You've got your place at university sorted.
You've bought the kettle, cutlery and the duvet.
You've stalked ahem "looked up" your new housemates.
and....
You are completely and utterly terrified.
It's okay! Welcome back to my trusty Graduate's Guide (part 1 here)
and b r e a t h e
and b r e a t h e
1. Bank accounts - try and sort out your student bank account ahead of time. If you are going to a student town, the banks will be jam packed for the whole month of September and most of October. I chose Natwest as they offered the 1/3 rail fares but this was 3 years ago now, so make sure to do your homework.
2. Decorating your new room - whether you are in flats, halls or in a shared house, you will have a new room to settle in to. It will undoubtedly be quite ugly and barren when you first arrive - my room had a green, blue, orange colour scheme and the world's thinnest mattress. Once we had finished taking all my bags, boxes and suitcases out of the car, my mum suggested making the bed first as even if you don't finish unpacking everything that first day, at least you have a comfortable bed to collapse into.
As far as decor goes... bring photos, small frames, push pins and if your accommodation allows it, fairy lights. Most unis will hold 'poster' sales, where you can pick up discounted posters, which is fun to go to with your new roomies. Some places have a cork board but if they don't Poundland will normally have something suitable. I recommend printing out your timetable and sticking it on your wall (make sure you have a copy on your phone too!)
3. Bus Pass - if you are living off campus definitely find out what is available. Many unis offer a discounted rate during the first month of the winter term. However, leave getting one until you have your complete timetable and work out if it is really worth it. In my third year I only had 5 contact hours and it would have been more expensive to get a pass!
4. Don't have expectations - this might sound a little party-pooperish (not a word Spell-check? Well it should be.)but life isn't one long episode of Skins. Freshers is a bit scary. Don't panic if it isn't a big blur of clubs and house parties or that after the first week you haven't found a best friend for life. I spent the first night of Freshers chasing after the campus bar crawl, admitting failure and ending up in the kitchen of my flat with the only room mate I had managed to find before arriving, eating Danish pastries and chatting over a cup of tea. Not what I had imagined, but it became somewhat of a tradition for the second and third years.
4. Clean up after yourself and be considerate. That may sound obvious but I have experienced 1 week old raw chicken on chopping boards, towers of dirty plates and a housemate with a strange aversion to taking out the rubbish. Your mum might put up with it but most people won't. I'm not suggesting you stay awake at night scrubbin' the floors, just that you tidy up before it gets to the point that someone needs to call the Health Inspectors round!
4.5 - Edited to add this in, as my mum mentioned it and it is too important to miss out - do NOT get a house pet; goldfish, hamster, cat etc. University is a time to learn how to look after yourself, not a small furry thing. They need vaccinating, feeding and cleaning. Do you fancy cleaning up cat litter after a night out? Just trust me, a pet sounds like a good idea until you have a kitten clawing at your feet as you walk downstairs.
5. Have a walk around the campus with your parents/family/whoever has given you a lift and get familarised with your new surroundings. Find the launderette on campus if there is one, if you are off campus look around the town, find the supermarket nearby or the campus library. Take this opportunity to have a wander around with people you know and you will feel more confident about finding the building for your first seminar.
+ Oh, and don't be mean to your parents, even if they are embarrassing because, believe it or not, you're going to miss them like crazy. I know after my mum left, I was the first of my housemates to arrive and I just sat there, with all my new bits and bobs and all I wanted to do was run after their car! Don't worry, homesickness is totally normal and you will soon settle into your new home!
Well... that's it folks! The adventure is just beginning for you.
Work hard, get involved with societies, laugh, pour a Snakebite, have your first all-nighter, spend more time in a library than Matilda, experience student cuisine and.... now that would be telling!
Any advice or questions? Leave a comment below.
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