If you’ve already been to university, you’ll fondly recall it as one of the best times of your life. But one thing we are willing to wager is that many former graduates wished they had been given proper tips before starting university.
University is an entirely different experience compared to school. Nobody can force you to do anything, what you wish to do and be involved in is up to you.
In essence, you should be aiming to find a fine balance between your academic and social life, to ensure you get a good degree but also have the best time possible!
Preparing for university isn’t very difficult or demanding as you will see! All it requires is some basic planning and knowing what to expect. Here are our best tips for starting university:
#1: Manage your student finances
A lot of people starting university will receive a student loan. For some, getting a loan injected into their accounts will be very exciting.
It may be tempting to spend it all on freshers week, but don’t! Budget it out to last the entire semester.
Budgeting requires discipline. That means putting a lot of trust in yourself.
If you don’t have complete faith in your ability not to spend all your money there is no need to worry, it is just about finding ways to not do so.
First of all, you could give the loan to a family member, such as a parent, to look after the money and give it to you in a monthly deposit.
This way you have a guaranteed stream of income. This can be helpful in preventing you from not making the loan stretch!
If you decide to manage your money yourself, set a budget and stick to it.
Equally, it is always worth looking into a student bank account which can provide an interest-free overdraft.
▶️Read: Money-saving tips for university students
#2: Prepare yourself before arriving
Arriving at university fully prepared can make you feel more excited and boost your confidence.
- Get in touch with the people you are going to be living with through social media. You’ll feel much more at ease getting to know them a bit beforehand.
- Bring some pre-cooked frozen meals. During freshers week you may not have time to cook proper meals.
- Read some of the course materials from your reading list. Getting a headstart with your uni work can be a big confidence booster.
- Bring a pack of cards and fancy dress, you never know when they could come in handy!
#3. Be self-confident
Starting university can be a big shock, particularly if you have been living at home your whole life.
In fact, 89.9% of people who attended university last year came from state schools. So for many, it may well be for a huge number of people the first long stretch away from home.
Even those who went to boarding school are in the same boat as you. University is a new experience for everyone!
The truth is there is absolutely no reason to be worried in the slightest.
Confidence is key in life. Many people think they lack it but by biting the bullet and trying something new or introducing yourself to someone you can realise how easy it is.
You can be in charge of how involved you are with anything at university, so try and push yourself to be involved in that little bit extra.
It is good for your mental health to be out-and-about, feeling as involved as much as possible.
Join a society, it is a brilliant and effective way of being part of a large social scene at university:
One important aspect of joining a society is not to join too many! If you do it’ll be difficult to commit fully to all of them timewise and financially as some require a bit of money for meals, drinking or trips!
Instead join one or two, that you ACTUALLY have a proper interest in. This way you will meet like-minded people and have the most fun!
There are so many different types. If you enjoy football, go for the football society. If you consider yourself a connoisseur of wine, join the wine society. Or if you are on your year abroad from, for example, Scandinavia, there will be a Scandinavian society. It is that simple!
Be careful with drinking! There is a big difference between being confident and a clown! So during freshers week and beyond make sure you know your limit on a night out!
Consider this one of the most important tips for starting university!
Everyone likes to be the life of a party, and you can be. It is about no overdoing it.
Just remember, particularly at university, that a reputation can take a minute to make and a lifetime to break (and vice-versa).
▶️Read: How to Enjoy University Life
Photo by Isabella Mendes from Pexels
#4: Start building your employability skills in your first year
This may be a suggestion that will cause an eye roll, or a thought in your head saying “but the need to get a job is over three years away!”.
True, but many university students are making the mistake of looking towards getting a job too late.
Start thinking about your career path, and tailoring your skills to approach that over the course of your first year of university.
Attend freshers fairs and career events
You may also meet recruiters who will be on the hunt for motivated and keen university students, so be prepared!
Organise work experience
Use your summer holiday period wisely! Take every opportunity to boost your CV before you leave university.
Not sure how to approach this? Check out our other posts on the Graduate Coach Blog, containing tips on interviews, CV improvement and exciting job sectors to examine.
The Student Book written by Founder, Chris Davies is essential reading to help you to prepare for the life of work after university.
#5. The smaller but essential tips for starting university!
The following guidance is worth noting as all of the below will undoubtedly arise not long after you start!
Be aware of the following:
Freshers
Do NOT buy the fresher’s wristband: They cost more than it would to just buy the ticket for the relevant night you are planning on going to.
Unless you plan on going out literally every night during freshers this will save money!
Managing your stress levels
Don’t stress: Anyone who has been to university will tell you there is literally no point getting stressed and overworked in your first year.
It is designed to give you an idea of how the academic structure at university will work, and how to utilise the resources available to you.
Putting unnecessary pressure on yourself is pointless and unproductive.
Plan your accommodation for the second year in advance
Planning a house for your second year: One aspect of student life is that you’re going to meet a lot of people. Try very hard not to commit to a house in your first or second week when you have just met people.
You’ll know who your best friends are a month or two in, it is fine to be choosey!
If you plan a house early on then realise you don’t in fact like somebody in the setup, you’ll cause drama, so plan carefully!
Be sensible with your money
Be money savvy: aside from our money-saving tips article we linked in part one of this post, we encourage you to remember not to blow all your money in freshers!
Buy a drink for a friend or flatmate certainly, there is no need though to spend all your money on rounds or taxis for people you may never see or speak to again!
Unpack fully as soon as you arrive
Unpack when you arrive. Some people arrive at university and have such a great time, it ends up taking them a month to furnish their room!
Unpacking can make your room more homely and settling for you and other people. Do it as soon as you arrive, then it’s done!
Check your emails regularly
Emails: Make sure you constantly check your university email when you arrive. There will be essential course material as well as important information, dates and welcoming tips.
Food prep
Bring some pre-prepped food, but make sure you have some basic idea of how to function in a kitchen! Learn to cook a few of your favourite meals before arriving at university.
If this means practising at home a bit before you begin, or buying some good cookbooks, then do it!
Photo by Buro Millennial from Pexels
University is going to be great, just go feeling prepared to give yourself the best possible start!
If you feel these tips for starting university could benefit anyone you know, please share this post with them!
Written by Archie Everad
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