Fresher's fortnight and the chaos that be

So you've just arrived at your chosen university after those all important results have come through. You may or may not have slept the last few nights but now that you're here you are more than likely to be tired from moving all your stuff from your parent's and into your new room at the halls of residence.

As you take in your new surroundings things probably seem rather scary and you find a room with uniform carpet and retro style curtains. But things will improve and I have posted some tips on how to settle in, from making your room more inviting to meeting new people and staying safe.

For many of you the thought of leaving home to be completely free of your parents is very exciting as you are no longer under your parent's rules and can do as much, or as little, as you choose. But there are a lot of things to learn about living on your own in a new environment away from everything being done for you to doing everything yourself. I have gathered together a list of things which most new students in their first year at university have to deal with at some point:

1. Not being shy and making new friends.

This can be quite a daunting thing for a lot of people as you are moving into a flat with complete strangers and you may be worried about making new friends or being left out. There are a few things to consider so I have put a list together to consider when starting university for the first time.


You may also want to have a read of this:


The art of making friends at university (By Charade)

Help for the Hopelessly Homesick (By the University Blog)

2. Money.

Money can be the bane of all evil and this needs to be prepared as it may result in your downfall. Read my guide on budgeting to help plan those all important expenses.

3. Being prepared to drink copious amounts of alcohol.

Who can deny that going to university is not all about studying. There is a stereotype of university students which is that they spend most of their time drinking, getting drunk, sleeping and stealing the odd traffic cone along the way.  Obviously I cannot condone the latter but certainly do enjoy your time at university and be safe. Read my guide on safe drinking here.

4. Jobs and job interviews.


While some may not wish to work during university, for others it is essential to gain work to fund their degree. Having a job while at university has many benefits, even if it is volunteer work. I have written a section on finding a job whether it be seasonal, part time or volunteering.

5. Food & cooking.

Cooking is a skill that needs to be learned as it not only helps while at university but also later on in life. It is essential to gain all the nutrients by preparing good staple meals while at university as not only will it keep you healthy, but will save you money in the long run and also balance with the quantities of alcohol you'll be drinking. Read this to find out how to prepare good nutritious meals.

6. Having fun.

University life it not all about swatting and drinking. You need to find a balance between spending your time studying and enjoying the things which you like doing in your spare time, be it stamp collecting to rock climbing because if you don't enjoy the things you do best then you won't enjoy your time at university. I find that planning really helps, even if it's just a scribble in my notepad it really helps to get my brain in order and think about the things I want to do.

7. Sex and relationships.

Being prepared also includes staying safe as there are some scary facts out there which are very true and so is not something to take lightly. You are more than likely to be given condoms, free chlamydia tests etc. during freshers week. It may seem embarrassing/stupid at the time I would highly recommend taking advantage of these free confidential services. I have found a few links which may be of interest to you:

STIs - the facts

Long distance relationships at university (courtesy of Icing)

8. Preparing for study. University study is completely different to college/school learning and so you need to prepare for this otherwise it will come as a shock to the system. I have written a few helpful hints on preparing for university academically here which you may want to read.

9. Your new room.

As I brushed over earlier your new room and halls has not been built with decor in mind and so the rooms can often look bland with only the essentials and in need of some attention. This room your are now living in is going to be your permanent (or semi permanent in some cases (!)) residence for the next year and so you will want to spruce things up a little bit to make it more pleasant. Your room needs to be somewhere that allows you to socialise in as well as study and relax. Read this for tips on making your room yours.

10. Responsibility for your own actions.

I hope you find this guide useful, let me know what your experiences were like during your first week at university and how you coped.