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Step out of your comfort zone, and look at making some new buddies. Feeling homesick is completely normal, but don’t let it hold you back. I missed my childhood friends a lot and almost felt guilty seeking out new friendships. But I promise, there’s some amazing new people waiting to be a big part of your life. You might have already met them and not even realised yet!

Introduce yourself to everyone you meet, and get confident striking up a conversation. Begin with your housemates and classmates, and then consider expanding your connections.

Putting yourself out there can be hard because you might fear judgement or rejection. I felt a little nervous at first, but the more people I met, the more warm responses I got. Most were grateful I came over to say ‘hi’.

If you’ve got a hobby or play a sport, look at signing up for clubs and societies that tickle your interest. Bonding over shared passions is an instant icebreaker. I took the plunge and joined my university netball team, having played a little at school. To this day, I still consider those girls some of my closest friends.

Make sure you check out the Student Union as there’s always something going on, including events and volunteering opportunities. Popping down for a coffee in between lectures and attending open mic nights really widened my friendship circle. You never know, your new uni pals could become lifelong mates, and even hook you up with career connections further down the line.

The secret to acing your degree is having the right attitude. Willpower plays a big part, but learning doesn’t have to be a chore. I often struggled with self-discipline and organising myself without feeling overwhelmed. I think the following advice I’m about to give helped me the most when it came to studying.

Get stuck straight in with your lectures and seminars, and be the one who’s not afraid to ask questions. I learnt there’s no such thing as a stupid question, and if you don’t understand something, it pays to ask for help. It can be a little scary, but, trust me, your future self (the one trying to make sense of your notes), will be grateful!

Experiment with new ways to study and find one that works. If you thrive in a team, think about forming or joining a study group. Revising with pals outside the classroom helped me enjoy studying more, and took off some of that exam pressure.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t push yourself to do a mountain of work all at once. I found splitting tasks into bite-sized pieces and sticking to a regular study routine worked best. It’s all about steady progress, otherwise you risk stress and burn-out.

Even as a student, you’re never too busy to take care of your mental and physical health. I want to share some easy self-care advice that kept me feeling great and performing at my best.

Move it, move it

Exercise is your secret weapon for amazing mental health. No need to stress about hitting the gym or running a marathon (unless you fancy it!). A simple walk around campus did wonders for my mood after spending all day inside. It’s all about those endorphins, and I never once regretted saying yes to that tennis game or local park run.

Catch those Zzz’s

Brain work is hard work, and it needs rest. Being mentally tired is a real thing, and hours of staring at a laptop screen can leave you feeling drained. I’d always aim for at least seven hours of sleep every night to wake up feeling refreshed. Having a regular sleep routine helped save my weekends from being a catch-up snooze fest, and I could enjoy my free time as much as possible.

Food is fuel

Indulging in takeaways and alcohol may seem tempting, but going overboard won’t do your wellbeing any favours. Partying and late-night pizza deliveries are part of the university package, but I believe in everything in moderation. Once a fortnight, I’d do an online food shop with a couple of other housemates to stock up on cupboard staples and fresh fruit and vegetables. Planning some meals for the week helped me resist the lure of greasy pizza, and I felt so much better for it.

Need help? Just ask

Uni life can be tough, but it’s okay to ask for help. If you don’t have anyone close by to confide in, there’s many support services you can use. Don’t be afraid to reach out if things get a little too much.

Student years were some of the greatest of my life, and I encourage you to make the most of every opportunity that comes your way, and love every moment. Before you know it, you’ll be graduating!

Cheers to being a Leeds University Student, and I wish you good luck with your studying, and beyond!

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This article has been edited for clarity before being published.

Wanna share your student perspective? Send your article ideas to luu.communications@leeds.ac.uk.