Congratulations, you’ve done the hard part, exam results are in, and fresher’s week is in sight, now all you have to do is move to university - which can be a daunting prospect for anyone. Living with new people, finding your way around a new city and learning how to care for your new accommodation can take some getting used to. However, there are some easy tips and tricks that can be used to help you settle into uni life quicker and allow you to start appreciating your new found independence.
Find your people
Starting university is a scary time, and if you don’t feel comfortable quickly it can start to take its toll on you. But remember, you’re not alone, and there will be a lot of other people feeling the same as you. It takes time to settle in, and one of the best things to do to help you with this is to keep busy and find people to bond with. Try joining a few societies (even if you’re not going to be a long-term member), go to freshers’ nights out, mingle in common areas both in your accommodation and at the uni like the SU or library. If you’re not really into social events or nights out, then you could try joining a study group or reach out on messaging boards to try find other students that share a particular hobby/interest. Finally, you could get a part-time job to spark some friendships and boost your income whilst you’re at it.
Make your room yours
Let’s face it, the majority of student accommodation doesn’t feel very homely. Dull carpets, mismatched furniture and whitewashed walls are what you find walking into most student houses, and even if you live in brand spanking new accommodation, you’ll still want to give your space the personal touch and make it feel more like home. So, before you go on an Ikea binge, make sure you’ve cemented a place for your beloved cosy blanket, your favourite keepsakes, photos that make you smile, and the plant from your bedroom at home (or one of them), to help make the space more personal. The environment you create can have a profound effect on your mood, and whilst you’re trying to get through student life having the familiarity of home comforts around you allow you to live in a relaxing space that you can enjoy even when those pesky deadlines hit.
Look after yourself
You may not have had to take much ownership of your physical health before if you had a parent or guardian at home that was skilled at nursing you back to full-health. So, make sure you have medicine in ready for when you catch the dreaded freshers’ flu, always stay hydrated, especially if you’ve enjoyed a night out or two, learn how to make a few healthy meals, and remember a good night’s sleep can go a long way to curing many ailments. Don’t forget to also take care of your mental health. If you feel like to need a break from socialising to recharge your batteries, then do it! Curl up in your room with your favourite tv show and have a social media detox. If you find yourself struggling, talk to someone. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to friends or family, then the university or students’ union will have a wellbeing department that want to make sure you’re ok. Make an appointment to speak to someone, this can usually be done in a variety of ways, so don’t be worried, you can choose the method that best suits you.
Manage your money
Learning how to manage your finances, and budget effectively is crucial to university life. The best thing to do is set aside money for your rent, bills, food and house/studying essentials each month, so you know how much you have for treats, takeaways, travel and whatever else you do to enjoy yourself. A good way to save money is to band together with your housemates on house essentials such as teabags, toilet roll, washing up liquid, and squash. Each month all put in an agreed amount into a kitty to buy these items. This means your fridge won’t be overflowing with 4 people’s pints of milk that are slowly going out of date, and you’ll never find yourself in a ‘no loo roll’ situation. Take advantage of student discounts in your areas, many shops, restaurants, gyms, and hairdressers/barbers will offer deals so keep your eye out and remember any money you have left over each month doesn’t have to be spent!
Explore your local area
I’m sure you’ve probably already found the important things like the closest pub and cheapest take-away that delivers at 3am, so you’re now ready to start exploring further afield. Take a walk around your neighbourhood to get a general idea of your surroundings, and from there find your local supermarket, post box and where to catch the bus to get to Uni. We would also advise finding the most convenient doctors and get yourself registered there just in case you get a bad bout of freshers’ flu. Then explore your new city or town further and see what it has to offer. For example, here in Bath now that you’re a resident, you can take advantage of the free Bath Discovery Card giving you discounted entry into many of Bath’s main attractions.
Create your routine
It’s easy to get swept up in your new independent lifestyle, and whilst going on nights out and having fun with new friends is an important part of the uni experience, there’s also the annoying inconvenience of your course that can’t be forgotten about. Create a schedule so you’ll be ready for lectures and leave yourself enough time for researching and writing assignments. On the other end of the scale, make sure you are allowing time to have fun. Whilst studying may be the main reason you’re at university, enjoying yourself is also an important aspect of it, and will mean you can get back to hitting the books hard, once you’ve let yourself re-charge. Going to bed and getting up at a similar time and making sure you eat multiple meals each day will go along way to making you feel ready for anything.
Everyone will settle in at university at their own pace, you may slip straight into feeling comfortable, or it make take you a little longer than you feel it’s taking the people around you - either way is ok. The first term will always be difficult as you’re most likely living in a new place, your first time away from home, surrounded by new faces, and all whilst trying to get through your coursework that may be harder than you were expecting. But once you’ve settled down, you may find the second term easier. Our biggest recommendation is to give yourself time, it’s a big change, try not make any rash decisions, and take advantage of the support systems around you to help with this transition period.
