Preparing for university can be daunting enough, but not being fully prepared for your stay can be even more daunting. Here are some tips to help you prepare, so that when the time does come that you make the move you will be fully prepared.
Packing essentials
It can be easy to forget the essential items that we use in our everyday life, for example, kettle, bedding, mugs, throws. kitchen utensils and pans, all of these essential items can make a student’s accommodation feel a lot more homely and comfortable when moving out alone. I would advise on writing a checklist before going and planning this to ensure you have thought of everything.
Familiarize yourself with your new location
Familiarizing yourself with the area that will be your new home will help when you do move, I suggest when visiting you make a note of all of the places you would like to visit and that appeal to you so that when you do move you have an idea on where to visit and where it is located from your new accommodation.
This could be the local coffee shop, to public transport links to even the location of the faculty teaching blocks, this is also fun to do with your friends/roommates, as you can then get an idea of the local area with your friends and where you can all visit on the weekends.
Budget planning
Spend some time going through the importance of budget planning, this can be helpful for any young adult that may not yet know how crucial this can be.
If you get your funds at the start of the term it can be very important to make this last, it can also be very hard once you incorporate unexpected costs and social groups.
Add up your income:
Your student loans
Any grants, bursaries, sponsorships, or scholarships you’re eligible for
Money from your parents or guardians
Income from a job
Any savings you’re not saving for after your course
Then take off any essential outgoings:
Tuition fees
Rent for your accommodation
Any house bills – internet, TV license, water, gas, electric, etc.
Any travel or car costs
Your phone bills
Food
Then whatever’s left you can spend on other things:
Books or equipment for your course
Household supplies and toiletries
Music, films, and social activities
Clothes and shoes etc.
Look at finding a part-time job
If the timetable structure of your course looks like there may be time for a part-time job to supplement your student loan, try going through your C.V and application letter so you can seek part-time employment, this can also be a very good way of socializing and meeting people other than your roommates or fellow students.
Learn to cook before moving
When you move out from home, one of the biggest challenges can be learning to live without home-cooked meals from your parents, even though your meals may never match up to your mums Sunday roast dinner, you can take some lessons in the kitchen that will help you through university.
Takeaways can be costly but when you buy ingredient’s the majority of the time you will still have leftovers which you can then make into other meals, any leftovers you do have you can freeze and have another time.
Hopefully, this has helped you, several websites can help with starting your journey to Uni, there are many helpful websites that you can find useful information on to prepare you.