Our Tips For Getting Ready For University

The start of September marks the beginning of a new chapter for some of our readers (or their children): university! Getting ready for university is an exciting and transformative time in your life. As you prepare for this new chapter, it's important to approach it with a sense of readiness and enthusiasm. To help navigate this transitional period, we've put together some top tips that will make your preparations as smooth as possible, including everything you’ll need to bring with you, as well as some helpful advice for your uni experience!

We know many universities start next week, so see this as your last minute guide to getting ready for university!

Get Organised

Before starting the next academic year, it's important to organise everything you'll need for the year ahead. This includes items for your new living space, essentials for your classes, and other important things you don't want to forget!

To make the transition easier and ensure you don't forget anything important, we've created some checklists to help you keep track of what you have and still need. Since every course is different, we've left off any specific academic items, as your university will provide you with a list of any equipment or reading materials you need to pick up before the new year!

Top Tip: Don’t pack your entire room off to university!

Check your tenancy agreement with your accommodation before you start buying/packing for university. They may already provide some essentials, minimising what you need to buy!

You can download all of these lists here, perfect for any last minute shopping (or making note of what you are missing)!

These lists are by no means exhaustive, but a great place to start! We suggest checking out Dunelm, George, and Marks and Spencers as they have dedicated ranges making your haul even easier! We also suggest Primark and Ikea, too!

Our Top Picks For Getting Ready For University:

Reach Out to Your Roommates

Moving away from home, especially for the first time, can be a daunting and lonely experience. If you are living in shared accommodation, consider contacting your roommates before you move in. It helps to break the ice and learn about who you'll be living with this year. It's also a great way to coordinate who is bringing what with them!

Building positive and supportive relationships early on in your university journey is a great way to maximise this potentially great experience. You might even make lifelong friends along the way!

Attend Orientation Events

Another way to set foundations early is by attending the different orientations set up by your university. It'll help you get acquainted with campus facilities, faculty, and fellow students on your courses. Take advantage of these events to network, gather important information you'll need for the year ahead, and begin forming a sense of belonging in your new academic community.

You should also make the most of the fresher events (even if it's not your first year at university), they can be a great way to make the most of what university can offer. And don't worry, it's not all about drinking! There are a lot of great experiences that don't revolve around alcohol!

It's also time to find what societies there are at your university; there is one for every hobby and interest! They are a great way to build friends with people who have similar interests from the offset!

Top Tip: Find a Balance Between Learning and Socialising!

While immersing yourself in the university experience, it's important to find a balance between academic pursuits and social activities. It can be easy to become overwhelmed with all the learning involved, or inversely, all the socialising you'll get up to! Creating a routine from the beginning means you have dedicated time for everything important: study time, extracurricular involvement, self-care, and downtime!

Familiarise Yourself With Your New City

If you are moving to a new city, take some time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Explore local amenities, parks, and entertainment spots. Doing so can help you feel more at ease in your new environment. It's also a great way to find out about the public transport options, which will be especially important if you have to commute to different campuses around the city.

We recommend finding the best coffee spot for study meet-ups, any popular student bars for socialising, and the location of nearby supermarkets!

Getting Ready For University

The most important step in getting ready for university is to get prepared for all the fun that you're going to have! We hope that these tips help you kickstart your new journey with the items you need and some necessary knowledge. All of us here at Ashleigh Money Saver wish you the best of luck, future graduates!