The First Questions You’ll Get Asked About University and How to Answer Them

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Am I Going to Run Out of Money? 

Whether it’s this direct or a little subtler, chances are questions about finance and having enough money to study, live and have a good time at university will be one of the first if not main concerns your child will have.
Of course, this will vary from household to household, but there are a few responses that apply to everyone, and will hopefully stop the smaller version of you from worrying too much.

Wherever they decide to go, every university has a student support service and before they even attend, they can give them advice on what they can receive in financial support, both from the university and local council. You could also point them to our Student Money and Budgeting article if they don’t feel like listening to you.

What you earn will directly affect how much loan is given to them, so it’s best to have everything up to date on that front too and be sure of your yearly income for when that question comes later on.

How Do I Pay For My Course?

The course fees will be paid directly to the university at the beginning of every academic year, as soon as they’re registered as an attendant at the uni.

The Student Loans Company will actually be responsible for paying the university’s finance team, so your child will never have to worry about the temptation of having £9,000 in their current account.

Should I Study a Joint Honours Degree?

A lot of students have a hard time choosing what they want to study, so doing joint honours is a happy medium which would enable them to study two or more subjects at the time same time.

However, it pays to remind them that whilst it doesn’t mean they have to do twice the workload, they will have to be more flexible with their timetable when it comes to studying and making sure they get to all their lectures.

Alternatively, a lot of universities let students study separate modules without having to commit to a joint honours.
 

Where Do I Live At University?

For the most part, first year students tend to live in university halls, either situated on the campus or further out from the university’s main buildings.

Staying there is a great way for them to make friends and meet new people.

It’s not a rule for all students, and some decide to stay with family if they’re studying near-by, or have other living arrangements. However, there are many benefits of them learning how to live on their own in a safe environment without the fear of dodgy landlords or living in a residential area, and so should be considered. A lot of people meet the friends they’ll live with the following years in halls as well!

Where Should I Study?

How long is a piece of string? This is a pretty big question with about a hundred different answers, all with very valid reasons.

If you’re stuck with how to respond, then don’t worry we can help you out with a few ideas to help both you and your child. Just take a look.

What If I Decide to Change Course Halfway Through The Year?

Most universities have a grace period where students can switch courses if the head of departments and lecturers agree to the move; providing there are spaces left on the other course.

It’s not an uncommon occurrence and so they shouldn’t feel as if they’re letting anyone down or dropping out. Encourage them to speak to their course lecturers first though to make sure it’s not just a certain module they’re having difficulty with, rather than the whole subject.

What if I Get Homesick or Need Support?

They might not be as up front as that about being homesick, but it’s probably going to be on their mind at some point whilst thinking about studying away from home.

Even if they don’t voice their concerns out loud, it helps to know that all universities have multi-faith chaplaincies, which aren’t strictly religion-based and can offer a lot of support. There will also be free counselling services available for students who may need help if things get too much.

If you’re worried about keeping them safe, then contact the universities beforehand, they’ll be able to give you a better idea of what to do just in case, as well as helping you feel not so detached from what they’re up to at uni.

 

Is There Any Point in Going to University?

It’s no secret that it’s getting harder for university graduates to obtain solid employment once they leave, and your child might have already thought about giving it a miss all together.

However, it’s good to remind them that universities don’t just offer degrees, but also diplomas, and in some places apprenticeships, which can prove very useful in the workplace. So, it pays to contact the universities and workplaces to find out if there are any joint schemes set in place.

It’s also worth remembering university is also about growing up, meeting new people, widening your social circle and having a go at a being an adult. Which is just as important as grades and degrees.

What Am I Even Going to Do?

This question may sound like a potential minefield of worry and anxiety for both you and your smaller person (or possible bigger), but it doesn’t have to be.

The response and resolve comes to down to being properly prepared, and doing the research with them and their school or college, so they don’t feel as their floating from once educational environment to the next.

The crux of everything in this guide is making sure you do the research. You don’t need to present yourself as overbearing or knowing it all, but these are big decisions for both parties and it will pay off and give you less sleepless nights knowing a little more about what they’re doing and where they’re doing it.

Although you probably won’t need to know what they’re getting up to on Student Wednesdays…