Navigating your first term at City St George's: Romaisa's advice

Published Tuesday, 15^th September, 2026 in University news

Starting university is exciting, but it can also feel like there’s a lot to take in at once. There are new buildings, new people, new academic demands and a new routine to get to grips with. It's completely normal if you don't feel settled straight away.

Your first term is not about having everything figured out. It’s about learning where things are, asking questions early and building small habits that make university feel easier. Here are my five simple tips that can help you navigate your first few weeks at City St George’s.

Get familiar with the basics first 

The first few weeks can feel busy because there is so much information coming at you at the same time. You may be getting used to your student IT account, checking your timetable, finding rooms, and trying to understand where your course information is shared. Timetables will be available before teaching begins.

A good way to make this easier is to focus on the basics first. Check your student email every day, as important updates normally get sent there. Know how to access your timetable, either through the My Timetable or the SEAts App (for some students). Also, make sure you know where to find your course materials. Depending on your course and campus, you’ll be able to find these through Moodle or Canvas.

The Student Hub is a really useful website to save early on. It brings together information on studying, support services, careers support and student life. If you are unsure where to start, the Student Hub can usually point you in the right direction.

Once you know where to find your information, university starts to feel easier to navigate.

1. Know where to go when you have a question 

One of the most helpful things you can do in first term is learn where to ask for help. You don’t need to wait until something becomes serious before speaking to someone.

If you are not sure who to contact on campus, the Student Support Hubs at Clerkenwell and Tooting campuses are a good starting point. The team can help guide you towards the right service, whether your question is about wellbeing, academic support, funding, visas, accommodation or something else. 

If you’re away from campus, then Clerkenwell and Moorgate students can reach out to them through Support@City. Tooting students can email the Student Support Hub team.

2. Use academic support before your first assessment 

University work can feel different from what you are used to. You may be expected to read more independently, write in a more critical way or manage several deadlines at the same time. Not feeling completely comfortable with this at first does not mean you are behind. It just means you are adjusting to a new way of studying.City St George’s has academic skills support that can help you with this. Study Skills support can be useful for things like essay planning, referencing, reading, revision and time management.The University’s Libraries are also a good place to get used to using early. Don’t wait until the busiest bit of the assessment period to find a place where you can focus. Try different study spaces and see what works for you. Some people prefer silent areas. Others work better in group study rooms. Finding your best study space early can make deadlines feel more manageable later.

3. Make university feel smaller 

It is easy to feel like university is huge at the start. There may be hundreds of students around you, and it can take time to feel like you belong. You don’t have to make lots of friends immediately. Sometimes the best way to settle in is to start with one small thing.You could go to one Students’ Union event, try one society, speak to someone on your course or attend a course-related session. The aim is not to fill your whole calendar. The aim is to find small places where you feel comfortable showing up again.The Students’ Union is a good place to explore what is happening outside your course. There are societies, student groups, sports clubs and events across different interests. Joining something can make university feel more familiar because you start seeing the same people more often.It is also worth knowing who is connected to your course. Your Academic Advisor (previously known as Personal Tutors), Module Leaders, Course Officers or School support staff may all be able to help with different questions. If something is affecting your studies, it is usually better to speak to someone early

4. Think ahead, but do not panic about the future 

Your first term is mainly about settling in, but it can also be a good time to take small steps towards your future. This does not mean you need to know exactly what career you want. It just means becoming aware of the support available.

City St George’s Careers and Employability team can help with careers advice, CVs, applications, interviews and finding opportunities. CareersHub (which is available to students based at Clerkenwell or Moorgate campuses) is useful for events, appointments and resources.

If you are thinking about part-time work, Unitemps and part-time roles working for City St George’s are worth looking into.

A small step is enough. You could attend one careers event, update your CV, look at part-time roles or book an appointment later in the term. These things are easier to do when you are not rushing.

Final thoughts 

Your first term at City St George’s may feel exciting, confusing and tiring at different times. That is normal. You are learning how your course works, how the campus works and how to manage your own routine.

The most important thing is to remember that you are not expected to do everything alone. There is support for your studies, wellbeing, student life and career planning. The earlier you learn where that support is, the easier it becomes to use it when you need it.

Take your time, ask questions and give yourself space to settle in. Little by little, the campus starts to feel more familiar, your routine starts to make more sense, and university begins to feel like a place you belong.