- Prepare Financially! Come with some savings if possible, get a summer job and save as much as you can! A good to reasonable amount of savings will put you in good stead for your freshers year and will take the pressure
- Make sure you have submitted all of your relevant information to the student loans company. Any delays here could result in delays in getting your payments.
- Master some meals! A great way to prepare is to master a few staple meals which you can rely on to keep you well fed.
- Open a student bank account. Shop around and take a look on moneysavingexpert.com to find out the best student bank account offers.
- Update your CV. It’s always a great idea to update your CV prior to arriving at University as it’s quite likely you might be searching for a part time job in the future.
- Learn how to do your own laundry. Nobody likes the smell of damp clothes and there are a few laundry pitfalls you need to avoid to keep your fabrics smelling fresh.
- Take a look on google maps before you arrive and get an idea of where your University campus is in relation to you halls and the town centre / nightlife districts etc. Every city is different so take advantage of this resource and don’t arrive clueless!
- If you’ve taken a look at google maps and realised your halls are nowhere near a supermarket, then consider mastering the art of online grocery shopping prior to your arrival.
- Be aware of the Mental Health Services available at University. There are usually counsellors on hand to help night and day and there may even be 24/7 telephone lines to call to seek assistance If you are suffering from mental health issues or just feeling homesick reach out to a member of staff at the university, or your house mates / course mates who might be feeling the same. Don’t suffer in silence.
- Take a look at your reading list, can you begin preparing for your course already? Most of the time it’s better to wait until you’ve started at University, but if you’re studying a subject like History, Literature or Film, there may be some content you can work through to get you a step ahead.
