University preparation top tips
Viki Taylor,
2nd Aug 2018
Tags:
Life
Blog
Education
I know how it feels: you’re standing in the line in Wilko with a multipack of tea towels, more cutlery than you’ll ever need and a mum asking "are you sure this is enough?"
You’re off to uni soon and it all feels like a bit of a whirlwind. You’re wondering if you’ve even got the grades, whilst holding a basket full of kitchen utensils that will probably get lost over the course of your first year.
Despite the Ikea and Wilko trips, how do you prepare for university? Below you’ll find 10 top tips that you might find helpful:
Don’t buy the nicest pots and pans
If you’re moving into a flat with other students who you don’t know, it’s likely that your bowls, plates and other kitchen utensils will get lost, borrowed or broken. It’s part of university life, and you’ll probably do the same to your flatmate’s belongings. To make the pain a little less painful, buy cheap kitchenware. Perhaps invest in something a little more long-term in your second or third year.
Put nail varnish on your plates
Chances are your flatmates will have the same stuff as you. I put a small dot of glitter nail varnish on my kitchenware, and it’s stayed on the whole way through uni. This will help to know what’s yours throughout the year, and also when you leave halls of residence. It’ll save any arguments around ‘who’s plate is who’s?!’
Spend time with your friends and family
You’ve got a long summer before you begin university. Get some quality time in with loved ones before you go, even if you’re not studying too far away from home. Once you get into university life, you may not go home as much as you think you will, so make good memories, have fun and take lots of pictures! You’ll look back and be glad you did.
Message flatmates and course mates before (if you can)
Thanks to Facebook, I was able to find out who was in my flat in halls before I got there. A post on the Freshers page was all it took to start a group chat and get to know each other a little before September. It meant that we had some idea about who we were living with, and made Freshers week that bit more fun.
Pause
Slow down. Going to university, leaving home, and moving cities, can feel overwhelming at times, and that’s okay. Give yourself time to reflect, process and enjoy the experience of leaving home. This will give you a chance to understand your emotions and be honest with the people around you.
Why not try journaling and writing down how you’re feeling? Or going for a coffee with a good friend and just be honest? Whatever works for you.
For more university prep blogs and information, visit Fusion.