#preparingforuni

16.09.23 - some shopping

The months leading up to the big day when you move into a new room, a new environment, a new city, and possibly a new country can be a bit daunting. I still remember when I would spend hours searching for useful information about my University, carefully studying the campus map, and looking at all the societies on offer. Well, this is precisely what I would recommend to any future fresher: to do some research. Now, don’t over do it to the point where you know literally everything about the University before even arriving there and are left with no surprises. If you’re already interested in some societies, start planning which ones you’d like to join, look at the map of the campus or the buildings to have an idea of how further they are to your room, and to avoid being lost the first few days. Also have a look at where the closest supermarket is, and where the lauderette is if you’re living in halls. And perhaps do a bit of summer reading!

I would recommend you to look at your future accommodation website and search for the inventory section, so that you know what to bring with you. It is indeed important to know exactly what to bring because there is no need to have ten hobs and pans or four duvets. I personally brought some food (such as pasta, rice, tins, biscuits...) with me and you can totally do this, but don’t forget that there will be shops over there! Useful items to bring include large plastic boxes in case there’s not even storage in your room, a door wedge, earplugs (you’ll need them, trust me), slippers, posters or photos to make your room look a bit more cosy, maybe a board game (though your university might provide some), a raincoat will be much needed if you’re studying in the UK haha, a bath mat, laundry basket,tupperware, cling-film, painkillers, paracetamol and so on, and of course don’t forget everything course related such as a pad of lined paper or A4 folder. On the slightly boring and administrational side, you need to bring your passport, your University acceptance letter, information or contract concerning your accommodation, passport photos, insurance documents, and student loan documents. These will usually be needed to set up a bank account (if you don’t have one already), or to sort out all the NHS stuff.

Lastly, I would try and find the reading lists of the various modules you’ll take. I wouldn’t recommend buying books in advance. You can always buy one if it seems very interesting, will know for certain it will be of use to you during the year, and if you want to do some preparatory reading. But most of the time, your department or course society will organise a book sell where 2nd years sell their books (second hand but cheaper!). This also gives you a chance to ask and discuss which books they’ve found useful and which ones are truly worth buying.