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The Science guide
We’ll help make studying Physics, Chemistry, or Biology that bit easier.
You’ve probably got a packing list as long as your arm to get set for uni. Our guide will help you narrow down the musts and separate them from the nice-to-haves as well as sharing some tips from our very own experts.
What to look out for
Essentials
To get you started, you’ll want to put these non-negotiables to the top of your list. We’ve included all the essentials you’ll need from your first day until your final year, and the best bit is they won’t cost the earth.
Laptop
First up’s a good laptop to write your lab reports, analyse data, and keep your course materials to hand.
This model’s ideal for carrying around campus since it’s compact and lightweight. Plus, it’s designed to work well with cloud storage, so you can easily back up all your docs.
Scientific calculator
You wouldn’t get far without a scientific calculator to help crunch the numbers quickly.
Check your course info to find out which models are best for your subject.
Lab notebook
Keep a pad handy for noting down observations, calculations, and results. It’ll also help you jot down deadlines and stay organised in the long run.
Cloud storage and backups
Cloud storage is a must for group projects and keeping your research safe. It’s also really handy if your group needs to edit and update docs in real time.
Nice to have
Got the essentials sorted and found yourself with some cash leftover? Here are some handy extras to help you make the most of your budget and power through your studies.
Tablet and stylus
This perfect pairing is made for annotating lecture slides and drawing diagrams as you go. It gives you a digital alternative to a notepad, helping you keep everything organised.
Portable charger
When you’re spending lots of time in the lab, a portable charger will keep your devices topped up without tying you to a plug socket.
Headphones
If you need some quiet time and just can’t find it on campus, block out the background buzz with a good pair of headphones. And look out for noise cancelling tech, it’s a gamechanger when a chatty group moves next to you.
Second screen
An extra monitor can make it much easier to work with research papers, datasets, and reports. It lets you pop them side by side, so you don’t need to keep flicking between different tabs.
Productivity tips for science courses
Staying on top of lectures, practical work, research, and report writing can feel like a juggling act. But don’t worry, we’ve got loads of ways you can manage the workload throughout your course.
Plan ahead
Coursework and exams come around before you know it. Note down all your important dates in a calendar, so you’re not overwhelmed when the deadlines start dropping.
Review little and often
Reread your notes and key concepts, so they sink in properly. That’ll save you from last-minute cramming.
Organise your notes
Add dates and titles to your notes, so it’s easy to refer to later.
Practice makes perfect
Try out practice questions, calculations, and real-world examples to build your knowledge.
Get inspired by real careers
Science courses can lead to interesting opportunities you might not expect. We’ve asked our own expert to share some helpful advice from when he was walking a similar path.
Meet Colin, Laboratory Manager for AO Recycling
I’m Colin, the Laboratory Manager at AO Recycling. My degree was mostly Polymer Science. Polymer is just a fancy name for the plastics and rubbers we use every day. Although my subject’s a little niche, when I look back, I realise it’s stood me in really good stead over the years.
After graduating, I had a few different options. I chose to join the R&D department of a large chemicals company where I spent 3 years working on flame retardants before moving to the Technical Service department for 5 years. I enjoyed both roles but preferred the customer focus in Technical. It was a big site where I made lots of friends and, most importantly, met my wife. When Technical was reduced, I was asked to become a Shift Supervisor on our production site in Bristol. This was great financially, but after 8 years of chemicals and shift work, I needed a change. So, I moved back into Technical and R&D for a company in Shropshire and spent 16 years running the plastics lab, consulting, and working on a mix of European research and small development projects. It was good fun with lots of travel, interesting tasks, and customer interactions. This ended when the company’s priorities changed.
Luckily, I almost immediately joined AO Recycling, where I’ve spent the last 6 years. In that time, I’ve set up the testing lab, developed procedures, and trained new colleagues as the business grew. I love feeling that I’m giving a little back to society by reusing plastics that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Colin's university tips
Choose your degree course carefully
Find something you’re interested in but can also give you good job prospects. Consider whether the financial investment will pay off.
Apply yourself
Uni is great fun and you’ll make friends and try new things. Enjoy every minute but also make sure you’re working hard to graduate with a good degree and skills you’ll use forever.
Make sure a degree’s right for you
There are lots of options for your next steps, including apprenticeships or working for a bit with a plan to study later. Make sure you’re doing the right thing at the right time for yourself.
If you change your mind, don’t worry
Your career path doesn’t need to follow a set direction. There might be chances to change what you’re doing or step into a specialism. Even if there’s a setback, it’s not the end of the world. Just make the most of the opportunities in front of you while you can.
