It’s exciting, it’s scary, it’s everything and nothing you thought it would be.  You’ve studied hard, got the grades (or perhaps just scraped through) but now you have what you have been dreaming about over the last few years!

Yes, that’s right, you’re off to university!

So, here are some top tips about setting off and setting out on a whole new way of life!  This is not a survival guide: because you don’t want to just survive life as a student – you want to live the life and get the most out of the next few years!

First-year students are now building up an average £6,000 in debt and are expected to leave university owing more than £17,500.  So it’s more important than ever to know how to get the most for your money.   So before you head off to university make sure your money is sorted.  The Student Loans Company (www.slc.co.uk) should be your first stop; they offer loans and grants for tuition fees as well as maintenance costs.

Open a Student Bank Account – if you don’t already have one. Remember that banks will be crying out for your custom! Student Accounts come with many freebies as incentives and perks, but pick an account that is right for you, one with an interest free overdraft but remember that some banks will start charging interest on your overdraft once you graduate. Don’t be too easily swayed by the bank’s waving a credit card in front of your eyes. A good place to start looking for an account is www.moneysavingexpert.com.

Look after your money and your money will look after you.  Keep an eye on how much you are spending, how much money you have left to get you through the term and the next vacation.  Lots of people take a part time job to help them through university, but make sure that the job, though, doesn’t interfere with your studies – or your enjoyment. 

There may be a job shop in your university with specially tailored jobs for students. Keep up with bills: TV license, internet, mobile phones, etc. Make you money go further by seeking out discounts, vouchers and offers, some of which are tailored for students.  The NUS Extra card www.nusextra.co.uk will give you discounts on everything from takeouts to insurance. The web is a good place to find shopping, eating and drinking vouchers – collect some at www.studentfreestuff.com and www.studentbeans.com.

Universities offer means-tested bursaries between £300 and £5,000, and the Department for Education and Skills have created a bursary map to help you find the right one for you.

Check out: www.bursarymap.direct.gov.uk

Rent is the biggest single item spent in a student’s life (with most people, outside London, paying on average just over £60 a week.  In fact the cost of accommodation may have helped you to decide where you go to study.  These days there is a wide variety of good quality student accommodation, so there will be lots of choice. 

There is also the choice between university halls of residence or private Accommodation. The chances are that in the first year you will definitely be in Halls of Residence.  That way it also gives you time to check out the area (as well as possible people to share with in your second year!)  And Halls have improved a great deal over the year, and come in all shapes and sizes, so check them out when you receive the information from the University and go for something that suits you!

If you’re in Halls find out where everything is: places like the common room and the laundry room!  Unpack your belongings to make it feel more like home.  Find out about public transport, or if there is a free student bus around the city.  Is there a warden or student services at your halls? 

Find out if there is a room cleaning service and when they come around – you don’t want to be in bed and miss the opportunity to have your room cleaned.  If you’re storing things in the communal kitchen beware of other people taking/using your supplies! Oh yes, and keep things clean and tidy!

Register with a GP. Don’t wait until you need one!

It can be daunting for some to move away from home to live and study in a place where you don’t know anyone.  Remember that most, if not everybody else, are in the same boat.  Some of us are better mixers than others.  If you’re a good mixer, friendly and outgoing, look out for people who aren’t.  And if you’re having problems mixing why not join a society or two: you will meet people with a common interest!  Knock on you neighbour’s door, talk to people at meal times, get to know people on your course, have a coffee with them in between lectures.

At the Freshers’ Fair there will be loads of society’s crying out for you to join them!  And once you’ve joined make sure you actually turn up to them!  You may want to carry on an existing interest – or perhaps try something new. 

You’re in a strange town or city, and like any city there will be safer areas to go, safer places to be, than others.  So take your personal safety seriously.  Yes, you will be making new friends but there will also be others people you don’t know, so always be sensible, responsible, and aware of what’s happening around you.  There may, of course, be all kinds of things that you will be free to do without the prying eyes of parents around to stop you, but do be careful, and be sensible and responsible!

When you’re away from your family, it’s very easy to miss meals or only eat junk food, especially if you are in self-catering accommodation.  So, make sure you eat a properly balanced diet – it will make you work better, play better, feel good and look good!

It’s natural to feel a little homesick but don’t worry – things will getter better as you get used to your new environment, meet new people, and get into a new routine and experience new things.  Gradually you will begin to feel more at home.  Keep in touch with family and friends back home, or friends who are in the same position as you in other universities around the country.  Watch your mobile phone bill though!  Remember there are free ways of keeping in touch through the internet and web cams!

The work schedule in university is very different compared to what you may have experienced in school or sixth form college.  There will be lectures and seminars to attend and prepare for, extra reading to do, essays to write, deadlines to meet – so keep up with work – don’t let it slip!  After all, that is the main reason you are in university in the first place!

Take the advice of your lecturers about which books are actually worth buying.  It’s pointless buying loads of expensive books that you will only use once or twice, or only read part of them, when you can use the library.  If you have to buy books – just buy the absolute essentials!

Not only can you borrow books you can also use the Library as a place to work.  You will have internet access there, too.  The Library is a good place to work, especially if you are in shared accommodation where it may be a bit noisy from time to time, or full of distractions!

No, not in that way!  All universities will have a chaplain.  Some of them will be part of Student Services – but all will have a Chaplaincy base where you can drop in, have a chat, meet people, and have a coffee, and sometimes even a cheap meal.

Some people will just pop along to their local church – others will spend time looking around for a church that fits in with what they want.  Ask your parish priest for some advice before you go.  If he/she doesn’t know anyone or anywhere – they will know someone who does.  Most churches will welcome students with open arms!

Remember that you won’t repeat these years in university.  So make the most of them.  It’s not all about work, work, work!  There are loads of opportunities to enjoy yourself.  So, have a bit of fun, too!