![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/09\/Nidhi-1-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFirst year adjustments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
That first year is really about adjusting. It takes time to figure out what works best for you and that\u2019s totally okay. For me, one of the biggest things that helped was organising my week. I like to block out time in my calendar \u2013 not just for lectures and assignments, but for the everyday stuff like food shopping, laundry and downtime. It sounds simple but having everything laid out really helped me manage stress, stay on track and avoid last-minute panics. Plus, there\u2019s something very satisfying about ticking things off your list at the end of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making friends might feel overwhelming at first, but you settle into it. Whether that\u2019s through your course, your halls of residence, or a society, having people around you makes a massive difference. I was lucky to find a great group of friends on my course, which really helped when it came to revising together or working on assignments. But it\u2019s also been just as important having friends outside of Chemical Engineering to help me relax and take a break from work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone learns differently, so figuring out a study method that suits you is key. First year is a great time to try out different techniques and see what sticks. Alongside that, finding a space on campus where I could study well made a big difference. Loughborough has loads of great study spots \u2013 from the library to West Park Teaching Hub, STEMLab, or even some quiet caf\u00e9s in town. Having that \u201cstudy zone\u201d helped me focus better and build a routine I could stick to during busier times like exam season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making the most of my lecturers and personal tutor has also been really important for me. They\u2019re not just here to teach \u2013 they genuinely want to help. Whether it\u2019s academic support or just checking in on how you\u2019re doing, those one-to-one meetings are a great chance to ask questions or chat about how things are going. I\u2019ve found those connections so helpful, especially during more intense parts of the year where I just needed someone to talk to or for some advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would say don\u2019t be afraid to try new things and get involved. One of the most valuable things I\u2019ve done is becoming a School Representative for the department, which has given me a chance to work with senior lecturers and share feedback from students, allowing me to make a meaningful impact. I also got to help plan the annual Chemical Engineering dinner, which ended up being a huge success and loads of fun to organise!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outside of academic life, there are so many opportunities to get stuck into. I\u2019ve taken part in volunteering through LSU Action \u2013 the student volunteering group here \u2013 and it\u2019s been incredibly rewarding. I\u2019ve helped out on local projects and even volunteered in a nursery, which was such a lovely experience. There are so many action projects you can join depending on your interests, whether it\u2019s working with children, helping the environment, or supporting local charities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also being part of societies has also made my time at university even more enjoyable. I\u2019ve been a member of WES Loughborough (Women\u2019s Engineering Society) for the past two years, and this year I took on the role of Professional Liaison Officer. It\u2019s been such a rewarding experience \u2013 not just connecting with other female engineers across different years and courses, but also planning and hosting events such as networking dinners. It really pushed me outside my comfort zone, but in the best way. Attending cultural society events at Loughborough, especially those organised by the Hindu Society, has also been a great way to celebrate different traditions whilst being away from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the biggest lessons I\u2019ve learned since starting is how to prioritise and manage my time. There\u2019s always something happening \u2013 assignments, social plans, events \u2013 and learning to say “no” sometimes is important for your wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chemical Engineering can get pretty intense, so finding ways to switch off is essential. In my first year, I tried all sorts of things like kickboxing, yoga and even craft workshops! The LSU always has something going on, and it\u2019s a great place to unwind, meet new people, or just chill out in between lectures. Another thing I\u2019ve loved is making the most of being in the Midlands. It\u2019s easy to take short trips to nearby cities like Nottingham, Leicester, or Birmingham, especially visiting the Christmas markets \u2013 it\u2019s such a nice way to get off campus for a bit and explore somewhere new without having to spend loads of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, if there\u2019s one thing I\u2019d say to anyone starting out, it\u2019s that you don\u2019t need to have it all figured out right away. Adjusting to university life and the demands of your course takes time, and that\u2019s completely normal. Loughborough has such a supportive environment, and there are so many chances to try new things, meet new people and grow. Stay open-minded, stay organised and enjoy each step \u2013 it really does go by quicker than you\u2019d expect!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hi, I\u2019m Nidhi, a second-year Chemical Engineering student, and I\u2019d love to share a bit about my Loughborough experience so far. Whether you’re coming straight from sixth form, returning to study after a break, or joining us from abroad, I hope this gives you a real insight into what life here is like \u2013 and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":601,"featured_media":6070,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"lboro_blog_alternative_thumbnail_image":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[66,68,82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","category-engineering","category-women-in-stem"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/09\/Nidhi-2-708x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nExtracurricular activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Loughborough](\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/09\/Nidhi-3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAdvice to help you manage your time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/blog.lboro.ac.uk\/students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2025\/09\/Nidhi-4-1024x801.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"