1) Find a useful online list and pack well in advance!
As someone who isn't particularly prepared and organised when it comes to packing, you can imagine that I found this experience incredibly stressful. Luckily whilst hunting through Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/476326098062720539/), I found this list of Uni necessities that came with a tick-box so I could cross off each one I packed/bought. However to give you piece of mind, you will never be too far away from a local shop that you can pick up anything that you need (for example I brought a printer with me but no damn paper!) and there's always a chance to become friendly with your neighbour by asking them to borrow their hair-dryer!
As someone who isn't particularly prepared and organised when it comes to packing, you can imagine that I found this experience incredibly stressful. Luckily whilst hunting through Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/476326098062720539/), I found this list of Uni necessities that came with a tick-box so I could cross off each one I packed/bought. However to give you piece of mind, you will never be too far away from a local shop that you can pick up anything that you need (for example I brought a printer with me but no damn paper!) and there's always a chance to become friendly with your neighbour by asking them to borrow their hair-dryer!
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| The list is sorted into helpful sections! |
2) Arrival will be stressful - pace yourself!
For me, the arrival and unpacking on my first day at university was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. It was like everything was going in fast pace and I was left dragging behind. We arrived relatively early (I was one of the first people on my corridor to arrive) but despite this I still ending up have a rushed and rather sad goodbye to my parents. There was just about enough time to unpack and go and have lunch but I also wanted to have a walk to my first lecture the next day so I could discover whereabouts on campus it was to save panicking the next day. This meant that by the time I returned to my halls, everyone had already begun socialising and making friends whilst I was still clinging on desperately to my parents. The advice I would give would be to arrive as early as possible, get everything unpacked asap, have a set list of things that you want to achieve whilst your parents are still with you and just try and relax and enjoy the day for what it is. Talking to my hall mates weeks after Freshers I discovered that they too went through similar experiences and hated the rushed goodbye - but it's unfortunately just a part of the experience it seems!
For me, the arrival and unpacking on my first day at university was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. It was like everything was going in fast pace and I was left dragging behind. We arrived relatively early (I was one of the first people on my corridor to arrive) but despite this I still ending up have a rushed and rather sad goodbye to my parents. There was just about enough time to unpack and go and have lunch but I also wanted to have a walk to my first lecture the next day so I could discover whereabouts on campus it was to save panicking the next day. This meant that by the time I returned to my halls, everyone had already begun socialising and making friends whilst I was still clinging on desperately to my parents. The advice I would give would be to arrive as early as possible, get everything unpacked asap, have a set list of things that you want to achieve whilst your parents are still with you and just try and relax and enjoy the day for what it is. Talking to my hall mates weeks after Freshers I discovered that they too went through similar experiences and hated the rushed goodbye - but it's unfortunately just a part of the experience it seems!
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| As you can see - I was stressed! (& my brother was as chilled as can be!) |
3) Talk to everyone and anyone!
Remember - you're all in the same boat! Everyone has been having the same anxieties as you and now all they want is to make some friends - just like you! You'll only regret the times you didn't speak up and introduce yourself. Take this time to get to know people from all over the country (and other countries) and use this knowledge to help improve your geography skills! (there's posh places in Birmingham? who knew!).
Remember - you're all in the same boat! Everyone has been having the same anxieties as you and now all they want is to make some friends - just like you! You'll only regret the times you didn't speak up and introduce yourself. Take this time to get to know people from all over the country (and other countries) and use this knowledge to help improve your geography skills! (there's posh places in Birmingham? who knew!).
4) Whatsapp is your new God.
If you don't have it already, before coming to university - download Whatsapp! It is the only way to keep up with what people are doing. For me it was perfect for living in a catered hall because it allowed us all to organise when we were going down for dinner and certain nights out. However, be prepared to hear your phone buzzing 24/7 and if you leave your phone for a day you will return to 105 new messages!
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| This icon will become all too familiar! |
5) Bring things that remind you of home!
The simplest of things can make a huge difference on those days where you're homesick. For me, it was two things: my rug and my lamp. Despite the fact that my university room came with a lamp, having the one from my room with its warm colours really made a difference on those dark darks. Also, it's surprising how much a small rug can improve the homeliness of a room. I bought a cheap circular rug from Ikea and just putting my feet on it when I left the bed was a huge morning improvement! (which you need when you have 9am lectures on the other side of campus!) Also my wonderful mother bought me sunflowers as a present on leaving day and they really brightened up my entire room and got lots of positive attention from my new found friends!
The simplest of things can make a huge difference on those days where you're homesick. For me, it was two things: my rug and my lamp. Despite the fact that my university room came with a lamp, having the one from my room with its warm colours really made a difference on those dark darks. Also, it's surprising how much a small rug can improve the homeliness of a room. I bought a cheap circular rug from Ikea and just putting my feet on it when I left the bed was a huge morning improvement! (which you need when you have 9am lectures on the other side of campus!) Also my wonderful mother bought me sunflowers as a present on leaving day and they really brightened up my entire room and got lots of positive attention from my new found friends!
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| Rug and Bedding from Ikea. |
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| Chalkboard from The Range, Vase from Ikea. |
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| Lamp (My Nan's) from Next, Washing Basket from Ikea. |
6) Just enjoy the wild ride!
At the end of the day, university isn't just about getting a degree, it's about the entire experience. Relax and as cheesy as it sounds just be yourself - you will find like-minded people whether they're in your halls, on your course or in a society you join (which I highly recommend). It's three (or more) years of your life you are guaranteed not to forget and will hopefully look back on with happiness later on in your life :)
At the end of the day, university isn't just about getting a degree, it's about the entire experience. Relax and as cheesy as it sounds just be yourself - you will find like-minded people whether they're in your halls, on your course or in a society you join (which I highly recommend). It's three (or more) years of your life you are guaranteed not to forget and will hopefully look back on with happiness later on in your life :)
Hope you enjoyed reading and found these tips useful!
Lots of Love,
Amy Alison xoxo
