Starting college is one of the most exciting journeys you’ll ever embark on, and most people consider their time studying as the best period in their lives.
That said, there’s a lot to go through before you walk through the campus gates and into your accommodation. You’ve already done an immense amount of work to secure the necessary grades to get here in the first place, but now that you’ve celebrated your achievements so far, the work begins to set the next phase of your life in motion.
In this article, you’ll learn 10 key steps for creating the best start possible for yourself!
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1. Securing a Student Loan
Your most important consideration initially is how you’re going to finance your studies. Some people are able to get a scholarship or grant, and if this is you, that’s fantastic! Most people go the route of a federal loan, however, which is provided by the Department of Education.
Sometimes, a federal loan will not cover the full cost of tuition, and in these cases, private student loans may be the best route. A private loan is much more similar to a bank loan and varies based on your creditworthiness.
There are a few different routes, so look into each thoroughly to decide which is the best option for you.
2. Preparing to Manage Your Finances
Student life may be the first time you’ve properly lived on your own, which comes with several financial considerations. Once you’ve paid your course fees, you’ll have to determine how you’re going to actually live, so making efforts to budget before you start your course can go a long way.
You can start by making a list of all of your monetary sources, such as what proportion of your loan can be attributed to living costs, any savings, and whether you’ll be applying for a part-time job while you study. From there, make rough estimates of all expenses, starting with the biggest stuff like accommodation and moving on to elements like your weekly food shop.
3. Designing a Budget-Friendly Meal Plan
Food is a tricky thing to get right while you’re at college. If you haven’t developed any cooking skills, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying takeout and relying on snacking – neither of which are budget-friendly or nutritious. Even if you can cook, budgeting for ingredients is challenging at first, and it’s easy to end up spending more than you really need because you don’t have the practice of organizing a food shop.
Before you go, try out simple recipes you can use when you’re there. Go for meals that are cheap to make and nutritious, and importantly, pick stuff you can batch cook. Batch cooking and meal prepping can save you a lot of time and money, so it’s certainly worth investing in initially for added convenience later (you’ll also need some food-safe containers for this).
4. Purchasing Textbooks and Supplies Ahead of Time
The more you can do to prepare for your first lesson, the better. For example, you don’t want to wait until you arrive on campus to get your textbooks and supplies.
You should be able to access any campus stores and libraries online before your course starts to order necessary material, and if you’re super conscientious, you can also get a head start on the reading (getting a handle on the basics of a topic before you begin studying allows you more flexibility in your free time, remember!).
Regarding stationary, many rush to the campus stores to buy their equipment during term time, but given that everyone’s already there to do the same thing, this can be a stressful (and more expensive) experience. Do yourself a favor and get your stuff locally or online.
5. Buying Your Living Essentials
Securing yourself so far as ‘living essentials’ can be quite the task. You’ll need a range of bedding textiles, cooking equipment like pots, pans, and utensils, and bathroom cleaning products, just to name a few categories.
The easiest way to plan what you need to buy is to go through what you already use daily at home. Make a list of items used from the start of the day to the end, and of course, account for any housekeeping your parents already do!
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6. Choosing a Computer
While your campus will most certainly have computers at the library for you to use, in reality, it’s necessary for you to get your own. There will be many times when you’ll want to work from the comfort of your living space, and having a computer to take with you during lectures and seminars is important for taking notes.
There are many different types to choose from, but something portable would be ideal. You could go with a PC or a Mac, or there’s also the option of using a tablet with a keyboard attachment if you don’t have as many funds to play with.
Requirements will differ between students, but if you need to be doing intensive graphics work for your course or something similarly technologically taxing, the specifications required will likely be outlined in your core course handout. Otherwise, you simply need something that will run basic programs, like a word processor and presentation software.
7. Preparing for Medical Needs
Considering you’ll be moving to a new place, it’s important to arrange for any potential medical needs. This means registering at a new GP surgery and also getting any necessary vaccinations.
For example, you may need a vaccine for meningitis (MenACWY) as well as others such as Varicella if you’ve never had chickenpox before and Tdap, which is delivered as a one-time dose and protects against Tetanus. Double-check with your local doctor’s practice to see whether you’re up to date.
8. Building a Healthy Routine
You’ll have a lot to balance during your life at college – primarily segmenting enough time to both study and socialize. You’ll need to develop some fundamental time management skills to accomplish this, but it all starts with a good routine.
This means eating at regular times, getting enough sleep, and establishing healthy habits such as maintaining an exercise routine and self-care practices like meditation.
Regarding time management itself, there are many techniques you can learn to use and implement, and having a solid understanding before you attend college will be invaluable. For example, there’s the Pomodoro Technique, whereby you work for 25 minutes straight and then take a five-minute break, then taking a longer break after four cycles. You could also utilize time-blocking: this is where you ‘block out’ certain periods of the day and dedicate them towards certain tasks, which can help you stay organized and reduce stress.
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9. Getting Familiar with Campus Culture
Campus life represents a rare social and learning environment like nothing else you’ll experience, so it’s a good bet to familiarize yourself with what it will be like before you go. Spend some time learning about the history of your institution to enrich your experience further, and check the website for downloadable or virtual maps that enable you to discover more about the campus.
Take some time to investigate what student organizations and clubs are on offer – every University has a huge range of clubs to suit virtually any interest. You’ll be introduced to many of these during your first few weeks, but it doesn’t hurt to do some prior research.
You can also head to the website to familiarise yourself with mental health and wellbeing services. You might forget when you’re in the throws of college life, so try to sign up online if you can so that the support is there should you need it.
10. Remembering to Have Fun
And finally, don’t get so caught up doing everything right that you foget to have fun! You don’t have to follow these tips to the letter; instead, use them as a rough guide.
It’s important to remember to relax and live in the moment while you’re at college. Savor every moment, because while three or four years sounds like a long time, you’ll be surprised at how fast the time goes. Prioritize your studies, of course, but don’t study so hard that it’s at the expense of going out and socializing – these elements of personal growth are just as important as your academic pursuits, and you’ll never find a better environment to make friends, meet new people, and try new things.
You’ll need to find your own balance of time management and allowing yourself the flexibility you need to enjoy yourself. It can be difficult to strike, but don’t worry: you’ll find your way.
Wrapping Up
You now have some useful tips to work through as you prepare for university. Navigating this new chapter in your life will come with many exciting experiences, challenges, and pivotal points of personal growth – embrace it with an open mind. Each step you take is part of a wonderful journey ahead. Good luck!
