Going to Uni in September- anyone got any advice for me?

Question

Going to London, living in self-catering halls with about 120 others. Need all sorts of advice. Money, work, jobs, friends, budgeting, cooking, homesickness etc. Thanks a lot

Answer 1

There's plenty of advice I can give you. First of all, congratulations on getting yourself to University. This will be one of the most challenging, edifying, exciting and dynamic times of your life - but the good times don't stop once you have graduated. This can be one of many golden eras of your life.

MONEY - I guess this is a concern for you what with loans and top-up fees. Whilst nobody can pretend the student financial situation is perfect, there are things you can do to stop it getting out of control. Budgeting is a really effective way. Work out what you have to spend each week, and then divide it up into what you have to pay for (books, transport, food etc). Try and stick to this (and also allow yourself fun things like going out) and you will be doing yourself a very big service. You will hopefully keep your bank balance in the black away from the overdraft line. Try not to overdo the socialising in Freshers Week. That's one surefire way to rack up the debts!
I found that over the course of my student years, my financial situation actually got better and my bank balance expanded. In your 2nd year (once out of halls and not enjoying all-inclusive bills) see if you can get yourself a part-time job. Student Employment Office should be able to help. You will have a bit more time on your hands, and so you can fill some of it by earning extra money.

WORK - Student life can be fun, but its main purpose is to earn a degree. But it doesn't have to be hard work. Oh no. Pick course subjects which inspire you and you will tackle them with great enthusiasm. I found my courses were inter-disciplinary, and I learnt so much. I got a 'bug' to study and find out more about the world.
In your essays, use a wide range of sources as this shows research skills, and always include your OWN opinions on things. This shows ORIGINAL THOUGHT and not just the reproduction of standard arguments. Univ libraries are usually well-stocked, and there is always material to help you with your work. If not, it can be obtained by Inter-Library Loan.
See if you can learn subjects as they are taught. This will save you 'cramming' at exam time.

STUDENT STATUS - take advantage of this. People have wised up to the student pound. There are plentyof discounts and special offers open to you at the wave of an NUS card.

FRIENDS - Remember that everyone is in the same boat at the start and is usually competing tobe the friendliest person alive. Keep an open mind, for you may well be meeting personality types you haven't encountered before. Some friendships will endure and some will fade, but you usually gravitate to your own 'kind' after a while. You are in a big residence, and you also have your courses, and clubs to join - plenty of scope for friends. Come across as open, friendly and interested and you'll soon have friends aplenty.

SOCIALISING - The main purpose is to get that degree, but you can still have a good time, just do everything in moderation. Again, beopen minded. London has something for everyone, and there are always special offers for events in publications like Time Out, or the Evening Standard. Take advantage. With a bit of careful planning, you can have a rich and varied social whirl!

HOMESICKNESS - Everyone feels like this at some point. The trcik is to see this new way of life and setting, as 'home' for you. Make it feel like home, add things to your world which cheer you up (I used to buy household items which were vividly colourful, and would decorate my walls with photos, and eccentricties which reminded me of my family life).
See if you can incorporate the odd familiar routine or ritual into your schedule. I used to fill 'dead spots' (times when I would be on my own and feeling lonely) with activities, so that I wouldn't have time to think about being homesick.
Look round at your new life and pay attention to the things you like about it. When I first arrived in Brighton, I hated it because it was so alien and different to what I was used to (suburban Hertfordshire) but after a while I beganfinding things I really liked about the place. These grew and grew and I fell in love with my new city by the sea.

HOUSING - This often sorts itself out, usually with friends from your residence or on your course. If not these ways, then you can always advertise: on campus, in shops, in free-ads. Include your phone number or email address on tassles if you are using 'pin-up' notices. These can yield positive results.

HEALTH & WELLBEING - Think positive, eat well (fresh fruit and veg) keep hydrated (water gives you energy and helps you think more sharply). Drink in moderation. Get plenty of fresh air. Make sure you are physically comfortable when you are working. Talk to people if you have any problems - there is always someone who can help you.
Don't bother with CAMPUS DOCTORS. They are usually too busy, don't really take you seriously and and fob you off with tablets. Register with a practice in a quieter residential area. They will probably be less busy, have more time to talk with you, and will be much more sympathetic.

NEGATIVE COMMENTS - The old addage 'take what's useful and disregard the rest' applies here. Sometimes you will get people who belittle your achievements,or look down on you because you are a student. These are usually just thick townies who are jealous because your life prospects are a lot better than theirs'. Tilt your head to one side and pay no heed to them. What you are doing is immensely life-enriching, and 'that bit of paper' you get at the end of it all will open up so many doors for you.
But also remember not to look down on people who aren't fortunate enough to be in your position. There are talented and respectable people in all walks of life, not just the student world.

So in a NUTSHELL, work hard, organise well, enjoy yourself, think and act positively, open your mind, and above all, take in everything your student life beholds.

THERE ARE SOME VERY UNIQUE AND REWARDING EXPERIENCES COMING YOUR WAY.

Answer 2

I think the main one's been covered really - plan a budget and stick to it! I'd also recommend you only get a job if you feel you need it because sometimes it's hard to fit it around your uni work.

Take your uni work seriously - uni isn't purely party party party.

Be open and friendly, and remember the first few weeks are the best time to get to know other people. When I started uni, very few people on my course already knew each other, so everyone was in the same boat & wanted to make friends.

If you're homesick & it's a while til you can go home again, I find it helps to take things one step at a time; don't think too far ahead. Maybe plan something to do for the next few weekends so you have something to look forward to in the short term. You'll find the time goes much quicker that way.

For cooking, maybe buy a good simple cookbook if you're useless in the kitchen (I know I am!!!). Pasta always makes a good cheap easy meal. The person that said have a webcam trained on the fridge wasn't far wrong tho...!! Be aware that anything you put in the kitchen or bathroom is fair game for being used by other people!!

The most important thing is to enjoy yourself!! I'm just about to start my last year at uni and I don't want it to end!!! As long as you have your head screwed on, you'll be fine I'm sure!!!!

Answer 3

I thoroughly recommend joining the facebook group for your Uni and year of entry or try the yougofurther forum, a good place to meet other students and get chatting before you get here. Freshers week is always a bit overwhelming, so many new people, so many things to try and do, sometimes you just don't feel like going out some nights. I recommend that you look at clubs and society's too, another great way to meet new, like-minded people. Halls of residence is a mix of personalities, the best attitude is to be nice to all, you are not the only one in the same boat, pretty much everyone in halls will be first year's too.

Answer 4

Money - get a part time job, London is very expensive so you are going to have to budget. It's easy to get caught up in the spending craze but be disciplined.
Work - search on www.gumtree.com, there are loads of part time jobs available, get into an agency so you can do catering in the evenings, good pay and you dont work as much as a waitress.
Friends - those will come through uni
Budgeting - take what you go and prioritise!
Cooking - try not to buy food like take away as this gobbles up your money and increases your waistband, aim to shop weekly and plan your menu for the week so you only buy what you need, its easy to waste food if you are only cooking for yourself. You also get some great ready made meals from tescos...ie the pasta ranges.
Homesickness - you'll be having so much fun you wont notice

ENJOY AND GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

Could write a book (indeed such things exist!). Here are my 'top 10'-
1) Work out your expenses (food, bills, rent) then ONLY spend the cash you have LEFT on beer!! Leave your cash card at home if you get tempted- at the end of the month when everyone else is eating value beans you will be happy.
2) Smile and offer tea/a hand with those bags to fellow newbies on moving-in day. Your hallmates will see you as 'nice' and you'll have some people to explore the fresher week events with.
3) Go to any SU events for freshers- they are very useful.
4) Get in early and borrow all the books you need from the library- buy any you want to keep 2nd hand. You'll save hundreds!!
5) Join a society or club. Sounds cheesy, but you'll make friends with similar interests, avoiding homesickness. I joined two- a drama one and a 'party' one (just organising socials). One helped me learn and make friends- the other got me into places cheap with those friends!
6) Teach your mum/nan/aunty how to email!! Cheaper than phonebill and a godsend for staving off the blues. I didn't have it when I went to uni (back in the mid 90s) but found it useful when I went back to training college in 2001.
7) DO YOUR WASHING UP or your hallmates will grumble. A simple thing, but what an easy life it gives.
8) During freshers week, remember what FAFF stands for (clue- word 1 is rude, word 4 is fresher) and beware of 'really kind' 3rd years of both gender, unless you fancy them! They probably DON'T want to see your art/show you round campus!
9) Learn at least 3 recipes that can freeze, reserve a place in your kitchen's freezer, and bulk buy/cook at the start of the month.
10) Go to lectures. If they are in a big hall and before 10am, yu can sleep, so long as you sign in. You'll need references and mentoring off the tutors in your 3rd year.

Answer 6

Self catered halls? Make sure you mark your food, then people can't blame ignorance when they eat it (which they will)
Make sure you spend a decent amount of time in the Comunual kitchen on your floor so you meet loads of people. You'll like at least some of them.
Make the most of freshers week, who knows where it may lead ;)
In term time, work isn't too important in first year, but it still needs to be done. I generally went out once/twice in the week (proper going out) and once at the weekend. I'm assuming you've got a decent pub nearby that the students will use - go there quite often to meet new people and get away from the books.
Mainly have fun. People who spend all their time working miss out on all the fun. But people who spend all their time goin out, often don't make it to the end, and they're skint after about 3 months.
Homesickness I never really suffered from. Best way is to make loads of new friends, and ring home occasionally (if just for your parents sanity).
Swallow your pride if you have to...and go to Lidls or Aldi. Aldi actually is quite nice, and Lidl is dead cheap (if you can bare the scallies).
Try and join societies in your student union. The guys that run these things usually know where to have cheap nights out, and you'll meet even more people.
Good Luck...play it right and these could be the best years of your life.

Answer 7

Work out your budgets now, how much you need for books etc, and how much you can afford to have fun with. Stick to this, remember that a lot of fun can be had for free and you don't have to spend a lot.
Learn how to homebrew, the 7 day winekits almost paid my way through Uni at one point, learn how to cook meals for 6 people for just a couple of quid (easy if you do a bit of thinking), and enjoy yourself :)

Answer 8

The best thing to remember is: having a degree is very important these days. All sorts can go wrong at Uni, if you are not prepared.
Try not to get into too much debt- working a part-time job can help. Also, sharing a house with friends is also a good way to reduce costs- you have to be careful that everyone pays their way though. If you get one ar*ehole, it can spoil it for every-oneelse- also privacy may be an issue. I have had friends that have had money and items go missing, if need be lock your valuables in a suitcase and make a deal with housemates who can stay overnight etc. I knew a girl who had a one night stand and the guy robbed her friends on his way out.
Try getting enough exercise, but also sleep. Looking after yourself, especially coming up to assesments and exams is important. Lots of students burn out. Planning is essential, budgetting is also essential. If you are going to have sex, make sure you protect yourself. If you are going to take drugs, make sure you protect yourself too. Use your own straw to snort coke, sharing can leave you with a dirty disease. Don;t borrow or lend to any-one- it is the best safeguard. Be selective who your friends are.

These things may seem common sence, but can help you pass that all -important degree.
Good Luck- I was at Uni for nearly 6 years and I wish I would have followed these things!!

Answer 9

Never loose sight of the fact that the main reason you are at uni is to learn and get your degree. Make sure your academic work comes first and everything else comes second, as tempting as it may be. Never leave an assignment to the last couple of days before the due date, it is lethal. Do get involved with sports clubs/ societies but do not let it dominate your time it is an easy trap to fall into.

The very best of luck to you and have a great time.

Answer 10

The other 120 undergrads will probably be thinking the same, talk to them and come to kind of agreement with them. There are plenty of good books around that will help you with the basics. Give yourself a budget and try and stick to it as much as poosble, if you go over budget do not worry about it to much. Have a look at the university web site as will give you some advice what to expect.

Good luck.

Answer 11

Phil, I have not looked at your answers, but first of all you MUST have a good time, but don't go mad. First year is exciting but don't get behind. Its usually easy too so that you can get your budget, cooking etc. organised and I would emphasise get this done on 1st year so save aggro. O.K. you will be homesick its part of the process but it gets easier especially when you meet lots of new friends which you WILL, probably friends you will have all your life in my experence. DON'T GET IN TO DEBT, my son left uni with so much debts he is still paying years on!! Remember with a good degree you can travel the world. GOOD LUCK xx DON'T PANIC ENJOY