Starting at the University of Copenhagen? Here’s what I wish I’d known

1. Don’t let money stress you out

Welcome to life on a student budget. It’s a delightful existence, where you discover just how tasty plain oats and water porridge is at the end of the month — and where pasta pesto becomes your new signature dish.

Unfortunately, research shows that poorer students in Denmark experience more stress. It’s a sad statistic, but with sky-high rents and inflation, it’s easy to end up there — especially if you don’t have a fat savings account or wealthy parents ready to fire off a quick bank transfer.

This is not the time to try to save up — if you have a savings account, use it. And if things don’t add up financially, and you have the option, take out a student loan. That’s what they are there for. It’s not a sign of failure, and the future you probably won’t hold you responsible for choosing your mental well-being over your financial prudence for a limited period of time.

READ ALSO: Save more, live more: Student budget hacks for Copenhagen

2. Apply for student housing

The housing market is unpredictable — and so is your roommate, unfortunately.

It’s great to study — especially if you actually do it

Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to find the dream flat with your best friend and think nothing can go wrong. It can.

Your friend might get a partner who suddenly seems like a much more fun flatmate than you. Or your rental contract doesn’t get renewed, and your future is suddenly now a sublet broom cupboard out in the suburbs for DKK 7,000 a month. If you plan on staying in Copenhagen for some time, do yourself a favour and sign up for student housing and dormitories. Many have waiting lists of at least a year, so affordable housing is the long-term goal.

Fortunately, we have a guide here at the University Post. It has been a while since it was updated, but the central tenets still hold true.

3. Actually read the texts

This one’s mostly for you (and me) — the ones who tend to take shortcuts.

You’ll quickly discover that you can skip reading the syllabus without immediate consequences. There’s no attendance registration, so the snooze button suddenly sees a lot of action. You decide to wing it at the exam.

And you can. But it’s a lot better to stumble upon a good syllabus during the course, rather than after. I know I sound a bit dull with this, but: the only one you’re cheating is yourself. Hopefully you enrolled because you find your subject interesting. And this might be the last time in your life where your sole focus is on learning.

Enjoy it. It’s great to study — especially if you actually do it.

READ ALSO: How to read a book at university

4. Join a student club

At university, there’s no guaranteed social circle from the get-go. That can be tough. You might find yourself missing your classmates from home. But luckily there are tons of clubs at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) that can fulfil your social needs.

By joining a student club, you become part of a network that can span across different year cohorts and study programmes. Friends from older year cohorts can be worth their weight in gold when you’re stressed before an exam and your dog’s eaten your notes. Older students love to share stories from their time as ‘freshers’. It’s a win-win.

You can find clubs and associations at the student fair on your campus, or you can visit this website, which has an overview of all the clubs at UCPH.

READ ALSO: Eight tips for insecure new students

5. Think about how to structure your daily life

By now, you’ve probably realised that almost everything is up to you when you start university. This includes your daily routine.

You’ll need a good dose of self-discipline to make it work. On the plus side, this means you can structure your day exactly as you like. As long as you make time for the boring stuff, you’ve got a lot of freedom.

I’ve learned that the advice I got from the grown-ups actually works: Get out of the house every day. Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Make a meal plan. Keep some weekends free from all the partying and studying. Schedule a regular cleaning day. Consider having a non-academic hobby. It may sound boring, but it helps make your daily life more manageable.

To take a wider perspective: Your studies can also be tailored to suit your needs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you might be able to take fewer courses one semester. You can postpone exams. You can take some leave, do an internship, go on exchange, or attend summer school. There are lots of options — and it’s worth looking into them to choose the academic pathway that suits you.

READ ALSO: 50 things to do before you leave Copenhagen

6. Try different study techniques

Maybe you’re already a note-taking ninja who knows how to stay focused five hours into a marathon study session. But if not, it’s a good idea to invest some time in figuring out what works for you.

It’s only after three years of studying that I feel like I’m starting to figure it out

It’s worth Googling various study techniques and keeping an open mind. But here is our own guide to note-taking technique.

Everyone studies differently, and you’re not a failure if someone else’s method doesn’t work for you. For example, I’ve found I prefer handwriting my notes and reading printed texts. Others have genius note-taking systems on their laptops.

And this isn’t just about how to maximise your time in a library reading room. It’s also about whether you thrive better there or in a café, whether you prefer reading before or after lectures, and so on. Find out what works for you. Try different things. And don’t give up too quickly. It’s only after three years of studying that I feel like I’m starting to figure it out.

READ ALSO: The dos and don’ts of the reading room

7. Hold off on buying textbooks

The world is expensive. Copenhagen is more expensive. And textbooks are the most expensive of all.

Luckily, I’ve lost count of how much I’ve spent on textbooks — and of how many of them ended up just gathering dust. Instead of rushing out to buy your entire reading list the second it’s released, explore your options.

There are Facebook groups where people sell used books — often at half price. Sometimes they come with notes from previous owners so you know what to focus on. Many of the books can also be found at your university library — and can often be borrowed for the whole semester. Some are even available online. And sometimes, you’ll find you don’t need them at all.

And don’t worry: the University Post has put together a whole guide on how to save money on textbooks.

8. Help your friends move

I know helping someone move isn’t high on the list of fun weekend plans — especially not with a hangover and four flights of stairs. But it’s one of the most important things you can do.

You and your friends are in your early 20s, no one can afford movers, and maybe your parents now live somewhere else and aren’t keen on showing up every six months. So, rely on each other. Favour for favour. You’re each other’s network now. That means not just meeting for beers at the Friday bar, but also showing up when things get tough. And who knows — it might actually be fun.

So pitch in, carry that box with a smile, enjoy your moving-day pizza, and be confident your friends will be there for you when you find that perfect dining table on Facebook Marketplace — out in the middle of nowhere.

READ ALSO: Student housing reviews: Dorms and residences in Copenhagen

9. Find out what support is available

As a student, you’re in a phase of life where nearly everything feels unfamiliar. It’s stressful, it’s hard — and sometimes everything just falls apart.

First of all, it’s important to lean on your friends and classmates when things get tough. Talk about it — maybe they can help with notes during a hectic period. Maybe you’ll realise you’re not the only one struggling to keep up.

Maybe you’ll need more professional help. At the student counselling service, you can bring up anything — whether you’re stressed, need help with study techniques, or something serious has happened in your life, they can support you. The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) also has its own university chaplains, who are employed solely to support students. You don’t need to be religious to use their services. They’re not there to preach — they simply have many years of experience understanding the challenges students face when life gets tough. The national student counselling service also offers a range of free support programmes. And sometimes, the student clinic at the Department of Psychology offers free therapy courses as well.

10. Celebrate your mistakes

As a student, you live in a kind of a suspended phase of life. No one expects you to have life figured out — that’s what this time is for. You’re not being judged too harshly. That means you now have a rare opportunity: You’re allowed to fail. As much as you want. I’d go so far as to say that it’s the best way to learn and grow. And this doesn’t just apply to your studies — it also goes for your student job, your student club, and the big, confusing adult life you’re about to step into.

So apply for the job you don’t feel qualified for yet. Say yes to the board position in the student club, even if you have no idea what should go in the minutes. Walk up to your lecturer and ask the question you’ve been stressing over for a week, wondering if it was stupid. As clichéd as it sounds, the worst thing you can get is a no. It’s tempting to put things off until you feel ready. But right now, you’re in your messy, learning-as-you-go stage — so you might as well dive in.

You can binge all the guides out there (including this one), but there’s no single right way to do this. I got a lot of this advice when I started university. It’s taken me three years to learn how to actually follow it. And I still don’t do it perfectly. So relax, throw yourself into it, make as many mistakes as you can — and slowly, you’ll start learning from them.

This article was first written in Danish and published on 19 August 2025. It has been translated into English and post-edited by Mike Young.