Top tips for Freshers starting university.

Hey readers,

Starting university is a milestone moment, packed with excitement, nerves, and some seriously life-changing adventures.

Fresher's Week marks the beginning of this journey, but everyone quickly learns that surviving and thriving at university is about so much more than just parties and new faces. 

Here are top tips for Freshers starting university, blending practical advice with what real students wish they’d known.

Get Your Life Admin Sorted Early.

University is a world apart from school there’s a lot of independent study and plenty of admin tasks to tick off. 

Before the buzz of Freshers’ Week fully kicks in, tackle the essentials: sort out your student ID, key documents, accommodation contract and financial paperwork, and check your timetable so you know where to be and when.

 
Register with your local GP and dentist, especially in cities where NHS lists can fill up fast.

 Familiarise yourself with campus services, apps, and maps they’ll save you time and stress down the line.

 Make Friends But Don’t Panic If It’s Slow.

One of the most daunting parts of starting university is meeting new people, but remember, everyone’s in the same boat. 

The friends you make during Freshers could be for life, so try to attend social events, introduce yourself, and keep an open mind. 

Student bars, society taster events, and even laundry room encounters can spark lifelong friendships.

 But if you don’t click with anyone right away, don’t stress. 

People settle in at their own pace, and it’s totally normal for friendships to take time.

Balance Fun With Rest.

Freshers’ Week can be a whirlwind of activities, parties, and late nights but don’t feel pressured to attend everything or stay up till sunrise every night. 

It’s fine to skip an event or prioritise downtime to decompress and settle in. 

Pace yourself, know your limits, and don’t let FOMO lead to burnout.

 University is a marathon, not a sprint.

Budget Like a Pro.

Managing money is often the toughest hurdle for new students. 

Before term even starts, work out a budget, prioritising essentials like rent, groceries, travel, and course materials.

 Use budgeting apps like Monzo, Emma, or Splitwise to track spending and avoid end-of-term panic.

Take advantage of student discounts, and beware of Freshers wristbands or events that seem overpriced choose wisely and don’t blow your budget in the first week.
 

Stock Up and Eat Well.

Freshers flu is real, and you’ll want to avoid feeling rubbish when you’re busy making new mates.

 Eating well and staying hydrated is crucial for keeping your energy up and your immune system fighting. 

Stock up on groceries, multivitamins, and some easy meals. 

Try to cook at least a couple of basic dishes; it’ll save money and help bond with new friends. 

Eating something green once in a while works wonders, and meal prep is your friend during busy weeks.

 Dive Into Societies But Don’t Overcommit.

Fresher’s Fayre is your ticket to exploring clubs, societies, and sports teams. 

Say yes to taster sessions, pick a few societies you genuinely like, and don’t feel pressured to sign up for everything at once. 

Societies are a brilliant way to meet people with similar interests, but quality over quantity ensures your schedule stays manageable and you won’t feel overwhelmed.

 Personalise Your Space.

Your uni room becomes your base camp after long days of lectures and socialising, it’s where you’ll recharge. 

Make it cosy with familiar comforts from home, organise your workspace, and style your space with things like photos, fairy lights, or plants.

 A tidy, personalised room helps you decompress and find a sense of security.
 
Don’t Buy All the Textbooks.

University reading lists can be daunting, but before running out to buy every book, check your library or student groups for second-hand options. 

Libraries usually stock all the core texts, and you can often find freebies or discounts via older students, campus forums, Vinted, or local charity shops. 

Save your money for experiences and essentials beyond your studies.

 Homesickness Happens And That’s Okay.

Thousands of students feel homesick in their first weeks at uni. 

Whether you’re missing family or the comfort of your hometown, know this is entirely normal and it does get easier. 

Reach out to friends, family, or uni support services if you need to talk. 

Bring personal items from home photos, favourite snacks, or your comfiest blanket for comfort on tough days.

Stay Safe.

Starting uni means new places and new freedoms, but safety should always come first. 

Be mindful of your surroundings, especially after nights out.

 Travel in pairs where possible, keep an eye on your belongings, and don’t leave drinks unattended.

 Familiarise yourself with campus security and local emergency contacts, and trust your instincts when exploring your new city.

Be Yourself and Take the Pressure Off.

If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, that’s okay. 

University is a chance to reinvent yourself, but you don’t have to change to fit in.

 Don’t put pressure on yourself for everything to be perfect from day one. 

Let things unfold naturally and be patient memories and friendships happen when you least expect them.

Freshers is much more than a party week it’s the beginning of an amazing new chapter. 

Use this time to get organised, meet new people, and find a balance that works for you.

 Whether you thrive on nights out, quiet moments, or discovering new hobbies, your university experience is yours to shape.

Stay curious, stay safe, and most importantly, give yourself permission to enjoy the ride. 

University is about learning (both in and out of lectures), so worry less about fitting in and more about finding your own path.

 Trust that challenges are temporary; what you gain will last a lifetime.

Cheers for reading X 

Experiences

Hey readers, 

My word of the week is:

This is because we have been to do a couple things. On Saturday was a really busy day for us as a family. My youngest had his work displayed at a different school as it was an entry piece for the local young artist's competition. 

Later on in the afternoon, my eldest had free tickets to see Coventry City play at the stadium. My boys were desperate to go and watch a football match. I am not a fan of football, to be honest, but now my boys can say they have to a match and experienced it first hand. 

Also, this week we have started getting more SATS homework for my eldest as he is year 2 and the tests will be coming soon. It is a bit annoying as he has five different types of homework to complete and I think at his age is too much for him personally, but you what can you do.  

Anyhow hope you have had a good week. 

Cheers for reading X 

How to help your child do well at school.

Hey readers,

Now that my children are of school age one of the main goals as a parent is to try and help them do well at school. So, what do you do to achieve that, well the suggestions below are opinion and you can take them on board or not bother? I am no expert I just wanted to share my view on this subject matter.

Parents evening.

Going to parents evening is so important for you to build a relationship with your child's teacher. It is an opportunity to understand how your child is performing, how they get on at school and areas where you can help at home to improve your child's learning.

Homework.

Now that your child is at school you will find that homework is sadly something that is now required. The best thing you can do is try to encourage your child to do their homework and follow the requirements.

Positive attitude.

A way to help build confidence in children especially with helping them grow with their learning is to have a positive attitude to your child about their education. Making sure you praise your child when they have achieved something or done well in their learning.

Mistakes.

Remember it is ok for your child to make mistakes because that is the way that we learn. Sometimes getting something wrong helps we understand the reasons behind the answers.

Study skills.

Encourage your child to study and reinforce why learning is good and the benefits of it in the long term for your child's future.

Homework routine.

I know as a parent when your child receives lots of different tasks for their homework it can be a daunting prospect of getting your child motivated and getting the homework done. That is why I think when looking at homework breaking it down so that it is achievable and not because added stress with the pressure to get it done all in one go. I think it is important to break down the homework so that the child can do small chunks every day so it is not daunting for your child. Routine is key in achieving a positive environment when it comes to homework.

Relax.

I will be the first to admit it that when my eldest first started to bring homework home I wanted it done the second he got home and I got very stressed out about it when it didn’t go to plan. This was a hostile environment and not good for the whole family to be in. I have learnt however that not rushing to get the homework down is vital. Allowing your child time when they get home from school and the weekend to relax and unwind. It is much better for your child to be calm when under pressure to get the work done. The quality as well when relaxed vs stressed is a huge difference. Ironically you save time as the child will willingly just get on with the homework and not be argumentative.

Sleep.

Sleep is so important to helping a child learn. Having the energy to listen and learn are key factors in achieving well in school.  Making sure that your child gets enough sleep and having a set time each night that goes to bed will help create a positive routine in a child’s life. Making sure the child is relaxed and doing calm activities before bed such as reading.

Cheers for reading X