University life is great. For the first time in our lives (and possibly the last until we retire) we have loads of free time, practically no responsibilities, a banging social life and a low interest loan to keep our heads above water. Could we have it any better? These are the best times of our lives and its important to make the most out of them, but behind all the late nights and doner kebabs every single one of us came to uni for a reason and that reason was to learn.

Now when I talk about learn I dont just mean learn your degree, although obviously this is vitally important as after your years are up you have something physical to show for it (a recognised qualification and that funny hat that you throw in the air). What I mean by learn is that youre in a prime environment to grow and develop your character, skills, confidence and independence as well as your academic knowledge. Do you really want to finish university with the same mentality as you have now? These days qualifications are so easily accessible through distance learning courses and evening classes that you need more than that to succeed, you need to develop your true potential. But where do you begin?

Start as you mean to go on. Thats right, if you begin youre first day of uni with the end in mind and constantly move towards it then it will happen. If your aim is to leave with a first degree and everyday you wake up with that in mind, then your one step closer to achieving it. This is very exciting as it can be applied to every part of your life. If you begin every project, every piece of coursework, every exam, every night out down the pub with the end in mind, imagine how much you will achieve not just academically but personally. You will have the most incredible experience of your life!

Granted, this is easier said than done. It will take a lot of hard work and you will definitely have to work on your self-discipline and other important characteristics such as motivation and determinism, but this is what uni is all about, developing your character and skills as well as your academics.

The key to all of this is balance. Its not just work, work, work because if it were, you would have no social life and be constantly exhausted. Its all about striking that healthy balance of work and play. Why waste an afternoon doing nothing with your friends when you know that later that evening you and your mates are going into town for a rave? Will you really be missing much by working those extra few hours?

The great thing about living out this principle; Start as you mean to go on and begin with the end in mind, is that when it does come to play you will have the best time of your life, knowing that youve worked hard that day and that youve really deserved a pint (or eight). Enjoy!