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The first day of University can be daunting – where do you go? What do you do? It feels like you should be doing loads of stuff straight away, but often the initial rush of moving all your stuff in can suddenly become very quiet once it’s all done. It’s important to remember that everyone’s moving in experience is slightly different depending on when they move in, but here’s an example of what the first five hours at University could be like to help put your mind at ease.

 Hour 1

Pick up your keys and head to your accommodation. Once you’ve figured out which flat is yours and wound your way through everyone else milling around, you head into the flat and find your room. At UoB the Guild provide a welcome team, consisting entirely of students, to help you find your flat, help carry boxes and answer any questions you may have the moment you get there.

They’ve all been through the move-in process too so don’t be afraid to ask them questions, no matter how small! The flat may be totally empty and silent if no-one else is in, or it could be crammed full of people if everyone is moving in at the same time with their whole family helping. You move in all your stuff and look at the piles of boxes in your room, with no idea where to start. You decide to make a cup of tea using your brand new kettle instead.

Hour 2

Tea-drunk (and possibly some flatmates introduced by this point) you start to put some things away, and already realise you’ve forgotten something important, meaning it’s time for your first trip to the shops! IKEA is only a 20 minute drive away and there are supermarkets all around, so there are plenty of options. Stock up on milk, bread, and stock cupboard essentials, also a laundry bag could be helpful, moving in is hard work).

Hour 3

You return victorious from your trip to the shops and finish unpacking your stuff. Things are still not quite in the right place and posters aren’t put up, but suitcases are emptied and boxes are flattened. You remember the University’s Insta Story about posting a picture of your Uni room and you want to join in, but it will have to wait. It’s now time for the emotional goodbyes as your family head off (you must remember to call them as soon as you’ve made a friend).

Things seem quite quiet so you go into the kitchen to meet your flatmates – you’re very nervous but surely opening a packet of biscuits will help?

Hour 4

Introductions have been made and you’re getting on really well with your flatmates – of course you get on better with some than with others but they’re all really nice! You’re just asking after the final person of your flat who is due to arrive when you hear the door unlocked and bags bashing along the hallway – your final housemate has arrived! You all rush to help them with their things over cheery introductions (their dad tells you about the traffic).

Hour 5

Everything has settled down again and all of you are sat in the kitchen wondering what to do next. Things are a little awkward, sure, but you can tell you’re going to get on well. You think about dinner and as a group you discuss the options: you could go out to eat? You could cook as a flat? You decide to order takeaway and watch some trashy TV before heading out on your first flat outing.