How to manage life independently for the first time was the topic for girls in Year 13 and Year 11 at a talk run by the University of Manchester.
Maddie Foster - herself a recent modern languages graduate from Manchester - explained how best to navigate the many challenges facing new students coming up to university for the first time.
The talk covered issues such as cost of living, accommodation, managing workload and also how to make strong friendships by getting involved with clubs and societies and sporting activities.
Maddie also introduced the university's impressive online system which contains recordings of lectures and other course materials and allows all students to submit assessments electronically.
The event followed an intensive session on study skills, helping with memory and other techniques that can support revision for GCSE or A level examinations.
Year 13 student Isabel Atlay said: "I thought the talk was a really interesting insight into the huge range of things it is possible to get involved with at university - the diversity really is amazing."