Get Ready for Uni

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Going to university is a major milestone in your life. You’ve worked so hard to reach this point and you’re now on the brink of an exciting adventure. We understand that comes with mixed emotions of leaving home, meeting new people and advancing your studies, so we’ve joined forces with well-known Gogglebox star, Baasit Siddiqui, to help you prepare for this new chapter.

As well as being a famous face on our screens, Baasit is an educational expert and alumnus of the University of Derby, so is well-placed to bring you up to speed on the skills you’ll need at university.

In these workshops, we’ll cover important study skills to ensure you feel as confident as you can be going into student life. These videos are yours to keep, meaning you can watch them as many times as you like and in any order.

Baasit Siddiqui reading a book
Get Ready - Academic Skills

Baasit is joined by Ben and Alex, members of our Librarian team, to explore the important study skills that are needed to succeed at university.

Baasit Siddiqui holding a microphone and wearing headphones
Get Ready - Get Confident

Baasit shares his tried and tested techniques to help you develop your confidence.

Baasit wearing a chef's outfit and holding frying pans
Get Ready - Get Cooking

Learn how to rustle up some easy, healthy and cost-effective meals with Baasit and University of Derby alumna, Wisia.

Nail your A-levels

Studying for your A-levels this summer? Our lecturers guide you through their top tips that will help you prepare for your essays, exams and revision. Watch and then apply their advice to your own writing.

Headshot of Dr. Paul Whickman

Top tips for English Poetry

Senior Lecturer Dr. Paul Whickman and second-year student Meg help you improve poetry analysis with this technique that turns your impressions into model answers.

Watch 'Top tips for English poetry'Watch 'Top tips for English poetry'

Headshot of Dr Ruth Larsen

How to succeed at History

Programme Leader Dr. Ruth Larsen shares key concepts for essay writing, what pitfalls to avoid, and suggestions for your free time between study.

Watch 'How to succeed in your History A-levels' Watch 'How to succeed in your History A-levels'

Our students' advice

The best people to speak to for advice on starting university are those who have been through it already. Hear from our students on what you should pack, making new friends and how to save money on food.

A person holding two pairs of shoes, sat next to a case that's packed with items
Things to pack

Izzy suggests the things you should pack for university - and some you'll probably forget.

A bird's eye view of a chopping board with a variety of vegetables laid out
Cooking on a budget

Greta shares her tips and tricks for saving money on food and her favourite places to eat out on a discount.

Two students sat together looking at a phone and laughing
Making friends

Check out this helpful advice on making new friends at university.