You’ve had your results, chosen the uni, applied for student finance, chosen your accommodation and it’s arrivals day. You, my friend, are at university.

What next you may wonder? Don’t worry, here are some tips on how to survive one of the most life changing experiences you will ever have!

Living with new people

Now, this can be daunting whether you come from a family of three or from a family of fifteen! Most people have really only lived with their family at this age and you become very used to each other, your routines and little habits, so going from that to living with complete strangers can be a lot. Remember everyone is in the same position so you won’t be the only one feeling this way.

My first tip is to start by having a doorstop. Having your door open encourages conversation even if it’s that awkward first hello. It shows you’re open to the situation and to getting to know people. It’s also handy because when your door is closed most people will understand you need a little time to yourself.

Tip two: try to be tidy in communal areas. Your room is your haven and if you want to leave plates in there for 2 weeks that’s your business. However, the kitchen, living room and bathroom (if you aren’t in an ensuite) are for everyone, and nobody wants to tidy up after anyone!

Number three, consider chipping in on things you all use, toilet paper, washing up liquid etc or buy them in turn; it makes things a lot easier and you save money in the long run!

Tip number four for living with strangers: solve any disputes quickly. You have to live with them so don’t let things fester; they often just get bigger that way and things get blown out of proportion.

Finally, number five is to try to spend time with your housemates! Often universities mix you up so you aren’t only with people on your course so you can have a more well-rounded experience. You’ll join study groups and maybe join sports clubs or societies but your housemates are the ones you come home to every day. They’re the ones who will pick you up when you’re feeling homesick, share food with you when you’ve miscalculated your budget for the month and who will stay up late with you watching movies and talking just because. In short, they can become your home away from home if you give them the chance.

Time management

Tip number six: time management is key at university. Yes, you should go out and make new friends. Yes, you should join the societies and sports clubs, but you are getting into a lot of debt to get a degree so don’t let all the fun distract you.

Go to your lectures, study, hand in your assignments on time and don’t do what I did and finish your dissertation the morning that it’s due! University is the first time a lot of us have complete control over our time. Nobody wakes you up, nobody tells you when to go to bed. If you want to stay up until 4am you can, but will you wake up for that nine am lecture? Will you take anything in if you do? And will you regret missing a lecture when you are faced with a question you don’t understand in the exam at the end of the year? Set your priorities, plan your spare time, and go to the library or wherever you study best. There is no reason you can’t enjoy and study, it’s just about finding the right balance.

Budgeting

Now let’s talk about money. So we spoke about that glorious student finance text that comes through. Now, it’s a lot more money than most people have had to themselves before, but please, remember it only comes 3 times a year, it has to last! It’s extremely tempting to just go shopping buy what you want, go out to eat every night or order a takeaway and treat yourself every other weekend.

Tip seven is to set a monthly budget. Set out the essentials first rent, food, transport and anything you pay for monthly – Netflix, Amazon, Spotify, gym etc. now look at what is left. How much can you afford to spend? Do you want to save any? It’s good to have something stashed away for a rainy day, or if a pandemic hits!

Number eight is to use all the discounts you can to help. Student bank accounts often come with perks and there are discount schemes like UniDays and railcards which make things a lot cheaper for students. Your local shopping centre might have a student takeover, Dominos and Pizza Hut often make appearances at the freshers’ fair as do other local companies who give out many vouchers; use them if you can!

If after all that it’s not enough, you may need to get a part time job. Your university will have plenty, from regular work to helping at open days, all you have to do is ask. Nine times out of ten someone will be able to help.

Accommodation

My final two tips are about when you have to start looking at where you will stay in the following year.

All of the estate agencies will have you believe that if you don’t secure a place by December you will have nowhere to live and life as you know it will end. It is simply not true. So tip number nine is don’t rush! Renting a property is a big commitment whether it is from uni or a private landlord, and it’s somewhere you have to live for a whole year. Shop around a little to see what is out there. Some properties will be listed at multiple agents and prices may differ. Set your list of what you need in the house and another list of things that you would like, and go on from there

My final tip, and I’ll say it louder for those at the back: you do not, I repeat, do not have to live with the same people you live with in first year. You may have made friends with people on your course or in a society who you want to live with. People may be going abroad or quite simply you just might not like them. It’s like I said at the beginning, it is easier living with people you’ve already lived with, however what I’m trying to stay is don’t feel you have to stay with people you don’t get on with or who are terrible housemates just for the sake of housing.

So there you have it 10 more tips to navigate university, I hope it helps!