Top tips for moving to university 🏠

This year more than ever, given the current uncertainty around the COVID-19 restrictions, it is really important to keep in touch with your loved ones from home.

Regardless of whether you are meeting people for the first time, or already have a group of friends to return to, having a close-knit support network can be a really great way to feel connected with others.

We are all now (probably over) familiar with Zoom quizzes and group calls – thanks Lockdown! – so why not continue this whilst at University?

Or make a routine to call your family and friends from home?

Sync Netflix viewings with your siblings?

These are the people that most probably know you better than most and just knowing that they are at the end of the phone can be really beneficial when settling into new surroundings.

Give A Grad A Go have recently launched ‘Go Graduate Network’ – an online community connecting students and recent graduates, to share all things university and post-graduate life.

Joining our online support group is a great way to chat to others in similar positions to you and make new friends, join today!

Despite the above, it is still really important to socialise with the people that you live with and the people on your course.

Whilst you are University, your friends become more like family and will be there through the good and the bad times.

Even though this might be more difficult than usual at the moment, there are lots of ways you can socialise – even if for the time being it is virtually.

Having common interests with flatmates, such as music, TV, film, or sports can be a fantastic way to bond with others and form like-minded hobbies.

Likewise, having friends on your course can be a brilliant way to support one another with the workload that University demands.

Joining a society is another great way to meet new people and make new friends and despite many having to operate differently this year, still consider societies as a fantastic way to meet new people and have something fun in your weekly routine.

Having a part-time job at university is another great way to meet new people and make new friends (along with earning a bit of extra money), check out our blog for tips for finding and managing a part-time job at university.

The University lifestyle is one that encourages flexibility, however despite this, it is still really important that you find a routine that works effectively for you.

One of the beauties of University, is that time management and structure is in your hands, so use this to your advantage.

For example, if you know that you work better first thing in the mornings, why not dedicate mornings to work that perhaps requires more concentration?

Likewise, if you are somebody that finds it easier to work in the evenings, structure your day to allow you to do this.

After being in education or a work environment where there is much more emphasis on having a regimented routine, the flexibility of university can sometimes be difficult to navigate.

Try to remember that not everybody can have the same routine but figuring out what works well for you can be really beneficial and add structure to your week.

University for many is likely to be very different this year, and have more pressures and strains on students, so it’s important to make sure you factor in time for yourself and the things you enjoy into your daily routine.

Whether this is going to a coffee shop, going to the gym or reading your favourite book, make sure to give yourself time to relax and do the things you enjoy.

Make sure to check out our fantastic blog by student Lauren Willmot for some great tips on how to look after your mental health at university.

Before moving to University, it is definitely worthwhile learning how to cook a few staple, nutritious meals.

These don’t have to be fancy, and equally just because you’re a student you do not have to live off beans on toast, they just need to be something that you’re going to look forward to after a day of studying.

There are some great websites, such as BBC Good Food, that provide easy student-friendly recipes.

With the same view of taking photos of your most treasured memories to University, learning to cook a few of your favourite meals can be a fantastic way to feel connected with family and friends at home as well as an excuse to learn an important life skill.

It’s also important to cook food that’s going to fuel you for whatever your day of university entails and meals that are going to fuel your studying.

Check out our blog for the best brain food for students and what to eat before exams.

There is nothing worse than feeling behind or overwhelmed, by your course content.

It is natural to occasionally feel like this, but being prepared for your course can help alleviate these concerns.

As well as getting ahead on reading, the little things such as buying core texts and necessary stationery before your course begins can really put you in a productive mindset and help you feel more prepared.

If your lectures are now online, take some time to get used to the software your lectures will be taking place on, so when your lectures begin you are familiar with the features and can focus 100% on your lectures and seminars.

You could also get in touch with lecturers and ask if there is anything else you could do before your course begins, especially if you are taking a course that you have not studied before.

Ultimately, being prepared will smooth the transition of moving to University and allow you to concentrate on other things such as settling in and making friends.