It’s that time of the year. Soon, Freshers will be starting university. Starting a new life, in a new city, and making new friends. It’s scary, exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time. So, I’ve compiled a short, one-stop list to read through before you embark on your new adventure.

Let’s get right into it…

10 Top Tips

1. Talk to your flatmates – most people I know, from a range of different universities, all got on with their first-year flatmates. There are those cases when you’re put with people who have nothing in common with you, but this is rare. My advise is to try to speak to all of them, but if not, at least make that one special friend in your flat – it’ll make your time there so much easier.
2. Just be yourself – university is the time to fully be yourself. There are no cliques or popularity contests. You can finally just let go of that pressure to fit a certain mould and find those people who truly like you.
3. Don’t be the one to always tidy up after others – if you’re anything like me, ignoring a mess is extremely hard. But, at Uni, you can’t be the one who goes around tidying up after everyone in the flat, because those who are extremely messy will be reliant on you and think you’ll always do it. Try as best as you can to leave that mouldy food in the fridge and ask that person to clear it out. I know this is hard, and that this 9 out of 10 times starts an argument and divides the flat, but it’s worth it, to show people that they can’t live like that.
4. Go to your Freshers’ Fair – you’ll get so much free stuff if you go, and also meet some new people. It’s also a time to check out your Student’s Union (where you’ll be spending a lot of time clubbing and/or studying). You can even ask your flatmates to go with you, to spark the conversation of what everyone is interested in when it comes to the Society Fair.
5. Bring more clothes with you than you think – this may sound like a funny one, but trust me, you’ll need more clothes, especially underwear and socks. The laundry room always has a queue, and in the winter you don’t want to be lugging all your stuff over there twice a week. Buy another pair of jeans/joggers (because you’ll be living in these and nothing else) and 20+ pairs of socks and underwear. It’s not silly, it’s a life-saver.
6. Join a society – if you don’t get a long too well with your flatmates, there are hundreds of societies out there to search through and join. If you’ve played a sport your entire life, play it at university – you won’t regret it. Societies are where you make your bestest friends at uni because those people are interested in the same things you are.
7. Learn how to cook! – this is the primary way to stay on top of your health. Takeaways once or twice a week won’t harm you, but cooking is so much cheaper and it’s a life skill you’ll need forevermore.
8. Go to your classes – especially induction classes! Double-check if your course requires a certain percentage of attendance to pass (mine didn’t so I got lazy with going onto campus in second year, but now I regret that). I recommend also keeping in contact with each course tutor, as they’re always there to help if you have a problem with anything
9. Get organised – get a planner to stay on top of work… and do the work as soon as it is set/released, especially longer essays (you’ll thank me later)
10. Be sensible with money – eating out is more expensive than you think, and nights out can strip your bank account if you’re not careful. You don’t have to be stingy, but just being aware of the money you’re spending helps a lot in the long run.

Things to keep in mind

1. No one has done this before – this is the one time in your life when everyone is in the same boat
2. There’s no shame in going home – during first year, I came home every other weekend (and cried when I had to go back but that’s besides the point). You are allowed to go back and see your family at home – you don’t have to suffer at uni if you’re struggling.
3. Uni may not be for you – there’s no pressure. If you’ve read my other posts about uni, you’ll know that I haven’t had the best time there. Now I’m taking a break from uni, and that’s ok too.
4. This is your time to find the friends that you really like and have lots of things in common with – you won’t get on with everyone, and that’s completely fine. Find that one group of people and you’ll be so happy.
5. Peer pressure isn’t a huge thing – not many people force you to do things, even in sports societies. You don’t have to drink or club – there are plenty of people at uni who don’t drink and that’s totally ok, including things like hockey or rugby etc.

I hope this post has helped clear your mind about a couple of things uni-related. Remember to have fun and just be your authentic self.

Signing off,

Pepetoe x