ADVICE AND TIPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR UNIVERSITY
Aarya Handa (ON 2021-2023)
Studying English and Philosophy at the University of Nottingham
These are not exhaustive lists but just some things to consider!
HEALTH
Freshers flu is real!
I didn’t believe it myself but trust me whilst being at uni, I have been ill like never before (same for other people I've spoken to).
Lemsip Max Cold & Flu Relief capsules are your best friend, I gave up on ibuprofen and paracetamol because they just didn’t work.
Stock up on tissue boxes and pocket tissues! I kept a little storage box full of medications, plasters, hand gel, wipes etc... which always comes in handy.
Do not play roulette with your health or your health will play roulette with you!
Your health literally dictates everything when you’re at uni - we all realised that being ill at uni is the absolute worst – especially because you still have to get on with life and do everything yourself unlike being at home when family can help out.
Keep yourself in good health!
ACCOMMODATION
Make sure you know what is not allowed in your accommodation! For example, in mine you’re not allowed candles. We have room inspections and so don’t run the risk of bringing things that are not permitted.
Put effort into making your uni room the way you want it to be – you don’t realise how much of an impact it has on you mentally. When you’re feeling homesick or just down, it helps to be in a space that has your favourite things in e.g. posters, pictures of friends, decorations, album covers etc...
Bring clothes for certain occasions – e.g. I kept some dresses for society balls etc. And some formal clothes for job interviews or times when you need to dress a bit smarter.
FRIENDS & RELATIONSHIPS
Make friends with your flatmates! - they’re a good support system to have. Me and my flatmate were both feeling homesick and thought we were alone in feeling so, then we both felt the same – comforting to know. Don’t force yourself to be best friends with them though because that won’t work out in the long run!
Make a friend in each lecture/seminar that you have –they can hold you accountable when you don’t feel like going and you won’t dread going if you know you have friends there. It’s also useful when you have questions about the module or want to revise together for exams etc.
Quality over quantity! Having a close-knit group that you can do everything and anything with is SO good.
ADVICE from my flatmate: One of the things my flatmate said she wasn’t prepared for was a longdistance relationship – not necessarily in a bad way, but the dynamic is different. She says effort from both sides will make it work – any arguments that you have will seem so much worse and final but take a step away and appreciate the other person’s perspective. They’re probably also stressed and navigating university life –however, if things don’t work out, that’s also okay too! You’ll find that once you leave school, not all friendships & relationships last.
FRIENDS & RELATIONSHIPS
Make sure you prioritise your new friends and uni experience AS WELL AS your relationship – find a balanced routine that works!
ADVICE from my other flatmate: One thing they were not prepared for was how lonely they felt. When you’re at home, you’re used to being around people and in your halls/flat, people will be busy doing their own thing – it changes over time, but they said it is a lot lonelier than they imagined! Essentially, just be prepared to be an adult!
MONEY
One person I know spent £600 on nights out in first term – she is now £1000 into her overdraft...don’t be like her! I would personally not recommend getting an overdraft – some people end up depending on it. Be careful if you get one because I’m told it lures you into having a false sense of security. An overdraft, in my opinion, should be for worst case scenario use – it is not free money!
The reality of the situation is...money dictates everything! Start thinking about jobs before you even get to university – do your research and constantly keep an eye out for places that are hiring. You will realise when you get to university that your expenses stack up and FAST – those ubers to lectures when you’re tired or late, ubers home from nights out, ordering food when you don’t want to cook, shopping trips, food shops, buying books you need for your course, ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!
Set yourself up for success! I signed up for ‘Unitemps’ which then sent me emails any time there was a new job listing or vacancy – VERY helpful. Quite a few people get jobs at clubs or become promoters for student nights because then they get perks – maybe consider getting a job that directly benefits you! Any job is a job at the end of the day.
Make sure to consider alcohol costs in your budget...
FOOD AND DRINK
At the beginning of the week, figure out what you are going to have for lunch and dinner each day and buy your groceries accordingly. One big food shop is good – e.g. you can buy few things. Some people I’ve seen buy themselves dinner every day but this isn’t a good way to budget your money. Whatever supermarkets are closest to you, get their points card e.g. Nectar card, Clubcard etc... always handy!
Do your food shops with your flatmates! - we all do ours at the same time each week and then split an uber back to our accommodation, so we don’t have to carry it all back or spend a lot on transport.
An airfryer is your best friend! They can be used to make so many different things and they work much faster than the oven.
Once you’re in a routine, you can batch cook and use tupperware to store things – think ahead!
Shot glasses and plastic cups are always needed –especially for when you’re hosting pre’s etc... - they run out so quickly!
FOOD AND DRINK
Get into the habit of doing your dishes straight after using them – a lot of us learnt our lesson with this. When you put it off, the dishes pile up and it just ends up making a mess which is not nice for your flatmates or the cleaners when they come to clean your kitchen (if you have them in your accommodation).
Me and a lot of my flatmates keep a snack box in our rooms – just a little one with your favourite things –always good to have on hand! Especially for when you are studying/revising.
Self-catered halls are overall a better option (obviously each to their own) - It’s better because you can make it work around your own schedule, if you are in catered, there are set mealtimes which aren’t ideal for everyone. You can establish your own routine in self-catered. All the people I've spoken to in catered say their £25 meal card for the week (different for different unis) is not enough and that they don’t like the food they get. If your reason for choosing catered is that you don’t know how to cook, consider the fact that you are going to need to learn at some point, so this is the time – everyone learns on the spot, and it gets easier with practice! In self-catered, you can make your own meals for cheaper by buying ingredients that can work for several kinds of meals. Additionally, if you are a picky eater I would go for self-catered!
FOOD AND DRINK
Don’t stress too much about being in a strict routine straight away, give yourself grace! At one point, me and my flatmates were literally nocturnal – going to bed after watching the sun rise at 7am and waking up at 5pm... - all concepts of ‘normal’ sleeping times and ‘normal’ eating times may go out the window but you will figure it out eventually, don’t worry!
You can get your whole food shop delivered to your accommodation- a few people I know have recently started doing this and it saves them the trip/easier for their schedule – plus, you can add or change things after you’ve ordered, and you can buy more because you’re not having to walk back carrying everything yourself – it's coming straight to you.
NIGHTS OUT
Go on student nights rather than going out on the weekends – we found that student nights have a much better crowd for us and they’re cheaper because of whatever deals are on for tickets, drinks etc... My flatmates have lost their phone and ID on nights out and had to get new ones! Be aware of your surroundings and try to carry minimal things with you.
Don’t put too much pressure on freshers week –don't feel guilty if some nights you don’t feel like going out, especially if you’re not that kind of person, it’s okay! There are plenty of opportunities to go out later on. Also, don’t go into freshers week with the expectation of making friends for life! Just have fun.
BRING CARD GAMES! They’re so so good for pre’s or when you’re just in your kitchen with your flatmates – people brought playing cards, Uno, Dobble – literally anything!
Bring a portable speaker! Always needed for music or when you’re getting ready to go out etc...
At freshers fair, I got a lot of free entry tickets and free drinks vouchers for clubs etc... Look out for these and make use of them!
NIGHTS OUT
Keep your keycard for your accommodation safe (if you have one) - at mine, they charge £5 every time for a new one.
Not just for nights out but ALWAYS make sure you have your keys and phone when you leave your flat/halls - me and my flatmate got locked out with no phone/keys or anything with a train to catch in an hour...was NOT fun.
GENERAL
This may sound really obvious but ASK QUESTIONS! It is so much better to feel stupid in the moment when asking a question than regretting it later on when the moment has passed and you no longer have the opportunity to ask – you’ll find that everyone is literally thinking the same thing, but they’re too scared to ask!
Make use of your personal tutor! - I always email mine with any questions I have about anything – they are your main point of contact.
Get involved! Remember that university is a really good time to enrich your CV – become a course rep, be a student ambassador etc... anything that shows leadership skills, a time when you were the cause for positive change, problem solving, teamwork – there are bound to be careers fairs and volunteering fairs when companies come in, go to them! This is the best time to build your network, alongside e.g. making a LinkedIn.
Further to the previous point, join societies! These are a good way to make friends – there's always something for everyone and if not, you can make one – people who become committee members put that on their CVs/talk about it in interviews.
A lot of people drop out in the first term or at the start of second term – evaluate whether uni is really for you or whether you’d prefer doing something else like an apprenticeship – decide sooner rather than later if you want to leave!
2nd YEAR ACCOMMODATION
Make a checklist of everything you are looking for in a house e.g. bedrooms, bathrooms, parking space, location (how close to uni, good area etc), proximity to , your budget/price range AND THEN decide what is negotiable and what is non-negotiable, what you’d be willing to compromise on.
Do NOT rush into signing a contract – if anything seems suspicious, ask questions or do your research. Consider whether staying in halls for 2nd year is an option you’re willing to explore because some people do that too.
Do NOT take the decision of people you are going to live with next year lightly – they need to be reliable people who you know won’t back out of the contract during your time there and that are going to be clean, responsible and that you genuinely enjoy spending time with!
ASK QUESTIONS every step of the way! You’re entering a legal contract and so you need to make sure you understand every aspect and what you’re paying for.
2nd YEAR ACCOMMODATION
Houses usually get put on in October – last two weeks & Halloween time – consider the fact that agencies will close for Christmas and New Year’s (so won’t get back to you about viewings etc... at that time).
Don’t worry if you haven’t sorted your house before Christmas! That is the general advice, and many people do but it’s not the end of the world if not – we found and signed our house in the 2nd week of January and everything was fine! There are still plenty of houses on the market at that time.
After signing the contract, request to have your own signed copy so you have proof.
THINGS TO CONSIDER/LOOK FOR WHEN GOING TO HOUSE VIEWINGS
Black mould?
Council tax? (if you’re a full-time student you should be exempt but still ask!)
Boiler – when was it last changed? Does it get serviced?
Check for creaking floors, dirty carpets
Parking spaces? How many? - usually you apply for parking permits from the council but still ask to make sure Bins?
Local neighbourhood? - noise levels, crime, cleanliness, facilities etc..
Water & heating?
Working smoke detectors?
Working burglar alarm?
Lockable windows?
Bike storage? (if you need it)
Safe external doors?
THINGS TO CONSIDER/LOOK FOR WHEN GOING TO HOUSE VIEWINGS
Are bills included in the rent? - most usually opt for bills included but there’s no problem with doing bills separately, just make sure to ask what the procedure is with regards to that – e.g. mine is without bills and we will be given details of the suppliers when we move in, bills will come to around £15/£20 a month but that will vary based on our usage etc...
Deposit to be put down?
Is there any obvious disrepair to the house? Take pictures and/or note it down... - raise these issues!
TRY to speak to the current tenants – are they happy with the place/any issues? Are they happy with the landlord? Does the landlord provide notice before coming round? Always ask about length of tenancy, what furniture is included etc...
LEGAL BITS AND BOBS
Who is managing the property?
Who will you be paying your rent to?
Who will you report disrepair to?
Is it a joint or individual contract? - MOST student contracts are joint ones, meaning that you are all responsible for the total rent of the property (not just your own share) - individual contract means you are only responsible for your share of the rent.
Needing a guarantor? - many landlords/agents will require one – can everyone in your group provide one? - In most cases, your parents will be the guarantors – they need to have seen a copy of the contract and be happy to agree to it – once you’ve confirmed a house, your landlord will request your guarantor information.
Read the entire contract properly – raise questions about any of the clauses.
When can you move in? (From what date...)
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