Letting go of familiarity
When I progressed from my Interdisciplinary Science Foundation Year to my undergraduate Dental Surgery course, I was excited to finally start the degree I had worked so hard for. I was over the moon that my hard work had paid off on the foundation year.
I commuted to campus during my foundation year but I was able to get my bearings and go to different places around the campus and the city. I felt confident I knew the city going into my first year.
However, I was upset to have to say goodbye to tutors and friends that I had spent a year with. I had to let go of familiarity and I was super nervous about starting my new course.
Put yourself out there
The transition to my new course was hard for me. I didn’t want to let go of the support that I had at the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) because I felt like I completely fit in on my foundation year course. I didn’t feel like I was going to fit in on my new course because I was a mature student and I didn’t for a while.
I would advise students progressing from the foundation year to put yourself out there when you start your undergraduate course. Talk to lots of different people – you will find friends, even if it doesn’t feel like it at first.
Overcoming the challenges
During the first year of my new course, I came back to the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) and met up with friends who were also finding the transition to their new course challenging. It was nice to share experiences and realise that I wasn’t the only one feeling that way.
I also spoke to tutors from my foundation year and they were reassuring. They were a familiar voice to talk to, and they made me feel like I belonged.
The School of Dentistry was pretty good at communicating with me during the transition too. On the open day, I found it helpful to have a tutor walk me over to my new school building – the Worsley building.
The foundation year topics prepared me well
The Interdisciplinary Science foundation year prepared me to go into Dentistry. The topics covered were relevant and they gave me a great understanding of topics that we have gone into in more detail about on my new course, such as antibodies, antigens, biochemistry, basic chemistry and proteins.
A base to go back to
I’m grateful for the foundation year as I still have a base to go back to when I need it.
My advice for students progressing from a foundation year taught by the LLC is to remember you can always come back to the LLC for support. The tutors will always make time for you and help you as much as they can.
Also, check your emails – there will be lots of information sent out to you. If you need any clarification, the LLC staff or student support teams can help you.
My academic personal tutor was helpful and reassuring
My academic personal tutor (APT) was great during the first year of my undergraduate course – she was so helpful and reassuring. I found it useful to have a hub to go to if I needed someone to answer a quick question.
I also found it helpful to have different assignments and exam style questions to understand the topics I was being taught. I like that there are multiple opportunities to submit coursework and read feedback.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
When you progress to your undergraduate course, lectures might feel impersonal and the support may feel different to your foundation year, as it’s more of an independent learning environment than the foundation year.
If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask – the staff are non-judgemental and made me feel at ease.
Keep up to date with work and notes. Tutors will explain things multiple times if you ask them to.
Take responsibility for your own learning
Try to be an independent learner too – this means taking responsibility for your own learning and understanding topics to the level you need to know them.
For more tips on progressing to your undergraduate degree, read our foundation year transition guidance.