Essentials every student needs for university
There are so many things to think about when you’re heading to university for the first time. By this point you’ve probably watched a million videos on what items are “essential” to take to university. But whilst it’s great to be organised well in advance and know what you’re going to pack, there may be other important things you need to arrange before you leave. Here are a few essentials which you might not necessarily think of, but will definitely be grateful you’ve done once you’re at uni!
Sort out your finances:
Making sure your finances and funding are in order before you leave is a must-do. Set up a student bank account early on and double check that your tuition fees and student loan are sorted. You should also confirm the date that the latter will be paid into your account each month so that you can avoid going into your overdraft unnecessarily. It might also be worth setting up a savings account to keep some money in reserve and separate from your everyday funds. If you feel it would be useful, you could create a rough budget of how much you want to spend on things such as food, travel and leisure each month. However, be aware that it’s hard to make a completely accurate budget before you go and you might need to adjust it once you have lived in your new city for a while. Finally, it’s good to check whether your rent will come out of your account as a direct debit or if you need to pay it manually each month (this varies depending on your accommodation provider).
Compile and make sure you understand any important documents:
Make sure you have read and know how to comply with your lease. Some halls of residence are stricter than others when it comes to having items such as candles and fairy lights and you don’t want to receive a fine during your room inspection! It’s also good to check whether you are allowed to use Blu-Tack and Command Strips to hang your photos. Finally, make sure you know who to contact if there is an issue or you need anything repaired. If you aren’t sure of something in your lease, you can ask your accommodation provider for clarification, or seek independent advice from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Since it contains a lot of important information, make sure you have a copy saved on your laptop (or print a hard copy if you prefer). As well as your lease, might also be worth printing a copy of your acceptance letter and funding confirmation to keep with you. Similarly, if you’re coming from abroad, make sure you have any documents relating to your visa. Finally, ensure you take some sort of age identification with you. Not only is this important if you want to go on nights out, but you will also need it to buy medicine, work and receive deliveries.
Get some loyalty cards:
Living in another city can prove to be an expensive business so loyalty cards are a must! From supermarket perks offered by the Tesco Clubcard and Lidl Plus App, to discounts off retail shops and cafés, it’s definitely worth signing up to some reward schemes before you leave. Without doubt, one of the places you can save the most is transport. Getting a Railcard will save you a third off every train journey you make, whilst in Scotland, a Young Scot Card will get you free bus travel across the country. There are also plenty of shops, museums and restaurants who will offer a discount if you present valid student ID. In some places, such as Dunelm Mill, this applies even before you go to university (particularly useful for buying all of your stuff!), so it’s worth getting it sorted in advance if possible. It’s also a good idea to download the UNiDAYS app so that you have a back-up in case you forget or lose your student card. In addition, it has a helpful overview of all the discounts which are available.
Arrange to contact your family/friends:
In the age of social media, it’s easier than ever to keep in touch with those back home. However, although it’s easy to send a quick text, it’s nice to have a dedicated time to call family and friends in order to have a proper catch-up. This can also give you something to look forward to if you’re having a bad day or feel homesick during Fresher’s week. Remember that it’s okay to share the lows as well as the highs and your loved ones can help you if you’re struggling. Especially with older relatives, it’s handy to decide what platform you’re going to contact them on and show them how to use it before you head off. In line with this, it’s also important to update your university records and ensure that any emergency contact details are correct.
The amount of things you need to do before heading to university can feel a bit overwhelming. However, whilst it can be easy to get caught up in the little things, there are also some essential tasks which you should aim to get done early. By sorting out your finances, understanding important documents, signing up to loyalty cards and arranging to contact friends and family, you will be much better prepared and much less stressed when the time to go to university finally comes!
