For many students, the transition from secondary school to university is more disorienting than expected.

In secondary school, we become accustomed to a very structured way of learning. Daily classes, regular homework, exam preparation, and a strong emphasis on memorisation are the norm. There’s also a constant sense of supervision—teachers check your work, remind you of deadlines, and guide you closely. While this does require responsibility, it’s within a fairly controlled environment.

Then, suddenly, everything changes at university! The timetable can feel chaotic, with lectures scattered across the day and long gaps in between. Independent learning becomes the expectation, which can be a real challenge—especially for those coming from a very different academic culture or mindset. The idea of ‘homework’ evolves into something more self-directed: reviewing lecture notes, preparing for upcoming classes, doing extra reading, or practising exercises. But no one checks whether you’ve done it. Your effort is reflected in your assignments and your grasp of the material.

Of course, the nature of your degree will influence the type of continuous assessment you encounter—some courses lean more towards problem-solving exercises, others towards reading academic papers or writing reflections. But one thing all degrees have in common is that university teaching is not about spoon-feeding information. A more mature, proactive approach is expected.

When I began studying in Ireland, I wasn’t used to writing reports, essays, or creating posters. Continuous assessment was new to me, and so was the level of independence expected. In some large lecture halls, attendance wasn’t even mandatory. University life didn’t match my expectations, and the sudden shift made it difficult to adapt to the new academic rhythm. As an international student, this difference felt even more pronounced. In Spain, the final two years of secondary school are heavily focused on preparing for the university entrance exam, with a rigid, memorisation-heavy approach. So, when I started attending lectures at Maynooth University, I felt lost. My old study methods no longer worked. Even attending lectures was confusing—should I take notes or just listen?! Most lecturers used PowerPoint slides uploaded to Moodle (our learning platform), so I wasn’t sure what was expected.

From my experience, I’d recommend that international students spend their first semester figuring out how they study best. Unfortunately, different subjects may require different techniques. I remember one lecturer who loved sharing real-world examples and insights. If I could go back, I wouldn’t take extensive notes during those lectures. This was not because the content wasn’t valuable, but because it was more important to listen, understand, and jot down key words. Later, I could expand on those notes. You’ll need to stay open-minded and creative in finding what works for you. Some students prefer typing notes on a laptop or tablet, others stick to pen and paper, and some just listen and review the slides later. There’s no single right way—just the way that suits you best.

Bear in mind that some lecturers dislike students using laptops, preferring eye contact and engagement. Others hand out printed materials. And some use slides with minimal text, which can make you feel like you need to write down everything they say. That can be tricky—not everything needs to be written down!

Personally, I struggled in my second year of my BSc Psychology course. Assignments had to be started well in advance if you wanted to pass, and I had to balance my studies with part-time work and extracurricular activities. I had to develop a new study method based on what I’d learned in first year. If you’re not doing a full degree, be prepared to adapt quickly—university life can be overwhelming at times. And if your course involves a lot of assignments, don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re unsure. That’s what lecturers are there for! But remember, you need to have at least read the material for questions to arise.

My advice? Start studying from the beginning of the semester—even if it’s just reviewing lectures. That way, you’ll have time for assignments and to ask questions. Time management is something everyone struggles with, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier (though not necessarily less demanding). Still, knowing what to do and actually doing it are two very different things.

Ultimately, even if you’ve been told what to expect, it won’t fully make sense until you experience university life for yourself. So don’t stress too much—embrace the challenge and enjoy the adventure ahead.

Good luck!