Top tips to prepare for the #fresher life

Today student writer Nikita gives you her top tips on preparing for life as a fresher. 

Thursday 16 August 2018.

The date marked in every A level students’ diary.

The day that would reveal whether you have gained a place at your firm or insurance university choice, or whether the process of finding a place through Clearing might begin.

Regardless of how a university place is obtained, the preparation before term starts applies to everyone.

Starting university is a big step and adjusting to the various aspects of university life can take time. Some students may adjust quicker than others but there is no right or wrong way of adapting to the new changes.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for life as a fresher which hopefully will make you feel more at ease!

Student finance

University might be the first time that you have to navigate your finances yourself and that can be a challenge especially with increasing costs of living. However, financial support is available in the form of student loans which can be used to cover tuition fees and/or maintenance costs (more information can be found here). To ensure the student loans are deposited in your bank account in time for the beginning of term, submit your application by the stated deadline.

You may also want to consider opening a student bank account which is tailored towards students such as having an interest-free overdraft and joining incentives like a free railcard.

Budgeting

Linked to student finance is the concept of budgeting. A good way to prevent overspending is to set a weekly budget for food, rent, travel, leisure/social activities etc and try to stick to it!

Also, making some lifestyle changes can help to stretch out your student loan for longer; for example learning how to cook and freezing any extras rather than eating out or ordering takeaways, taking a packed lunch rather than buying a meal deal and walking to places if possible rather than using public transport or paying for a taxi.

Moreover, getting a part-time job could be a good way of supplementing your bank balance whilst enhancing your CV at the same time.

Accommodation

Depending on the location of your university, you may need to arrange accommodation which is closer to campus or within a more commutable distance. For many students, this will be the first time living away from home which in turn brings associated responsibilities e.g. rent, bills, contents insurance, TV licence etc.

Once your accommodation has been sorted, you may want to explore the local area to find the closest supermarket, pharmacy, gym etc in addition to your route to campus whether that be via public transport, driving, cycling or walking. There are a number of handy navigation apps available, such as Waze and Citymapper, which could be useful in helping you get around.

Packing

If you are moving away from home, the joys of packing can commence! It is very easy to over pack and pack things for ‘just in case’ scenarios but bear in mind your new room will only be so big! There will be some items which won’t be necessary to pack such as a microwave or toaster if these are usually provided by the university accommodation but some essentials which definitely should not be forgotten are bedding, towels, toiletries, clothes, stationery and of course loo roll! A more comprehensive list can be found here. As I mentioned before, university is the first time for many students that they will be living independently. Therefore, personal items like photos, posters or a teddy bear could be taken to make your room feel more like home.

Connect with other freshers

Social media has become a feature of everyday life and can be a convenient way to keep updated with friends and upcoming events. Most universities have their own Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat pages which you can join and follow. This can allow you to be part of an online community even before you officially start term. There may also be specific groups or pages dedicated to clubs, societies, accommodation and degree courses which are more relevant and provide you with information regarding Fresher’s week and socials.

Last but not least, don’t panic! While the prospect of starting the next chapter in your life may seem daunting, it will also be an exciting time! There will be so many opportunities to take part in and memories to be made so try to make the most of your time at university!

A word on the writer

I’m Nikita, a fourth year undergraduate on the Pharmacology MSci course here at UCL. I’m from London and currently undertaking a Master’s project at the Centre for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. I’m a Student Ambassador and Senior Transition Mentor and these roles allow me to interact with more prospective and current students at UCL. Outside of my academic studies, I like to cook and bake, go travelling and have a keen eye for photography. I’m always open to exploring and trying out new things!