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Modern WisdomModern Wisdom

How To Survive University

Jonny & Yusef join me again as we relive our best & worst moments at university. Discover how you can complete a degree without going bankrupt, getting a police record or having a mental breakdown. If you've never been to university, then you might enjoy hearing that it's not quite the doss around of Netflix and chronic masturbation that you hear in the news. And if you HAVE been to university, then reminisce fondly or cringe your way through your memories. Expect to learn why you should go to Hadrian's Wall and wear a condom while you're there, what you can do to avoid becoming a basic bitch and how Evernote will safe your life. Further Reading: Evernote: https://www.evernote.com/referral/Registration.action?sig=a51c13796a1906976e4d676cbcc756e7836bf4767d9d76e822ed017352c3df86&uid=62953055 (with referral) Anton Kreil on School Teachers: https://youtu.be/hzFl0uDwAQY - Video editing & production by Dean Hindmarch https://www.deanhindmarch.com/ https://www.instagram.com/deanhindmarch - Listen to all episodes online. Search "Modern Wisdom" on any Podcast App or click here: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/modern-wisdom/id1347973549 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0XrOqvxlqQI6bmdYHuIVnr?si=iUpczE97SJqe1kNdYBipnw Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/modern-wisdom - I want to hear from you!! Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Email: modernwisdompodcast@gmail.com

Chris WilliamsonhostJonnyguestYusefguest
Oct 14, 20181h 37mWatch on YouTube ↗

At a glance

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Survive Uni: Party Hard, Study Smart, Lift Weights, Avoid Regret

  1. Chris Williamson and guests Johnny and Yusuf share brutally honest, experience-based advice on how to navigate university life without wasting the opportunity. They argue first year should be used to explore widely, party hard, meet lots of people, and make mistakes—while still doing the minimum needed to pass. From there, they stress building simple systems for studying, using tools like Evernote/Drive, and treating uni as an expensive investment that demands some structure. They also dig into relationships, sex, fitness, finances, and family, repeatedly returning to the theme of maximizing long‑term growth and minimizing post‑uni regret.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Use first year to explore widely, not to chase high grades.

They argue you only need to pass (e.g., 40%) in year one; the priority should be experiencing new people, activities, and environments so you don’t hit second or third year feeling you “missed out” and start partying when it actually counts academically.

Combat Parkinson’s Law with small, daily study habits and clear systems.

Work expands to fill the time allowed, so instead of cramming, they recommend 30–60 minutes of focused work per day, keeping on top of lectures, and using tools like Evernote/Google Drive plus structured note‑taking and regular recall rather than endless re‑reading.

Avoid locking yourself into relationships too early or out of fear.

Going to uni with a partner—or jumping into a corridor romance in week one—often limits social exploration and adds anxiety; they advise staying single at least initially, and if you are in a relationship, ending it quickly once you know it’s not right instead of clinging for comfort.

Prioritize safe sex and normalize sexual ‘failures’ to avoid spirals.

They strongly push buying and keeping condoms handy, getting STI tests in relationships, and understanding that erectile issues—especially when drunk—are common and usually psychological; laughing it off and depersonalizing it prevents long‑term anxiety loops.

Start lifting or doing sport early; your 18–25 body is a unique asset.

They see this age window as “free steroids”: building muscle now creates a life‑long physique base, higher maintenance calories, and more confidence; they advise consistent training (or joining a sport/CrossFit box), mild surpluses rather than “dirty bulks,” and using simple tools like slow cookers for cheap, decent food.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

Your grades in first year do not matter. If you get 40%, that is all that matters.

Chris Williamson

Uni is the epitome of Parkinson’s Law—you take as long as you allocate to the task.

Yusuf

Hampering that first year of your life at university with a relationship is like arriving not having enrolled on your course.

Johnny

It is normal for you not to be able to get it up when you’re pissed. The problem is you don’t know how common it is.

Chris Williamson

Between 18 and 25, there is no excuse for you not to be in good shape—you are a walking ball of steroids.

Yusuf

Freshers’ Week and early social dynamics (approval, overwhelm, tribalism)Studying strategies, Parkinson’s Law, and academic systems (Evernote, routines)Relationships at university: long‑distance, early relationships, and breakupsSex, condoms, STIs, and performance anxiety/erectile issuesFitness and physique at uni: training, sport, and long‑term benefitsFinances, student debt, part‑time work, and entrepreneurshipLiving arrangements, flatmate choice, cleanliness, and dealing with parents

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