University can be a significant leap from Post Primary/High School, and for many students, it represents an overwhelming change. The close-knit relationships you may have had with your subject teachers, who often seemed dedicated solely to your educational success, are replaced by a personal tutor who you might only see once or twice a semester—unless you make the effort to seek them out yourself. The familiar atmosphere of school, where everyone knows each other, is replaced by a larger, more anonymous university setting. You might even find yourself bumping into someone who has been studying your course for two years, yet you've never seen them before.

While these changes are not inherently negative, they can lead to feelings of isolation on campus. Your personal tutor’s office might be on the other side of campus, and the experience of meeting new faces regularly can be intimidating. Adjusting to these changes takes time and courage; there’s no quick fix for the surprises that university life can throw at you. To help you avoid the culture shock I experienced, here are some tips on what to expect, along with insights from a student who took a year to adapt to what academics often term "independent study."

1. You’ll Need to Take Responsibility

At university, you’ll need to take charge of your learning. Unlike in school, where teachers often check in on you, lecturers and seminar leaders won’t come looking for you if you’re struggling. They’re usually very busy, often balancing their teaching with research responsibilities. It’s not necessarily their job to chase after students—so the responsibility to seek help is yours.

Lecturers will make themselves available during their office hours, but it’s up to you to approach them. This is one of the key differences at university: you need to actively seek out the help you need, much like you would seek assistance after an accident—you have to bring your issue to the help desk.

This need to take initiative is a core part of the university experience, and it extends beyond just keeping up with your reading list. It is a challenge for everyone to start with, and you may find it difficult to manage at first. However, many resources are available to you, and it’s essential to learn how to navigate these on your own. While it may feel overwhelming, adaptation is possible—it just takes time. Fortunately, most first-year courses don’t count towards your final degree, so use this time to explore the available support and find out what works best for you.

2. Get Comfortable with Being on Your Own

You’ll likely spend a lot of time on your own at university. The sooner you get used to this, the better. Whether you’re living on campus, just off campus or commuting from home, moving from one lecture in building A to another in building Z can be a solitary experience.

Lecture halls are large, seats aren’t assigned, and if you lose sight of your friend in the crowd, you might have to navigate to the next lecture on your own. This feeling of being alone in a crowd can happen frequently, especially if you haven’t yet found your group or, prefer quieter company.

You also don’t get to choose your seminar groups, so your friends might not be in the same sessions as you. This means you’ll likely walk to your seminar alone, sit through it by yourself, and occasionally engage in discussions with people you barely know before heading back home solo.

I don’t say this to make you feel like you’ll be a loner (you won’t be!). It’s just a reality. You’ll still have plenty of opportunities to hang out with friends in your free time, after classes, or on weekends. It’s just that university life often requires more independence than you might be used to.

3. Finding Like-Minded People Takes Effort

Building friendships at university is different from what you may have experienced in school. Don’t limit your search for friends to the people in your course. With the diversity of students, especially at universities with an international focus, your course might be the only thing you have in common with some classmates. That’s where societies and clubs come in.

University societies offer more than just a break from studying—they’re a fantastic way to meet people with shared interests. Whether it’s sports, arts, or academic pursuits, joining a society can help you find the friends you were hoping to meet and ease any feelings of culture shock or isolation. Embrace these opportunities, and you’ll soon find your place in the university community.

Maybe consider starting your own Club, we are always looking for Campus Ambassadors