Hopefully you won't be in the last group and you'll have given some thought before you go to university to what you want to study and where you'd like to go. Thinking ahead can alleviate disappointment further down the line.

Once there you'll soon become aware of your schedule of lectures and tutorials, the books to read and the papers you'll need to write. You'll also be aware of the exam timetable that may be looming in the distance.

How you tackle the work ahead and balance that with the social aspects of university varies, but here are some simple tips to think about when dealing with course work:

Know yourself - work at your own pace and in your own style. For example, if you worry about meeting deadlines, give yourself plenty of time to do the work, even if it means missing the odd night out with friends.

Make the most of the range of ways that university offers to learn – attend lectures as well as tutorials and get to know your lecturers.

Take a break - if you're losing concentration or have writers' block, walk away from the work and have a coffee or read the paper to help refocus

Plan periods when you don't study - make the most of it by doing something you enjoy – don't spend all your non-study time sitting with others moaning about the course.

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