Should first year count towards your degree?

The first year of university is infamous for being the year where you get your last dose of adolescence; it’s the most ideal time to let your social life take the reins until you have to enter the daunting, arduous stages of your degree. There is virtually no pressure – which is exactly why I believe it’s the best time to really give it a go.

You don’t necessarily have to leap right into that academic mindset as soon as you move to uni, but when the second semester arrives, it may be a good idea to start putting effort into your uni work. Academically, uni can be a massive jump from A-Levels; you’ll find that you’ll have to significantly adapt your essay writing to reach the quality of writing that your degree requires. Therefore, leaving aside extra time in the second semester to focus more on your essays will be extremely useful. You’ll know that you tried your absolute best and, after receiving feedback, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to improve your work and ascend the grade bands. First-year provides you with the freedom to make mistakes, expand your learning and writing skills, and really hone your essays by the time the second year comes around. Second year is when it starts to get a lot more intense, so be kind to your future self – have the basics pinned down and elevate some of that stress off for you. 

You’ll further be saving yourself from the dreaded resits. This isn’t a worry for everyone, but it’s completely normal for first-years to have to do resits. Resits turn your summer extremely dull, and the anxiety of waiting to know if you’ve passed and if you’re definitely going back to uni is simply not worth not putting the effort in. 

Nonetheless, do use the first year to rest – academic burnout will creep up on you faster than you expect. If there’s a year to indulge in a social spree, then first year is that year. However, keep in mind that first year is more important than it’s made out to be and is the perfect period for you to test and push your academic abilities. It’s vital to make the most out of every aspect of uni life in your first year – socially and academically. After all, you're still paying for it!