Dos and Don'ts: Uni Packing!

It's nearly term time, so I'm back!
Here's a quick list of things I'd say don't bother, and things I would say are (almost) essential!
ps. some stuff may be tailored to York as, ya know, I've only gone there, but I've also asked around among friends

DO
- DOORSTOP: Kitchens get warm (if you're lucky enough to not have a kitchen door alarm), and being able to wedge your door open makes halls feel a little less like a hotel
- DRYING RACK: I can guarantee that you will get sick of paying £2.50+ just to dry/damage your clothes, I got very lucky and had flatmates who were willing to lend me theirs
- POSTER/WALL HANGING: You're going to want to make it your own, posters are the fast way to do this. Many rooms have premade pinboards or poster rails so you won't damage the walls! Whiteboard pens are a good shout for kitchens with whiteboards
- SHOWER BASKET: If you're in a room where the bathroom gets cleaned every few weeks, moving stuff in and out is a hassle, plastic baskets are the super easy answer
- (MINI) SPEAKER/AUX CORD: Pres in the kitchen are far better with music
- PREPARE COSTUMES: Especially with York Freshers week where there are pre-arranged themes, several people said to get these in order, even think forward to halloween as it'll be around before you know it!
- BOOK BAG: Yes it sounds cheesy like we're back at primary school, but a bag you can fit a folder and notepad in for lectures is an essential. Oh and a water bottle, freshers flu is real and coughing through lectures is not cool.
- LAPTOP: Came up several times in peoples answers, by far the easiest way to do your work, far better than a desktop computer as it takes up less space, and can go with you everywhere (I have an ASUS ZenBook and would recommend it if you're looking atm, it's the size of A4 and weighs about 1kg so perfect for rucksacs)
- COUGH MEDICINE: freshers flu is real, please be prepared for the sake of everyone else in your lectures 

DON'T
- PRINTER: Printing in the library costs very little, maybe 4p per page, and if you do certain feedback surveys, you can get free print credit. Connecting your devices to the university printers is usually explained on the IT Services page
- FUSILLI: So it's not something you'd take to uni, but when you do your first shop, don't go mad and buy the mega bag of fusilli, if you've seen Fresh Meat you'll understand (for those of you who haven't: you'll hate it and never finish it)
- EXCESS KITCHEN EQUIPMENT: It's likely you'll only ever use one mug, maybe 2 plates if you can't be bothered with washing up, and definitely no cake slices or place mats. Similarly with irons and toastie makers, it's likely you'll end up with several per flat, many of which will never be used. However, tupperware is v useful
- FANCY CLOTHING: Going out at uni is generally a pretty laid back affair, especially in York, heels are dangerous with cobbles
- BOOKS: Textbooks from 6th form are unlikely to be of any use, and a bit of light reading is something that you generally won't have time for. Unless you're an english student in which case it's not for relaxation. Recipe books as well, google holds all the answers for simple student food.

I hope you're all super excited to start your first term, and that this helps with any objects you're debating about taking.
All the best,
Bea x

University Bound

So, you’ve got into Uni, now what. Well actually there’s quite a lot you need to sort out, this is my checklist so far:

1.       Check your place is confirmed, your uni should email you with a conformation email which will be followed up by a welcome pack.
2.       Complete Enrolment. For some unis this is done online before you arrive, for mine we even have to upload a photo for our ID cards.
3.       Your Accommodation. If you had a conditional offer (which you have reached so creds to you!) then it is likely that now is the time you will find whether you have got into university owned accommodation if you chose to apply. Check if there is a deposit you need to pay, and keep an eye out for a confirmation/accept button, otherwise you may lose your spot
4.       Log into Gov.UK to double check how much maintenance loan you are entitled to. It is also super important to log into here as this is where you will find how much money is getting put into your bank account and when. This will be mega useful when it comes to paying for accommodation.
5.       Find out how much your accommodation is going to cost, and when you have to make payments. Some unis do it all by direct debit, others can be made over the phone so this is worth checking now, well before the payment will be due.
6.       Start looking on Facebook for flatmate groups. For example, if you know you’re in P block, floor 3, search for a group called Your University P Block 2016-2017.
7.       Check out the score on WiFi. At some places it is free, but others it may cost you so remember to factor that in when thinking where your money is going.
8.       Start to think about what to take with you, some places offer bedding packs which saves the hassle of transporting duvets and pillows in the car so look into that. This is my list of essentials so far:

·        Cooking Kit (Big pan, small frying pan, spatula, colander, spoon, knife, fork, cup, mug, wooden spoon etc.)

·        Toiletries (Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower Gel, Face Wash etc.)

·        First Aid Kit (Plasters, pain killers, cough medicine) – when you’re ill or bleeding, you don’t want to have to catch a bus to go get such things

·        School Clothes – almost every uni will have a back to school themed evening at some point in the first term

·        Comfy Clothes – you are at uni to learn, yes to have fun but no one wants to be sat in a 2-hour lecture feeling super uncomfortable just because they’re wearing something fashionable, that said, onesies might not be a great idea!

·        Mementos – maybe a photo frame or collage, or just a teddy. Everyone ends up missing home after a while and you’re going to want some kind of comfort

I hope this helps a little if you’re feeling a bit lost in it all, and if you didn’t get in this year, it really isn’t the end of the world. I know so many of my parent’s friends with impressive careers with no degrees so don’t ever think it will limit your success.

All the best,

Bea x

Choosing a University

There are many factors when it comes down to choosing a university, but here are my top 6 factors to look at for finding the perfect place:

1.       Distance – Does living far away from your family bother you? If you are more of a home bod, draw up a circle on a map to look at universities within that distance. The same method works for if you know that you want to go somewhere further than a certain distance from home, or not within London for example.

2.       Family Ties – Going to university in a city where you have family members can be nice. It means you have someone to reach out to in an emergency but it could also become a tie. Falling into a habit of seeing them a certain time a week with no flexibility, or being called in as baby sitter every week could get tiring. In my opinion, I was biased towards places my family don’t know so well, as to make it my place and my adventure.

3.       The Course Content – this is VITAL! You do not want to get stuck in a course that you find boring, just because you went for a university your friend is going to, or because they have good sports. Yes, university is where you’re likely to meet your lifelong friends, but you also want to learn something – preferably something you like.

4.       Facilities – if your course is very lab based, such as Biochemistry, you don’t want to go to a university where the labs are a long way off campus, or old, small or forlorn. Equally, if you were doing a subject such as English, you don’t want to go somewhere where the poetry section of the library is equal to your bedroom shelf.

5.       Hobbies – do they offer a good Orchestra, Football Team, Harry Potter Society or whatever it is that is your passion. As I said above, uni is a very social place and so you’re going to want the opportunity to meet like-minded people. Don’t choose a uni just because of this, but if it came down to two and one had the opportunity for you to express yourself, it’s a done deal.

6.       Accommodation – Do you want the opportunity to cook for yourself? Carefully look at some universities accommodation, some such as Cambridge do not have places with the facilities for their students to cook. It’s definitely worth looking into if you’re a keen cook like me. 

All the best,

Bea x

(ps. I'm loving the variety of countries I'm getting views from, so amazing to see how the internet reaches people from so far and wide!)