What to expect from university life

• One of the main things new students worry about is starting somewhere new and making friends. It's good to remember that everyone is in the same boat! You'll find within a few weeks that you have new friends, know your way around and have forgotten you were worried at all.
• Your first week at university is called freshers' week. This is when you enrol for your course and can get involved in lots of fun activities. There will be events such as the Freshers' Fayre where you can get lots of freebies and the Freshers' Ball, a big night out for new students.
• During Freshers' Fayre you will have the opportunity to sign up for sports and societies. This is a good way to meet new people and do something you enjoy alongside studying.
• The second week is when your course begins. You won't have a parent or guardian to wake you up in the morning or to make you do your homework so it's your responsibility to get to class on time and do your work!
• A lot of university is about independent learning so you will need some self-motivation. Remember this is your degree, and only you can put the time and effort in to get the best out of it!
• If you move away from home for university, it's completely normal to get homesick. It's good to check in with family and friends back home but don't isolate yourself from your new friends.
• A skill that will come in handy is how to plan your budget. You'll be responsible for buying your food, paying for bills and so on. It will avoid you overspending if you know how much money you have going in and out of your account.
• Your health is very important and you might find yourself getting freshers' flu. Ensure that you are registered with the university doctor, stock up on vitamins and get some good sleep.