Starting University can be daunting and on that first day, you might feel overwhelmed or uncertain of what you should be doing. That is completely normal.
So we’ve compiled a few top tips to get you through that first week.
Moving in
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Set up your bed as soon as you arrive – this means you can take a rest when you get tired of unpacking and introducing yourself to lots of people.
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Make your room homier by adding your own personal touch, but make sure you check your tenancy agreement or ask your landlord for the rules on decorating your place so it doesn’t affect your deposit at the end of the year.
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Get your computer set up so you can put some music on – people will hear it and talking about favourite songs and bands is always an ice breaker!
Finding out more about your university
Finding out more about your Students’ Union
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Check the Students’ Union Website for everything you need to know on our Freshers' Hub including events, advice and which clubs and societies are available to you.
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Learn about your Sabbatical Officers and what they are doing to help champion students:
President
Daniella Marley
VP Activities
Mitch Laughton
VP Education
Tonari Arikekpar
VP Wellbeing & Diversity
Joshua Borokinni
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Talk to our SU Advice Centre for free, independent advice about anything you need help with, from money, to housing, to academic issues, the team here are a wealth of knowledge and will do what they can to support you.
Socialising
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Be open-minded about the people you socialise with, even those you don't think you will get along with - you never know which connections might turn into lifelong friendships! The clubs and societies you join and the experiences on offer will also help push you outside of your comfort zone and you'll find you have a lot more fun as a result! Check out our list of groups to find the one (or two, or more!) for you.
Budgeting
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Draw up a budget for the first few weeks. In those first few days you will probably be feeling quite flush, but suddenly having money of your own coupled with the thrill of starting or returning to university could spell disaster. Make sure you stick to your budget - many new students spend too much on clothes or new tech, which means they don't have much cash left over for other activities and essentials at the end of the month or further on in the year. You will find planning ahead will help you in the long term! Find out more information on how to budget here.
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Our independent SU Advice Centre is here for you. If you need to talk about your financial situation, need support with extra funding, or anything else related to your budget our team can help.
Food
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It’s also worth buying a selection of store cupboard essentials like salt, pepper, herbs, spices, cuppa soups, and other dried foods you use on a regular basis.
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Try to keep some tins of beans, tomatoes, soup and similar foods in case you run out of everything else.
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Cook more than you need and freeze some for another day – it’s often more cost-effective and less time consuming to cook in bulk
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If your home is quite close to your university, and you're worried about your standard of cooking, you could ask a family member or friend to cook something, then store it in a suitable container(s) and freeze back at uni. You can then defrost it when you feel you need a decent, wholesome meal!
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Doing your grocery shopping online will help you save both time and money. You are more likely to just buy what you need and are subsequently less likely to buy every item or special offer that catches your eye. The delivery cost is usually quite reasonable these days, and you can always order with another roommate if you are concerned about the cost. You will be surprised at the amount of money you will save.
Staying safe
Don’t forget...
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Remember to take things like pens and your notebook/diary with you- it'll help you to keep track of what you've signed up for, and you’ll be able to jot down email addresses, websites and any other useful information.
Need some support? Contact your SU Advice Centre here