Student Life – Page 2

How to survive Freshers’ week

March 1, 2013 Laura Wood Leave a comment

Freshers’ Week is the most daunting week of any student’s life; moving in to a new city, meeting new people and having to look after yourself for probably the first time in your life. Do it right and Freshers’ Week can be the best experience you will ever have. Here’s how:

1. Be approachable

Remember that everyone is in the same position as you; everyone will be nervous so try to initiate conversation. Think of unusual first questions such as “what is your favourite film?” or “what do you prefer pizza or pasta?” Asking something different will make you stick in people’s minds.

2. Buy a door stop

Propping your door open whilst you’re in your halls means that people can come talk to you and there isn’t a door to hide behind. If you do it then the others in the flat will follow meaning that everyone can talk while they unpack. Most of the halls don’t mind you doing this as long as you shut the door when you leave as it is a fire hazard.

3. Move in early

It can be daunting to be the first one at your new flat/home but it gives you chance to unpack and relax before your new flatmates arrive. If you do have to move in late at least make your bed so that you have a comfy bed on the first night.

4. Bring some goodies!

The best way to make friends is to bring something you can all share. A tin of sweets or even some homemade cakes can be a really good icebreaker and will bring you all together.

5. Stock up on food

If you have room left in the car after all your belongings, try to bring some essential food, beans, pasta, noodles, ready meals etc. During Freshers’ Week you may not have chance to eat properly so make sure you have food in your cupboard and save on the walk to the shop every time you want food.

6. Get your music prepared

Freshers’ Week involves a lot of going out and therefore music is a must. Making a playlist that you can play whilst you are getting ready or pre-drinking can get everyone in the party mood and also helps to show off your music taste and personality.

7. Be ready for the night out

It’s always a good idea to get an idea of where the main clubs are so that you can make your way back home in the dark. Familiarise yourself with where cash machines are near your flat/house and in town and taxi numbers if you need to get a taxi if you live further away.

8. Find out what’s happening in advanced

Facebook and the university website are normally full of information about the events during Freshers’ Week. Once you are at the university, take a trip over the rail crossing towards Tower Bar – there are always promoters who will be giving out leaflets on the nights.

9. Don’t go mental

Pacing yourself is definitely a must. You do not want to end up throwing up over your new friends/flatmates on the first day. Have fun but remember these people are still strangers. It may be a funny story to tell in the morning but this will be their memory of you forever.

10. Remember to go to university

During Freshers’ Week there will be important induction lectures for your course. This will give you an insight into who is going to be teaching you, what books you may need but also your fellow course mates. Some of your best friends at university will be from your course so go along and make new friends there too.

Feel free to share your own tips and advice below.

Welcome to Freshers'

5 tips on living in a shared house.

February 28, 2013 Alice Rose Leave a comment

Living with others can be hard, and even sometimes downright difficult.

If you’re a student, you’ll most likely be living in a shared house at one point in your university life.

You could be living with friends, or people you don’t really talk to.

And even if you are house sharing with your best mates, you’ll still run into difficulties.

So how do you avoid fights and conflicts? We give you some tips.

Always be honest with one another.It sounds simple but it’s true. By being completely honest with each other about how you feel (whether someone isn’t cleaning enough or putting effort in with everyone) your housemates will appreciate it. Plus, no one likes built up tension.
Don’t talk or complain about your other housemates faults/flaws behind their back.Everyone has faults. Maybe one of your housemates has really annoyed you on one particular day, but you’ll get nowhere moaning to someone else about them.
Make a cleaning chat or rota.If you’re in a household that has problems with cleaning, i.e. a few housemates don’t really clean up after themselves or take the bins out, then make a rota. It means everyone will participate and join in.
Respect each other’s space.After a busy day, all you want to do is come home and collapse into bed. Everyone feels that way at least once or twice. So if your housemates come home, say a quick hi and go straight to their rooms, don’t be offended. They just need some time to themselves.
Keep things light and friendly.If you have a problem with something in the house, make it known but keep it friendly and not over the top. It’ll keep a good atmosphere and the problem will get sorted out quicker.

We hope our 5 tips help when living in a house with others. Let us know how you get on by commenting below. If you need any more help contact our agony aunt Laura on our agony page.

Student Life

5 tips to combat the procrastination bug

February 14, 2013 Alice Rose Leave a comment

Give yourself a time pattern.
If you know you can’t do more than an hour of work without distraction, give yourself a half an hour break. By giving yourself some rest from the assignment, it’ll give you time to relax for a while. Just remember to get back to that essay.

Organise yourself.
Make sure you have everything you need before you start. Pens, pencils, laptop charger, fruit, water etc. If you prepare beforehand, you won’t have an excuse to stop working.

Make a list.
Write down EXACTLY what you need to do for the assignment. Work your way through them one by one. By breaking your work into segments, the task won’t seem as difficult and daunting as you first thought!

Log off Facebook, Twitter and all social networking sites.
I know I know, it’s difficult to do but it’s needed. Once you log out of your social networking sites there should be less distractions.

Set goals.
Spread out your work over a few days and set yourself a goal to finish by the end of each day. When you complete your goal, reward yourself with a treat. It sounds daft but hey, it works.

Are you a procrastinator? Sometimes students don’t even realise they procrastinate. Why don’t you take this test and see for yourself on mindtools.com?

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