Starting University This September? 10 Things to Sort Before Term Begin
Moving to university is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Before term begins, there’s a lot to think about, especially if you’re moving somewhere completely new. From figuring out how you’ll get to your first lecture, to learning more about your new
neighbourhood, a little bit of preparation can help you feel more at ease.
Here are 10 things to think about before starting university this September…
1. Creating a Realistic Budget
The first term of university can be expensive, with costs quickly adding up from Freshers’ Week, household essentials, your first food shop, and course materials. Start by working out how much money you have available for the term. After this, work out how much you’ll need for essential costs, like rent, bills, food, and transport. Remember to factor in one-off costs like household essentials and course materials. If you’re starting university in England, you can use the Student Finance Calculator to estimate how much student finance you could receive.
Once you’ve done this, look at how much you have left for non-essentials for the term, such as socialising and entertainment. Next, split this by the number of weeks there are in the term. Weekly costs are rarely linear, but this can give you a rough spending guide. A suitable budget can take some trial and error, so it’s okay to adjust it until it feels right.
It’s also a good idea to save a little bit of money each month for a small emergency fund. You never know when you might need money for something like a broken laptop or a new car part.
2. Get Your Admin Sorted
Before starting university, there will be little admin bits to sort out. Ensuring these are all in place means you can avoid running into issues. This can include applying for student finance, enrolling as a student, sorting accommodation, and accessing your online student portal. Keep an eye out for emails and letters about anything that might be outstanding.
Create a digital or physical folder with important university documents so you can find them easily.
3.Make a First-Day To-Do List
On move-in day, there are certain things you’ll need to do, and making a list can help ensure you’re prepared and don’t forget anything important. If you’re living in halls, you’ll need to do things like collecting your room key or fob and connecting to the Wi-Fi. It’s also important to take any photos of existing damage to your accommodation to keep a record of the property’s condition.
If your rent doesn’t include household bills, you’ll need to set them up. Yes, this is the boring part, but it’s important to organise bills early on to reduce future stress. If you have to pay bills, it’s also important to take meter readings on move-in day to ensure you only pay for what you’ve used.
It’s also helpful to save certain contact details on your phone, such as your landlord or university accommodation team.
4. Make a Packing List
With so much to take with you, it’s easy to forget something. Make a packing list and organise it into categories such as:
- Clothes and shoes
- Bedroom items
- Kitchen essentials
- Toiletries
- Documents
- Chargers and electrical items
- Study equipment
Every time you pack something, tick it off your list. Before buying anything new, check what your accommodation already has. At the same time, check if your accommodation has any restrictions, such as rules about certain electrical appliances.
5. Stock up on Everyday Essentials
Stocking up on essentials like toiletries and cleaning supplies before you move can save you money and hassle so you can focus on settling into your accommodation. This can include laundry detergent, washing-up liquid, toilet roll, and bin bags. You could also take a few basic cupboard foods with you that last, such as baked beans and rice pudding. Before stocking up, check what you have at home already to avoid buying duplicates. It’s also worth checking what your accommodation already provides before buying lots of new items, as universities can differ in what they supply.
6. Explore Your New Neighbourhood
If you have a chance to visit your new town or city, do it! If not, do some research online. Look at what pubs, shops, parks, and other amenities are nearby. It’s also useful to know where the nearest bus or train station is, especially if you’ll be relying on public transport.
If you’re able to, it’s also worth exploring the university campus at an open day or on a campus tour so it feels more familiar. This can make it easier to find places like lecture halls and the library.
7. Plan Your Journey to University
It’s natural to be nervous about your first lecture, but planning your commute can reduce some of that anxiety. This might involve planning a route to walk or cycle, checking train times, working out which bus you’ll need to take, or finding where you can park. If possible, take a journey to your university campus before your first day, and note how long it actually takes to get there.
8. Get to Know Coursemates and Housemates
Some universities have ways you can connect with housemates and coursemates, such as social media groups and online chats. This gives you the opportunity to learn more about the people you’ll be spending time with before moving. If you have the chance to do this, do it! It can make the process of getting to know people a lot less daunting.
At the same time, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make friends immediately. Many students arrive not knowing anyone, and making friends you trust doesn’t always happen overnight. Simply starting conversations is the first step to finding out who everyone is. Many friendships develop gradually as you see the same people in lectures, accommodation and societies.
9. Get Familiar with Your Course
Before starting university, have a look through any course information you have. This could involve reviewing your timetable, module information, or reading lists. You don’t need to know everything, but learning more can help you feel less overwhelmed.
10. Set Yourself Some Goals for the Year
Any goals you set don’t purely have to be academic. A goal can look like:
- Joining a society
- Learning to make a new meal
- Building confidence to travel independently
- Exploring more of your new city
- Sticking to your budget
Try breaking these goals down into smaller steps to help you achieve them. Remember, your goals can change over time too.
Final Thoughts
Remember, you don’t need to know absolutely everything. You can’t plan who you’re going to be friends with or know how quickly you’ll settle in. However, a little bit of preparation here and there can help you feel less overwhelmed and more organised for the year ahead.
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