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

What I've learnt at Uni so far

Hello again,

Haven't posted in a while but been a little preoccupied with going to Uni. I'm at the University of York and it is fab. Here is my list so far of what I have learnt already...

1. Napping is important.
2. You can go to lectures on no sleep
3. Introduction lectures are boring
4. Go out for the whole of freshers if you can make it
5. Freshers flu is real
6. Food is cheap up North
7. Donner Kebab Pizza
8. Cook 4 persons of food and freeze the rest - home-made ready meals
9. Take water to lectures
10. Don't expect the heating to be consistent between buildings
11. No one gives a s*** if you go to lectures in trackies and a hoodie
12. You will definitely meet someone who is desperately trying to reinvent themselves, but the real them keeps poking through
13. Whatsapp - easiest way to prevent awkwardness in groups where some people aren't on Facebook
14. DON'T SNAPCHAT STORY VIDEOS OF THE CLUB EVERY NIGHT
15. Drinking Game: Jammin by Bob Marley - every time he says Jammin, you drink.
16. Jager Bombs
17. Ask second years where the cheap drinks are
18. Get as much as you can at freshers fair (I got 14 pens, 1 sharpie, a whole bag of various sweets, giant marshmallow, free pizza, 4 key rings, 3 lanyards, 2 rubber men, tissues, wristbands etc.)
19. No one bothers with heels for a night out, cobbles and stilettos just don't mix
20. Make a lot of lists, it's the only way you'll know whats going on

There will be more student friendly recipes coming soon but until then...
All the best,
Bea x

Open Days

Out of the 5 universities I applied to, I only ended up going to a true open day for one. Originally I was planning to apply for both Biology and Natural Sciences at Bath as I was not sure which of the two I wanted to study, both of the courses looked great. Before I actually submitted my UCAS, we did a road trip one weekend, going to the Birmingham Open Day, then onto Bath, and through to Exeter. Birmingham was beautiful, I was truly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Amazing sports facilities and music society, with friendly people and a lovely campus. They were so coordinated sorting transport and parking for everyone, as well as easy registration and sign in areas to receive all of the relevant information about the day.

We went on to Bath, and although it was a Saturday afternoon, we were still surprised at how quiet it was. It was one of those places for me where you get there and instantly know there’s something you don’t quite like. The people were friendly enough however as a prospective Biology student, I didn’t like how the Biology department was this separate, small group of buildings away from the main centre of the campus. Until I visited, I hadn’t realised how small the university was, probably brilliant for some people, but just not for me. We stayed with a family in the city and went out for dinner in the centre, having visited several times before, it felt very familiar.

The next morning, we drove on to Exeter. Visiting on a Sunday morning, we expected it to have even fewer people around than at Bath, but we found the exact opposite!! People were everywhere, going to their sports activities or even just seeing friends. The sports centre staff were so friendly, letting us look around and see the gym, we went out for a Sunday lunch in the city, it was a much smaller city than I had realised, but charming all the same. After this road trip, I chose to apply for Warwick in my spare option which I had been saving for Bath Biology in case I liked it, however I have never visited the Warwick campus as due to the structure of the course I’ve never had a real enthusiasm to go.

For my final university, York, I was invited up to an Offer Holders day. It took 6 hours of trains and a bus each way but it was really worth it. Their Biology department is like no other, the campus is beautifully structured, and decently close to the main city. They split students from parents, giving a chance to meet people you would be sharing a course with, I in fact met a girl who lives just 10 minutes from me! All of the staff and students were welcoming and helpful, going into one of the colleges (their version of halls of residence) was so useful, meeting the student who lives there and seeing what the facilities are truly like. Walking back through the city (bearing in mind it was mid-December) it was stunning. I’m not going to lie, I fell in love with it, and from that one day, I was made up. That was where I wanted to go.

Going to at least visit the universities (and the cities) is very important, and often eye-opening!

All the best,

Bea x

Lights, Camera, Action

So this, in theory, is going to be my tips for surviving student life.
6 months from now I will (in theory) be studying Biology at The University of York, by reading my posts it will give you a little insight into the reality of not only applying to university, but hopefully (so long as I do too) how to survive it. I'm currently in 6th Form College in the run up to the fateful A level exams...
Some weeks may be a tip of revision, or what I've been cooking or wondering, by no means expect any kind of continuity, I will try and keep it light-hearted though!

I hope you enjoy your journey with me, or at least that this can be something I look back through in years to come.

All the best,

Bea x