In the first year, it can do with cleaning up (3)
I believe the answer is:
sty
'it can do with cleaning up' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'in the first year' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'STY' can be found hidden inside 'first year'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sty that I've seen before include "Animal pen" , "Sore on eyelid" , "Pig pen" , "Pig house" , "See 15" .)