <\/span>university<\/span> is to go into your first day unprepared. Without at least looking over the course description, you could miss out on super-important information and fall behind before you even start! However, this isn\u2019t a reason to freak out; it\u2019s simply a reason to get organised. And if you\u2019ve picked a degree you\u2019re excited about, this part of <\/span>university<\/span> should be a lot of fun.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep reading and learn how to start university on the right foot. Trust us, you\u2019ll be grateful for these <\/span>university tips<\/span> when it gets to assessment season!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check Your Required Readings<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some <\/span>university<\/span> courses require students to complete a little bit of required reading before the class even commences. But don\u2019t worry too much, they won\u2019t be assigning so much that it\u2019ll impact your summer holidays. To avoid giving the \u2018dog ate my homework\u2019 excuse, check your <\/span>university<\/span> dashboard (you know, the website with class timetables, announcements and syllabus\u2019) and ensure there isn\u2019t any pre-semester work you missed.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Know Where Your Classes Are<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you haven\u2019t attended a university open day, you might be surprised to find out just how big <\/span>universities<\/span> are. In fact, it\u2019s not uncommon for a walk from one class to another to take upwards of five minutes. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to figure out where your classes are before your first day to avoid any possible late arrivals.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Add Your Class Times to Your Calendar<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your first year of <\/span>university<\/span> will be packed full of exciting classes. While this is an exciting new adventure, it also increases the possibility of missing classes due to disorganisation. Know exactly where you need to be and when by adding your class timetable to your planner or Google calendar. That way, you\u2019ll never have to miss a lesson!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make Note of Assessment Dates<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

University<\/span> assessments are notoriously good at sneaking up on you, but with a few preventative measures, you can stop that from happening. Simply set digital reminders for a few weeks before each assessment\u2019s due date so that you know when you need to start and don\u2019t get caught in a last-minute rush.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read Over Assessments Ahead of Time<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Procrastination has lowered many a grade at university, and by not checking what your assessments actually require, you\u2019re risking the same fate. By reading through requirements early, you can pick your topic ahead of time and make sure that you\u2019re paying super sharp attention whenever it\u2019s being covered in class. Who knows, this kind of forward-thinking could just take you from a B- to an A+.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nervous for university exam season? Discover <\/span>study tips that actually work.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make the Most of Orientation Week<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

When we say that orientation week is <\/span>the <\/span><\/i>best opportunity to get your bearings at <\/span>university<\/span> and make lifelong friends, we aren\u2019t exaggerating. If you\u2019re feeling like skipping the festivities out of nervousness or laziness, we highly suggest you push past those feelings and get involved. Not only will it make your transition into classes smoother, but it\u2019ll connect you with others dealing with the same life changes.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"First<\/p>\n

Still Asking Yourself \u2018Which Degree is For Me?\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you still haven\u2019t landed on which degree you want to study, we can help you make the decision process a little easier. After all, it all starts with a bit of <\/span>career planning<\/span><\/a> and future curating (our specialty)!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Simply head over to our <\/span>free career test<\/span><\/a> and figure out what industry is for you. After you\u2019ve figured that out, university planning should be a piece of cake!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span> The end of the school year is almost upon us, marking an incredibly exciting time for those starting university in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":9897,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[33],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9896"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9896"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9896\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9902,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9896\/revisions\/9902"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9896"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9896"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9896"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}