The transition from college to university can be a daunting thought for everyone. The safety net of home is gone, your mum won\u2019t be there to separate your washing, or lend you a tenner at the last minute for a night out – even if it is 3 for 2 on shots. To help you settle into flying solo, here are\u00a0some important things every first year should know about life at uni.<\/p>\n
Now, don\u2019t get me wrong; of course Freshers’ is a great opportunity to meet all kinds of new people and have interesting and different experiences. However, you don\u2019t have to talk to every single person within a 15 metre radius. Freshers’ week is not the be all and end all of your social standing, you will meet people all throughout the year on your course and on campus. Remember that everyone is in the same boat and the majority of first year students don’t know anyone to begin with either.<\/p>\n
Packing is most likely going to be a stressful event. It is important to remember that not everything is a necessity. Try not to fill the boot of your parent\u2019s car to such a capacity that one wrong turn could end in your cutlery set flying down the M1. Be minimalistic, only take the basics (i.e. towels, crockery, toiletries – if anything just to avoid potential humiliation) and leave the luxuries until when you get to university.<\/p>\n
A sense of freedom can be all too desirable for many teenagers. However, it is important not to forget about your parents. There probably will come a time where things are getting a bit too much and all you want is a cuddle from mother dearest. Whilst it\u2019s important to be independent at university, don\u2019t forget who has spent past 18 years running around after you.<\/p>\n
TIP:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0Maybe you could plan something nice to do with your parents before you officially leave the nest – this should cure any anxieties about leaving home.<\/p>\n When your parents leave you at university for the first time, it is natural to feel lost – the world can be an unnerving place and with all these new people, new surroundings and new responsibilities (by the way what even is tax credit?!), at some point you may want to curl up into a ball and ignore all important tasks that need doing. However, your flatmates are probably the first people you will meet and you will be living with them for the next year, so it is vital not to isolate yourself off. First impressions are important so keep your door open, stick on some music and offer up a cuppa\u2019 (or a tequila shot – whatever the preference).<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be fooled, however strong you think your immune system is you will eventually get struck down with Fresher\u2019s Flu. It is all too real and inevitable. Binge drinking and sharing numerous bodily fluids with people you hardly know is a right of passage for every first year, it is also a recipe for disaster.\u00a0As soon as possible, register with a local GP just in case any mishaps do occur. This also avoids the embarrassing predicament of leaning over a toilet with a two-day hangover feeling sorry for yourself while simultaneously Googling symptoms and diagnosing yourself with a rare form of lymphoma.<\/p>\n University is a fresh start, a chance to reinvent yourself. Away from home, friends and family. It is therefore important you take full advantage of your new found freedom and say \u2018YES\u2019 to all the chances that come your way. (Well maybe don\u2019t say \u2018yes\u2019 to everything – anything that\u2019s morally compromising may be a no-go).\u00a0As much fun as getting drunk on a daily basis can be and kebabs being a prime staple to your diet without your mother there to tell you otherwise, it is important to not forget what you\u2019re there for in the first place.<\/p>\n Your parents’ generosity will only extend so far, and as tempting as it may be, you can\u2019t sponge off them forever. It\u2019s also wise not to rely on your student loan carrying you through the year – trust me, it will only stretch so far.\u00a0If you\u2019re lucky, your university may give you a scholarship or provide bursaries. However\u00a0(unfortunately), this is not the case for many students. Finding a part time job can be difficult, especially when topped off with the struggle of balancing work hours with uni too. Some of the best jobs to get are in bars and call centres (especially if you live in a bigger city), they\u2019re usually always looking for staff and they have flexible hours that can work around your busy schedule.<\/p>\n Take time out to travel around your new home. This is a brand new place that you\u2019re going to be staying in – see what it has to offer. Is there any unique architecture? Find out if there are any galleries, where are the best restaurants, bars, cafes? And most importantly – do they offer student discount?<\/p>\n Sign up for everything that takes your fancy. University is probably the best opportunity you will get to try new and obscure things you probably would never have given a thought to otherwise – ever think about trying lacrosse? Well now\u2019s your chance.\u00a0Try and sign up for at least one of the smaller societies too – they tend to value each member a little bit more, this way you may get more benefits.<\/p>\n The cost of living can be expensive to tackle this, a good idea would be to share the cost of the basics (bread, milk, pasta\u2026) with your flatmates. This should save quite a few pennies.\u00a0Rotas are a good way to monitor this.<\/p>\n Not only would it be very expensive to buy every single book on your reading list, it\u2019s also pointless. Many of the books on your reading lists will be available to loan out from the library. You can also check websites to see if there are cheaper second hand copies, or people from the years above may be able to lend you their copy.\u00a0You usually only need the majority of the books on the reading list for a week then they\u2019re thrown into the abyss of other papers never to be seen again – don\u2019t waste your money.<\/p>\n Student life is an expensive one, therefore many luxuries have to be put on hold. Freshers’ week is prime time to take as many free things as you possibly can. You may not see the need in another free pencil, but take it anyway! It may be useful eventually.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t matter whether you feel too tired from the night before to go to another event – go anyway! Freshers’ Week is the place to be to meet new people and have the time of your life.\u00a0Also, be sure to go to the non-drinking events too. They\u2019re also a good way to meet new people and have a laugh at the previous night’s stories. Plus, sober events allow you to make a long lasting, good impression of yourself rather than being so hammered that you end up hugging everyone within reaching distance and telling them how much you love them.<\/p>\n Uni halls aren\u2019t known for being the most desirable living spaces on the planet. They can often be very dull. You should try as much as possible to decorate and make your living space to make it comfortable.\u00a0Posters, throws and photo frames are always good choices to brighten up any room!<\/p>\n As much fun as it is, damaging your liver to catastrophic levels and living off Ramen noodles for weeks on end can take it\u2019s toll. It\u2019s probably a good idea to make an effort to exercise regularly and eat healthy foods as much as you can.\u00a0Even though you\u2019re having the time of your life at university, it\u2019s important not to neglect your physical and mental well-being.<\/p>\n As painstaking as it is, you should definitely get your admin done early. Opening a student bank account often has numerous benefits such as railcards, nus discounts\u2026 the list goes on.\u00a0A student bank account is a financially sensible option, too. Remember to do your research and see which bank offers the best services to suit you.<\/p>\n No one wants to be that person who got far too drunk and ends up humiliating themselves beyond redemption. Being so out of it that you can barely remember your own name is never a quality that people look for in others.\u00a0Be wise and know your limits. And at least try and retain some sense of inhibition.<\/p>\n University is the place to be to get up to all sorts of different antics. Fancy dress is a staple for every student, first year or not. Where else are you going to be able to dress up as the smurfs and neck jager bombs like there\u2019s no tomorrow.<\/p>\n Try and be as outgoing as possible, get involved in different social circles. This way you make the most of your uni experience.\u00a0Talk to lots of different people. Ask about different things – this is where opportunities lie.<\/p>\n Yes, as cringey and cliche a statement as it is, there is honestly no better advice than to just be yourself. There really is no need to try and impress others. You will find people who you share common interests with and love you for you. University is a big place, full of all sorts of different people, you will definitely find people you get along with.\u00a0Enjoy your own university experience.<\/p>\n The transition from college to university can be a daunting thought for everyone. The safety net of home is gone, your mum won\u2019t be there to separate your washing, or lend you a tenner at the last minute for a night out – even if it is 3 for 2 on shots. To help you…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19551,"featured_media":115836,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true},"categories":[1798],"tags":[8221,8122,8056,7921,8057],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-78778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-freshers","tag-first-yea-students","tag-first-year","tag-uni","tag-uni-life","tag-university"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n4. It’s important to socialise with your flatmates.<\/h3>\n
5. Get registered to a local medical centre.<\/h3>\n
6. Take all the opportunities you can.<\/h3>\n
7. Consider getting\u00a0a job.<\/h3>\n
8. Explore.<\/h3>\n
9. Join societies.<\/h3>\n
\n<\/h6>\n
10. Share the cost of essentials with your flatmates.<\/h3>\n
11. You don\u2019t need to buy all the books on your reading list.<\/h3>\n
12. Take advantage of freebies.<\/h3>\n
13. Go to as many things in Freshers’ Week as possible.<\/h3>\n
14. You need<\/em> to decorate your room.<\/h3>\n
15. Try and be somewhat healthy\/active.<\/h3>\n
16. A\u00a0student bank account is necessary.<\/h3>\n
17. Try to avoid getting too drunk.<\/h3>\n
18. Fancy dress is a must.<\/h3>\n
19. Being shy gets you nowhere!<\/h3>\n
20. Be yourself.<\/h3>\n
Have any other advice for first year students at uni? Share in the comments!<\/h2>\n
Featured image source: mic.com<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"