When you start university you’re likely to experience a wave of different emotions, especially in your first few weeks. And you certainly won’t be alone in this. Olivia shares some of the emotions she experienced...
Updated: 16 Jun 2026
When you first start uni, the first feeling you’ll probably have is happiness.
Once everything had settled down at uni, I felt an overwhelming urge of happiness as it was a new adventure to me, (without my family), and the chance to make a whole new group of friends. It’s just what I needed in my life.
Then excitement kicks in.
You’re able to go to all of these new places and meet all of these new people for the first time. Some of them may be on your course and share your interests, you may live with some of them, while others you’ll just bump into on the street in between clubs and become lifelong friends.
It’s all a part of the excitement: the not knowing what’s going to happen next, and what the future could hold.
Whether you choose to admit it or not, most people will get homesick when they start university.
And that’s ok. Moving to a completely new place that doesn’t contain the familiar rhythms of your parents or siblings is bound to be a little bit odd at first.
But it won’t last forever, and when it lifts you’ll feel so happy you did it and that you’re on your own path.
Whether it’s finding the right room for a lecture/tutorial, or handing an assignment, university life is full of stresses. But to be honest, the fun parts totally outweigh this.
Just don’t leave your assignments to the last minute and ask your tutors if there’s anything you don’t understand. Doing these two things alone will decrease your stress and dramatically increase your wellbeing.
This is a usual feeling at university. Although it may seem like a bad feeling, it’s all part of a normal adjustment to your new life.
If you’ve come from living in a house with three other people and pets, it’s going to feel strange lying in bed watching TV on your own and eating by yourself. But this passes, and the feelings of independence and freedom that follow are amazing
This feeling will probably arrive when you’re sitting in a room full of people who you consider your new friends. Personally, being an anxiety sufferer made making friends a huge deal!
There’s also an element of pride when you achieve your first flat clean and hand in your first assignment.
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