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The Uni-Verse: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving University
A complete, unadulterated, unfiltered handbook to university, with all the trimmings.
Have the pre-university jitters got you down? Stressing out about what you need to pack? (hint: a door stop) Still confused about the difference between a tutorial and a seminar? Want to make sure you don’t poison yourself the first time you cook?
From dressing as a jellyfish using only bubble-wrap and tape, to setting his microwave on fire with a single piece of toast, Jack Edwards has done it all, and now he’s imparting his wisdom on other potential freshers.
Jack will help calm all your worries, arming you with the tools you need to tackle uni and make the most out of the three years. This book will cover everything you need to know before you head off including sections on making lecture notes and understanding the grading system (why are you suddenly so happy when you get 60%?), making friends and finding people to live with, and even how to do laundry and pay bills.
Filled with helpful tips and tricks, real advice and fun anecdotes, this is the perfect book to turn to whenever university feels a tad overwhelming and you just wish you were back home.
Have the pre-university jitters got you down? Stressing out about what you need to pack? (hint: a door stop) Still confused about the difference between a tutorial and a seminar? Want to make sure you don’t poison yourself the first time you cook?
From dressing as a jellyfish using only bubble-wrap and tape, to setting his microwave on fire with a single piece of toast, Jack Edwards has done it all, and now he’s imparting his wisdom on other potential freshers.
Jack will help calm all your worries, arming you with the tools you need to tackle uni and make the most out of the three years. This book will cover everything you need to know before you head off including sections on making lecture notes and understanding the grading system (why are you suddenly so happy when you get 60%?), making friends and finding people to live with, and even how to do laundry and pay bills.
Filled with helpful tips and tricks, real advice and fun anecdotes, this is the perfect book to turn to whenever university feels a tad overwhelming and you just wish you were back home.
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 28, 2020
93 people are currently reading
9753 people want to read
About the author
Jack Edwards
1 book294k followersJack Edwards is the internet's resident librarian, reviewing books on BookTok, Bookstagram, BookTube and.... Book-Goodreads....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
January 26, 2022
i really liked it ! the advices given were so useful and the tone wasn't obnoxious ... unlike most self-help/personal development books ; so that was super refreshing and agreeable ! can't recommend it more
August 13, 2020
Of course I always knew that this would be an amazing read, but I never could have estimated just how truly beautifully it was written. Whether you're a fresher, a-level student, currently at uni, or stressfully anticipating your gcse results that come out in one week just like me, this book is truly the read for you. The puns will bring a smile to your face, even if it feels like ofqual have drained all hope from you, the advice will make you feel like you can conquer the world, and the personal, warm-hearted tone in which the book is written just makes it feel like Jack is right there giving you the advice. This book is your very own university guardian angel in paper form, and I can't wait to be able to read it many more times again in years to come!
June 18, 2020
giving this 5 stars just because of the person who gave it only 1 star B)
April 15, 2020
I respect you more than anyone else,,, you have motivated me in a lot of different ways, of course towards a positive field,, I want to tell you that your work starting from your YouTube videos is impressive. Thanks for being such a hardworking guy,, stay blessed
June 2, 2021
I read this in 24hrs & enjoyed it! ☺️ I’m now much more looking forward to the Uni life, & excited to get to it. Some useful tips that I will be marking down for later.
Want to read
March 22, 2024Jack Edwards wrote a book about tackling university? I need to read this
August 25, 2020
3.5*
I love Jack as a creator but this book just wasn't for me. I'm sure it will help a lot of people but if you've already done some research for university or you grew up with having at least some chores around the house, then there's not much to learn here. And even though I usually like Jack's humour, the jokes got old really fast. I'm sorry!
It's also mostly helpful for people studying in the UK, which makes sense but just be aware of that.
I really liked the life and wellbeing chapters of the book. These two were the ones that saved it all for me.
I love Jack as a creator but this book just wasn't for me. I'm sure it will help a lot of people but if you've already done some research for university or you grew up with having at least some chores around the house, then there's not much to learn here. And even though I usually like Jack's humour, the jokes got old really fast. I'm sorry!
It's also mostly helpful for people studying in the UK, which makes sense but just be aware of that.
I really liked the life and wellbeing chapters of the book. These two were the ones that saved it all for me.
August 9, 2020
EVERY UNIVERSITY STUDENT NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK
Where do I start? I got this book at 3 pm today and didn't put it down until I finished it just this second. IT IS SUCH A GOOD BOOK. Not only where there un-pun-evably hilarious puns (I tried to do the puns justice but failed. Read the book if you want to cackle at some of the best one-liners I've ever seen - my favourite has to be the horoscope ones but all are laugh out loud worthy) but a mammoth amount of information concisely written to not overwhelm the over-thinkers like myself.
The book is an easy read not only because it is organised into perfect bitesize sections but because it was written by Jack - a university student - making it all the more relatable as he knows exactly what to say to put our minds at ease about the qualms of university.
I did start putting tabs in the book for the useful sections but I quickly realised every single section was so informative and useful.
Jack Edwards has amazingly compiled all the university doubts us prospective or current students have and been able to present us with a brilliantly perfect guide. Not only is it full of wit but touches beautifully on diversity and mental health at university - giving a voice to two things that need to be discussed a lot more.
I cannot recommend a book more (and that's coming from an English Literature student)! Go and get a copy and you'll see why I read it in one sitting. I'm glad Jack ignored his biology teacher.
Where do I start? I got this book at 3 pm today and didn't put it down until I finished it just this second. IT IS SUCH A GOOD BOOK. Not only where there un-pun-evably hilarious puns (I tried to do the puns justice but failed. Read the book if you want to cackle at some of the best one-liners I've ever seen - my favourite has to be the horoscope ones but all are laugh out loud worthy) but a mammoth amount of information concisely written to not overwhelm the over-thinkers like myself.
The book is an easy read not only because it is organised into perfect bitesize sections but because it was written by Jack - a university student - making it all the more relatable as he knows exactly what to say to put our minds at ease about the qualms of university.
I did start putting tabs in the book for the useful sections but I quickly realised every single section was so informative and useful.
Jack Edwards has amazingly compiled all the university doubts us prospective or current students have and been able to present us with a brilliantly perfect guide. Not only is it full of wit but touches beautifully on diversity and mental health at university - giving a voice to two things that need to be discussed a lot more.
I cannot recommend a book more (and that's coming from an English Literature student)! Go and get a copy and you'll see why I read it in one sitting. I'm glad Jack ignored his biology teacher.
April 16, 2022
I like and very much enjoy Jack's content, but this book was not for me. The chapters about organising how to study or research and imposter syndrome stood out. The rest was just there.
August 16, 2022
Jack's humor carried this whole book. Though I must say that some of the jokes were quite debatable but I digress, I still enjoyed reading them anyway. I just wished that there was a section dedicated to time management and study routines because that's what I expected to see in this type of literature. Maybe, instead of adding 10+ pages of cooking tutorials (which are very useful if it was easy to grasp and visualize), the author could've used the space to discuss dating life, patriarchal privileges, and the toxic educational system, especially since he's residing in Europe (meaning, the essays cannot cater the standard uni life in another side of the world. So like me, they may have read this guide to learn the customs in the UK). I hope he focused more on that because it would be very helpful. Also, the acknowledgment part made me tear up a little (and by little, I mean sobbed like a baby). Nevertheless, I still look forward to his future releases!
March 29, 2022
I just finished Jack´s book and I can guarantee three things; 1) I am still struggling to say the book title without misspelling some words. 2) I loved the way the book was written, it was easy for a non-English speaking person and also fun. 3) This survival will work for you, only if you are European, okay some tips can help any student at all especially when he said about doing things you will thank your future self later, but a lot of things work better with you have pounds in your pocket instead of real, or if you live in the university campus not in Guarulhos lol. I may be sounding a little grampy right? Don't get me wrong I love Jack and I watch all of his videos, he´s a huge inspiration to me so these 3 starts are directed to the book and how it's from my university perspective not to my love for this funny, intelligent and British boy.
November 8, 2020
I wish this book was out before I started university. I am now in my second year but lots of the book is still very useful even now (especially the new drinking game ideas)! The only faults I have with this book are that I wish there was more information on how to get on top of reading and lecture preparation. The other one is the order that the book is in, I don't understand the order at all. I wish it were more chronological; such as student finance and the stuff you need to know before university at the beginning and then speak about Freshers and leave the dissertation help for towards the end. Other than that a great book!
August 6, 2020
I adored this!
As someone who is generally quite anxious about the unknown and also (hopefully) starting university this year, this was just what I needed! This ultimate survival guide really packs in everything you need to know, all the way from writing your personal statement to the final year dissertation.
Jack's fantastic personality really shines through the pages and his iconic puns make the book enjoyable to read. I really loved every word of this and I am so proud of the author for creating this.
I'd truly recommend this to anyone and I am so grateful to have access to it at this time in my life.
As someone who is generally quite anxious about the unknown and also (hopefully) starting university this year, this was just what I needed! This ultimate survival guide really packs in everything you need to know, all the way from writing your personal statement to the final year dissertation.
Jack's fantastic personality really shines through the pages and his iconic puns make the book enjoyable to read. I really loved every word of this and I am so proud of the author for creating this.
I'd truly recommend this to anyone and I am so grateful to have access to it at this time in my life.
January 11, 2021
en 4h, on apprend tout sur l’université, de comment écrire un personal statement à cuire des œufs correctement en passant par les society les plus étranges haha. J’ai adoré ce livre rempli d’anecdotes et d’idées de jeux à faire en soirée. Petit guide parfait pour relativiser sur l’uni et bien rigoler :))
August 26, 2021
This is literally Jack Edwards' whole YouTube packed into a book. It was so informative and honest and had amazing tips and tricks on adulting stuff that you wouldn't even realise would be an issue to handle like reading meters and stuff. Loved the mini shoutouts to other great studytubers it felt very much like a big collab but on Jack Edwards' channel haha. Was a very nice, easy to follow read.
November 3, 2020
I have absolutely no plans to go to uni, I just like Jack Edwards lol.
Also, when he started talking about the different societies, the shrek society... the danny devito society... the meme society... the ikea appreciation society… I’m screaming. People are so strange and I love it.
Also, when he started talking about the different societies, the shrek society... the danny devito society... the meme society... the ikea appreciation society… I’m screaming. People are so strange and I love it.
June 23, 2020
Its got rickets
April 13, 2022
people pay for this lmao
September 28, 2021
Let me start off by saying that for the most part, I didn't actually need this book.
However, this is more of a point that speaks for me rather than against the work because at the moment I'm pretty good at surviving.
Nevertheless I really enjoyed reading it, always with the Jack Edwards voice at the back of my head.
Considering that the absolute basics but also deeper topics are covered, the amount of chapters you'll actually need certainly won't be the same for everyone though. Speaking of inclusion, I think he did a great job on putting in the diversity chapter.
I especially enjoyed the mental health chapter.
To conclude, I think it's worth a read before you go to university :)
However, this is more of a point that speaks for me rather than against the work because at the moment I'm pretty good at surviving.
Nevertheless I really enjoyed reading it, always with the Jack Edwards voice at the back of my head.
Considering that the absolute basics but also deeper topics are covered, the amount of chapters you'll actually need certainly won't be the same for everyone though. Speaking of inclusion, I think he did a great job on putting in the diversity chapter.
I especially enjoyed the mental health chapter.
To conclude, I think it's worth a read before you go to university :)
July 24, 2022
3,5⭐️
So, given that I am already almost in the second year of my master's degree at a German university, I am not really the target group of this book. Rather not even close. But I am a fan of Jack's and was interested in his book, and it actually was a really nice trip down memory lane to my own year at an English university. It's always very interesting for me how different university life is in the UK compared to Germany and the book was a nice reminder. 3,5⭐️ because it made me positively sentimental about my year abroad but also contained a lot of information that I already had. But I can imagine that this book could be helpful for UK freshers!
So, given that I am already almost in the second year of my master's degree at a German university, I am not really the target group of this book. Rather not even close. But I am a fan of Jack's and was interested in his book, and it actually was a really nice trip down memory lane to my own year at an English university. It's always very interesting for me how different university life is in the UK compared to Germany and the book was a nice reminder. 3,5⭐️ because it made me positively sentimental about my year abroad but also contained a lot of information that I already had. But I can imagine that this book could be helpful for UK freshers!
August 4, 2021
I really did not want to mark this book so low but I thought he was just a bit forceful with some of his ideas that I did not agree. These ideas of his had also nothing to do with the Uni experience. To add one of the last bits of the book about imposters syndrome I thought was stupid. If you struggle with imposters syndrome do not read that as it is as useful as a chocolate fire guard.
But on a lighter note some of the book was a 10 out of 10 and I loved it.
But I do hope that Jack writes another book and I hope I can give it a five.
But on a lighter note some of the book was a 10 out of 10 and I loved it.
But I do hope that Jack writes another book and I hope I can give it a five.
January 30, 2022
I wish I read this book when I applied to university myself. Surely, it does not give you that many of groundbreaking thoughts, but it does give you a sense of understanding of what university life is all about. Plus Jack’s humour is top notch - I laughed sooo much I can’t even count.
July 3, 2023
this made me so so excited to start uni this fall!!
April 16, 2024
Loved this!!
September 12, 2021
I regularly watch Jack's Youtube channel, so I was very excited to get into this. This book was released at the perfect time for me - I'm currently in the final stages of early UCAS application and uni is something that is very much on my mind. Reading this just made me feel that little bit calmer about my future and what to expect from uni, although with the state of the world at the moment, who knows what the hell is going to happen in the next academic year?!
This book is brilliantly written, it's engaging and it's full of golden nuggets of information that I'm going to desperately need. I have tabbed this book to within an inch of its life, and I will definitely be revisiting it over the coming months and years.
Even though I appreciated the basic survival tips and the A level revision tips (those will be coming in useful way too soon!), I especially appreciated and loved the sections on diversity, wellbeing and dealing with rejection. I won't lie - a few tears were shed when I was reading the dealing with rejection section and the imposter syndrome section, as a lot of that stuff hits very close to home.
Even though I still think I need to do a lot of research into university/medical school, and actually choose which ones I'm applying to, I feel slightly more at ease now I've read this.
EDIT 12/9/21: Perfect to reread just before uni starts, and it felt so good to be able to skip the sections on applying for uni!
This book is brilliantly written, it's engaging and it's full of golden nuggets of information that I'm going to desperately need. I have tabbed this book to within an inch of its life, and I will definitely be revisiting it over the coming months and years.
Even though I appreciated the basic survival tips and the A level revision tips (those will be coming in useful way too soon!), I especially appreciated and loved the sections on diversity, wellbeing and dealing with rejection. I won't lie - a few tears were shed when I was reading the dealing with rejection section and the imposter syndrome section, as a lot of that stuff hits very close to home.
Even though I still think I need to do a lot of research into university/medical school, and actually choose which ones I'm applying to, I feel slightly more at ease now I've read this.
EDIT 12/9/21: Perfect to reread just before uni starts, and it felt so good to be able to skip the sections on applying for uni!
August 11, 2020
Absolutely a university essential! No matter what university your going too. If the YouTube channel didn’t sell you the jack Edward’s lifestyle the book sure will. It gives loads of handy tricks, recipes and apps that will probably be really useful to most students for cooking, cleaning and paying bills ect. Some parts are a bit PG for being a university guide and sometimes when talking about jobs it isn’t talked about as a necessity which I think is a bit unrealistic. It’s a really well thought out guide but some tips you’ve got to take with a pinch of salt as certain events talked about are likely to be only for Durham or the more elite (Russel group) unis. Really good read overall.
March 6, 2022
3.5
Firstly, I listened to this on audiobook read aloud by Jack himself and that was definitely the way to go!
I assumed going into this that it would be more about the academics of uni and writing essays and what-not, but it was actually more targeted toward helping those moving into their dorms and tips on how to not die, lol. Because of this, most of the sections didn’t apply to me (doing uni online). Despite this, it was just like more YouTube Jack content (which I’ll never say no to) and it was all incredibly entertaining and well thought out! Would’ve loved more tips to do with assignments though :)
Firstly, I listened to this on audiobook read aloud by Jack himself and that was definitely the way to go!
I assumed going into this that it would be more about the academics of uni and writing essays and what-not, but it was actually more targeted toward helping those moving into their dorms and tips on how to not die, lol. Because of this, most of the sections didn’t apply to me (doing uni online). Despite this, it was just like more YouTube Jack content (which I’ll never say no to) and it was all incredibly entertaining and well thought out! Would’ve loved more tips to do with assignments though :)
February 12, 2024
Shouldn't book about university be more uni-versal? (Pun very much intended)
Most of it feels unrelated to uni for example there are tips for living on your own (even few cooking recipes) also... it's very targeted to British audience (which I am most definitely not).
Still this book managed to take some stress of my shoulders and help me with treating university less seriously because of the jokes (BUT SHOULD A GUIDE RELY ON JOKES? - NOT REALLY, MAN)
Probably will come back to this in some time to FINISH THIS BOOK (OFF) - or not. But really it is not a book for everyone (as a whole); it has some pages for one and some for another...
Most of it feels unrelated to uni for example there are tips for living on your own (even few cooking recipes) also... it's very targeted to British audience (which I am most definitely not).
Still this book managed to take some stress of my shoulders and help me with treating university less seriously because of the jokes (BUT SHOULD A GUIDE RELY ON JOKES? - NOT REALLY, MAN)
Probably will come back to this in some time to FINISH THIS BOOK (OFF) - or not. But really it is not a book for everyone (as a whole); it has some pages for one and some for another...
February 20, 2024
"Bachelor of arts. Or in my opinion, a long term investment into having a personality."
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Boken är fullproppad av tips för studenter i Storbritannien, men vissa tips är hjälpsamma även för en svensk student. Jack Edwards tipsar bland annat om sökstrategier inför uppsatsskrivande och beskriver känslan av imposter syndrome, två saker jag tar med mig. Rolig läsning ändå.
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Boken är fullproppad av tips för studenter i Storbritannien, men vissa tips är hjälpsamma även för en svensk student. Jack Edwards tipsar bland annat om sökstrategier inför uppsatsskrivande och beskriver känslan av imposter syndrome, två saker jag tar med mig. Rolig läsning ändå.
July 17, 2022
i think this would have been much more useful if i’d have read it cover to cover when i bought it (before i started uni) instead of 2 years later. however. it was a good read. i’ve come out with a few new recipes, dissertation ideas & just had a good nosey into other people’s lives. i loved the diversity and wellness chapters - what turned it from a 3 star to a 4
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews