Life at MDX – Our Graduate’s Top 5 Tips for Starting University
- Wednesday, 22 September 2021
Our recent graduate Lovell Menezes, BA Honours Advertising, PR and Branding, shares his tips for how you can have an amazing start to life as a Middlesex University Dubai student!
The start of university is the beginning of a new chapter for students around the world. It’s a time of questions, curiosity and anxiety. A time when students leave the comfort of the school environment they’ve lived all their life to a new environment with a diverse number of faces. Students like you will now be entering one of the most memorable and exciting phases of your lives and will go through a period of development, both personal and professional.
At Middlesex University Dubai, we want to be part of this exciting journey, giving our students a warm and friendly environment to immerse themselves in. With the summer coming to an end, we are thrilled to welcome back our returning students as well as a set of vibrant new faces that we like to call ‘freshers’! As the term starts, we want to ensure that you are well prepared for the new academic year.
I’m a proud Middlesex graduate, and I was where you are now just three years ago! Here are some of my tips for you to have the best possible university experience.
- Join a University Club
Whether online or on campus, social clubs are the best way for university students to get to meet and interact with new people. Students can join one of the 15 diverse social clubs or the 9 energising sports clubs at Middlesex. The past year has been challenging for youth worldwide as the lockdown created an obstacle for real-life interactions. With the hope of providing an enjoyable university experience amidst a pandemic, our university clubs are packed with fun-filled activities, meetings, and events hosted online. Students are always welcomed with warmth to any club of their choice and are provided constant support by our team of bright student club coordinators. Participating in social clubs provide students with an opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people with similar interests, and express themselves through their favourite hobbies.
- Organise your Schedule
Having an organised schedule can seem daunting at the start, but it is vital for being punctual when assignments start piling up. Creating a schedule is not as complicated as it seems and can easily be done on the Notes app or on a simple paper notebook. Following a schedule does not mean forcing yourself to wake up at 4AM and exerting yourself to be over disciplined. It just means having a clear plan that balances your university timetable with assignments as well as social activities. We love looking at the bright smiles of students who have just scored a distinction, and having an organised schedule is where it all starts!
- Learn a New Skill
Learning is an ongoing process and happens outside the classroom as well inside! Now is the perfect time to learn that new skill you have always wanted to learn. Whether that’s picking up an instrument and learning how to play it or starting a food blog on Instagram, it is never too late to learn something new. Having a diverse range of skills and hobbies can greatly benefit students as they enter the working world. Aside from the ‘fun’ hobbies, it is always great to develop a habit of reading. Reading can be in the form of books, newspapers, or even online articles. From cooking to reading to writing, learning a new skill is always going to be beneficial to students. At Middlesex, social clubs such as the Poetry Club and Club Fearless provide students wonderful opportunities to develop their skills in writing and public speaking through various activities and seminars. Club meetings occasionally feature guest speakers who share valuable insights with students.
- Stay Safe
The year is 2021, but the world is still recovering from a pandemic that started in 2019. At Middlesex, we prioritise the health and safety of our students above anything else. Students should wear their masks at all times, use sanitisers, use the Track and Trace system at all designated entry and exit points, and follow all COVID-19 protocols while you are on campus.
- Keep a Balance
Last but not least, students must keep a balance between academic and social life. The phrase ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ is something that stays true in university as well. Balancing social activities with assignments is essential for students to score good grades without over exhausting themselves mentally. The university library and individual study spaces are the best areas where students can peacefully work on assignments in a quiet environment.
