Freshers survival guide – Top tips for heading to university
Starting university is an exciting adventure, and we’re here to help you make the most of it. Here are our top tips to ensure you have a fantastic and smooth transition.
Tips for saving money at uni
The initial costs of books, other course-specific items and rent can be a shock, but learning to budget your money will mean a lot less stress later on.
Don’t spend your student loan all at once. It’s tempting to blow your loan all on one thing but instead, save for it bit by bit – that way you won’t be full of regrets.
Shop around for cheaper alternatives. Each supermarket offers different deals and often on well-known brands, so shop around, and look for cheaper, own-brand alternatives when there aren’t deals. Plus, farmer’s markets are great for fresh fruit and veg on a budget.
Find your free student shop
Find out if your university runs a free student shop, that way you won’t spend money on items you could get for free.
Buy second-hand textbooks. Textbooks can be expensive and there’s lots of them! The best way around this is by finding second-hand books. Have a look online – quite often students will sell their old textbooks to make some money back.
Set up an online savings account. That way you can separate your loan from the money you’re earning (if you have a job) and also give yourself a weekly allowance.
Speak to someone for advice. If you find yourself really short on money, a lot of universities will have a system in place where you can borrow a small amount from them to get you through. So speak to someone at your uni for advice.
Tips for organising your uni work
It might feel like a big jump going from sixth form or college to university; it’s only natural to miss the routine of school. Independent learning and assignment management can be hard to get the hang of at first, but creating a system that works for you can make it easier.
Plan early: Learning to plan your work early avoids unnecessary pressure later on in the term. It’s easy to say ‘I’ll do that reading tomorrow,’ but, chances are, new readings are so regular that you probably never will.
Think ahead: Prioritise readings and exercises that will help you with your assignments later on in the term.
Allow time for redrafting: It is often noticeable when a piece of work is submitted as a first draft. Taking the time to redraft ensures that the final product is polished and meets personal satisfaction.
Try your best: Some weeks are not as productive as others, so try not to stress if you don’t get everything done – your best is all you can do.
Tips for finding a balance
It’s important to find a balance between ‘work’ and ‘fun’. Obviously, the main reason you are at university is to get your degree, but it isn’t the only thing you will learn.
Give yourself time to find things you like – have fun and meet new people.
Universities offer such a wide range of societies and clubs as well as a new take on education. You’re likely to have such a variety of experiences during this time that you will learn a lot about what makes you happy.
Don’t worry if you don’t immediately gel with the people on your course or in your halls of residence. Making friends is a process; you are likely to meet so many different people at university.
Good luck, and welcome to the start of an amazing journey!