{"id":180089,"date":"2025-08-21T03:03:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T01:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/fejr-dine-fejl-og-ni-andre-ting-jeg-gerne-ville-have-vidst-da-jeg-startede-paa-studiet\/"},"modified":"2025-08-22T09:32:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T07:32:25","slug":"starting-at-the-university-of-copenhagen-heres-what-i-wish-id-known","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/starting-at-the-university-of-copenhagen-heres-what-i-wish-id-known\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting at the University of Copenhagen? Here\u2019s what I wish I\u2019d known"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. Don\u2019t let money stress you out<\/h2>\n

Welcome to life on a student budget. It\u2019s a delightful existence, where you discover just how tasty plain oats and water porridge is at the end of the month \u2014 and where pasta pesto becomes your new signature dish.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, research shows that poorer students in Denmark experience more stress<\/a>. It\u2019s a sad statistic, but with sky-high rents and inflation, it\u2019s easy to end up there \u2014 especially if you don\u2019t have a fat savings account or wealthy parents ready to fire off a quick bank transfer.<\/p>\n

This is not the time to try to save up \u2014 if you have a savings account, use it. And if things don\u2019t add up financially, and you have the option, take out a student loan. That\u2019s what they are there for. It\u2019s not a sign of failure, and the future you probably won\u2019t hold you responsible for choosing your mental well-being over your financial prudence for a limited period of time.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO: <\/strong>Save more, live more: Student budget hacks for Copenhagen<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

2. Apply for student housing<\/h2>\n

The housing market is unpredictable \u2014 and so is your roommate, unfortunately.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s great to study \u2014 especially if you actually do it<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Maybe you\u2019ve been lucky enough to find the dream flat with your best friend and think nothing can go wrong. It can.<\/p>\n

Your friend might get a partner who suddenly seems like a much more fun flatmate than you. Or your rental contract doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

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

3. Actually read the texts<\/h2>\n

This one\u2019s mostly for you (and me) \u2014 the ones who tend to take shortcuts.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll quickly discover that you can skip reading the syllabus without immediate consequences. There\u2019s no attendance registration, so the snooze<\/em> button suddenly sees a lot of action. You decide to wing it at the exam.<\/p>\n

And you can. But it\u2019s 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\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

Enjoy it. It\u2019s great to study \u2014 especially if you actually do it.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO:<\/strong> How to read a book at university<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

4. Join a student club<\/h2>\n

At university, there\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019re stressed before an exam and your dog\u2019s eaten your notes. Older students love to share stories from their time as ‘freshers’. It\u2019s a win-win.<\/p>\n

You can find clubs and associations at the student fair on your campus, or you can visit this website<\/a>, which has an overview of all the clubs at UCPH.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO:<\/strong> Eight tips for insecure new students<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

5. Think about how to structure your daily life<\/h2>\n

By now, you\u2019ve probably realised that almost everything is up to you when you start university. This includes your daily routine.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll 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\u2019ve got a lot of freedom.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

To take a wider perspective: Your studies can also be tailored to suit your needs. If you\u2019re 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 \u2014 and it\u2019s worth looking into them to choose the academic pathway that suits you.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO:<\/strong> 50 things to do before you leave Copenhagen<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

6. Try different study techniques<\/h2>\n

Maybe you\u2019re already a note-taking ninja who knows how to stay focused five hours into a marathon study session. But if not, it\u2019s a good idea to invest some time in figuring out what works for you.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only after three years of studying that I feel like I\u2019m starting to figure it out<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s worth Googling various study techniques and keeping an open mind. But here is our own guide to note-taking technique.<\/a><\/p>\n

Everyone studies differently, and you\u2019re not a failure<\/em> if someone else\u2019s method doesn\u2019t work for you. For example, I\u2019ve found I prefer handwriting my notes and reading printed texts. Others have genius note-taking systems on their laptops.<\/p>\n

And this isn\u2019t just about how to maximise your time in a library reading room. It\u2019s also about whether you thrive better there or in a caf\u00e9, whether you prefer reading before or after lectures, and so on. Find out what works for you. Try different things. And don\u2019t give up too quickly. It\u2019s only after three years of studying that I feel like I\u2019m starting to figure it out.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO:<\/strong> The dos and don’ts of the reading room<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

7. Hold off on buying textbooks<\/h2>\n

The world is expensive. Copenhagen is more expensive. And textbooks are the most expensive of all.<\/p>\n

Luckily, I\u2019ve lost count of how much I\u2019ve spent on textbooks \u2014 and of how many of them ended up just gathering dust. Instead of rushing out to buy your entire reading list the second it\u2019s released, explore your options.<\/p>\n

There are Facebook groups where people sell used books \u2014 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 \u2014 and can often be borrowed for the whole semester. Some are even available online. And sometimes, you\u2019ll find you don\u2019t need them at all.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t worry: the University Post has put together a whole guide on how to save money on textbooks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

8. Help your friends move<\/h2>\n

I know helping someone move isn\u2019t high on the list of fun weekend plans \u2014 especially not with a hangover and four flights of stairs. But it\u2019s one of the most important things you can do.<\/p>\n

You and your friends are in your early 20s, no one can afford movers, and maybe your parents now live somewhere else and aren\u2019t keen on showing up every six months. So, rely on each other. Favour for favour. You\u2019re each other\u2019s network now. That means not just meeting for beers at the Friday bar, but also showing up when things get tough. And who knows \u2014 it might actually be fun.<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 out in the middle of nowhere.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO: <\/strong>Student housing reviews: Dorms and residences in Copenhagen<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

9. Find out what support is available<\/h2>\n

As a student, you\u2019re in a phase of life where nearly everything feels unfamiliar. It\u2019s stressful, it\u2019s hard \u2014 and sometimes everything just falls apart.<\/p>\n

First of all, it\u2019s important to lean on your friends and classmates when things get tough. Talk about it \u2014 maybe they can help with notes during a hectic period. Maybe you\u2019ll realise you\u2019re not the only one struggling to keep up.
\n
\nMaybe you\u2019ll need more professional help. At the student counselling service<\/a>, you can bring up anything \u2014 whether you\u2019re 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<\/a>, who are employed solely to support students. You don\u2019t need to be religious to use their services. They\u2019re not there to preach \u2014 they simply have many years of experience understanding the challenges students face when life gets tough. The national student counselling service<\/a> also offers a range of free support programmes. And sometimes, the student clinic<\/a> at the Department of Psychology offers free therapy courses as well.<\/p>\n

10. Celebrate your mistakes<\/h2>\n

As a student, you live in a kind of a suspended phase of life. No one expects you to have life figured out \u2014 that\u2019s what this time is for. You\u2019re not being judged too harshly. That means you now have a rare opportunity: You\u2019re allowed to fail. As much as you want. I\u2019d go so far as to say that it\u2019s the best way to learn and grow. And this doesn\u2019t just apply to your studies \u2014 it also goes for your student job, your student club, and the big, confusing adult life you\u2019re about to step into.<\/p>\n

So apply for the job you don\u2019t 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\u2019ve been stressing over for a week, wondering if it was stupid. As clich\u00e9d as it sounds, the worst thing you can get is a no. It\u2019s tempting to put things off until you feel ready. But right now, you\u2019re in your messy, learning-as-you-go stage \u2014 so you might as well dive in.<\/p>\n

You can binge all the guides out there (including this one), but there\u2019s no single right way to do this. I got a lot of this advice when I started university. It\u2019s taken me three years to learn how to actually follow it. And I still don\u2019t do it perfectly. So relax, throw yourself into it, make as many mistakes as you can \u2014 and slowly, you\u2019ll start learning from them.<\/p>\n

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.<\/em>
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Here\u2019s what I wish I\u2019d known"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/","name":"University Post","description":"Independent of management","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/#\/schema\/person\/01dc6a59ff1fda55a380ff01dc1f4457","name":"Johanne Dahl Karlsen","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d4d9b5dddb77cea2ac19e3e80ebf0aadc7ed5310ede7f93de099f384be5e40cd?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d4d9b5dddb77cea2ac19e3e80ebf0aadc7ed5310ede7f93de099f384be5e40cd?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d4d9b5dddb77cea2ac19e3e80ebf0aadc7ed5310ede7f93de099f384be5e40cd?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","caption":"Johanne Dahl Karlsen"},"url":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/author\/johanne_dk\/"}]}},"advancedCustomFields":{"expression":{"term_id":18,"name":"Feature Article","slug":"feature_article","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":18,"taxonomy":"expression","description":"","parent":0,"count":1200,"filter":"raw"},"enable_comments":true,"align_content":"alignleft","feature_color":"#ef3737","article_updated":"","layout_group":[{"acf_fc_layout":"Headline","use_post_title":true,"headline":"","style":"heavy","highlighted_words":"I wish I\u2019d known","text_size":"small"},{"acf_fc_layout":"Image","image":{"ID":179751,"id":179751,"title":"DSC_3872 Johanne web","filename":"dsc_3872johanneweb.jpg","filesize":355470,"url":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb.jpg","link":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/fejr-dine-fejl-og-ni-andre-ting-jeg-gerne-ville-have-vidst-da-jeg-startede-paa-studiet\/dsc_3872-johanne-web\/","alt":"","author":"107","description":"","caption":"","name":"dsc_3872-johanne-web","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":179498,"date":"2025-08-13 08:18:12","modified":"2025-08-13 08:18:28","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":2000,"height":1352,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb-480x324.jpg","medium-width":480,"medium-height":324,"medium_large":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb-768x519.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":519,"large":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb-1280x865.jpg","large-width":1280,"large-height":865,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb-1536x1038.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1038,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb.jpg","2048x2048-width":2000,"2048x2048-height":1352,"featured-soft":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb-290x196.jpg","featured-soft-width":290,"featured-soft-height":196,"featured-hard":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb-290x180.jpg","featured-hard-width":290,"featured-hard-height":180,"narrow":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb-700x473.jpg","narrow-width":700,"narrow-height":473,"extended":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb-990x669.jpg","extended-width":990,"extended-height":669}},"style":"full","text_placement":"metadata-below","image_link_url":"","image_link_title":"","caption_prefix":"","enable_alternative_caption":false,"alternative_caption":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"Standfirst","subject":"Start of your studies","text":"Jeg ville \u00f8nske, nogen havde fortalt mig, at universitetet er mindre skemalagt, mere forvirrende og langt sjovere, end man lige skulle tro.","use_post_excerpt":true},{"acf_fc_layout":"Byline","is_author":true,"contributors":false},{"acf_fc_layout":"Content","content":"<h2>1. Don\u2019t let money stress you out<\/h2>\n<p>Welcome to life on a student budget. It\u2019s a delightful existence, where you discover just how tasty plain oats and water porridge is at the end of the month \u2014 and where pasta pesto becomes your new signature dish.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, research shows that <a href=\"https:\/\/dm.dk\/politik\/analyser\/fattige-studerende-er-mere-stressede\/\">poorer students in Denmark experience more stress<\/a>. It\u2019s a sad statistic, but with sky-high rents and inflation, it\u2019s easy to end up there \u2014 especially if you don\u2019t have a fat savings account or wealthy parents ready to fire off a quick bank transfer.<\/p>\n<p>This is not the time to try to save up \u2014 if you have a savings account, use it. And if things don\u2019t add up financially, and you have the option, take out a student loan. That\u2019s what they are there for. It\u2019s not a sign of failure, and the future you probably won\u2019t hold you responsible for choosing your mental well-being over your financial prudence for a limited period of time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO: <\/strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/save-more-live-more-student-budget-hacks-for-copenhagen\/\">Save more, live more: Student budget hacks for Copenhagen<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>2. Apply for student housing<\/h2>\n<p>The housing market is unpredictable \u2014 and so is your roommate, unfortunately.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>It\u2019s great to study \u2014 especially if you actually do it<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Maybe you\u2019ve been lucky enough to find the dream flat with your best friend and think nothing can go wrong. It can.<\/p>\n<p>Your friend might get a partner who suddenly seems like a much more fun flatmate than you. Or your rental contract doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, we have <a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/student-housing-in-copenhagen-the-guide\/\">a guide<\/a> here at the University Post. It has been a while since it was updated, but the central tenets still hold true.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Actually read the texts<\/h2>\n<p>This one\u2019s mostly for you (and me) \u2014 the ones who tend to take shortcuts.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll quickly discover that you can skip reading the syllabus without immediate consequences. There\u2019s no attendance registration, so the <em>snooze<\/em> button suddenly sees a lot of action. You decide to wing it at the exam.<\/p>\n<p>And you can. But it\u2019s 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\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy it. It\u2019s great to study \u2014 especially if you actually do it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/10-tips-on-how-to-read-a-book\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>How to read a book at university<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>4. Join a student club<\/h2>\n<p>At university, there\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019re stressed before an exam and your dog\u2019s eaten your notes. Older students love to share stories from their time as ‘freshers’. It\u2019s a win-win.<\/p>\n<p>You can find clubs and associations at the student fair on your campus, or you can visit <a href=\"https:\/\/foreninger.voresku.dk\/alle\/\">this website<\/a>, which has an overview of all the clubs at UCPH.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/eight-tips-for-insecure-new-students\/\">Eight tips for insecure new students<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>5. Think about how to structure your daily life<\/h2>\n<p>By now, you\u2019ve probably realised that almost everything is up to you when you start university. This includes your daily routine.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll 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\u2019ve got a lot of freedom.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n<p>To take a wider perspective: Your studies can also be tailored to suit your needs. If you\u2019re 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 \u2014 and it\u2019s worth looking into them to choose the academic pathway that suits you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/50-things-to-do-before-you-leave-copenhagen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>50 things to do before you leave Copenhagen<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>6. Try different study techniques<\/h2>\n<p>Maybe you\u2019re already a note-taking ninja who knows how to stay focused five hours into a marathon study session. But if not, it\u2019s a good idea to invest some time in figuring out what works for you.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>It\u2019s only after three years of studying that I feel like I\u2019m starting to figure it out<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>It\u2019s worth Googling various study techniques and keeping an open mind. But here is our own <a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/take-better-notes-five-tips-and-tricks-for-university-students\/\">guide to note-taking technique.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Everyone studies differently, and you\u2019re not a <em>failure<\/em> if someone else\u2019s method doesn\u2019t work for you. For example, I\u2019ve found I prefer handwriting my notes and reading printed texts. Others have genius note-taking systems on their laptops.<\/p>\n<p>And this isn\u2019t just about how to maximise your time in a library reading room. It\u2019s also about whether you thrive better there or in a caf\u00e9, whether you prefer reading before or after lectures, and so on. Find out what works for you. Try different things. And don\u2019t give up too quickly. It\u2019s only after three years of studying that I feel like I\u2019m starting to figure it out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/the-dos-and-donts-of-the-reading-room\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The dos and don’ts of the reading room<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>7. Hold off on buying textbooks<\/h2>\n<p>The world is expensive. Copenhagen is more expensive. And textbooks are the most expensive of all.<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, I\u2019ve lost count of how much I\u2019ve spent on textbooks \u2014 and of how many of them ended up just gathering dust. Instead of rushing out to buy your entire reading list the second it\u2019s released, explore your options.<\/p>\n<p>There are Facebook groups where people sell used books \u2014 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 \u2014 and can often be borrowed for the whole semester. Some are even available online. And sometimes, you\u2019ll find you don\u2019t need them at all.<\/p>\n<p>And don\u2019t worry: the University Post has put together a whole guide on how <a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/7-tips-for-cheaper-textbooks\/\">to save money on textbooks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Help your friends move<\/h2>\n<p>I know helping someone move isn\u2019t high on the list of fun weekend plans \u2014 especially not with a hangover and four flights of stairs. But it\u2019s one of the most important things you can do.<\/p>\n<p>You and your friends are in your early 20s, no one can afford movers, and maybe your parents now live somewhere else and aren\u2019t keen on showing up every six months. So, rely on each other. Favour for favour. You\u2019re each other\u2019s network now. That means not just meeting for beers at the Friday bar, but also showing up when things get tough. And who knows \u2014 it might actually be fun.<\/p>\n<p>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 \u2014 out in the middle of nowhere.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ ALSO: <\/strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/student-housing-reviews-dorms-and-residences-in-copenhagen\/\">Student housing reviews: Dorms and residences in Copenhagen<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>9. Find out what support is available<\/h2>\n<p>As a student, you\u2019re in a phase of life where nearly everything feels unfamiliar. It\u2019s stressful, it\u2019s hard \u2014 and sometimes everything just falls apart.<\/p>\n<p>First of all, it\u2019s important to lean on your friends and classmates when things get tough. Talk about it \u2014 maybe they can help with notes during a hectic period. Maybe you\u2019ll realise you\u2019re not the only one struggling to keep up.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"Quote","quote":"No one expects you to have life figured out \u2014 that\u2019s what this time is for.","quotee":"Johanne Dahl Karlsen","style":"extended"},{"acf_fc_layout":"Content","content":"<p>Maybe you\u2019ll need more professional help. At the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ku.dk\/studies\/student-life\/student-counselling\">student counselling service<\/a>, you can bring up anything \u2014 whether you\u2019re 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ku.dk\/studies\/student-life\/university-chaplains\">university chaplains<\/a>, who are employed solely to support students. You don\u2019t need to be religious to use their services. They\u2019re not there to preach \u2014 they simply have many years of experience understanding the challenges students face when life gets tough. The <a href=\"https:\/\/srg.dk\/english\/\">national student counselling service<\/a> also offers a range of free support programmes. And sometimes, the <a href=\"https:\/\/psy.ku.dk\/nyheder\/2024\/tilbud-om-samtaleforloeb-i-studenterklinikken\/\">student clinic<\/a> at the Department of Psychology offers free therapy courses as well.<\/p>\n<h2>10. Celebrate your mistakes<\/h2>\n<p>As a student, you live in a kind of a suspended phase of life. No one expects you to have life figured out \u2014 that\u2019s what this time is for. You\u2019re not being judged too harshly. That means you now have a rare opportunity: You\u2019re allowed to fail. As much as you want. I\u2019d go so far as to say that it\u2019s the best way to learn and grow. And this doesn\u2019t just apply to your studies \u2014 it also goes for your student job, your student club, and the big, confusing adult life you\u2019re about to step into.<\/p>\n<p>So apply for the job you don\u2019t 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\u2019ve been stressing over for a week, wondering if it was stupid. As clich\u00e9d as it sounds, the worst thing you can get is a no. It\u2019s tempting to put things off until you feel ready. But right now, you\u2019re in your messy, learning-as-you-go stage \u2014 so you might as well dive in.<\/p>\n<p>You can binge all the guides out there (including this one), but there\u2019s no single right way to do this. I got a lot of this advice when I started university. It\u2019s taken me three years to learn how to actually follow it. And I still don\u2019t do it perfectly. So relax, throw yourself into it, make as many mistakes as you can \u2014 and slowly, you\u2019ll start learning from them.<\/p>\n<p><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"ArticleEnd"},{"acf_fc_layout":"Newsletter","lang_select":"en","identifier":"Newsletter","headline":"Get an email with upcoming events and top University of Copenhagen stories","button_text":"Sign up here","class":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"OtherStories","headline":"","hand_picked_posts":false,"references":false,"category":false,"theme":false,"number_of_posts":"4","style":"default"}]},"taxonomyData":{"category":[{"term_id":3792,"name":"Student life","slug":"student-life","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":3792,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":160,"filter":"raw"}],"post_tag":[],"post_format":[],"expression":[{"term_id":18,"name":"Feature Article","slug":"feature_article","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":18,"taxonomy":"expression","description":"","parent":0,"count":1200,"filter":"raw"}],"translation_priority":[{"term_id":5468,"name":"Optional","slug":"optional-en","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5468,"taxonomy":"translation_priority","description":"","parent":0,"count":674,"filter":"raw"}]},"featured_media_url":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dsc_3872johanneweb-1280x865.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180089","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/107"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=180089"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180089\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":180323,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180089\/revisions\/180323"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=180089"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=180089"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=180089"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}