We took to social media to see what practical tips students have for living independently for the first time as a fresher.
For many students, moving to university will be the first time they experience the freedom of living independently. However as they say with great freedom comes great responsibility! Even though your parents have probably been telling you this since you were little, experiencing it is something else, as cliche as it sounds. We asked students to tell us what important things they think freshers should know…
Manage your expectations
If you’re not used to doing lots of the small, everyday tasks yourself, give yourself time to adjust to a new way of living. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, and planning all take time out of your day but at some point you’ll relax into a new routine - and appreciate your parent’s spaghetti bolognese even more when you do visit home.
Nothing tears down apprehension as effectively as preparation - you can’t possibly know everything that’s going to happen. The best thing you can know, is that you know nothing about what is going to happen. It will all be a whirlwind, a chaos even sometimes, and the only thing you can do is be prepared for that.
Keep on top of finances
One of the biggest changes for many students is suddenly being in complete control of their money. No longer will you only have pocket money your parents give you every month, but actual huge amounts of money in your bank account. This can be overwhelming at first so it’s important to give this a bit of thought so that you don’t find your account is running low before the end of the year. Check out our tips here.
Look after yourself
It can be easy to forget the most basic tasks when you start trying to prioritise lots of things - this is your reminder that looking after yourself is super important! Get a candle, or a room smell, make time for yourself to just relax. When even washing becomes a hurdle and you put on old clothes as you´ve gotten lazy and sloppy, stop, and take care of yourself.
Getting involved in university activities and meeting new people can be a great way to make your day more fun.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Let’s face it, most of us don’t know everything before we’ve had time to experience it and make a few mistakes. Don’t be ashamed to ask a flatmate or support services for advice if you’re struggling with getting to grips with living alone. Check our support page for more info about where to go for help.
Don’t let the #FresherPressure of living independently get to you, follow the above advice or let us know your own tips on Twitter using #FresherPressure.
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