Top 5 tips on surviving your first year in halls

In reality there isn't anything to fear. A lot of people going to university are moving away from family and friends at home and so everyone is eager to befriend, and there also aren't any pre-existing cliques or friendship circles to worry about.

When I went to university I didn't have many friends at secondary school and some of the time suffered from torment that was borderline bullying.

Moving away from my home, my parents and the few friends I had was quite unnerving, however, as a third year I've made a decent amount of friends and everyone who I lived in halls with I'm still in close contact.

So as a third year, here are my tips to you freshers who will be moving in, in just a few weeks time:

Socialise with your new roommates

Everyone is in the same boat; whether they were the most popular guy or girl in school or the loner in the corner of the classroom, so don't shut yourself away in your room believing no one will want to be your friend, if anything that's counter-productive.

The best way to make friends is to get out there and meet everyone on the first day, even if you're a bit quiet at first. Getting to know your roommates quickly is the best way to fit in, besides, you're stuck with them for a year.

Find common ground, such as sports, movies, TV, music, whatever, just make an effort to make everyone feel welcome and bond with your roommates, they're the ones who will be there for you during those difficult weeks and months.

For me, I'm much closer to the people I lived in halls with than any of my friends from my course or from back home, and what helped was quickly socialising and getting to know people rather than shutting myself away.

Don’t put too much stress on yourself

Of course, first year matters, the quicker you settle into your course the better grade you're going to get at the end of the three years, but don't be too stressed if it's not all coming to you in the first few weeks.

The step up from sixth-form/college to university is a big one; your learning becomes a lot more independent and of course there's all the distractions of going out and student life to contend with.

First year is important; it's not a year you should take slacking off and not bothering to turn up, because that's more detrimental than stressing about it, especially at the amount you're paying each year.

However, it is an introductory year, tutors don't expect you to perfect all your studies in the first year, all they want to see is potential and progress.

Don't beat yourself up if you're not getting a first in the first year, some tutors don't like giving them out in the first year anyway because it may stifle any progress you could make because you believe you're better than you actually are.

Find that balance between work and play

By all means, don't slack off and think you can just coast through first year, because you'll have to do even more catching up in the next two, but don't lock yourself away thinking you have to do three years worth of work in one.

Make sure you go out and socialise with your new friends as much as possible in the first year, because once second year comes around you won't be able to do it as much as your marks matter more.

No-one's going to begrudge students going on nights out so long as they attend their lectures the next day and if they choose to, are drinking responsibly. Obviously you have to strike a balance and if you have a major part of your course the following day don't go out drinking the night before, that's just plain stupidity.

But enjoy yourself and enjoy student life, I feel I got closer with my friends by going on nights out during the first year, whereas people who stayed in were more distant with the group.

It doesn't just have to be nights out at clubs either, a night down the pub is another great way to bond and take the stress of the course off your mind for a few hours.

Just do it responsibly.

Try to stay away from home as much as possible

Going home isn't a sign of weakness; everyone needs a few days away from university to recharge the batteries, see their family and re-connect with old friends.

But going home every weekend isn't beneficial to you in most circumstances because you will miss out.

I think every time I went home I'd miss something back at university and although I wouldn't say I regretted leaving, I was peeved that I'd missed a moment in our friendship group's history.

Obviously, everyone's circumstances are different, but if you can, stay at your halls as much as possible, you'll become a lot closer to the people there and you'll also be a lot more comfortable around the people you're living with, especially in the early weeks and months.

It also teaches you to not rely on your parents as much and being able to live away from home without any issues.

Be careful with your money

As soon as you begin in September, you'll come to realise that the day students loans go into your bank accounts is the greatest day of your lives.

However, those payments only come three times a term and as lucrative as your loans are that money does run thin if you're not careful.

Food will probably be the biggest drain of costs, draw up a weekly budget for food, nights out and other goods.

Try and get the best deals on your food, if something has a good best before date buy it in bulk to save money in future and for fresh food agree to cook as a group and share the cost of ingredients, that way you get more for your money.

Nights out at University differ depending on where you attend, clubs in bigger cities tend to charge more for entry, drinks and cabs home.

Whereas, smaller cities and towns are usually a lot cheaper, a great way to save money on a night out is to have a few before you leave the house and drink less whilst you're out.

A decent sized crate of beer should last you a few pre-drinks and give you beer for nights in.