Preparing for university is an exciting milestone, but it can feel daunting—especially if you are moving to a new city like London or traveling from abroad. However, going to university is a lifetime experience. These 10 practical tips will help you transition smoothly into student life.
1. Find suitable accommodation
A lot of first-year students opt for university accommodation. It is a great way to meet new students and make new friends under the protection of the university. Additionally, most university accommodations include bills, which takes away that stress from you. I recommend attending student hall open days if you get the chance.
If you prefer private accommodation, websites such as Rightmove, Zoopla and Spare Room. In this case, you may have a bit more freedom and control over the type of room you chose and how many roommates you have. If you have friends going to the same university as you or a neighbouring university, it might be a good idea to get a house together. Living in private accommodation would also be an excellent opportunity to familiarise yourself with the responsibility of paying bills, a challenge that could pay off later on as it could help build your credit score.
Here are some tips for finding suitable accommodation:
- Decide on a budget and stick to it
- Think about your commute, as this may help you choose your location
- What makes a place homey is also the people you share it with. Use Facebook groups such as the ‘UCL offer holder group’, the ‘UCL international student group’, the ‘UCL postgraduate group’ etc., to find flatmates and friends.
Although UCL students live in many parts of London, common locations are in North and East London in Camden, Chalk Farm, Finsbury Park, Stratford and Mile-end.
2. Master your student finances
Yes, I know, some more adulting stuff to do! But this is an essential step to take in preparation for uni life. First, you will need to have a student bank account. A good tip for choosing the right bank is to look out for perks they offer students, such as discounts on Railcard and National Express coach pass. Additionally, look for what overdraft option they offer. However, budget as much as possible to avoid getting yourself in such situations altogether.
If you intend to use some student-finance scheme from the government, make sure you get in touch with the right board as soon as possible to start the process early, as this can be lengthy. Once you receive your student ID, use it everywhere! Discounts through apps like UNiDAYS or StudentBeans will save you a fortune in London.
This is a great way to save some money. Take a look at this ‘Managing your money’ webpage for tips on how to make your money go further.
3. Health check
Arrange a meeting with your GP before you set off for university to ensure you have a clean bill of health before the academic year begins. Bring with you any necessary medication that you might need. It is important that you register with a GP while you study at UCL so that you can get medical care if you need it.
4. Pack smart (don’t bring everything!)
Packing for university can be very fun. Try not to get too carried away to avoid overloading yourself. I know the idea of making a home away from home sounds exciting, but you don’t need to pack everything in your room at home to take with you to university. Just pack some essentials and give your uni room the time to build its own identity as you settle there. Some essentials to take with you are:
- your laptop
- bedding
- towels
- toiletries
- minimum stationary (you can buy more once you’ve started classes and figured out what else you will need)
- essential clothes – coats, jeans, jumpers etc. No need to take your whole wardrobe!
In short, be strategic with how you pack; you will be able to buy other necessities on-site once you’ve moved.
5. Get reading
This may sound a bit like a bore to do during your summer holiday, but it will give you an advantage when uni begins. Most degrees make their reading list available in the summer, so try to read as much of it as possible to start familiarising yourself with what you will learn. A good tip when reading is to be critical. Write down every question that arises as you read. Try to further your research on topics that interest you and write down the names of authors and their publications to start building yourself a bibliography list – this will make your life so much easier when referencing academic essays.
Once you start uni, my advice is to form or join a reading/study group with your friends. Learning together makes it a lot more fun and you can really learn from each other.
6. Connect with your university on social media and Unibuddy
Start building your social circle by connecting with other new UCL students like you on social media, there are a lot of Facebook groups for specific courses. If you have some questions that you would like to discuss with fellow students, you can connect with Student Ambassadors via the Unibuddy platform.
7. Learn the basics of student cooking
Takeaway meals can be expensive and often unhealthy. Learning to cook 3–4 simple, budget-friendly meals (like pasta, stir-fry, or a hearty stew) will save you money and keep you energized. Plus, cooking is a great way to bond with new flatmates over a “family dinner.”
8. Spend quality time with family and friends
The transition to university can lead to homesickness - which is completely normal! Spend quality time with your loved ones before you leave. Bringing a few physical photos to decorate your room can help make your new space feel like home instantly.
9. Explore your new neighbourhood
Try to visit UCL before the academic year starts. Walk around and familiarise yourself with the area. Locate your nearest shops, gym and other amenities. If you can’t visit campus, try and explore the area on Google Maps to give you an idea of distances and what to expect.
10. Dive into Fresher’s week
By now, you are hopefully feeling more confident and buzzing about your new university journey. Fresher’s week is a fantastic opportunity to discover all the activities your university offers, meet new people and join societies and sports team. It is probably the only time you will have to explore everything the university offers without having too many commitments, so definitely take advantage and participate in as much as possible. Most importantly have fun and create long lasting memories throughout your time at university.
About the author
Sabelle is currently studying MSc in Urban Development Planning at the DPU. With a background in architecture and Landscape, she enjoys exploring cities to discover exciting buildings and parks. Sabelle is passionate about issues related to gender equality, housing and gentrification. She is also a lover of arts and music.
