Starting off fresh in any new environment is a daunting task, let alone having to start university. With new faces and new places, campus life is a different ball game altogether. However, fear not, because this easy crash course will help to alleviate any tension and nerves that some of you ‘freshers’ may have.

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1. Try to get to the registration venue as early as possible – your registration day is going to be a busy one, and the queues are never ending. It takes a while to sort out your student card and curriculum selection, so give yourself enough time to get in and out quickly.
2. Don’t isolate yourself from other students – Whether they’re your classmates, residence mates or flatmates, try and befriend whoever you can. Making new friends is much easier than you may think, and in doing so you could be making a friend for life. A good way to meet new people is by attending social events (which the university will do a lot of in the first few weeks) or by joining societies.
3. Don’t feel pressured to sign up for every society or club on offer – There will be students constantly trying to persuade you to sign up for societies. However, if their pitches sound too good to be true then they probably are. Look over all the choices you have and decide on one or two societies that appeal to you the most. Remember that every society you join gets charged to your student account, so choose wisely.
4. Keep track of discounts and freebies on offer – Don’t be afraid to take full advantage of sales and free items on offer on or around campus. Follow local businesses on social media to find out what’s on offer and when. It will save you a ton of money in the long run.
5. Master your time management – You must work constantly in order to stay on top of your studies. Try and get your assignments done ahead of time so that you aren’t stressed out at the last minute. Use your spare time wisely so that your peak times for work aren’t as busy. At the same time, you have to try and find time for relaxing and having fun. It’s hard to strike a balance between work and leisure, but through trial and error you will eventually have a fixed routine that works for you.

Everybody says that your university years are some of the best years of your life. With the right balance and good company, you are bound to be steady on your feet in no time.

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