As we settle into the holiday season and campus gets quieter after a busy term one, here at the Warwick Library Blogs we’re looking back on the last twelve months. It started in a lockdown and sadly has ended with some restrictions being introduced, but in between we had some great months of learning and growing. Regardless of where you are in your university life, from a first-year undergraduate to a final year PhD researcher, I think this year we’ve been brought together in the challenges we have faced. We asked some of our bloggers to reflect on 2021, and here’s what they had to say.

By Olivia Collins

If you’re like me, then coming to Warwick as the first in your family to tackle higher education has been daunting, stressful and… stressful. Although Warwick has many great programmes, societies and initiatives to make people like me feel welcomed, I couldn’t help but feel like I stood out like a sore thumb. This is only what I have learnt, everyone is different, but here are my tips for fitting in, whilst staying true to yourself, as a widening participation student.

Anxiety flourishes in the face of uncertainty. Fuelled by the ever-changing environment COVID has thrown us into this past year, we face a final challenge. Returning to before. Hear from blogger Iona about her best tips for handling back-to-normal.

Starting the university year is always a big change. If you’re someone who likes a routine, term beginning can ruin the structure in your weeks. Uni life can be full on with lectures, seminars, society events, and what can feel like endless nights out. Blogger Hannah gives her advice on creating your new-term routine.

So, you’ve made it to Warwick. Congratulations! The first week at Warwick is known as Welcome Week, where you have a chance to settle in, find your feet, and get to know all of the best bits of Warwick. You’ll have heard this everywhere, and about how Welcome Week is the best week of your life. But here at the library, we know that not everybody is as keen to jump in, start a conversation with every person you walk past, or join fifty different societies. If you’re a bit of an introvert, the idea of moving to university and getting stuck in with Welcome Week may be the stuff of nightmares. But we’re here to help. Take a look at our top tips from our resident bloggers and mentors about having the best Welcome Week, even if you’re a bit of an introvert.

As a result of spending most months of the year studying, many university students can feel an immense pressure during the summer break to take all the paid work that they can. But how can students balance summer jobs with the need to maintain studies, while also finding time to relax? This blog explores the ups and downs of summer jobs, and the real impact of balancing student life with financial stability.