"Everyone is new at the beginning – you'll find your place sooner than you think"

Starting university, moving to a new city and getting to know new people can feel both exciting and daunting. But according to Nellie, who leads the Student Union’s welcome activities, most students quickly find both friends and a sense of belonging at the Swedish Defence University.

Nellie is responsible for the Student Union’s welcome programme for new students. Ahead of the start of the autumn semester, we asked her a few questions on your behalf.

What would you like new students to know before their first weeks at the Swedish Defence University?

"I want them to feel welcome and supported. Our goal is to create a sense of community that helps students feel at home quickly and gives them the confidence to connect with both their classmates and more experienced students. We want everyone to feel that there are people they can turn to, both socially and academically."

Many students feel nervous before starting university. Is that common?

"Yes, absolutely. I think almost everyone feels a little nervous. You’re starting somewhere new, meeting new people and perhaps moving away from home for the first time. But that’s also what makes it easier to connect with others – everyone is in the same situation."

“A lot of that nervousness usually disappears within the first few days. Many students meet some of their closest friends during the welcome activities and in the first weeks of their studies.”

You moved to Stockholm to study here yourself. What was that like?

“I’m originally from Dalarna (a province in central Sweden) and moved here when I started my studies. It was exciting but also a little nerve-racking because I didn’t know what to expect – not from university life, student life or Stockholm itself. But you settle in much faster than you think. Today, everything feels very natural, and it's hard to remember what it was like before I started studying here.”

How would you describe the student community at the Swedish Defence University?

"One of the advantages of studying here is that we're a relatively small university. You quickly get to know people and start recognising familiar faces around campus and in the Officers' Mess. That makes it easy to feel like part of the university community"

“There is also a very open and supportive culture. Students help one another with everything from course-related questions to advice about student life. I think the sense of community grows stronger every year.”

If you could give one piece of advice to new students, what would it be?

“Be proactive and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Even if it seems like everyone else knows exactly what's going on, most people feel just as lost as you do at first. And remember to take care of yourself. Your studies are important, but you'll get so much more out of your time at university if you also make time for the things that make you happy and help you feel good.”

What do you hope new students will feel after their first few weeks here?

“I hope they still feel welcome, supported and excited about what's ahead. Most of all, I hope they feel that they've found their place here and that they know they don't have to figure everything out on their own.”