So, you’ve finished your secondary school education, and you’re off out into the big wide world! Congratulations! You did it! Whether or not it’s your first choice, your insurance (as it was for me) or you got in through clearing. You made it! Believe me, when you come out with a degree nobody asks you how you got in.

But, now you’re standing on the edge of your future and if you’re anything like me you had millions of questions about what the next steps will be. How exactly do I ‘Go to uni’? What do I have to do? What if I don’t do it right? What if I forget? Hopefully this helps you to answer some of the questions, but before I go on, I can 99% guarantee that anything you forget, someone else will have forgotten before you and your university will have a plan in place to help. If they don’t, another student or family member or someone will. So try not to worry, you’re going to be okay.

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My 5 tips for heading to university:

TIP 1 – SORT OUT YOUR STUDENT FINANCE

Those of us who have been through the university system know just how good it feels to get that SFE text saying that your payment is due in 3 working days. Don’t worry, you have that to look forward to. However, they cannot send you the money if they do not know you need it!

As soon as you can, arrange your accommodation and send in your application so that it can be processed in time. If you change university later on due to exam results or personal reasons, don’t worry it can be changed. All of the information from your parent’s income etc remains the same so usually it is not a problem. What is not enjoyable is heading to university not knowing how much money you will have to work with to enjoy yourself (and eat and study etc of course)!

TIP 2 – PREPARE YOUR EQUIPMENT

Like any job, experiment or holiday, it makes it much more difficult if you don’t have the right tools. Once you apply for accommodation, you can ask for a list from the university of what will be in your room. Whether you’re staying in university accommodation or private house, there’s a good chance you’ll find a list of key items on the university’s website, or online student forums, so you don’t even have to ask!

Once you know what you will be provided with, make a list of the extra things you will need for your room and for the kitchen. There are some shops that have very kindly put together university packs for students. Some of you may be lucky like me and have a mum who had planned for me going to university many many years before I had even entered sixth form and have half of it in the garage ready for you!

Another thing to remember is ask your parents, family members, and friends for help. Often, they think of things that you have forgotten or come up with a new way to do something, or maybe they may know of a shop having a sale – every little helps as you will very soon find out! You may be the one leaving home, but they are also experiencing a big change. Going through the planning together can make the whole experience less lonely or stressful for everyone.

TIP 3 – LEARN HOW TO COOK

Arguably, this could be number 1 because how can you survive university without eating well? But, I know some people are UberEats and ready-meal warriors. Now, that is okay, but at some point in your life, you will need to cook food for yourself. Whether it be at university or later on in life. Man cannot live on ready meals alone! So why not start now?

If it’s too daunting to learn how to make your favourite banku and okro stew or jollof, shito and plantain, start basic. Pick 3-4 simple meals that you can mix and match to give you balanced nutrition and are also easy to cook. I have a cousin who was locked in the kitchen before uni and taught himself how to make pasta and stew. And he survived! There are also lots of student friendly cookbooks for all budgets and diets and of course, our friend the internet is out there. Discover your inner Ainsley Harriot. You never know, you might even enjoy it!

TIP 4 – BE OPEN

University is a place where you will meet lots of people from all over the country, and all over the world. You will hear the discussion about what a bread roll is called many times (it’s a bread roll guys don’t let anyone sway you). You will see people doing things you’ve never even considered and you will do things that people find mind boggling. Maybe you’ll introduce someone to plantain and they’ll become your best friend. You might bump into someone in the library one day and it may be the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

I’m not saying say yes to everything people ask you to do, because some of it will be very weird! But have an open mind, try not to judge, and if you feel comfortable, give it a go! You may discover a new talent or a new passion for something you never experienced before.

TIP 5 – LEARN WHEN TO SAY NO

A bit of a contrast to tip number 4 but it is also important to say no when you need to. Many people go to university and discover themselves which is fine! Other people go knowing who they are and have strong morals or faith so the prospect of being forced to down a pint at freshers is terrifying. You don’t have to do it.

Be open to new experiences, yes, but if there is something you are uncomfortable with or don’t want to do, say no. People worry what people will think of them if they don’t follow the crowd. Will people talk about me behind my back? Will they stop inviting me to things? Some might, I won’t lie to you. But, more often than not, they will respect your boundaries, and respect you more for not compromising your beliefs and following blindly.

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Hopefully those few tips will give you a bit of a hand and make the whole process seem less scary! And remember, you are part of a fabulous group of people who will be more than willing to answer any questions or share their experiences with you, all you have to do is ask!