10 things to do before starting university

As you prepare for your first year at university, it's easy to be overwhelmed by everything you need to do before term starts. To help ease the stress, we've put together ten practical things to add to your checklist

1. Arrange your accommodation

When it comes to finding a place to live, most first-year students choose to stay in halls of residence, which are managed by the university and offer an easy way to meet new people.

Privately rented housing or off-campus university accommodation are alternatives, although they're more popular with finalists and later-stage or postgraduate students.

If you're attending a local university, you may prefer to save on costs and live at home.

If you do decide to go with university-owned accommodation, you'll typically be faced with a choice between halls that are:

• catered or self-catered
• single or mixed-gender
• sociable or quiet.

It's never too early to start thinking about your preferences, as many hall places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact your university's accommodation office to enquire about accommodation open days to explore your options.

Discover what you need to know about student accommodation.

2. Sort out your finances

While this may not seem like the most exciting task when preparing for university, it's important to get your finances in order before freshers' week so you can budget for the coming academic year.

Set up student banking and a 0% overdraft facility

The first thing you need to do is set up a student bank account. Most major banks offer these with added incentives, such as discounts on eating out and better interest rates. For example, you could gain access to a free four-year Tastecard with NatWest, which offers two for one meals or 25% off the bill at thousands of restaurants, or a four-year 16-25 Railcard through Santander.

However, you should really be looking for the bank with the best 0% interest overdraft facilities. Banks typically charge daily fees if you exceed your arranged overdraft, so always read the small print.

Explore student banking and other ways to save money as a student.

Apply for a student loan

If you're planning to receive government-funded student finance, you need to get in touch with your relevant Student Finance body:

• Student Finance England
• Student Finance NI
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)

Securing student finance is a lengthy process, so make this your priority.

Once these measures are in place and you know how much funding you're entitled to on top of any parental or needs-based grants and part-time job earnings, you can budget your day-to-day life accordingly.

This should include allowances for the following, to avoid financial trouble later in the term:

• Amenities - food, utility bills, and course materials.
• Luxuries - clothes, socialising, and visits home.

3. Decide what to take

Find out what will be provided at your student accommodation to avoid making unnecessary purchases. Be sure to check how much storage space you'll have in your new room and only take what you have the space to use.

If you're taking a laptop, tablet or other gadgets, consider insuring them - whether that's through your bank, family home insurance, or cover provided by the company you bought the gadget from.

You can also search price comparison sites such as CompareTheMarket.com or MoneySuperMarket.com for the cheapest contents cover - if you're renting, you won't need home insurance.

With bigger items to consider, you might forget to pack up the little things. Items such as stationery, pain relief and cleaning products are easily forgotten, so it's a good idea to keep organised by writing lists of what you need to take with you or buy when you arrive.

Take a look at our guide on what to take to university.

4. Benefit from discounted travel

A 16-25 Railcard, taking a third off the price of all train fares, could save you some serious cash if you're planning on visiting home or friends at other universities throughout the term. The card costs just £35 per year, or £80 for three years, and it can save you an average of £208 per year.

Bringing a car to university isn't usually essential. If you do, be aware that parking is often limited, and you'll likely need to pay for a campus permit as well as potentially higher insurance costs linked to your relocation.

Public transport will keep you connected - especially in bigger cities - so it's worth considering the savings you can make on trains, buses and coaches instead.

If you live near campus, consider investing in a bike, as this can work out cheaper in the long run. Some universities and students' unions run bicycle loan schemes, so explore whether you can benefit at your chosen institution. Be sure to factor in the cost of any cycling clothing and accessories, such as a:

• helmet
• lock
• hi vis cycling jacket or top, especially if riding at night
• maintenance/repair kit.

5. Get reading

Many universities publish their reading lists online before your course begins or send them directly by email. This gives you an idea of what to expect from your workload, and getting a head start on reading builds your confidence for lectures.

You don't need to own every book on the list - identify the core texts and buy these. Any others you need will be available to borrow from your university library, or you can buy them online from former students for a fraction of their original price. For second-hand books, visit Preloved or World of Books, as well as popular platforms such as Amazon or eBay.

Consider signing up with an online library like Perlego. You can search over one million academic, professional, and non-fiction titles to read on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Subscriptions are available monthly, termly or annually.

6. Arrange a health check

Make an appointment with your GP before you leave home to ensure that you're starting university in the best health possible.

Sorting out any health issues before you move means you're less likely to suffer from freshers' flu. Most first-year students experience this due to:

• a drastic change in diet
• a lack of sleep and exercise
• exposure to hundreds of new people in a short space of time.

For some top health tips, see NHS - Getting medical care as a student.

7. Get to know the area

If possible, visit your university town or city to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings before you move.

To save money and time on making multiple trips, especially if your chosen university is far from home, it's a good idea to have a look around while you're visiting for an open day. Even a virtual tour experience can give you some sense of what to expect.

Once you've moved, use your spare time before the start of term to locate your nearest:

• GP surgery
• local shops
• train station.

In terms of your university campus, it's advisable to get familiar with the:

• lecture buildings
• library
• recreational facilities, such as gyms and sports centres
• restaurants, bars and cafes
• student services office
• students' union
• study spaces and common areas.

This is a great opportunity to get to know your housemates by arranging to make these trips together. They'll need to know where these things are as well. The task will feel less daunting if you're not going alone.

8. Learn to cook

Ask for help making your favourite meals while you're still at home - you'll be glad you did once you're fending for yourself. Student cookbooks, available in bookshops and online, focus on using simple ingredients and cooking on a budget.

Shopping on a student budget can be easier than you think. For example, Morrisons has a Students Club, providing discounts as part of its Morrisons More scheme, while The Co-operative Bank offers a 10% in-store discount via the Student Beans app.

When shopping, consider own-brand supermarket food, as it is often the same quality as the more expensive branded alternatives.

9. Prepare for the transition to university life

Everyone knows that university is an academic step up from school/college (A-levels are a Level 3 qualification, while with a Bachelors degree you're working towards Level 6), but that isn't the only difference. If you're expecting higher education to be just like college but with more freedom, think again.

At university, the focus of your studies is much narrower, but more in-depth, requiring skills such as:

• academic reading and writing
• analysis
• critical thinking
• researching.

Study methods also differ from the traditional classroom setting. You'll find that:

• Lectures include more students, less student/teacher contact and more content. They're also faster-paced.
• Seminars are much smaller and rely heavily on student participation and collaboration.

Learn more about how to get the most out of lectures and seminars.

Your workload is also likely to increase significantly as a university student. Dedicating an hour or two per day to homework like you used to won't cut it, as most of your learning at university is self-directed.

Gaining your independence means that academic success now depends on your own self-motivation. Without your parents to get you out of bed or pester you into completing assignments, it's up to you to stay on track. University lecturers won't chase your attendance, so you'll get out what you put in.

Experiencing such a shift in gear while living away from home (often for the first time) can be a huge challenge. Read up on looking after your mental health at university.

If these changes trigger feelings of missing home, consider what to do when you feel homesick.

10. Get involved in freshers' week

The first-year student welcome period is full of events designed to help you settle into university life. To discover how to strike a balance between having fun and settling into your new environment, read about making the most of freshers' week.

Your students' union will host fairs providing you with opportunities to join societies and sports teams, and your course department might hold a welcome session to introduce you to your peers and lecturers.

While you don't have any course commitments, it's a good idea to immerse yourself in these activities and be prepared to start your degree.

Organisation is key - make sure you know in advance when you need to be on campus, as this will help you plan your time in the long run. Read our 7 time management tips for students.

Find out more

• Consider these side hustle ideas for students.
• Discover 7 life skills you'll learn at university.
• Explore university life.