Best Ways to Spend The Summer Before Starting Uni

1. Get a Part-Time Job!
Getting a job can be a good idea for several reasons - not just does it give you valuable work experience, but it can be an easy way to build up your savings before facing any significant expenditure (e.g. groceries, leisure money, university supplies). Either way, if you're not able to balance your studies and a part time job whilst at uni, this gives you a bit of extra money to fall back on on top of your student loan - and if you can balance both, your experience/references will make it easier to get a job in the future. Both retail and waitressing jobs tend to be popular choices for 16-21 year olds, so consider looking on sites like Indeed or Glassdoor for any openings in your local area.

2. Start Any Pre-Reading
Depending on your course, you may have some pre-reading assigned. Whilst this usually isn't essential to starting the course, it can give you a good head start on the subject material, especially if you have exams at the end of the first term. I know pre-reading was a big help to me, because although you might plan to study a lot and keep on top of your workload in your first few weeks, you'll probably get easily distracted with meeting new people and learning how to live alone - so better to start as soon as possible!

3. Make a Packing List
If you're moving away for uni, there is nothing worse than realising you've forgotten something important on your move-in day and having to rush out and buy it at an extortionate price. My tip is to start a packing list as soon as possible, and slowly add to it over the summer months as different things come into your head - make sure to remember the small things, such as clothes hangers and cutlery!

4. Meet Up With Old School Friends
Starting university can be a big step in your social life, and if you're moving out of your local area, you're unlikely to see your secondary/college friends in person until you return home later that year. Meeting up with them can be a great way to discuss your future plans, whilst also receiving a sense of closure on your previous stage of life - and it's a great chance to say (a somewhat temporary) goodbye!

5. Master Some Domestic Skills!
If you're living in halls, you're going to need to learn how to do some basic cooking - because as nice as it would be, you probably can't afford to live on takeaways every night of the week! You don't need to be the next Gordon Ramsey, but try and learn a few essential skills, such as chopping vegetables and safely cooking meats.

6. Spend Time With Your Family
Whether you get along all the time or bicker here and there, moving away from your family unit (no matter what it looks like) can be a bit jarring at first. Considering it's your last summer before living independently, try and spend as much time with your loved ones and relatives as you can - you don't know how much you'll miss them once you're gone!

Once again, I hope this was helpful! How are you planning to spend the summer before university? Any travelling plans? :smile: