Charlotte – Nichole

23/11/2017 Dear Diary...

Student Life – Top 7 tips!*

If you’re thinking of going to uni next year, then it’s likely that you’ll be sending off your UCAS application soon, if you haven’t already. 

The idea of going to university is a daunting one, after all, it’s probably going to be the first time that you are going to be living without your parents there to help and support you. Despite how scary it may be, you should be excited too; You’re growing up and becoming independent!

Student life can certainly be a struggle, but here are some tips to help you get by a little easier.

Decorate Your Room | If you’re moving really far away from home, it’s completely normal for you to become really homesick really quickly. Dorm rooms, in all their plainness, don’t make this transition any easier. The first thing that you should do when you arrive at your dorm is decorate it. Add fairy lights, pictures of family and friends, your own bed covers, and plenty of ornaments and accessories. This won’t make your new room feel like your old one, but it will certainly make it feel like your room and a little more homey. 

Get Yourself Organised | A lot is going on at university every single day, and it all can become overwhelming very quickly. The last thing that you want to do is miss an important lecture or assignment deadline because you were trying to remember which day your book club meets up. Get yourself a planner, or even install an app, and write down what assignments you have due when, when and where your lectures are, the days your societies meet up, and anything else that you can’t afford to forget.
Protect Your Computer | You may think that it’s only large businesses or companies that have to worry about cyber security, but you should too. After all, the last thing that you want to do is finish a five thousand word assignment, and then click a dodgy link and get a virus that completely wipes your computer. Install some antivirus software and be careful of the sites you’re visiting and the links you’re clicking.
Have A Spare Phone | You may be incredibly careful with your phone and have never broken a single one in your entire life, but accidents do happen, so it’s much better to be safe than sorry. Perhaps you dropped your phone down the toilet first thing in the morning, left it in a lecture and never found it again, or had it smashed on a night out; Either way, you’re left without. It makes sense to have a spare tucked away in a drawer so that you don’t have to wait until you have enough money to replace your current one.
Pay For Streaming | You are going to be incredibly busy while you’re at uni, but there is always going to be time between lectures and assignments to do the things that you enjoy. If you’re sick of going out drinking (literally) or were never much of a party animal in the first place, then it makes sense to have something that you can do in your uni room.
Streaming sites like Amazon Video and Netflix can provide you hours of entertainment, and mean that you don’t have to lug boxes of DVDs with you from home. No one likes that clutter!!
Don’t Be Tempted By Deals | So you’re doing a food shop, and you see that the packs of sausages are three for two, which sound like a great deal. Newsflash: It isn’t. Unless you’re buying frozen sausages (which you might not have the room for), sausages don’t have a very long life, so there’s no way that you’re going to find a reason to use three packs. Only buy what you know you can use, otherwise, you’ll just waste food and money. The only exception to this rule is tinned goods, as they are incredibly versatile, last absolutely ages, and can be stored pretty much anywhere.
Budget Your Student Loan | It’s only November, and I’m already seeing people that have spent every single penny of their student loan, and are now struggling for money. Try to avoid the broke feeling if possible, and budget how you’re going to spend your loan. By doing this, you should be able to get by until your next loan installment.
University is an exciting experience, but it can get tough at times, especially if you’re not prepared. Hopefully this short guide helps you to enjoy your experience a little more and makes your life a little easier at uni.
* This is a collaborative post and may include affiliate linksÂ