Freshers Advice | Lifestyle

So it's that time of year again.

A new influx of bright eyed freshers, flush with excitment, start hauling their boxes and bags into their new home in student halls.  I'm so jealous, I miss being a fresher so much! Of course this is an exciting time but it can also be so nerve-wracking. Hopefully these little tips will go some way in settling those nerves so you can feel super positive about your upcoming adventure. :-)

1. Use social media. I felt far more at ease after finding a couple of lovely girls in my flat and nearby flats on twitter. In Cardiff Uni, for example, we had facebook pages/groups for different halls where you could find people in your flat. We had the chance to talk before moving in, coordinate what kitchen stuff we'd bring (who needs five toasters?) and made actually meeting less awkward.

2. Don't judge a book by it's cover. This is a biggy. When I first got chatting to one of my housemates I thought she was nice enough but didn't see us becoming great friends. Three years down the line we still live together and she is my best friend in the whole wide world! This also leads me onto my next post.

3. How "popular" or "cool" you were in school doesn't matter. Seriously. Like, at all. Your new best friend may have been one of the loners and you may have been the queen bee, but you didn't know eachother then. You weren't there. Everything before get's left behind and you can be who you want. I see some of the less popular people from my school having the time of their lives in Uni with a huge bunch of friends and living the dream. Noone cares!!

4. Join a society or sports team. This is actually one of my biggest regrets. I didn't think there was anything for me; I'm not sporty or musical or anything like that so where does that leave me? I didn't realise the huge number of societies there are for literally anything and everything! I am actually planning on braving up and joining the trampolining society this year. You know in school there were lunch time clubs or after school clubs that no one would dream of joining? THIS IS NOT LIKE THAT!

5. Invest a little time and money in making your room cozy. This is home for the next year so make sure you give it a bit of love. They are so gloomy and dull when you first move in but they have so much potential. Let your personality shine through. Follow my pinterest board for inspiration. (Shameless plug but #soznotsoz).

6. Threats of fines for damage are real. Sure, ripping the numbers off the room doors or trying to use the blinds as a hammock may seen fun when you've had a few, but when they say they will fine you they mean it! Student loans are a precious thing, don't waste it on paying stupid fines.

7. Work out a simple budget. Blah blah blah I know you've had this off your parents, teachers and everyone else under the sun but don't be that person who blows their loan in the first two weeks and has to eat value cereal or noodles for every meal until the next loan comes in. Work out how much you have to pay for rent/transport/bills/books/food and then enjoy what you have left. (Sorry, boring but important).

8. Don't feel pressured to be like the rest. In freshers I went out every night and followed a similar pattern for the rest of first year and it was great fun. But I'm not that much of a party girl. Don't get me wrong, I like having a drink and I love having a dance and getting glammed up but don't feel like you have to do it every night if you don't want to. There's such a stereotype of wild, party mad students and if you don't conform you can be made to feel "boring", but just be you. Enjoy Uni your way.

9. Enjoy every moment. However you choose to do it. Uni can be the best (and somtimes worst) time of your life. Yes, it's stressful and hard and tiring, but it's also the time you'll meet the people who will become your family, colleagues, carers and everything in between. You'll try new things, become independent for the first time and learn so much about yourself.

T. xxx

Are you starting Uni this year? 

Do you think there are any important tips that I've missed?