The Good, The Bad and Uni in general!

Finance

Budgeting your money at university can be one of the hardest things to do while at university. Having to spend money on pretty much everything it soon starts to disappear from your bank account, this is why it’s really important to always keep an eye on what you have left and even plan your money in advance for the next couple of months. For some people having been given £1000 can be a new thing and therefore it can be very tempting to go and spend it all at once. This is a bad idea and I repeat a bad idea! You will soon realise that spending a lot of money as soon as you get it is exciting at the time but not in a couple of weeks down the line when you’re scrounging for food or having to borrow from your parents.

The main priority for spending your money is not the nights out (don’t be disappointed) but food. Always have money for food before anything else. I probably spend my money on food the most, with bus fare, drinks and clothing following closely behind. You will always need food as you will get hungry and you don’t want to starve! Of course another enjoyable part of university is the nights out with friends, and although most of my friends don’t have any money left to spend on nights out, if your friends do make sure you have some as well, so you don’t feel left out!

Top tip: your lecturers will insist you buy books on your book list to help with your course, however these books normally cost £30 or £40, each! Remember, there is always the internet, which is free!

Education

Education is why we’ve come to university, right? Most of us are spending £9000 a year on our studies and classes so you have to make the most of it. Having to get up at 7am can be hard and very unappealing and it is very easy to let that 40% pass rate mentality get to you but even if you miss one day you can also miss a lot of the notes and advice you will need to complete your assignments. Unlike most of my friends, my university centre is an hour long bus journey down the road which is even more unappealing and especially hard if you’ve got 3 hours sleep and it’s raining outside. But as I only have to go in 2 days a week it’s kind of hard to find an excuse.

Click HERE for some tips on how to wake up in the morning.

When it comes to actually doing your coursework/assignments it’s best to start on them as soon as you get them, no one likes a last minute rush and no one needs the added stress.

I would say always try your hardest when preparing for exams and doing your coursework as although you only need 40% the pass the first year it’s always nice to see yourself achieve your best, and by getting your degree at the end of it will make it worthwhile.

Relationships

While being at university you will meet loads of different and new people and some of the friends you make now maybe your friends for life. Fresher’s week is the week you will probably meet the most people, everyone is new and in the same boat as you! Within the next couple of weeks groups will start to form, this isn’t a bad thing as you may know one person in that group and then they will introduce you to their friends and you’ll meet many more.

Your flat mates will probably be the first people you meet when you get to university and it’s best to introduce yourself and get of good terms with them – you’re going to be living with them for a year! However, not all the time will you get on with everyone you meet, but it’s okay, remember you don’t have to be best friends with them but at least be civil, (oh, and don’t steal their food!)

You will also meet people that catch your eye, if it’s in a club or on your course or even walking down the street but remember don’t move too fast, especially on fresher’s week and most people aren’t looking for anything serious, so look after yourself and don’t let yourself get too attached straight away!

Independence

For a lot of people being at university will be the first time away from home and being by yourself. It can be a whole new challenge in itself, you have to take on new responsibilities and do pretty much everything for yourself. This includes doing your own laundry, cooking, cleaning up and making sure you get to lessons on time, whereas at home someone else might have done these for you. It’s the perfect opportunity to gain new life skills and fend for yourself. Moving away from home can make you feel a bit homesick, but don’t worry, other people will be feeling the same and remember family and friends are just a phone call or email away!

Also, time management is key for being at university. With assignments and exams all having due dates you need to make sure you are ready and do these on time.

If you get a part time job to accompany your studies like me, this can add extra pressure to your time but remember it has its advantages at the end of the month when you look at your payslip. Getting a part time job is another thing to add to your CV and let’s you expand your skills in many other areas besides writing essays. Never let a job get in the way of your studies though!

At the end of the day if you get the chance to go to university I would say go for it! You gain so many new life skills, hopefully a degree and meet lots of new people along the way. It’s fun and exciting and all the hard work you put in will be worth it in the long run.

Alyssa x