Nobody has it figured out

Why Uni Life Is Messy (and That’s Okay)

The Big Uni Expectations vs. Reality

When you first start university, you sort of expect it to be this magical moment: you’ll show up to campus, find your best friends instantly, get into an amazing study flow, and somehow know exactly what you want to do with your life. 

But the reality? You’re cycling to class in the rain, your bike chain falls off, I once even walked into the wrong lecture hall, and then realised I forgot to bring a pen. Meanwhile, everyone else looks like they’ve got it all together. Spoiler: they don’t. 

Everyone’s Just Pretending

Here’s the thing: nobody actually knows what they’re doing. Some people are just better at pretending. That guy in your tutorial who talks like he’s already a future professor? He’s probably re-reading the same textbook paragraph ten times at home. That girl who seems perfectly organized with her planner and sticky notes? She cried over her laundry card last week because the machine ate her money. 

Uni is full of people winging it. Some will switch their studies. Some will join ten different associations and then not show up to half of them. And some will survive mostly on Albert Heijn instant noodles. We’re all improvising. 

Actual Tips If You’re Struggling

Okay, jokes aside, here’s some stuff that genuinely helps if you feel like you’re drowning: 

• Find your crew: Talk to people in class, go to borrels, join a student association or sports club. It feels scary at first, but everyone’s secretly looking for friends too. 
• Use the help that’s there: Hanze has student advisors, mentors, and even free mental health services. Don’t wait until you’re completely burned out to reach out. You are never a burden if you ask for help. 
• Keep your routines small: You don’t need a 5 a.m. gym schedule. Just try things like “do groceries once a week” or “clean my room before it becomes a biohazard.” Tiny structure = less chaos. 
• Budget a little: Yeah, DUO money feels like free cash, but it runs out faster than you think. Track your spending (If you need tips, we have a whole article on this).  
• Don’t compare: Instagram is fake. Your classmate posting aesthetic study pics is also eating stroopwafels for dinner and crying over Brightspace deadlines. 

The Freedom of Not Knowing

Here is the upside: not having a set plan means you can actually try stuff. Don’t like your study program? You can switch. Always wanted to try theatre, rowing, or debating? Join a club, for example ACLO or USVA. Want to study abroad for a semester? Go for it. 

Uni is one of the only times in life where experimenting is normal and even encouraged. Nobody’s going to judge you for figuring things out. 

Mental Health Is Key

It’s super easy to get caught in the “work hard, party harder” mindset and forget about your mental health. But here’s the thing: you can’t do well in classes or enjoy student life if you’re constantly exhausted or stressed. And even if this is hard to accept at first you should take breaks. Talk to people. Go for a walk along the canals. Sleep.  

And if you’re struggling for real, talk to a professional. Hanze offers free counseling, student well-being workshops, and academic advisors who can help you plan your studies or talk through challenges. You can find more info on the Hanze Student Support page or ask your mentor to point you in the right direction. It's not weak, it’s smart. 

Celebrate the Tiny Wins

Uni is overwhelming if you only focus on the “big picture.” Instead, celebrate the small victories: 

• Found the right building on time? Success. 
• Cooked a meal that wasn’t just tosti or noodles? Chef status. 
• Made it through a boring lecture without scrolling TikTok? Gold medal. 
• Did laundry before you ran out of socks? Absolute legend. 

Those small wins matter more than you think. They build up your confidence bit by bit. To keep them going reward yourself a bit, get your favorite coffee before class or order that one clothing item you have had your eye on for the past month.  

Final Thoughts

Starting University is basically like being dropped into a game without a tutorial. You’ll press the wrong buttons, make some questionable choices, and maybe fail a side quest or two. But that’s part of the whole deal. 

Nobody expects you to have your life figured out at 18, 19, or 20. You’re here to learn, not just about your study, but especially about yourself. So don’t stress if you feel lost. Honestly, most of us are. 

Take it one day at a time, laugh at the chaos when you can, and remind yourself: it’s perfectly fine to not have it all sorted. That’s what makes student life… well, student life.