I revamped my notice board, and settled in a little more to my surroundings. I haven't written anything university related yet, purely because I haven't felt like enough of an expert. To be honest, with the subject of university though, you needn't be an expert, because you're learning something every day.
It's a big change. Even if you've lived independently before, moving into student accommodation is hugely different to anything I've, personally, ever experienced. Sharing a kitchen and bathrooms (depending on your accommodation- they vary hugely) with up to 11 other human beings, most likely all of your age, therefore equally as likely to be as messy as you...Well, it makes for frantic bursts of cleaning, and always wandering why the side is a little sticky. In my flat, the washing up in one of the sinks is forever present. The utensils vary, but there's always an impressive stack crying out to be cleaned. It calls for something I like to call "Washing Up Jenga", which is more of a mixture of tetris and jenga when you need a plate from the middle of the stack.
Go to your lectures! I can't stress this enough. Even though quite literally everyone will tell you that first year is "no biggie", getting into the right mindframe from day 1 is important. Unless you really can't, try and get to the lectures and soak up all the information you can! At the end of the day, chances are, you're paying to be there! The occasional hungover skipped 9am lecture can be forgiven, but try to keep a balance (in favour of learning).
Get to know your city and make yourself at home. This is kind of cheating because, separately, they could be 2 big things independent of each other. I've loved getting to know my city, and as I have, I've grown so much more comfortable, and can recommend a few awesome independent coffee shops out off the cuff if asked. As for making yourself as home, it overlaps with the first point a little in that everything starts to seem brighter once you're settled and comfortable. So by wandering around your city, and making your room a little more yours, you can cut the feeling of being a newbie in a huge, new city, which can be daunting. Obviously try to stay in the confines of the rules of your accommodation, but beyond that? Go crazy. Bunting is always a good idea.
Call people from home. Just because you're somewhere new doesn't mean that you have to be cut off from your life beforehand. Unless you stayed in the same city you grew up in, chances are you'll know very few people. Uni is so exciting because once you loose your inhibitions, you're always meeting new people- but don't forget the ones you grew up with. It can be friends or family that you call, but just occasionally remind them that you're thinking of them. It means a great deal- they're probably missing you and wondering how you're doing.
Join a society. This is completely down to the individual, but if something takes your fancy- go for it! In the first week, I joined lacrosse and haven't looked back. I love the sport, the team and the bonding. There are so many society socials (read: insane drinking and probably dressing up) to help the new'uns get to know pre-existing members, and especially in sports- noone's expecting you to be incredible. They just want you to turn and give it your best. It's definitely a commitment, but having a routine is crucial (for me anyway!) for settling down anywhere.
Remember to feed yourself! As my flatmates learned, living off of nachos with cheese is not a way to sustain yourself (or ensure your jeans still fit!). It's all new, and the freedom of choosing everything you eat is exciting; but keep in mind that the food you're eating needs to fuel all the things you'll be doing. A couple of veg never killed anybody, and it'll break up the constant stream of pasta. ;)
I'll probably write another one of these in a few weeks- would you be interested in that? Have you got any life lessons from uni I've totally forgotten?
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