Hasn’t the summer been fabulous? You’ve slept in until 1.00pm and partied until 4.00am most days without a care in the world, but now it is time to return to the land of essays, lectures and baked beans. As you start to pack your life back into a few suitcases, remember the following tips for ensuring a smooth adaptation back into education…
- Keep a stash of money for after the freshers week madness. It’s all very well living the high life with cocktails and chinese take aways for a fortnight, but you’ll be gutted in a few weeks time when your favourite high street stores like Topshop and Urban Outfitters host their annual student lock in. Will the memory of that exquisite chicken chow mein really be as exciting as getting 20% off your party wardrobe for the coming weeks?
- Accept the fact that at least one person that you live with is going to be a lunatic. Be polite (in most cases you are in a living arrangement for a year) but make an effort to surround yourself more with the people that you do get on with and enjoy the company of, and read something positive like The Secret if you’re feeling annoyed.
- Don’t just rush to IKEA to get a load of homeware. Student digs are notoriously useless so try to add a few cosier touches to your place. Route through the charity shops to find whatever household essentials you need. You’ll have that thrown-together look that only comes from living in a busy home and you’ll get things for a low cost that are going towards a great cause.
- Stock up on all of the things that your mom gives you to make you feel better. Whether it’s a plaster when you cut your finger or a Tesco resolve sachet for that awful hangover, chances are you have a little stash for it at home and you’ll need one while you’re away too. You might not need them for a while but the day you do you will be so relieved that you don’t have to trot to Boots in the pouring rain, and you might avoid coming out with the age old “I want my mom!”
- Grab some candles and incense for your room. If ever you’re having one of those days when your work has got on top of you and you’ve been pulling an all-nighter in the library, they’re a great way to help you to relax and make you feel a little more zen.
- Make sure you’re up to date with all of the latest technology. Download WhatsApp for your mobile phone and be sure to create a Skype account. That way you can keep in touch with all of your friends from home and avoid missing them all too much.
- Go for walks in the park to spot the local dog-walkers! If you’re anything like me you will be missing your pet like crazy once you go back to a small, cold room and they’re no longer nestled next to you when it’s time for bed. By walking in the park you can guarantee that a few little dogs are going to run up to you for a bit of fuss and you can still have your animal fix.
- Take photographs like your life depends on it. People always say that your school years are the best of your life – make sure you’ve got plenty of snaps to remember them by.
Good luck to any new students going to University this September!
