Social Life On/off Campus 

Your student years are among the best times in your life to meet new people and found lasting friendships. Many universities provide extensive opportunities for socialising on campus - in student bars, the union buildings, through societies and within halls of residence. But it's equally important to maintain your links to the outside world. It's often surprisingly easy to get lost in the day-to-day goings on of a campus, particularly if student newspapers and other media direct all you attention to affairs within the university. In these circumstances it's worth finding the time to leave campus and even the city on occasion, and to establish contacts in different walks of life.

Most universities encourage students to live in outside accommodation after their first year. This can provide an excellent opportunity to become part of a residential community. Choose your housemates carefully - think about who you have known the longest, who you feel most comfortable around, and who shares your lifestyle in terms of cleanliness, socialising, work habits and so forth. The worst thing in the world is to find you're living with people who can't stand each other's tastes and are constantly at each other's throats. A little care in choosing good housemates goes a long way. 

Once you're established in your new home it's well worth becoming familiar with the local neighborhood - visit the local pubs, shops and bars, and get acquainted with public transport. Try to keep up with the friends you made in your first year, and take the time to visit them even if they're living at the opposite end of the city. When time is tight, try organizing a few events and inviting a lot of people - this can often be the best way to keep up an extended circle of friends. Take the time to attend birthday parties, house parties and so on, and reciprocate with invitations of your own. Make sure to keep in touch during the holidays - visit friends across the country and, time and money permitting, give some thought to going away with the friends you meet or at least spending some days in each other's company in the middle of the long breaks from study.

Understanding what your PRIORITIES are each and every day is one of the biggest keys to university success. It is also one of the easiest concepts to lose track of. It is a fast-paced world, where it is easy to become sidetracked with social activities, TV shows, video games, etc. Some people carry a card in their wallet, or even a post a card on their PC, where they list the top 1-5 priorities in their life. The card says "Is what I am doing RIGHT NOW with my time directly contributing to one of my top priorities in life?" If the answer is "No," then that serves as a good reminder that you could be doing something more important. Everyone has exactly 24 hours each day. People who achieve more in life simply make better use of their 24 hours each day than everyone else. What you do with each of your 24 hours has as much to do with your success during university as any other factor. There is an old saying that "if it important enough to you, you make time for it." Be sure that nobody is in charge of your time except for you. It is one of the most valuable assets you have

Student societies can be a great way to meet new and interesting people and expand your social scene. These may operate on and off-campus, and may involve non-students such as alumni or even the general public when it comes to, for instance, putting on a student play or inviting supporters to a football game. Whenever you have the time and the money, eating out is a good way to keep up contacts, while going out to bars and clubs in the evenings can widen your circle still further. Make every effort to support a friend when he or she invites you to a concert, play, debate, quiz etc. - it's the best way of encouraging them to return the favour, and it often exposes you to their extended circle, yet another opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

It is entirely possible to maintain a healthy social life while studying at university. Good time management is important if this is to succeed, and the use of modern media like mobile 'phones and the internet to stay in touch has helped a great deal. Many of the friends you make in your student years will be friends for life, so it's worth making the effort to explore a wide and diverse range of social opportunities both on and off campus - you'll rarely, if ever, have such a wide range of pastimes to choose from in future!

Have Fun!
Ok, so most university students don't need help with this tip, right? However, enjoy it while you can--you are only in university once! Many Americans recall their university days as the best time of their life. Believe it or not, professors, administrators, and us university speakers want you to enjoy every minute if it! Making efficient use of your time and controlling your schedule are important ingredients in being able to enjoy yourself. They allow you to alleviate stress and succeed both inside and outside the classroom, so you can have a BLAST during your university career. Good luck!