5 Things to Do Before Going to University

Going to university can be one of the most exciting times of your life.

But it’s only natural if you feel a little worried. You’ll be moving away from home for the very first time. You’ll have more independence than ever before, but also more responsibilities.

Many students feel homesick and a little overwhelmed in their early days at university. But there are three simple things you can do to keep on top of things:

Take the time to prepare, so you have everything you need to go to Uni.
Ensure your Uni room feels as much like a home from home as possible.
Plan your first trip home in advance, so that you’ll have something to look forward to.

Let’s look at each of these steps in turn.

What to Take to University

Apart from your important Uni documents, your course materials, and your stationery, what should you pack for Uni?

It’s not the end of the world if you forget anything, as you’ll be able to pick up any essentials you need once you get to Uni. But sorting all this out in advance just gives you one less thing to worry about.

Here’s an essential “what to bring to Uni” checklist:

Clothes – Remember to pack for all weathers. You’ll be starting Uni as we enter the cooler months of the year, but things will warm up again before long. And bring coat hangers just in case your Uni accommodation doesn’t include them.
Kitchen – You’ll need bowls, plates, cutlery, mugs, and glasses. Pack at least two of everything, but don’t pack too much. This stuff’s heavy, and the more you have, the more you’ll feel tempted to let the dishes pile up in the sink. You’ll also need cooking utensils, including a frying pan, a saucepan, a larger pot, and a baking tray.
Bathroom – Towels, toiletries, and your toothbrush.
Bedding – You’ll need pillows, a duvet, pillowcases, a duvet cover, and bed sheets. It’s best to pack two of each, so you can clean one set each week and still have some to use.

How to Decorate Your Uni Room & Make It More Comfortable

Taking steps to make your Uni room as nice as possible can really help you to settle into your new life. To begin with, most Uni rooms feel like cold empty boxes with boring carpets and plain white walls. But it’s quite easy to make things feel warmer and more comfortable:

Bring lots of photos of friends, family, and pets. Not only will this make your room feel like your own, it can also help you feel less homesick.
Books add life and colour to any room. And again, having your favourite books to hand can help you feel more at home.
Potted plants can transform a space. Taking care of plant-life also happens to be excellent for your mental wellbeing. Student unions sometimes run plant sales in the early days of term.
Decorate your room with some posters. Speaking of student unions, they almost always run poster sales during freshers week. This is a great chance to get lots of cheap decoration for your room. Posters can also spark conversations, helping you to make new friends in those early days at Uni.
Don’t forget soft lighting. Most Uni rooms have stark overhead lights. They do the job, but they’re not very cosy. So bring a desk light and a bedside lamp if you want more calming light levels. Or better yet, bring some fairy lights to drape around your bed or shelves.
Cosy blankets and pillows. Finally, bring throws, cushions, and rugs for your bed and floor. They’ll make your room look and feel comfier and a lot more homely.

One thing to bear in mind – before you pack anything, remember that there may be some things that your university doesn’t allow. For example, they may restrict certain electrical items. Contact your Uni joining pack, or your halls of residence, for more information.

Make your Uni room feel like home and you may feel more at home there.

Make a List of Things You Want to Do In Your Uni Town or City

Take the time to familiarise yourself with your new area to make it seem less strange, and more like your new home. Try making a list of 10 things you want to do in your new town or city before you go.

Visit museums, art galleries, and other attractions in the area. Check out as many shops, bars, cafes and takeaways as you can. It won’t be long until you find your new favourite!

Plan Your First Trip Home Before You Leave for Uni

It’s also important to give yourself something to look forward to. So plan your first trip back home even before you move to Uni for the first time. That way, no matter how homesick you feel, you’ll always be able to tell yourself that you’ll be home again before long.

Driving at Uni? Cut Your Costs

If you’ve got a car, it can come in very handy indeed during your early days at university.

With a car, you can drive to and from home whenever you want – whether it’s to visit, or to pick up something you might have forgotten. You can also use your car to fully explore your new area, perhaps driving out to the country when the hustle and bustle of Uni gets too much.

But it can be expensive to run a car, particularly for students. So it’s important to make savings wherever you can.

At Go Girl, we specialise in giving student drivers the insurance they need, for less. Head here to learn more about our student car insurance, and get in touch to get a free quote and instant cover in minutes.