Things You Need To Consider As A Foreign Student

It's not easy being a student, never mind an international student - with procedures completely different to what you're used to, it can be confusing to get your head straight. We've put together some tips which are sure to help your studying a little smoother.

First Things First - What Course Are You Taking?

It may sound simple, but you need to make sure you know what degree you're studying. It's important to do something you are passionate about, as there will be lots of help and support if you are academically weaker, but not much to help if you hate the subject. You also need to consider the type of degree you're studying - whether you're going to college in person and staying on campus, or whether an online masters program in Boston, MA is more your thing. If you're focusing on a particular profession, we recommend seeing if there are any educational requirements.

Do Your Research

It's also important to make sure you know the structure of the place you're studying - if you leave this to when you start, you'll have so much to pick up that things will become confusing and overwhelming. Learn who's in charge of the University as a whole, the academic school you're entering, the accommodation if you're staying on campus, student support and anyone else who may be relevant to you. It's also worth seeing if you can find out any tutors you may have and become familiar with them so that you have the best start. Looking into the kind of work you'll be doing and the requirements of the course, as well as the nature of the course (is it more practical? Is it more written?) and how it is assessed. If you're going into a course that will need a lot of writing, getting used to this in advance will help you from falling behind.

Find Out What Support You Have

Studying abroad is no easy feat - not only are you living and working independently, but you're doing this far from home, and probably overseas. It's likely that at some point, you're going to need some support with this. There should be an office or department purely for international students, so finding where this is and making it your first point of contact if things do go wrong (and at some point, they will) is a very wise idea. They will be able to guide you and advise you on things you need to do, as well as refer you on to anybody if you have a specific problem. If you have any other problems that you'll need support with, such as mental health issues, it's worth finding out where you can get help for that. Many colleges offer counseling services, and every university should have a general student support department, so it's worth finding out where that's located so you'll be able to be directed to where you need to be.

As it gets closer and closer, university can feel daunting, but it's also an incredibly exciting new venture, and with these tips you should be certain to make a good start. Remember: have fun!

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