What universities have on offer:

1. Communication: from websites, to social media, emails and texts, universities are now faced to join an on-going technology drive to keep their students informed at all time. Gone are the days whereby students need to stand outside an administration office door waiting for updates on their lectures, course materials and exams, now everything is again just a click away!

2. Facilities: if you pay fees or want to subscribe to certain facilities, make sure the university has catered for what you are paying for or want to pay for. University gyms, cafeterias/food halls and computer centres tend to be large traffic areas which at times can be overused and under maintained at times.

3. Flexibility: part time, full time and correspondence study, some individuals need to be able to work and study, some institutions are completely part-time in their set-up's and others provide platforms for all types of studies. A university having the flexibility to cater for individuals in these cases are important. That coupled with making sure that course materials are properly orientated around the type of study.

4. Libraries: in many ways this is the brain trust of the university, from textbooks, to past papers and online library facilities this is the hub of the university knowledge. A good university library tends to be the backbone of a top of academic university!

5. Online: technology seems to be a big dominating factor in education and so it should be as technology goes hand in hand with knowledge. Examples of the podcasting of lectures by lecturers so that individuals have access to more information in addition to their studies is becoming increasingly popular.

6. Faculties: A faculty is a division of a university that is made up of one or more related subjects. The administration of a faculty is crucial to course and major outlines for students.

7. Lecturers: lecturers can make or break a course for an individual. There is more pressure on lecturers to provide material that is relevant to student’s future careers as well as having an open door policy for questions that students want answered.

8. Student academic support centre's adjusting to tertiary education can be a big step up for an individual - especially refocusing into a study routine. University academic support is available to help individuals not to make mistakes and help them pass their courses.

9. Student job office: having a part time job as a student is one of the most beneficial thing you can have to supplement your studies. A student job office are well positioned to help you seek employment as student.

10. Career centre's university is just the beginning of a journey into a professional life of an individual. Knowing where to proceed once you have finished or heading to end of your studies is a vital yet pivotal step forward. University career centres are gateways to graduate recruitment jobs along with pinpointing information on how to make one employable.

and finally...

Mapping a university career!

Undergrad: 3-4 years of study (qualification title usually a Bachelor’s degree)

Post Grad: Any time (following an undergrad), depending on the type of study you are doing. A postgrad can follow part time or full time studies, this also depends on which region of the world you are in.

A postgrad study basically precedes an undergrad degree (qualification title starts from a honours, then masters and finally a doctorate).

There done and dusted, university could be a walk in the park or just plain hectic. Whatever the case may be we hope that this gives you the push in the right direction. Good luck and enjoy your studies!