Scared that my anxiety will make university very hard

I move into my accommodation on the 7th September so in about 3 weeks time and i'm looking forward to it, I've already got to know my flatmates through social media which makes the moving and settling in process easier. However I have bad anxiety that affects my day to day life especially socializing so i'm scared that my anxiety is going to cripple me and i'll end up staying in my room all the time. What do people suggest I do to make settling into university life easier without my anxiety crippling me?

I'm in the same position as you, moving into accommodation in September for Uni but dead nervous can already feel the anxiety building up. What I have been doing is talking to the people at my university for 1 to 1 counselling as that really helps, and if you know there is something you can fall back on when things don't go well in the day because of the anxiety. I would say, when you get there try your best to talk to people and if not talk to the people that come up to you as they have done the hard part of interacting first and only if you back away the others think you want to be left alone so act social and maybe you'll get used to the life there. Maybe you can join societies or meet new people in freshers week. Remember if things don't go well, you have apps like headspace and meditation to fall back on.
I hope you make amazing friends at uni and your anxiety does not affect your life!

I move into my accommodation on the 7th September so in about 3 weeks time and i'm looking forward to it, I've already got to know my flatmates through social media which makes the moving and settling in process easier. However I have bad anxiety that affects my day to day life especially socializing so i'm scared that my anxiety is going to cripple me and i'll end up staying in my room all the time. What do people suggest I do to make settling into university life easier without my anxiety crippling me?

It will make it more difficult but it might also do you some good. One thing I wish I did was just let my tutors know i'd rather not do public speaking, there's nothing worse than that 1 in 10 lecturers who wants people to get involved and asks random questions, to be honest you can get away with saying Im not sure and they'll move on... 9/10 lecturers just expect you to sit there and never pick on people. and the chances of them picking you is very low esp if u dont make eye contact lol. I wouldn't come out to your house mates and say you had anxiety, unfortunately I witnessed someone do this and people were gossiping about her and talking about her anxiety, if she hadn't mentioned it shed had just been known as a bit quiet and reserved

Figure out what type of events are likely to be most/least difficult for you. Make an effort to go to the 'easier' ones, then you'll likely not feel as bad about it if you can't get to something else. Remember, you don't have to turn up to everything and go out every time you're asked to.

Once you get to know your flatmates, you might find that they are similar or understanding - if they are not, then look out for friends elsewhere.

Do try to go to societies' fairs etc, or if you can't, then at least sign up to mailing lists of the societies you're interested in - this will give you a chance to hear about events specific to your interests (which might be quieter/smaller than nights out etc) and most society committees will be really welcoming even if you don't go every time - and if you're feeling anxious, you can often ask if a committee member could meet you before the event so that you don't have to walk into a room of strangers if that's something that worries you. If the small talk aspect of socialising is daunting, look for opportunities that are more task-focused (e.g. volunteering, courses such as first aid or sign language, etc) where you might make friends 'by accident' without the initial pressure of what to say/do.

If attending lectures/seminars is a possible problem, speak to the disability service early on as they can provide support for you (I wish I hadn't waited until the end of 2nd year to do this!)

There's lots of support if you make yourself known to the uni wellbeing services you can also apply for disabled students allowance if you have medical evidence of your anxiety - this allows you to access further support in terms of equipment and a specialist mentor

When you say medical evidence, what do you mean? what counts as evidence?

You would need a diagnosis of anxiety and a letter from your GP as evidence, they have to do it this way to stop the disability system being abused (people saying they have things when they dont, not that im saying you are doing that at all)
Sometimes you have to pay for a GP letter (around £20) but all the ones i have seen are quite happy to just print off your records and then you take this to the disability office, the staff there will do most of the hard work for you in terms of applying for DSA

I didn't know you were referring to DSA, my parents have helped me apply for that already, thanks for clarifying that for me though. Also I was thinking of getting a Macbook as i'll need one to run the software for my assignments, will DSA be able to help me pay for one as you mentioned equipment.

Ah my bad, sorry
You will be able to get some towards it (however much they would give you for a DSA laptop - i believe this is around £500 but am not sure) but you will have to pay the shortfall.
@claireestelle is probably the best person to ask about dsa laptops

Ok thanks for your help 😁

If you live in England then you have to pay £200 towards it and then the supplier would give you a basic laptop, you d have to pay a fair bit on top then to upgrade it.