Home from Home
Your bedroom, for the next year, will be YOUR space, YOUR sanctuary, for chilling, writing essays AND sleeping. Make sure you pack some of your creature comforts; your favourite pillow or teddy. Yes! You will be surprised how many people go to University with a teddy. It may be brought out at house parties as an extra guest but no one will judge you, for long. Photos of friends and family and accessorising with your favourite colour(s) will also make you feel at home.
Budget
Learn how to budget to ensure that you can have a great time and live the student lifestyle, whilst still maintaining a full fridge of food and having all the supplies you need to further your education, and still have enough to pay your share of the bills. Sit down with your parents, they’ve been doing this “budgeting-lark” for years! Maybe have a part-time job that you can work around your lectures and deadlines. Many places such as bars and restaurants are extremely accommodating and will help you earn some extra cash without missing out on your education. Also, look for the best deals on overdrafts, some banks also offer perks like a free railcard etc.
Leaving home for University is one of life’s biggest milestones. It can be a fun and exciting experience, but for some, can also be scary and a little daunting. Follow these 5 simple steps to help you to cope with being away from your family and in unfamiliar surroundings, and enjoy an adventure into a world of independence!
Learn to Cook
Learn how to cook a few token dishes that do not involve beans on toast or instant noodles – this is a great way to bond and make friends, and will aid in having a happy home with new people. Pasta is a great ingredient to cook with. It is affordable and filling. I had a friend you survived university eating pesto and pasta, and her homemade, family recipe, Italian meatballs! My Greek friend is a chef, and made the best stuffed vine leaves, and Baklava! It was a bonus that she worked part-time in a chippy too, as at the end of the night she brought home chippy chips and sausages! Cook meals in batches too, that are suitable for freezing, ready to enjoy again and again.
Ready for the Holidays
End of the year; store your gear! Get a monster student deal at SureStore. Don’t lug your pots and pans, heavy books, bedding and sports gear all the way home and then have to pack it up and bring it all back again. Store with us locally; We even offer a collection and drop off service, where we come and collect your items and bring them back to you in your new home after the Summer.
Have Fun!
This is the most important one. Make you have a great balance between work and play. You are there for a reason, but it doesn’t have to be ALL essay writing and coursework. Organise your work well, so you can make time for socialising and doing the thing you love; going for walks, playing football, and spending time with friends. Enjoy your independence! These are going to be the best years of your life!