For a lot of students, moving from school to university usually means moving away from home for the first time. One of the best journeys of your life will be moving out of your home and joining a college campus. It often means leaving friends behind and beginning a whole new chapter in education.
Such transformation in life can be both exciting and terrifying since this is the first time people are experiencing independence.
It is common for students to feel overwhelmed in the first few weeks. Unlike your school, you will not be spoon-fed and guided by teachers. Being independent does not only mean late-night parties. You will also have to deal with a lot of responsibilities. There is a lot to do before moving to university for the first time in the year. Therefore, it is necessary to go prepared before you plan to shift your education.
At some point in your life, you will need to get out of your comfort zone. Besides being surrounded by new people at college, you will have to deal with a lot of things on your own, like organizing your new space. Studying in an unfamiliar country has all challenging moments, but it can give you a life-changing experience.
In this guest blog, I will share from my experience how you can prepare yourself before shifting to university.
Do some research
Get some time out of your busy schedule to learn about the city where you will be studying. Set some time to explore the area and finalize living arrangements fully. Colleges have off-campus hostels, on-campus hostel arrangements, or tie-ups with paying guest accommodations or other accommodations where students can live. Also, make sure to check out nearby emergency doctors, eateries, and common means of transport in the area.
Create a checklist
Make sure to create a proper checklist that covers your day-to-day basics. Here are the few materials you must list out in your checklist.
1. Door Room items
- Lamps
- Sticky books
- Dry-erase/calendar/message board
- Battery-powered clock
- Sticky hooks
- Fan/space heater
- Air mattress
2. Linens
- Blankets/dufets/comforters
- Hangers
- üTowels
- Shower mat
- Dryer sheet
- Detergent
3. School supplies
- Ruler
- Highlighters
- Scissors
- Index cards
- Notebooks
- Stamps
4. Bathroom/meds
- Vitamins
- Aspirin
- Cough drops
- Antacid
- Allergy meds
- Hand mirror
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
5. Documents
- Copy of birth certificate
- Emergency contact list
- Health insurance card
- Passport
- School ID
- License
- Credit/debit cards
- Financial aid information
- Health insurance card
- Copy of social security card
Learn cooking
Cooking is an essential thing to learn. When you are staying by yourself, you will have to make your meals on your own. You cannot depend on takeaways every time as is great for your health nor is it right for your student budget. Chances are you will also be missing your home food.
So the best thing to do is take help from your family member to make your favorite dishes on your own. You need not be a perfect cook. However, you will become better with practice.
Make sure you’re organized
Don’t forget to make sure everything is sorted with your accommodation, finances, visas (if you’re studying abroad), and the like – it may not be much fun sorting out these things, but it will be worth the hassle when you’re settled! Also, don’t forget the equipment you need for your studies – a laptop, notepad, pens, etc. Whether you’re in catered or self-catered accommodation, you may also need kitchen items like crockery and pans.
Set a student budget
It is a good idea to make a budget plan for what you are planning to spend. Although stressing over money can ruin your education and enjoyment, it is still necessary to calculate how much you must spend on your rent and food. While doing so, ensure not to spend too much on socializing in your first week. You need to understand that there are many fun things you can do without really breaking the bank.
If you are lucky enough, you will be able to find a Facebook group where people are taking the exact same course as you. Using the search functions on Twitter, you will look for people who are sharing the same experience if starting university in the same location as you. You will also locate social networks for various student societies where you are interested and then join the conversation.
Be safe
University sure is mostly about making good memories, having fun, a lot of get-togethers, trips, and games, but there is also a darker side to campus life. If you weren’t really exposed to drugs, partying, or alcohol in high school, your first few months in uni can come as a shock to you.
However, there is nothing to be panic about. But still, it doesn’t hurt to be careful. You should sort out some safety mechanisms to give yourself and your parents some peace of mind.
Here are a few ways you may consider safety:
- Make sure to bring your own drinks to parties
- Campus security number should be on your speed dial
- Make sure never to go alone anywhere. You must accompany at least two people whenever you are going to any place.
- Always have a backup plan if anything goes wrong
- Stay organized with paperwork and policies
You need to ensure that all the necessary documents and guidelines are in proper order. Right from your official timetable to tenancy, everything should be put in proper order. It will prove to be useful a lot of times. It will give you clarity on a lot of things. If you are planning to study abroad, make sure to go through all the requirements of your official paperwork. Your college administrators expect you to keep your immigration documents ready once you arrive.
Learn about the Extra Assistance you can get
Not every day in your life will be perfect. Some of the days will be very struggling to survive academic life. You will often be burdened with multiple assignments. During such desperate hours, you will require help. Thus you need to know where you will be able to get help.
Look out for tutors, check library timings, and online assignment writing services in the UK that offer help in that area.
Different grading system
The grading system in your university will be much different than what you must have experienced in high school. So do not get disappointed if you were used to receiving between 80 and 90% on homework or in class tests.
Get ahead with your reading
Your university must have emailed you a list of texts to be covered in your first semester. It will be a good idea to get ahead in your course and start reading. This way you will not be too pressured with your academic life and enjoy socializing with new people. It will help you manage your workload.
Conclusion
Did you apply for a college that is far away from your home? University itself is a whole new world. On top of that, if you choose to go to a university far from your home, it can be pretty overwhelming. Therefore, it is better to be prepared before you set off to an unknown land. The blog post will list everything you need to prepare before setting off on your academic journey. After all, this is your best chance to show how you are capable of achieving independence. Make sure to do your best. All the best!
Author – Robert Smith is a digital educator, and academic counselor working on behalf of a reputable firm in the USA. He is currently associated with the academic writing services platform myassignmenthelp.com. Also, he is a fitness trainer and yoga teacher.