Our must-read guide to starting uni – part 1

Sick of those lame and lifeless guides to getting started at uni? Well, so are we… so we wrote our own! Having been there, done that and bought the horribly-overpriced-but-hey-you-gotta-have-it university hoodie, we can at least claim to know more than the average pen-pusher who normally writes these things, who last went to university back in the days of these weird things called O-Levels (…yeah, me neither). Click “see more” for teentoday.co.uk’s top tips (part 1):

1. Don’t be fooled by the fact that you’re packing your case a) in September, when it’s cold and b) in Britain, where it’s cold (especially if you’re going up north to UCLan!). With any luck, you will be spending a lot of time getting hot and sweaty in clubs, bars, rave-ups and standing-only gigs (like those at UCLan’s amazing 53° Student Union) so throw those vest tops, tees and minis in with glorious abandon. As style editor, I offer you the word: layering. Alcohol will make you hot anyway.

2.You’re there, you’re scared, your family have left and it feels like the first day of school. Remember, everyone is probably as nervous as you are. Knock on some doors down your hall, say hello and smile a lot (but not so much that people think you’re crazy) – you’ll be remembered as the person confident enough to make an effort and probably have more friends as a result.

3. There will be a freshers’ fair. Haul yourself up from your hangover and go. It’s an opportunity to pick up lots of free shit (big benefit of being a student) and sign up to clubs and societies (you’ll be spoiled for choice – as an example, UCLan has over 60 of the things!). No doubt you will have forgotten about some of them by second term but they’ll be a great way to socialise and find your feet in the first few months. UCLan also does a great Give It A Go event bi-annually that allows you to try a range of different activities and meet a bunch of whole new people while you’re at it if you don’t fancy the commitment of a year’s membership.

Here’s a related picture of someone balancing on a green ball whilst juggling:

Lovely.

4. For similar reasons, never turn down an invitation, however ropey it sounds. The first few weeks at uni will be party central so become that social butterfly!

5. The sports facilities at university will be the cheapest you will ever find (UCLan’s is madness at £3 a week) so if you are that way inclined, join and feel smug as your non-uni mates stump up hundreds at David Lloyds. Just being a member of the gym magically makes your hangover feel better too.

So there you have it, part 1 of teentoday.co.uk’s real guide to starting at university. If you’re already at uni leave your tip below and we’ll include the best ones in part 2 of our uni guide, next week..

At uni? What’s your top tip?