Heading to University/College in September?

Heres some advice from the people who have been students!

All three of us have been to Uni- Thats How we met! 

I mean enjoy your summer!! But Know you have got your grades you have either been accepted to a University or Higher Education. Congrats!

Or like some of us still debating whether to go or not, maybe I'll be able to make your decision easier. Or for you the person out there in crisis mode thinking all those questions (which how silly they may be they aren't) - trust me!

Maybe this will help you,

Also we've been there got the t-shirt so anything you want to know please ask us!

So You have received your letter Wooo!!! - Party, Celebrate and Commiserate - those who may have not got in to their Uni of choice It isn't the end of world- it may feel that way but I didn't get my top choice.

It seems silly really but believe it of students admit they don't actually read their Course Structure before accepting the University.

So its University over course- which seems silly to me, location does matter but the course could potentially offer more in a different area than the other. 

As an Example I was accepted to both Leeds and Birmingham to study Fashion Design- at the end of the day you will receive the same degree name etc. But what made me decide was that Birmingham had a stronger course structure and I could experiment with different modules in my second year, where as Leeds offered limited modules and you didn't have as much freedom to try different areas of fashion.

Leeds is particularly better student wise by the way and I never looked back, going to Birmingham was better!!!

Another thing to look at is the percentage of graduates that go into their degree relevant job,  employers will seek out for graduates at particular Universities.

Don't be scared to defer your choice either, It may all seem the right thing to do but overall it may be overwhelming and you're now going to be in debt. I would have done a foundation or travel or just save some money but with the fees going up a year later, I went to Uni.

Obviously we can only discuss from our experiences and some peoples are different to others but if you do go to uni, have fun! Take everything in and just overall enjoy it, it goes so quickly!!

Once You have been accepted, its a mad rush to get the best accommodation- 

I however was in a really good position as I did a National Diploma and so I had my grades before A-level students so I snapped up the best accommodation within 5mins walk to Uni and Centre Location, Ensuite etc etc- It was £106 per week- not to bad for centre.

Some obviously who did their emails where lucky enough to snap up the accommodation to however some were not as fortunate and even though there was a few good selections nearby. Some ended up out of the way in Flats with shared bathrooms and had to get a bus or walk 45mins to Uni. Although this doesn't sound appealing you will find people doing the same trip so I found just make bus friends and then you're sorted!

The best advice I could give someone is take your chances because you never know, you could meet your husband- creepy to think that but you never know.

Also been open to opinion at uni peoples morals or standards drop usually and how people stay "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" Its pretty much like that in First year.

On my course I don't particularly remember it being that stimulating or hard, More partying etc- most courses first year doesn't count to your degree you just have to pass it to further on.

What is Next? So moving on you have booked your accommodation; your probably want to set up a student account and get an overdraft- as grown up it may sound this will save your life in most situations. The only thing I say is compare with other banks it might be best staying loyal to the company you're with as they may give you money or a railcard etc or it might be better to change. I changed to Barclays- to which I soon regretted, they are really good at helping you keep in charge of your money with their weekly planner, but when you come to open an overdraft they ask all these questions and I didn't particularly like the process to apply- eventually I left and opened an account with Santander- really easy and you have 4 years to pay out of your overdraft- win win!! Don't be scared to go in your overdraft as most people do. Also make sure your Loan information is right and you probably will have to log on the say you have got a place etc so don't go to uni thinking that has sorted itself- You have to make sure they are paying the correct institution and course.

What will I need? Moving in, check with you accommodation and see what they will provide like iron, kettle, toaster. Some do bargain welcome packs which include duvets, pillowcases, cutlery, pans and essentials. But otherwise you should make a checklist which will help you when it comes to packing.

This is a list of what I took and what i recommend you should buy/get! :P

* Please remember that when you're moving into halls of residence, space is limited. Its part of the experience to have a small room!  Avoid Over packing you can always buy stuff when you get there as there will be lots of student deals especially on clothes!!

• Bedding; Mattress protector, pillow and case x2/3, Fitted flat sheet- easier than having to tuck everything in( check your bed size!!) Duvet and cover ( take an all season one don't bother with two), Blanket/throw (snuggly for those wintery lounge days!)
• Laptop/desktop computer- mouse & keyboard!! Cables!!- (ethernet cable-check with the halls as sometimes they are provided)
• Printer/scanner
• Desk Lamp/ Fairy Lights
• Pen Pot
• Books- uni related and leisure
• Radio/ Sound system
• Ipod/Ipad- party playlist
• Toiletries; shower matt, toilet roll, shampoo & conditioner, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet brush, bleach- cleaning fluid, sponge, after shave, shaver, perfume, deodorant, baby wipes and dry shampoo!!
• a few small boxes to put make up in or generic bits and bobs.
• Shoes- flats and heels
• Clothing; lingerie, tops, coat, trousers, dresses ect ect
• folders for coursework
• Pencil case
• good bag to carry stuff
• a hold all- small suitcase for those big ass tesco shops or it may come in use for light travel trips :)
• spare money- hide well (some halls come with built in safes, use them
• sunglasses and accessories and jewellery
• picture frames- photos to decorate the walls
• I brought a small matt for the room incase the carpet/ floor was nasty.
• Hangers- bring quite a few! 30-60 I think
• Scrounge some food basics like salt and pepper, ketchup, bread off your parents :P 
• kitchen stuff; Cups( most stuff does brake so don't bring anything to special) a few plates, bowls, glasses, knives and forks, spoons, pots and pans, drying rack and fairy liquid!!
• Laundry bag and powder/conditioner- drying rack/hanger
• Posters
• Cd's and Dvds for procrastination
• Pack of cards (for the drinking games)
• clock- alarm one!! haha
• Of course Alcohol and mixer!
  

How am I going to make friends? Well its quite easy at uni, everyone is in the same position so you just need to muck in with your flat mates and go out to events! I bought a freshers wrist band and we met people on the same course as us. Get Contacts add on Facebook or Twitter or mobile numbers, all helps as then you can text them to find out which events their going to. Join some random things at the fair like societies that appeal to you that always helps- I found our Student society was shocking for this but they were okay at planning bar crawls and provided transport to things that were further away. 

Just have a mooch around your accommodation- smile and be friendly, welcoming. I helped unpack peoples cars at one point. I Understand people are shy and find it hard, best thing is you can be reserved at uni but to get the best bets of friends for life its best to try and get yourself out of that comfort zone- people don't bite! Usually :P Also get a bit of dutch courage with a drink kinda brings some people out of their box :P

Are my tutors going to be nice? Who knows they really do depend. Some won't know your name for the whole time your their but you just get used to it. I mean they have to tutor a lot of students. Most will help you though just email them with queries I mean they are paid to help you so just get your moneys worth and pester them if you desperately need help or things explaining. 

Will I spend a lot of money? I am not going to lie to you and say you'll not spend to much as their are good deals out their. But your not going to be the richest person out there. I know when my loan came in I hadn't seen that amount ever in my account and I did spend a lot of money in all my three years at uni. However you can budget yourself I found once the novelty ran out a bit and people became poor again you could budget yourself better. With less stuff going on you do get in the just of a sorta normal life :P I probably spent £400 or more in freshers week if that gives you an idea :s and I know people who spent more than £1000. The thing that saved me was that I had worked all the way through Summer and had savings.

What do I wear? Uni's don't really have any dress code or formality some people really do just go in their Pjays :D But people really don't care that much what you look like, you don't have to put extreme effort in your presentation unless that what you like. It really is chilled out. Their are some immature people obviously who will take the piss out of what you look like but I just smile and ignore it or make a saucy comment about their outfit.
 Some inspo...

Here are some handy websites I would visit!!

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/What_To_Take_To_University

http://www.studentbeans.com/free-stuff

http://www.aroundtownflats.com/blog/2010/08/top-list-of-university-life-necessities-for-on-off-campus-living/

http://www.studential.com/checklist

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/store/category/bed-bath/20001/

Heres some Top tips and advice from Amreeta & April!!

"Uni has been the best experience of my life so far, loved every bit of it! My advice would to be to enjoy yourself but make sure you keep on top of your work. Balancing socialising and uni work is the key. Also get to know as many people as possible and don't be afraid to just open up and have fun. If you have any questions or want any general advice about uni tweet me!" 

"choose a course that you love/find interesting and not something you are being forced into doing. 
you're going to get so much more out of completing a course you're inspired to do and
 if you have decided that the course isn't for you, you have plenty of time to change, whether it be in your first few weeks of uni or half way through your second year"
ps) if you pre drink whilst getting ready for a night out, always double check you have the correct shoes on. I went out wearing my slippers, don't worry though, nobody notices! 

Hope This has helped!
Really Hope You Enjoy Uni!!!
Lots of wishes!!

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