What to expect when you start college: Everything you need to know

Starting college can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. If you’re wondering what to expect during your first few days at college, we’ve compiled the essential information to help you get off to a flying start.

What happens at the start of college?

In order to start a course with Capital City College Group (CCCG), you’ll need to enrol in person between 22 August and 31 August. You can find out about enrolment at CCCG here.

If you’re aged 16-18, you’ll need to bring proof of your qualifications such as results slips and proof of residency. For students aged 19 and over, you’ll need to bring proof of qualifications, proof of residency and proof of employment status or income.

What to expect on your first day at college?

Your first day at college will vary depending on your college and your course – but all students will have an induction day to help them ease into college life. 

During your induction day, you’ll find out more about your college and your course. You’ll also meet your teachers and other students and have some time to become more familiar with your college centre and its facilities. There will also be a range of activities for you to take part in that will help you settle into college life.

What do I need to take to college?

In addition to the documents you’ll need for enrolment, there are a few items that will come in handy as you start college. You can read our guide to the books, stationery, and equipment you may need here.

Some students prefer to use one notebook for everything, while others use an array of highlighters and colour-coded folders. However you like to organise your studies, make sure you give yourself time to get the equipment you need for your course. Remember that CCCG offers bursaries to support students with costs related to their studies.

What should I wear to college?

This might be the first time in your academic career that you’re not required to wear a specific uniform. It can feel like quite a big change and you may need some help working out what to wear to college. CCCG doesn’t have a dress code and it’s up to you what you wear, so long as it’s appropriate for college and your course.

Dressing for college is a great opportunity to express yourself, but remember to consider how you’ll be spending your day. Try to prioritise comfort and find an outfit that will work for your study environment. 

CCCG provides overalls, lab coats and tabards for students in Construction, Engineering, Science, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy courses and some A Levels. However, it’s wise not to wear your most delicate or precious fashion items during more practical classes.

How is college different from school?

If you’re transitioning from school to college, you’ll notice that there are some big differences in how things work. You’ll be expected to be more independent and take greater responsibility for your learning. This includes planning your study schedule and making sure you get your assignments completed on time.

There won’t be a bell to signal the start and the end of lessons so you’ll need to make sure you’re in the right place at the right time. Once you’ve got your timetable, try to find where your lessons will take place so you can find your way there more easily. Also, at college, you’ll call teachers by their first names rather than using their surnames, which might feel strange at first. It’s all part of being part of a Further Education environment and having the opportunity to learn and grow with a broader range of educators.

Our college term dates tend to differ from school term dates. The start of the term for the Academic Year 2024/25 is Monday 2 September. You can find out about CCCG’s term dates for the coming academic year here.

If you’re joining City and Islington College’s (CANDI) Sixth Form College, you may want to learn more about how Sixth Form Colleges differ from schools.

Our top tips for settling in

Make time to meet new people

You might be joining a college with a bunch of classmates from school, or you may be branching out and flying solo. Either way, starting at a new college is a great opportunity to meet new friends – so make time to get to know the people around you. Whether it’s walking to the bus stop together or getting together to work on an assignment, investing time and energy in new connections is a great way to make the most of your college experience.

Explore your new surroundings

Take some time in your first few days to explore your new college centre and make sure you know where your classrooms or relevant study facilities are. Our colleges have a range of centres, each offering students a different learning environment. You can go for a wander and explore the college with people from your course or ask existing students and teachers for help.

As you explore, make a mental note of places where you can:

• Get support with your studies or wellbeing
• Sit and study quietly or chat with friends
• Relax and decompress
• Grab a snack and a drink

Don’t feel pressured to know where everything is right away, there’s plenty of time to find your way around – and you’ll be surprised how quickly your new college starts to feel more familiar.

Join a club, society or sports team

Taking part in extracurricular activities can help you connect with your college community in meaningful ways. Joining clubs, societies or sports teams can boost your skills and bring about new friendships. 

At CCCG, the list of clubs and societies on offer across the three colleges includes anime, arts and crafts, board games, circus skills, debating, Duke of Edinburgh awards, dungeons and dragons, sociology in action, street dance, student-led podcasts or newspapers and many more.

Each college also has a range of friendly and inclusive teams allowing students to take part in sports such as athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, Esports, football, FUTSAL, netball, table tennis and volleyball.

Whether you stick to what you know or branch out with exciting new activities, try not to take on too much at once and pick a few things that you can really enjoy.

Take care of yourself

Embarking on a new course in a new environment can be tiring. You may also be socialising more and your days might be longer than they used to be. Amid all the excitement of new beginnings, it can be easy to forget the essentials. 

Remember to:

• Eat and drink well to keep your body healthy.
• Get plenty of sleep and rest so that you can keep your energy levels up.
• Keep moving and do whatever exercise you enjoy.
• Make time for self-care and remember to disconnect from social media when you need to relax.

At CCCG, providing student support is a top priority and each college has its own specialised mental health and wellbeing team.

Whether you’re transitioning from GCSEs to A Levels or beginning a course in a brand new subject area, starting at a new college can be a great experience! We hope you enjoy this new adventure and, if there’s anything you need to know, don’t be afraid to ask our friendly college support staff or your teachers. You can also get in touch with the relevant teams using our comprehensive college contacts page.

If you haven’t yet decided what to do this coming academic year, take a look at our excellent range of courses and enrol today!

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