I remember my feelings before starting university so well. I had got in. But what now? I had focused so much of my energy on results day, that I had forgotten that I could actually go to university come September/October.
So results day came and went, and I was willing to exhaust every piece of advice I could get my hands on. I asked people, googled relentlessly and watched countless YouTube videos. Basically, I was hungry for anything that could make such a huge transition that little bit easier.
So here are some tips from somebody approaching their third (and final - eek) year at university. They may seem small, but trust me, they come in handy.
Bring...
Tea Towels... don't put them all in the kitchen on day one. They will get filthy and you will be grateful later one, trust me!
Slippers... floors are often covered with a sticky concoction of alcohol and God knows what else, cover those feet.
Shower Container... if you're not one of the lucky ones with an ensuite, have a container like this. It means you don't have to juggle all of your toiletries up the corridor in a towel and they're all in one, neatly arranged spot.
Extension Lead... there are never enough plugs in student halls (okay, this is not gospel but others have confirmed also).
Some items to make the room feel like your own... photos, a few fairy lights, a reed diffuser etc. University rooms can be fairly impersonal places, but a few touches here and there can help it feel like your own. You can see my first-year room here.
Try and...
Give New Things a Try... join new societies, meet people you haven't before, explore a different part of the city. I know the jump to university is daunting but go all-in, I promise you will get more out of it.
Share Cooking... This may not work for everyone, but it really helped me. My diet was so poor at the beginning of the year, coming home tired from lectures meant I didn't want to cook and just wanted to crash instead. So, sharing with a friend meant I was responsible for someone else's meals and, therefore, had to cook something pretty decent.
Do...
Register with the local GP... you never know what will hit you at uni. You're probably eating worse, drinking more and sleeping less. Register, just in case the lurgy catches up with you and you need a trip! It's always better to be safe, than sorry - especially when you're probably leaving home for the first time.
Join facebook/social media groups... this can be daunting, but it is lovely to connect with some people on your course or in your halls before you go. It meant that I was already aware of some people when I met them and had talked to them on facebook, which made the transition that little bit easier.
Stick up for what you believe in... peer pressure can still be a thing in university, I'm afraid. If there's anything you don't want to do, you don't have to provide a reason for not doing it. The sole fact that you don't want to is more than enough! So stick to your guns - don't want to drink, do drugs, or maybe even just miss a night out because you're exhausted? That's 100% okay.
Keep your bedroom door open... I know personal space is key, but letting people know they're welcome to come and have a chat is so useful when making new friends. Bring some communal snacks (I brought a box of chocolates) to help put people at ease and build a more collective atmosphere.
Get a railcard... I got one free with my student account at Santander, but honestly - it will be worth it in the long run with all of the going back and forth.
Don't...
Go Overboard with Kitchen Supplies for First-Year... most of it will get lost, borrowed, dirtied and possibly even broken. Please don't buy too much and spend a tonne, it really won't be worth it.
Get caught up in the housing rush... everyone will be trying to find a house ASAP and this isn't always the best way. Don't get caught up in it and take time to find people you're comfortable with.
Splash out on books straightaway... books are expensive and often, preliminary reading isn't even touched upon. See if you can access it on the library or online, and then decide if you want to splash out. I recommend buying second hand onplaces like amazon, or asking students in the year above if they have old copies.
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