Tips, advice and suggestions from students in the faculty.

1. Be involved! Join clubs, societies, associations or corps and make the most of them as they are geared towards personal and professional development.

2. Seek assistance! If you are having issues understanding course material or an assignment, do not be afraid to ask for help. Make an appointment for consultation with your lecturer or tutor. They are there to help.

3. Remain focused! University can be a very exciting place where freedom, imagination and opportunities run wild. Always remember, however, that your primary reason for being here is to receive and excel in your tertiary education.

4. Know your guild! The UWI Guild of Students and Humanities and Education Guild committee’s sole purpose is to serve, advocate and communicate. Do not be shy, get to know them and reach out for any assistance that you may need.

5. Be sociable! Whether you are extroverted, introverted or ambiverted, try to make friends in your classes and be acquainted with people who share similar goals. Networking is important.

6. Plan ahead! Always ensure that you effectively organize your time to accommodate events, lectures, assignments and other activities. Planning ahead will help you meet deadlines and prevent you from ‘having too much on your plate’.

7. Stay true to yourself! University is a space that provides room for you to explore all the possibilities that life has to offer. You will be exposed to varying lifestyles, philosophies, peoples, cultures and beliefs. As you learn more and explore, never lose sight of your personal values, morals and beliefs. Do not succumb to the pressure ‘to be like everyone else’. It is okay to be different. There is beauty in individuality.

8. Time Management is key! We get it, you want to do it all- get excellent grades, enjoy time with friends, party and so much more. You can do it all if you carefully organize and prioritize your time according to all the things that need to be done.

9. Take it easy! Whenever you feel as though too much is going on, take a step back and relax. It is okay to take time for yourself. Set boundaries and rejuvenate as often as you need to. A calm Owlet is a constructive Owlet. A constructive Owlet is a progressive Owlet. A progressive Owlet is a successful Owlet.

10. Volunteer! Often as first years, the focus might be on networking for personal gain and for possible monetary benefits but never underestimate the benefits of engaging in activities solely for the purpose of giving back to your community. Lend a helping hand to anyone you can, you never know the impact it will have.

11. Learn and practice your hobbies! University is a great place to try new things and to gather resources to help you improve on skills you might already have. Things will get hectic but try to set aside at least 15 minutes a day dedicated to something that you enjoy doing, just for fun.

12. Diet matters! In your first year (especially if you live on a hall) you might be tempted to overindulge in fast food. Don’t. Try to be wise – buy healthier alternatives and set aside time to meal plan and prep. This helps to save money on groceries while ensuring that you feed yourself properly.

13. Familiarize yourself! Be acquainted with your course outlines, student handbook and reading material. Becoming aware of what is expected of you at the beginning of each semester can help you to plan effectively and boost your morale in classes.

14. Be self-aware! University is a place where platonic and romantic relationships can blossom and flourish, but they can also whither and crumble away. Try to understand your feelings and respect the feelings of others. Communicate effectively and let your standards be known. If certain interactions and relationships make you feel uncomfortable and cause you more hurt than they do joy, it is okay to respectfully end them.

15. Persevere! First year can be a little challenging and you might feel overwhelmed. The journey might be hard, but it will be worth it in the end, never give up because the most certain way to succeed is to try one more time.

16. Believe in yourself! As you embark on your University journey, these life changing opportunities will build you to grow bigger, better, smarter and more aware. Do not give up, pace yourself, know what you want, create a frame of mind to tell yourself "I will achieve" Give it your all. Regardless of the outcome, you were bold enough to encounter the situation even when others doubted you or didn't believe.