As a student, and especially as a humanist, it’s important to take advantage of your time at the university to open up your own world as much as possible. Plus, why not have some fun while doing it? Below, the BTSB staff provides a handful of tried and tested survival tips which may come handy during your first academic year (applicable to older students too!)
ACTIVITY 101
- Get active outside of the classroom! The university offers all kinds of extra-curricular activities in the form of student organizations, study clubs, hobby clubs, teams, speksis (musical improv theater productions), and student publications such as BTSB. At the very least, make sure you attend events and excursions organized by your subject organization – they are a lot of fun and a great way to bond with your fellow students.
- Treat your body as a temple. Brainpower will only get you so far in essay writing if your physical well-being is not up to snuff. Jog regularly, use a bike to get to class, make most of the exercise selection at UniSport – anything you think might balance the weekly grind of arduous lectures and/or strenuous partying. Square meals at UniCafe and regular sleep can also be vital; make sure that the alarm clock is working for you, and not the other way around!
ACADEMIC POINTERS
- Some lecturers manage to let students know that they entertain a weekly office hour, but for others, this remains a well-kept secret. In addition, all teachers have an email address that is naturally used for super-important department and faculty stuff but it can also serve as a channel to stay in touch with one's students.
- Sometimes asking a question in class doesn't feel comfortable or you only realize after a lecture that you didn't actually grasp the central gist, but there's nothing stopping you from grabbing your instructor by the sleeve, sending an email, or popping by on their office hour. Their job is to be there for you. In our experience, such semi-impromptu talks can also lead to some of the greatest revelations.
- Don’t be afraid to branch out of your own field of studies to take the occasional random class. I’ve taken courses on the portrayal of animals in cinema, North American political relationships, Afro-American music, and modernity in the US, just to name a few. Some might say that a course on The Beatles is a waste of time, but I’ve found it to be one of the most memorable and educational experiences I’ve had thus far. It wasn’t just about the music, but about the cultural impact, the lasting impression, and the 60s as a whole.
SITSI BEHAVIOR
- Don't have a pre-party before sitsit! If you’re already drunk when sitsit starts, it never bodes well, since alcohol will be aplenty and you will end up drinking lots of it during the actual dinner party. Unless, of course, you go for the non-alcoholic option, which is also available (and completely acceptable!)
- Don't be afraid of sitsit! I used to when I was a freshman, having heard stories of the rigid rules, the etiquette and what happens when you break them. But honestly, it’s not that bad. For one thing, we don’t have any punishments for rule-breaking in our subject organization.
- It’s also important to understand that the rules are not there so that the students could tease and bully each other; they are there to ensure that the party doesn’t fall apart and that everyone has a nice time!
NOURISHMENT & RELAXATION
- Invest in GOOD coffee! No need to get a stomach ulcer first year in.
- For immediate stress release, get a cat. If your budget doesn't stretch that far, pop by at the new cat café at Fredrikinkatu 55 for extra-concentrated kitty bliss. There is nothing quite like a cuddly purr-machine to take your mind off the upcoming exam week.
THE OBVIOUS
- Write for BTSB! Oh, I should say something other than the obvious?
