First year is overwhelming! University is completely different from what you have done before, no matter if you came straight from A-levels, did IB or completed a foundation programme. To manage all the challenges and understand new academic expectations you might consider using these services:
1). Office hours
All of your lecturers and seminar leaders have their office hours – time, when you can visit them in their office and ask all the questions you may have about the module.
2). Academic adviser
Every undergraduate student registered with the university is allocated an academic adviser. Normally, you see your academic adviser one-two times a year to discuss your student satisfaction and any improvements that the university can make. However, if you need any academic help (questions on how to structure your essay, write a research report, blog, etc.) you can drop your adviser an email.
3). Study Skills Hub
My school, the School of Politics and International Relations, runs a “Study Skills Hub” four times per week. Each Study Hub event is a four hour session with academic stuff, who can help you with issues such as effective reading, note-taking, timetabling, as well as offer some academic advice, if they are competent enough in the topic.
4). SLAS
SLAS – which stands for student learning advisory service – offers help with maths and quantitative operations, as well as offering advice on any academic needs you may have. They run a lot of workshops during the year as well as offer 1:1 drop in sessions. International students can benefit from workshops for those, for whom English is not native.
5). Student mentoring
Possibly, one of the most interesting options available. Student-mentors are third year students, who help first year students to settle in with the university approach to academic study. They do not just give you some tips and tricks on how to approach your studies, but also share their own experience on how they performed on each module.