Degree

Your timetable

You will be given a timetable (online) which shows the days and timings for your seminars and lectures.
Don't be afraid to email your degree department to help you find your timetable and learn how to use your online academic page where your tests/exams will most likely be posted.
Are lectures and seminars compulsory?
No, but some courses have rules. For example, if you miss two seminars without a valid excuse you may get spoken to or have your place threatened.
In some courses like Medicine, you can't afford to miss the lectures because you need all the information that they teach and students are examined in some way during your practicals and seminars, etc.
People each year get kicked out of their course for bad grades. If you have bad grades and no attendance, you put yourself in a more dangerous position compared to those who do attend.
Plus, it's a good way to meet people on your course.

Outside of the timetable

Whilst the ultimate aim of going to uni is to get a degree, the rest of uni life, the societies, socials, sports, and nightlife are the best bits. You're only at Uni once, so enjoy it.
So much happens outside of your degree, so get out of your house/flat and have fun. Go to events, parties, etc, because you will regret it if you don't.
Join Facebook group chats to see if events and parties are happening.
Go explore your campus, town, or city in your first couple of weeks and learn your area. You're there for at least 3 years so knowing the ins and outs of your area will make life easier and more fun.
Most cities have bikes (Boris and NEXT bikes) that students can use for free.

Before you get reading a big article or book, google your question/topic. Sometimes putting 'bullet points' or 'summary' at the end of the question helps avoid a large wordy read (Lord of the Rings bullet point summary).
Youtube - There is always a video based on what you want to know.
fn button - Double-tap the fn button on the bottom left of your laptop to bring up dictation mode on Word. It allows you to speak what you want to type and the computer writes it for you.
Command-f - Press Command (cmd) and f at the same time. At the top of the screen, you will see a small search bar. Type a keyword into it. It highlights wherever that word appears in the text or article you are reading. Brilliant if you need to find certain info in a book (person's name).
Read Aloud - On Word, click review, then click read aloud. The computer then reads what you have written. This helps proofread as you can listen for mistakes (punctuation).

Footnoting

Every University has a different system of footnoting. Learn it.
You will 100% get marked down if you do not do it properly. Youtube is brilliant for step-by-step guides.
If very stuck go on the website 'Cite This for ME'.

Grammar

You're at Uni now. Bad grammar is a silly mistake that can get you marked down.
Paying for Grammarly or just the free version is fully worth it.
They may also have a certain font size, font type, and line spacing they want you to use.

Plagiarism

You can be given 0% if you plagiarise. Your Uni will most likely use a software called Turtin that scans the internet to see if you have plagiarised.
If you do copy/use/quote someone else's work then you must footnote or cite it.
Go on a website called Quillbot to help paraphrase if needed.

University Staff

When you start uni you will be given a Tutor. They are a member of staff (usually a Dr) and are there to help.
Make sure you use them. If they are like most they will not contact you and you will have little to non-contact with them.
However, email or meet them in person and they will help you.

Group Chats

Join your course group chats. Facebook, snap chat, Whatsapp.
If you're ever confused about when the deadline is or want to hear other people's ideas on a question, there will always be a group of people already speaking about it on the group chat.

Email people

Be brave and email specialists in the subject. For example, you want to find out about the UK voting system. Google your local MP or any politician, find their email, and politely ask them their opinion.
Looking on company websites is an easy way to find emails. Look in the contact section normally at the bottom of the site page.

Google Scholar

Don't use normal google to research because you will struggle to find proper academic work.
Go on google but search Google Scholar - then use this search engine to access reliable academic texts and filter out irrelevant ads and websites.

Mircosoft Academic

A search system like Google Scholar that is good for filtering out rubbish websites and finding good academic work.

Brodies Notes, Spark Notes

Coursera

A brilliant online resource that offers a range of learning opportunities, such as hands-on projects and courses, job-ready certificates, and degree programs.

Jstore

Scite

This website finds articles that contrast and support the articles and arguments you already have - This helps you make a balanced argument.

Connected Papers

Your degree department will tell you to buy various textbooks, academic texts, etc.
Unless they specifically state you MUST buy a certain thing, DON'T BOTHER.
There are free ways to access books and academic articles.

Access books and articles for free

University Library (access online or in-person).
Incognito mode - Click on the article/website you want. Copy the URL (in the search bar) and paste it into an incognito search tab. This can help you get past website restrictions.
SCI-HUB - Copy and Paste the URL of the article you want to read into SCI-HUB to read for free.
Zlibrary.com - access to free books.
Google Books
Open Library

Uni Libraries

Can be very boring places, yet so useful to find help and work hard.
Your uni will have multiple libraries, computer libraries, specific degree libraries, study areas etc.
Especially if you are a first-year in halls, go to the library. Getting work done is hard with all you get up to and the noise of halls. Going to the library stops those distractions and likewise helps you work your way around your uni better.