How To Fail Your Degree

The free tote bag, too many leaflets to carry, the fancy sandwiches – yep, it’s an open day. Often the first time you see your future university’s campus, the open or applicant days are the first time you actually feel the vibe of the university. You can take a deep breath and realise this is the place for you, or you can step off at the train station and turn straight back around. We follow Will and Romana attending one of Manchester Metropolitan University’s Applicant Days and speak to...

It’s everyone's favourite time of year, EXAMS! The number one question: does anyone actually revise properly? In our special Exams episode, Will and Romana have all the best exam and revision advice that students always give but never take; why cramming is a terrible idea but sometimes works, and Will has a touching story on how just taking one exam can change your life.

88% of students we polled have felt lonely at university – does that make you feel less alone? Whether you move 10 miles or 100 miles, every student’s experience is different. There’s a lot of pressure to have an amazing time at uni, but we’ve found it’s really normal to feel alone. Will shares his tips on how to put yourself out there and why you should focus on your flatmates first, while Romana lists her favourite online spaces to meet people. Plus, we’ve got advice from loads of...

Whether you've just started listening to podcasts for your daily permitted walk, or you've been here since Season 1, How To Fail Your Degree is a podcast to help you succeed at university, and you may need that now more than ever. Coming to you "live" from lockdown, we hear from students across the country about their experiences during this current pandemic. They'll be emotional stories, funny advice, but hopefully this will give you 20 minutes of relief from the chaos of...

Hummus pasta. Medium rare chicken. Spaghetti sandwich. Real food eaten by students… ew. From the dregs of your fridge to your boujee meals out, eating at uni is a rollercoaster of culinary emotions. Figuring out where to do your food shop, how to actually cook and some of the worst meals made by student kind - Romana and Will go through the dos and definitely don’ts of student cooking. Tasty.

For a lot of us, going to university is the first time you’re looking after yourself, so how can you be expected to eat, sleep, study and also be a responsible human who doesn’t completely sabotage the earth? In a special episode all about climate change, Will and Romana are joined by Eva from MMU’s own People and Planet society. From fast fashion to going vegan, your eco anxiety should decrease about 46% after listening to this (hopefully). Follow MMU People and Planet on Instagram If...

We've got you ready as a fresher, but what about when you're in the thick of term 2 and people won't stop talking to you in the silent study area or no ones talking to you at all? How To Fail Your Degree is back with a brand new season, with brand new hosts with a new perspective, but equal parts chaotic and helpful. We've got an episodes on loneliness, exams, and how to be a sustainable student - and look forward to a special guest discussing safety on nights out.

Sometimes, trying not to fail your degree is the easiest part of university. In the final episode of season 1, Leah and Abi, who have both struggled with mental health whilst at university, are here to bestow their wisdom on how to not let it overcome you. How things like homesickness, pressure and not eating your veggies can make uni hard and offer their personal advice on what can make your head feel better. They also hear from you, the listeners, and your experiences with all things...

It’s 8:37. It’s raining. You’re cosy in bed and the last thing you want to do is get your joggers on for a 9am lecture. Well, that is the best way to fail your degree *outro music plays* Real life lecture goers and avoiders Abi (arts course) and Leah (business course) are joined by special guest Beth (education course) to take you through all the different ways to learn at university – like how shopping during your lectures may be a bad idea and your lecturer knowing your name may be a good...

If you're worried that every single student goes to university to get drunk every night, we have the proof in Leah and Abi that some do prefer staying up til 2am eating pizza. Drinking culture at uni can be strange, but Leah and Abi are back again with advice on how to navigate it, and why you should have your cheesy chips before your tequila.

POV: Your first student loan instalment has just dropped, everywhere has sales on and you have no willpower. Managing your money at university can be harder than your actual degree, so Leah and Abi share their thrifty money saving tips and find out the most ridiculous things students have spent their loans on.

Before you can even think about your degree, you have to prepare for life in the unique world of bin rotas, passive aggressive post-its and invisible housemates. Also known as, student accommodation. Abi and Leah met whilst living in halls – in a house with 10 other people – so it’s safe to say they’ve seen it all.

Your first year at uni you meet more people than you’ll ever meet in your entire life*, so how do you decide which will be your life long pals and which you’ll remove from the group chat. Abi and Leah have very different ways of making friends (and very different success rates). Freshers week was a great time to put these skills into practise, and in this episode they’re now sharing their friendship wins and fails with you. From the girl you met on a night out to the guy you sit next to in...

Introducing How To Fail Your Degree: a podcast hosted by students about how to navigate university life and what to do and most importantly what not to do.