So you're about to start university?

Image courtesy of google images search.

It's that time of year again when everyone starts to head back to school - unless you're like me who still has another TWO WEEKS till you even step foot back onto campus again - and so I thought I would do a little series of posts on the subject of university life.


I am about to go into my 3rd and final year of university and feel that I've picked up some top tips along the way. Either through learning from my own mistakes or being told by others. Tips that I feel it is only right to pass on to others to help them in any way I can!


First and foremost - FRESHERS. 


This is probably the most important week of events in any student's calendar. This is the time to make friends, make mistakes and spend all your money. And don't even think you won't because you definitely will.


So here are my top tips for freshers:

• GET SOCIALISING: there are usually a million and one events taking place during freshers week - this is generally the point of it. Go to them all (or as many as possible). These events are going to be teeming with people in exactly the same boat as you, people looking to make new friends. The people you meet during this week could potentially be friends for life - don't miss out on this chance. 
• GET SPENDING: fresher's week is most definitely NOT the time to try and save your money. You're a student, you WILL end up in debt. There is no point trying to fight it because it will happen. Freshers will cost you big money but the rewards and the fun are worth it. And besides, who doesn't like Tesco value noodles?
• GET ONLINE: the majority of universities will have an online presence. Get on Facebook and find groups to join - freshers 2011, course groups, student accommodation groups etc. There is even a group for people living down a street in my town! It's the easiest way to make friends. Especially if you make them on a course group - you'll have someone to sit with on your first day then!
• GET DISCOUNTING: most universities will have some form of welcome bazaar/market. There are generally a couple of different ones and these will vary between uni's. At Hull we have a welcome bazaar where you can sign up for an NUS card as well as meet employees of various bars/nightclubs who are there to sign you up for discount cards as well as give out promotional discount vouchers. There will also be a variety of businesses giving out vouchers. 
• GET INVOLVED: as well as the welcome bazaar, there will also be some form of bazaar for the societies at your uni. This is your opportunity to join as many societies and sports clubs as you want! You will also get to meet members of societies from other years that are there to get you interested and sign you up. Just be warned - some of them will not take no for an answer! (eg, my house mate who stood and badgered me for a good 20 minutes to join me up to the kayaking society!)

And as a quick side note, a couple of top tips from my best friend Jamie, also a 3rd year student just at a different university :) - 

• Don't put vodka into a water bottle - when you wake up the next morning and reach for water, it will not end well. Same goes for Jager in a Ribena bottle. 
• If you have the king cup in ring of fire, down it like a man and earn some respect from your friends. 

Don't say we didn't warn you guys! 

Anybody else have any good tips for those starting university? Or even those already thinking they know it all? :)