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PREPARING FOR UNIVERSITY: 10 TIPS

Moving away from home for the first time can feel a little stressful. To help lighten the load, we've rounded up 10 things to sort out now so it's not all a mad rush...

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1. Decide what stuff to take to uni

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When moving away from home for the first time, the temptation can be to buy absolutely everything you could possibly need. But think carefully about what you’re going to bring, particularly when it comes to kitchenware – for example, is a new microwave / toaster / kettle really necessary if your halls or private accommodation already provides this?

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2. Sort out your student bank account

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When it comes to student accounts, many banks offer:

  • a free overdraft facility of up to £3,000

  • a debit card

  • an optional credit card

  • an incentive for joining, such as a free student railcard or an Amazon voucher (we’d suggest looking into the overdraft facility on offer over and above any enticing freebies!).

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3. Start adding up those extra costs 

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A not-so-insignificant four in ten of the freshers we spoke to last year told us they found it harder than expected to manage their money.
 

To get set for student money management, it’s good to start early – here's a heads-up on 10 things you’ll need to remember to budget for.

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4. Buy your student gadgets...

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According to Endsleigh Insurance, 96% of students take a laptop to university with them, while almost one in four have their own iPad. You should be able to manage without your own laptop or other tech by using university computers and printers, but having your own can make life easier.

 

As well as a laptop, there are some other essentials you should be taking up to uni. Find out more by checking out 10 essentials to pack for uni.

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5. ...and your student essentials

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Taking a laptop and other valuables to uni with you? Going to be travelling by train or coach? Want to receive student discounts? You’ll need these, then:

  • A travel card: save on trips to and from home by a third with a Young Persons railcard (£30 a year) or coachcard (£10 a year).

  • Contents insurance: if your personal possessions aren’t covered under your parents’ household insurance, then it could be worth getting a separate policy. Learn more about student insurance in our Q&A.

  • Contents insurance: if your personal possessions aren’t covered under your parents’ household insurance, then it could be worth getting a separate policy. Learn more about student insurance in our Q&A.

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6. Sort out a student job

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Bagging yourself a part-time student job can be a great way of coping with student living costs (and looks pretty good on your CV, too!). For flexible work you can fit in around your studying, your students' union is a good starting point.

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Otherwise, get ready to hit the town with your CV in hand during freshers' week.

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7. Cook a meal

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If university is going to be your first experience of cooking yourself, try out your culinary skills before you arrive – studentcooking.tv even features videos of students at unis around the UK showing you how to make some of their student favourites. 

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Also, check out our guest post from The Student Food Project on the eight biggest culinary mistakes to avoid.

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8. Learn how to stretch your student loan

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You might get excited by your bank balance the first time your student loan comes in, but trust us – it often doesn't go as far as you might hope.

 

Our student blogger has lots of tips to help you stretch your student loan, plus you can see what students spend on average when it comes to common living costs at uni.

 

9. Familiarise yourself with bills

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If you're heading to halls, then utility bills and internet access are likely to be included in your rent – but if you're moving into private accommodation, then you and your housemates will need to get familiar with gas, electricity and water bills and sort out your own internet connection. 

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You'll need to get yourself a TV licence if you watch or record programming live on television or an online TV streaming service (eg ITV Hub, Sky Go), or if you download and watch programming on BBC iPlayer.

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Your university halls are normally covered by a licence to watch TV in communal areas, but you will need one to watch in your own room. 

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You can read more about the rules for students, including whether you're already covered by your parents' licence, on the official TV Licensing website.

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Our student budget calculator can also shed some light on those living costs you haven't thought about (and how to save on these).

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10. Connect with your university on social media

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If you're not already, follow your university's official Instagram, Twitter and other social media accounts to get in the mood for 'The Big Move'. Doing so can make you feel a part of the community before arriving – a top tip if you're feeling nervous about it all. It's also a handy way to get important updates and news ahead of freshers' week, when so much is happening.

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There may be separate accounts to follow for other aspects of your uni, from the housing office to individual societies you may want to join.

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Plus, you can start chatting to other students (with any questions you have), and perhaps form a few 'virtual' friendships ahead of meeting in person.

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