7 Tips for Starting University
We always strive and work hard from
childhood to reach the university stage—or what can be described as the
university dream. A dream long yearned for by hearts, awaited by family and
loved ones until it became reality, now on the verge of fulfillment. It is a
world entirely different from school and other educational atmospheres, an
experience that teaches you independence and helps you rediscover yourself. And
at the beginning of every journey, a person must prepare his provisions and
carry his supplies to achieve the intended goal.
Therefore, no student can enter this stage
without knowing some tips that will save him from falling into the mistakes of
others and strengthen his success and excellence in university life.
1- Contentment and Self-Adaptation:
Being content with the college or
specialization is among the most important tips for entering university. It is
not necessary that the college is your choice in order to be satisfied with it;
rather, it is obligatory upon you to accept it and adapt to it, because Allah’s
choice for His servant is better than the servant’s own choice. As some of the
early predecessors said: If I asked Allah for something and He granted it to
me, I thanked Him once. And if I asked Him for something and He deprived me of
it and gave me something else, I thanked Him three times. When asked why,
he replied: Because the first was from my choice, and the second was from
Allah’s choice. So be content with Allah’s decree, and know that the
college or specialization you wanted—if there were good in it for you—Allah
would never have kept it away from you.
2- You Make the Difference, Not
the College:
Among the clearest tips for entering
university is to realize that all colleges are similar in purpose and aim.
Their purpose is to create a successful generation of students of knowledge,
and their aim is to contribute to the progress and advancement of society.
There is no such thing as “top colleges” and “bottom colleges.” You are the one
who makes the difference—you are the one who strives, succeeds, and shows your
capabilities and talents everywhere and in any field.
Many students entered what are called “top
colleges” for the sake of fame, but they failed in them and soon looked
elsewhere. On the other hand, many students chose colleges and fields
considered modest in terms of grades or reputation, yet they managed to prove
themselves and reach the highest positions and ranks.
3- Freedom Versus Responsibility:
The university stage is characterized by
granting the student a sufficient degree of freedom that was not present in
earlier stages. Yet this freedom comes with a responsibility of the same size,
or perhaps even greater. You will not find anyone forcing you to attend, focus,
take notes, or even stay up and study. You must do these things on your own
initiative. If you ignore this responsibility, you will pay a heavy price and
fall into many mistakes that cannot be undone.
4- Time Management:
If you want tips for entering university,
you must manage your time well. To do so, you must first define your goals and
arrange your priorities. Tasks vary between lectures, activities, projects,
studying, and other matters that require organization. It is better to set a
weekly schedule containing the tasks you wish to accomplish during the week. It
is essential to discipline yourself to stick to this
schedule.
5- Good Company is the Secret
to Success:
Most stories of failure in studies or other
aspects begin with a single step toward bad company. Because of the strong
influence of companionship, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“A man
follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes
his friend.” (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi). And he said: “The similitude
of good company and that of bad company is that of the owner of musk and of the
one blowing the bellows. The owner of musk would either offer you some free of
charge, or you would buy it from him, or you smell its pleasant fragrance; and
as for the one who blows the bellows (i.e., the blacksmith), he either burns
your clothes or you smell a repugnant smell.” (Al- Bukhari and
Muslim).
From this, it becomes clear that one must
choose righteous company that values its time and believes in the worth and
importance of knowledge—company that fears Allah regarding itself, its family,
and its society. If you do not find such a model, then accompany yourself so
that the wrong company does not harm you.
6- Multiple Sources:
In school, there were specific books for
study and exams did not come from outside them. But in university, the
situation is completely different. The first source of knowledge is the
university professor. Although this is important, there are many other sources
you must rely upon in your studies, such as external books and references,
online courses and training programs, continuous note-taking during lectures,
and additional sources like educational videos and so on. It is also crucial to
understand the mindset of the lecturer or professor. Simply having the correct
information or writing the right answers in an exam is not enough; you must
answer in the way the professor expects. This is what makes the difference
between one student and another.
7- Set Out and Discover Yourself:
Despite the importance of the university
degree and achieving high grades, this alone is not sufficient in today’s job
market. You must also focus on practical aspects and acquire new skills that
allow you to stand out in the face of fierce competition in all professional
sectors today. University is an opportunity to discover yourself, build new relationships, learn
different things, and continuously enroll in courses and training programs.
True passion might be found in something you never expected at all.
In this article, we covered many tips for
entering university—this stage that must be started with diligence and effort,
with contentment in Allah’s choice, striving to build righteous companionship,
managing your time properly, and living up to this responsibility. Not just for
yourself, but for your parents, your family, and everyone who wishes good for
you.
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