How university study differs from school – and how to succeed

Starting university can feel like a big leap. In our latest blog, undergraduate student Akshat Agarwal breaks down the key differences between studying at school and university – from becoming a more independent learner to managing a heavier workload – and shares practical advice to help you feel confident as you start this new journey. 

Transitioning from an 8 am to 3 pm structure, five days a week, to a handful of classes spread throughout the week can feel like a welcome change for incoming students, offering more free time and greater control over your schedule. However, having more control over your time also means taking more responsibility for how you use it.

The biggest shift is that accountability moves to you as you adjust to independent learning and new teaching and assessment styles. The process can feel challenging at first, but a few simple, consistent habits can keep you in good standing throughout your time at Warwick.

Based on my experience at Warwick Business School, here are my top practices for succeeding in university studies.

Taking accountability 

School offers a very structured environment where routine shapes daily life. Your timetable is fixed, your teachers make sure you attend classes and remind you of deadlines, and your parents check whether you are keeping up with your work.

University flips the script. Your parents may be hundreds of miles away, and lecturers’ foremost priority is to deliver high-quality teaching rather than checking whether every student shows up. Although attendance is monitored, there is considerably more independence compared to school. 

This is where taking accountability becomes essential. It is crucial to develop the habit of attending classes, catching up when other priorities clash, and staying on top of your studies without waiting for someone else to remind you. It is easy to be influenced by those around you with different priorities, but, ultimately, staying on track is your responsibility.

Staying up to date week-to-week

My most useful practice is to ensure I rarely carry pending work into the following week. Early on, it can be easy to assume the workload is lighter because there are fewer contact hours. While this is partially true, the pace of learning is very different from school. 

Falling behind by a week may not feel like a big deal at the time, but when you show up to class the following week, you can feel completely lost. It is very easy to fall into this cycle, and before you know it, you are halfway through the term and overwhelmed with work, while assessment deadlines approach. Remember that university term time passes much faster than expected, given the various extracurricular activities and social priorities you may have.

My best advice is to avoid letting work pile up. Make it a habit to attend as many contact hours as you can - there usually aren’t that many - and spend a few hours every week on your independent study. If you stick to this habit as much as possible, you will find it very easy to stay on top of your studies. 

Getting comfortable with academic writing

The biggest hurdle I faced when adapting to university studies from school was academic writing. Your experience with this can vary significantly depending on the curriculum you followed in high school, but regardless, it is something every student must learn.

At university, academic writing requires certain technicalities regarding referencing and citing sources. This is still easy to learn by leveraging Warwick Business School’s academic writing support resources that guide you through the core fundamentals of academic writing. However, the most important element is how to use these sources to build an argument and show independent opinion, while coherently structuring your essay and signposting where required. Simply stating your opinion is not enough. You have to explain what drives your opinion, connect it to theory, and support it with credible sources.

The luxury you have as an incoming student is that your first-year marks do not count towards your final degree. Hence, use this year to practice, read example essays and speak to seniors and professors. During your time at Warwick, you can expect to write several essays. If you master the art of academic writing in your first year, you will be much more at ease in your subsequent years.

Reaching out

My last piece of advice is to reach out as much as possible. While in school, most of this is done by parents and teachers, at university, you need to take the initiative. University offers you a plethora of resources, just waiting for you to ask for them.

If you are confused about a topic or unsure about an assessment, reach out to your seminar tutors and lecturers, or book office hours. If you are struggling with your workload, set up a meeting with your personal tutor. 

What I found particularly helpful was speaking to seniors about doubts and assessments - seniors are more willing to help than you would imagine because they have been in your shoes. Lastly, Warwick Business School’s student dashboard provides several resources on academic writing and other support.

A final word…

The transition from school to university is exciting, but it also requires a shift in mindset. Learn to manage your independence, stay consistent, and ask for support when you need it. Hopefully, these tips make your time at WBS an enriching learning experience!