You’ve been accepted into your dream university, bulk-bought your essentials and are raring to go. Moving to university is exciting, but there are a few things you may not have thought about before you make your first big move away from home.
1. Managing your own finances
Once you head to university, you may not always be able to rely on the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’. As well as weekly food shops you’ll have rent to cover, course supplies to buy and a social life to maintain, especially during freshers’ week.
Sometimes, a student loan isn’t always enough to cover your yearly costs and many students seek part-time employment. Doing some advanced planning before you go will give you a good estimate of a weekly budget.
2. Cleaning wars
Once you arrive at university, parental cleaning perks will be long gone. No-one is going to do your dishes or clean your room. By washing your own dishes, sorting out your spills and emptying the kitchen bin, you’ll help keep the peace and prevent a build-up of jobs.
3. Fridge-gate
Your fridge back home might be fair game, but when you get to university, that all changes. The general rule is: if you didn’t buy it, don’t eat it. After all, you don’t want to be the one who launches fridge-gate; ending on the wrong side of hundreds of passive-aggressive notes.
But it isn’t all about who owns what. There’s a lot to be said for keeping on top of your fridge hygiene, utilising these unwritten rules to keep your fridge (and your food) as fresh as possible.
4. Cooking is simple
Whilst it may be easy to live off Pot Noodles, cooking proper meals doesn’t have to be an episode of Masterchef. Grab some mince, a jar of sauce and some pasta, and voila Spaghetti Bolognese in around 20 minutes. With the number of student cookbooks available, you can even afford to get more adventurous.
5. You could get homesick
Between classes, coursework and hanging out with your new friends, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you won’t have time to get homesick. Missing home, however, can be a part of university life. It’s worth remembering that your fellow students are in the same boat, so don’t be afraid to seek their advice. Plus, your family may be feeling the same as you! They’ll always be at the end of the phone for a good catch-up.
This post was contributed by Barry Rourke from Betta Living, a home improvement retailer.