Uni advice
Reply 1
Keep your door open.
Reply 2
Hi @iz.grace ,
I thought I'd just give you some of my best advice about starting University!
Accommodation:
I would try and spend as much time in the kitchen or other social areas of your flat as you feel comfortable with in the first couple of weeks. This allows you to get to know the people you will be living with better and spending time with them allows you to become better friends with them. Try and make sure you at least eat your meals in there as this is when lots of people will probably be around so you will see lots of people.
I would also bring things from home to make your room feel more homely and more like your own. I brought photos of friends and family which was nice to have up and also things like cushions and blankets just to make your room feel more like it would at home. You won't be allowed candles and some accommodation don't allow fairy lights but if they do then these are nice to have too.
Also, I would try and unpack as much of your stuff as you can on the first day. This will make it feel more like your room straight away rather than having lots of boxes around which will make it feel more stressful. Don't spend all your time in your room unpacking on the first day but try and do as much as you can as I found this helped with homesickness as the last thing you want is to feel homesick and still have to unpack all of your things.
What to bring:
You can find good packing lists online which state what things are good to pack. This one is a good one:
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I would make sure you bring hangers as you will need these to hang your clothes up but this is something you might forget to bring.
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Also, make sure you bring medicines like paracetamol etc as if you do feel ill the last thing you want is to not have any medicines in your flat so these are good to have in.
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I would bring a pack of cards too! Other people may have them but these are always a great thing to have as you will use them for pres and it's good if someone has them on the first night.
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As for things for your kitchen, I would think about what meals you are likely to make and then see what utensils you might need. E.g. would you ever use a potato masher because if not there is no point bringing one. You are better off brining less stuff as you can always go out and buy them rather than having lots of things you never use. I would also try and bring coloured cutlery and plates as everyone always has the same ones which get mixed up and lost so it's good to have ones that you know are your own and won't get mixed up with anyone else's!
Budgeting:
For budgeting, I would recommend finding out how much loan you will get and from this you can work out what your budget will be.You can then see how much you will have after you have paid your rent and from this you can allocate some for food, any fees you might need like gym, societies etc and then see how much you have left over for other things such as going out or shopping. I would recommend trying to set this budget before you come to uni so you don't spend all of your money in freshers week, however it's likely the budget will change when you start to see how much you need on things like food shopping as it may be more or less than you originally thought.
Making friends:
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Join a society! You will likely have heard this, but it really is a good way of making friends and meeting new people. It's also good to just get you out of your flat doing something you enjoy doing and the socials are really fun too. I recommend going to the freshers society fair and see if you like the look of any and if you do then sign up for trial sessions so you know if you like it before you commit to it.
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Make sure you go to your lectures and seminars and talk to new people there! Try and talk to lots of people in your classes and you will meet people that you get on with. Everyone will be friendly and trying to make friends in freshers week so just go for it and talk to people.
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Try and say yes to as much as you can! It's a good way of meeting people and making friends, especially during freshers week.
I hope some of this helps and good luck at university!
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
Reply 3
Hi @iz.grace
I have just completed my first year, so here is some advice I would like to share on each of your queries. 😊
Accommodation
Choosing the right accommodation is an important step, as it's a place your going to be calling home for a year. Here are some points you may wish to consider:
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Shared bathroom vs en-suite
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Amount of flatmates
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Size of bedroom
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Parking
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Cost
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Distance from campus
Budgeting
I recommend creating a budget plan before attending university. Once you find out how much your student finance will be, work out your weekly or monthly spending available (make sure to take your rent into account). You should break down this spending into categories, such food, leisure, essentials etc, and make sure to leave enough to enjoy yourself too!
Once you have moved to university, I highly recommend getting a part-time job. This will increase the size of your budget and reduce financial stress. It's also an excellent opportunity to gain work experience and meet some great people. You could take a look on job sites, such as Indeed, before going to university in order to get an understanding of the jobs available in the area.
Making friends
You can begin making friends before even stepping foot on campus! Many universities set up Facebook groups for each school within the university. This is an excellent chance to communicate with your future peers.
Once your on campus, I recommend attending activities at freshers week. This groups together loads of new students in one place and everyone is in the same boat. At freshers week take the chance to get to know the people there and you may be surprised how many friends you can make!
I believe the best way to make friends at university is societies! Everyone is there to socialise and you all have a shared interest, so it's such a welcoming environment. I highly recommend getting involved and you also may make a few new hobbies/interests along the way.
There are many other ways to make friends, like classes, jobs, flatmates, so don't be worried about meeting people.
What to bring
Many accommodations provide a list of essential items to bring, however if this isn't available I recommend using the UCAS list of essentials to bring. I used this list myself last year as a basic guideline of what to buy and I thought it was fantastic!
I hope this helps, please feel free to ask me any questions,
-Sophia (Business and Management, First Year)
Reply 4
Hi there,
This is a great question! It definitely helps to receive advice from other students who have already gone through it. I'd recommend looking on your university's website to see if they have a 'chat to a student' feature, as this can be really useful for finding specific advice for your university.
For accommodation, it's really important to create a space where you feel comfortable and productive. Bring items to decorate your room that will make it feel like home, and unpack fairly quickly to make it a space that you enjoy being in after a long day of classes and studying. In addition to this, while the first day is a great time to start unpacking, it is also the best time to introduce yourself to those living around you. Take the time to socialize and get to know people - it might also help if you bring your favourite snack to share!
It can be really hard figuring out what to bring, creating a list, and packing it all up. Luckily, there are so many fantastic university checklists out there, including these ones from UCAS and Prospects. You may not need everything on these lists, and will absolutely have different needs, but these are a good base to work from. I'd also recommend using the summer to figure out what you use the most, and also taking this time to purchase any essentials you will need.
Budgeting can be tough, and there are so many ways you can do it. There are likely templates and blogs about how to budget at university, so I'd recommend taking a look at those. Personally, I create an Excel spreadsheet for each academic year, and layout my income and outgoing. It's really simple, but it helps me monitor how much I spend in a month and where I can improve.
My biggest piece of advice for making friends is to put yourself out there. It might be uncomfortable and nerve-wracking (I felt this!) but it can be so, so worth it. I made lifelong friends by putting myself out there on the first day, and I am so grateful that I did. Also, remember that small gestures go a long way. Ask someone a question in class, invite them for coffee, suggest to study together - anything can be the start of a great friendship!
University is truly what you make it. If you want to have the best chance of having a great experience, get the most out of the academic and employment opportunities, and make lifelong memories, you have to put the work in! It's great that you're searching for advice to prepare, and I wish you the best of luck! 🙂
I hope this helps,
Isabella
Third-year Geography with a Year Abroad Student
Hello,
Congratulations on starting your university journey! It's a big step, and having some guidance can make it a lot easier. Here are a few pointers to help you through your first year and beyond.
To begin, accommodations are critical to your comfort and productivity. If you're staying in university halls, try to get to know your flatmates right away. This can result in a more supportive living environment. If you're moving into private housing, make sure to visit the property beforehand and read reviews if feasible. A good set of bedding, kitchen necessities, and some personal touches to make your room feel like home are all must-haves. Budgeting is another crucial component. Make a monthly budget that includes rent, groceries, utilities, and leisure. Use spending tracking tools and make an effort to stay to your budget. Consider part-time job to augment your money, but make sure you balance it with your academics.
Second, meeting friends and creating a social network can greatly improve your university experience. Join clubs and societies that interest you; they're a terrific way to meet other people with similar interests. Don't be afraid to strike up a discussion in lectures or study groups—everyone is in the same situation, and many want to make new acquaintances. Attend campus parties and mixers, which may be a pleasant and casual way to meet people. Take advantage of academic resources such as office hours and study sessions. Building relationships with your instructors can lead to useful assistance and networking possibilities. Finally, remember to prioritise your mental and physical wellness. University can be stressful, so make sure you have a support system in place, whether from friends, family, or university services. Remember, it's alright to seek assistance if you require it.
Best of luck with your university experience!
I hope this is helpful.
Kind regards,
Mrunali Kalbhor,
University of Sunderland Student ambassador
Reply 6
Hi,
Some good tips that helped me are:
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Start packing early - the process is a whole lot less stressful if you give yourself loads of time to get it done
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Make a list of what you have packed so you don't forget what's in the bags/boxes
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Also keep a list of what you need to pack and want you want to buy to take
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When arriving at accommodation keeping your door open or going into the kitchen to grab a drink and just sitting in there for a bit is a great way to meet your flatmates
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For welcome week really make the most of it - sometimes sports clubs do trail sessions and this is an amazing way to find what clubs are right for you
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For budgeting it's really about keeping on top of it, I like to have a weekly amount I can spend which I stick to always and then if I have anything left over from the week I'll pop it into a "fun" balance which I save up to spend on things that I want but aren't really needed
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For an idea of what you'll need as your weekly budget there are some great calculators online that can help
I hope these are helpful and if you have any more questions please let me know! 🙂
- Jessica
3rd year, Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)
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