Podcast: 100 Days of University for Biology, Medicine and Health students
By the Library Student Team
Isobel: Hello everybody. First of all, we’d like to start by congratulating you all on receiving your place to study at the University of Manchester. All your hard work has paid off, so massive well done! I’m Isobel, a second-year undergraduate student studying Biomedical Sciences with French.
Syeda: I’m Syeda, I’m in my third year of studying Medicine. As FBMH students on the Library Student Team, we’re here to give some insight on what to expect during your first 100 days of university in Manchester!
Fariha: I’m Fariha, Public Health student finishing my final year. Let’s introduce the Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health (FBMH) which has three schools: the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), the School of Medical Sciences (SMS), and the School of Health Sciences (SHS), with each school sub-divided into six divisions.
Syeda: We know this sounds like a lot, but it’s okay to only focus on your own school.
Isobel: We’re all part of the Library Student Team and are here today to discuss how we found our first 100 Days of University with the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. We want to help ease the transition to university by sharing our experiences.
Isobel: Let’s start with moving in, how were your experiences?
Syeda: I’m from Greater Manchester, so moving out for university wasn’t the most drastic change like it is for some students. But I still had to get used to not seeing my family all the time and living on my own. It was a bit scary at first but thankfully there was a big group chat for my hall that I joined, and some older medics in our hall made a separate chat so we could make friends before classes started. There were lots of welcome events, and because I chose to eat dinner in the dining hall in my first year, I was able to meet lots of people there.
Fariha: I’m from Manchester, about an hour away on bus. Although Ididn’t move out for university there was still quite a transition from school to university. I had to learn how to carve out time for myself and my studies along with balancing my family commitments. However, I’ve been lucky to meet other commuter students on my course and from societies and events which means I have someone to relate to and people who can give me advice. There are loads of events tailored to commuter students ran by the commuter society and other events that finish early so you can catch trains and busses afterwards as well.
Isobel: And I am from Sheffield, only an hour and a half away, with multiple trains connecting it with Manchester daily. But despite this relatively small distance, moving away from home still felt like a monumental turning point. Freshers’ events in your halls are designed to help you meet new people and get some free pizza while you’re at it. My flat mates were from all over the world, studying a range of courses, and even with all these differences, we clicked almost instantaneously. These are the people I have lived with during my second year and as I prepare for my year abroad, they’re booking flights to come and visit!
Fariha: Let’s talk about welcome week now. It’s usually at the end of September. Welcome week is an opportunity to get familiar with the University of Manchester and expand your social horizons.
Isobel: It’s also when we get our timetables, now’s a good time to check where your first class is so you’re prepared. It was also a good idea to check emails from your Programme Director and Unit Co-ordinators concerning the year ahead. You’ll also get to meet your academic advisor, who you’ll meet regularly throughout your entire degree and during tutorials for first year.
Fariha: I recommend attending the events your student halls and the student union run, there’s always free food like pizza! And you can learn more about what’s on at the Freshers’ and Society fairs. There’s always lots of free goodies so make sure you check it out.
Syeda: I went to the fairs for the first time this year! Everyone was enjoying welcome week activities, but we had to begin right away! We had 2 “Essential Skills” weeks. And We spent these weeks learning how to study Medicine. It was halfway through Essential Skills that I realised I wasn’t using OneMed correctly! OneMed’s the platform we use in the School of Medical Sciences, it has all our learning content in one place. I was using the library’s online catalogue to look for articles that would help me answer the week’s questions. To be fair, this is a good resource, but I felt very relieved when I found the Learning section on OneMed! I encourage you to familiarise yourself with your course materials as early as possible to avoid falling behind. I also spent the first few weeks doing “life admin”, or my “being a person tasks”.
Syeda: That’s what I call the tasks I need to do so I can stay organised.
Fariha: Oh, I see! Things like collecting your student ID card, bus passes and food shopping.
Syeda: Exactly! And registering with a local GP practice, it’s important to do this as soon as possible so you’re on the system in case you need help later.
Isobel: And getting to know your way around campus is important for a healthy work/life balance!
Fariha: Yeah, and you can explore the rest of the city as well. You can find an unlimited number of places to eat, party and relax.
Syeda: I had to figure out a schedule for doing housework too, like cleaning my room and my en-suite. And I also used the Student Union website to join societies.
Isobel: Following “Welcome week”, it’s time for lectures, labs and tutorials to start. Give yourself time to find the building and room you need to be in and experiment with how and when you work best. This is the chance to test different notetaking and revision methods and find what works best for you and your schedule.
Fariha: Slowly, uni life will become your new normal. I have friends from my course to sit with during lectures. Your group work partners might also be people who you study with. You get used to seeing people around!
Isobel: A hundred percent! It helps to remember that we’re all in the same situation. At the start of the year everyone’s trying to establish new social circles while battling the uncertainty of new people, places and routines. It’s a process that takes time, but you meet all sorts of great people along the way!
Syeda: For me, I think October was when I started to check where I could access progress-check assessments. You might have pre-lab work to complete, and if you need to check any other submission areas and dates, you should make a note of them in your calendar.
Fariha: Yes, the mini progress tests do help! Even if they don’t count a lot towards your final grade, they can really make a difference. Plus, they ensure you are up to date with content and they test your knowledge.
Isobel: Using the online resources can be tricky but don’t worry as we’ve all been there! Don’t be afraid to ask for help, from your academic advisor, tutor, unit co-ordinators, or support hub.
Fariha: Leading towards the end of October is Reading Week! This is where you can catch up on your reading and lectures but also take some time for yourself. A healthy work-life balance is key.
Syeda: Day trips are a great treat, and motivation to get lots done. You can explore the surrounding areas, you can hike and have lunch in the Dark Peaks, or you can visit the Northern Quarter and try out new cafes here in Manchester!
Fariha: By November, reading week is over and it’s back to work! Hopefully you’re feeling well-rested and prepared. Continue attending your lectures, making notes and reviewing the reading as you go.
Isobel: If you’re studying in the School of Biological Sciences, your first big deadlines are likely just around the corner. Tutorials are here to help you build key skills like referencing, while the library’s My Learning Essentials programme offers a range of in-person and online workshops to support your academic writing — from crafting strong introductions to developing structure and critical analysis.
Syeda: If you’re studying Medicine, you may or may not have had your first Early Clinical Experience visit by now, in a local hospital or GP setting. This will give you the opportunity to practice asking questions and getting more familiar with both the clinical environment and the various staff who keep the hospital running in good working order. It is an exciting time, so make to check your timetable to see when your visit is scheduled.
Fariha: By December it’s getting close to exam season, lectures are finishing up and you can access your personalised exam table. You can feel the end of Semester 1 getting closer when the evenings get darker and you see festive light decorations everywhere.
Isobel: Balance is important throughout the year but especially so in December. You’ll be finishing up academic tasks from Semester 1 while enjoying the festive atmosphere around campus and the city. You’ll likely be working on final assignments, projects, or revising for any upcoming exams or January assessments.
Syeda: It was important for me to create a realistic revision timetable. I had to prioritise uni work, and then fill in the rest with enough breaks to relax and enjoy the holiday.
Fariha: Campus gets quieter as more people go home for the holiday. It’s a good time to reflect how term went. You might find it helpful to think about what went well and what you could do to make next semester even better.
Isobel: Don’t forget to make the most of the break! Rest, spend time with family and friends, and just generally recharge for January.
Fariha: Before we finish we have some key tips for December.
Syeda: If you have final assignments to submit, finish and submit them as early as you can. It will save you a lot of stress!
Fariha: If you’re staying in Manchester over the break, check out the festive markets, winter walks, or even have a Christmas dinner with your flatmates.
Isobel: And remember train prices get more expensive during the holiday, so if you plan on going home, make sure to sort out travel arrangements early.
Syeda: Make sure to check your emails for any feedback or Semester 2 updates.
Fariha: Looking back, it’s amazing how quickly the first semester flies by. You’ve gone from feeling unsure to establishing yourself in a new city full of new people and places.
Isobel: Whether it’s your favourite coffee shop or a go-to study buddy, these small things are the start of your uni experience, and it only gets better from here!
