Hi, my name is Muhammad Zahid Jiwani, and I am in my second year of studying Business, Economics and Finance. I am an international student from Kenya.

Having never lived away from home before, coming to university was nerve-wrecking with uncertainty hovering around me as to whether I have made the right choice or will I be able to settle in a completely new environment.

Moving into university was a smoother experience than I thought. With so much happening in terms of society and sporting events, I never got the time to even think of home. I joined multiple societies like Islamic society, Asian society and East African society, which were all so welcoming and made me feel at home as I got to interact with people from all over the world. Through this, I made a lot of friends and expanded my social circle, which enabled me to begin getting used to the foreign atmosphere a lot faster as I was also able to make friends from similar backgrounds and interests.

Becoming self-sufficient

Ever since I joined university, I have become more independent and self-sufficient because I learned how to live independently away from in-person family support and mastered the basic day to day life skills like cooking and doing my own laundry. Coming from an environment where everything was done for me, living in university halls has been an eye-opening experience for me.

During the autumn term, it took me some time to get used to the new weather coming from a coastal region in Kenya, which is warmer. Black Friday week at the end of November is a good time to shop for winter clothes because of the massive discounts and just when it’s about to hit wintertime, you are well prepared.

Over time, I began getting used to and more confident in finding my way around the town and within the university. A crucial skill I obtained was using Google maps, which made me self-reliant. On campus it was so convenient to get from one end to the other thanks to the free campus shuttle offered by the university. Other than Google maps, to locate the lecture halls the campus map in the ‘mylboro’ app is very user-friendly which played a huge role in helping me find my way around campus. The town is also in a very nice location as it is approximately 15 minutes from university and can walk to town and back at any time of the day as it is very safe.

Finding a balance

As days went by, I began to find a balance between my academics and extracurriculars, like fitness and squash. Going home during the Christmas break also helped me find some balance. Meeting with family and friends and taking a breather from the hectic university schedule were all things I looked forward to during the winter break. Recharging, by engaging in activities like cricket or unwinding with my family was a top priority. Given that the winter break is a short one, I ensured I was able to strike a balance between spending time with family and studying for January exams. This was done by planning my time and prioritizing my revision as per the exam timetable.

In the New Year, post-exams, I was looking forward to the second part of the sport social league, which happens every semester in badminton and football. It is something that I do to keep myself active and busy.

My advice to any new students would be to enjoy yourself during first term and take your time to settle in. The first few months are overwhelming because there is a lot happening including academics and getting used to the new routine. However, it is crucial to have an open mind. I would strongly advice to attend join a society at the Students’ Union and attend their events in your first few months at university and meet as many people as possible. Also, lectures are a place where you can make friends as you get to meet your course mates who you will study with for the next few years.

Getting back into university for the New year, is easier because you are more aware of your routine and what to expect. Thus, in preparation for your January exams, I would advise to not stress much and work smart not hard to ensure equilibrium between your academics and personal life.