For many of you the day you go off to university or college, will be the last time you will see your parents for 10 weeks, so make the most of it! Take them to your local supermarket, bleed them dry and stock up on food that won't go off. This includes tinned food and pot noodles. Put it all in a big box and store it somewhere safe, away from the fingers of starving students.
Some cooking utensils should accompany this; while the thought of making your own dinner scares you now, buying a big pan and some oil will save your stomach in the long run. It is also advisable to buy extra cutlery as it has a habit of walking out of the drawer, never to be seen again.
Once you settle into your room you will want it to look like it belongs to you. Therefore pictures of family and friends, as well as plants and posters, are important in order to turn it into a cosy home from home. Resist the urge to empty out your entire wardrobe. As you no longer have your mum to do your washing, you will become very adept at recycling your clothes. But do buy a bumper pack of washing powder! University/college accommodation is not like a hotel; they do not provide you with towels and a small bottle of shampoo. You need to bring them with you. This also applies to bed linen: some institutions supply all that you need, but take your own duvet cover and remember you will have to wash it yourself.
Take tea bags and coffee to make drinks for your newly acquired friends, and some cool CDs to impress them. You will often find that the university or college does not allow high-wattage electrical items in you room, so always check before packing that kettle or mini-fridge. Finally, on the home front, a camera will come in handy for blackmail shots of those who forget the above items.
For your course you will need some folders, dividers, plastic wallets and general stationery items. It is very important to get organised early on with the work you get given, so make sure you have the equipment to do so.
A personal planner will help you get things in order and reminder notes are essential for those looming deadlines. A diary is a good way of keeping all dates together but will also serve as a reminder of your first year in higher education, something that you will want to remember for a long time.
You will probably already have received a reading list but try not to rush out and buy all the core texts. Most institutions have second-hand bookshops and, if you are quick, the library will have copies. Sometimes it is unavoidable that you will have to part with your money to buy texts, but you will soon discover which books you really need - they're usually the ones that are always on loan from your library!
FRESHERS' WEEK... What to expect
First things first: expect to queue. Queue to get into the car park to unload your life into a room half the size of your bedroom; queue to get your student card, loan cheque and health centre registration; queue to get into whatever events your union are running and queue to get a drink that will disappear very quickly, because it's Freshers' Week after all. Queue to get into the room of your first lecture and queue to get back out again (walking, running or stampeding, depending on your course).
Everyone during the first week of term is very friendly. The most common questions are "where are you from", "what course are you doing" and "what halls are you in"? Write these on the back of your hand for prompts when the conversation starts to lull. This may sound crazy, but I met more people in the first week than I probably have for the rest of the year. A good example of why you should be inanely smiley include my friend Ian, whom I bumped into at the union on the first night and who will be living with us next year.
A bad example would be a certain young man whose name I shall not disclose. I met him in one of the queues on the first day and after dating for a while he has now given himself the role of my minder. But don't let this put you off because for every oddball you meet there are at least five perfectly sane people standing behind.
The biggest adjustment you will have to make will be to your living arrangements. No matter where you have been placed, whether it is halls, private accommodation or any other variation, chances are you will be sharing amenities with other people. This differs drastically from squabbling with your family about the bathroom in the morning.
A shared kitchen makes for hours of fun and frolics, but also arguments over cupboard and fridge space. A big tip for those who are sharing a fridge: get the top shelf because dripping mouldy milk is not good! Then comes the showers. For those with ensuites this will not be a problem but for everyone else, remember to be considerate of other shower users.
But even stray hairs and stolen cutlery cannot deaden the enjoyment of Freshers' Week. Your union will hold a societies and sports clubs fair during this week. You must go to see what is on offer but, be warned, that little card fills up very quickly and before you know it, you have joined 20 societies, spent a shedload of cash and will probably only ever attend one throughout the year. Choose wisely and remember that your time will be taken up with socialising more than you realise. The first week revolves around this activity, so chances are you won't remember it!
But do remember to stay safe because you don't want to end up queuing to see the doctor. Have a great time, participate in everything you can, make friends with the entire campus but do it at your own pace.
Freshers' Week is the cue to the best week of your life and three great years after that. Queue during Freshers' Week because what's at the end is worth it.
STUDENT TYPES - the unofficial guide
By Beckie Knight & Simon Tulett
THE ACADEMIC
Identifying features - beards, thick-rimmed glasses, unfashionable clothes and carrying a pile of books
Gesticulations and a general air of eccentricity are the common characteristics of the academic as they try to enthuse you with the love they have of their subject - no matter how obscure. It is common to find the academic nestling in the library, department office or sitting on a bench with a sandwich but always as though they had been hanging around there for the past 100 years.
THE SPORTS FREAK
Identifying features - trainers, shorts (even in winter), clothes with logos and a large bottle of sports drink
The sports freak can often be found at the gym/running track/sports pitch puffing away. They pretend to know everything about every sport ever invented, even extreme ironing! The sports freak is the last to leave the union but the first to start a drinking game/song at random. Beware the sports freak after excessive alcohol, but be amazed when they run the length of the campus the day after.
THE NERD
Identifying features - bad trainers, long, greasy hair (male and female)
The nerd is a resident of the library and the lab. They are the first in and the last out of the lecture theatre and can always answer the question you can't. It is rare to find the nerd out of the library but if they venture out, nerds tend to stick together and discuss the latest scientific breakthrough even though the footie is on. Respect the nerd because they have a heart of gold and essays you can borrow!
THE DRINKER
Identifying features - usually surrounded by empty glasses, fond of saying 'I love you'
The drinker will always be found at the bar/pub/union or any other drinking establishment with an offer on alcohol at the time. The drinker knows the rules to every drinking game ever invented and can play them coherently even though they have lost the ability to speak or stand. Befriend the drinker for good times but shy away from them when work is due because they will steal yours.
THE ARTY TYPE
Identifying features - strange shoes, a far-away look and a book of poetry in their charity shop trousers
The arty type can be found gazing into space at any given place on campus. They own lots of books about things you will never quite understand and their music collection consists of bands you have never heard of. In a seminar, they will either enrage the tutor or become their best friend and bring them along to the latest alternative event at the union. The arty type will make your brain hurt.
WHAT TO TAKE AND WHAT TO LEAVE BEHIND...
RACHEL KERR. Age: 18. From: Southend, Essex. Studying: Psychology
"Things I shouldn't have taken with me..."
... A-level textbooks and notes. The first year's designed to get everyone to the same level. It teaches you the basics. Also don't bring to university the idea that it's going to be the same as home. It's a different, friendly and exciting environment. So don't bring along unnecessary worries!"
SIMON TULETT. Age: 18. From: Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. Studying: History
The best things I took with me..."
...my computer and my music. A computer with email and a messenger service is vital for maintaining a healthy social life, and music of any variety is great to relax and unwind, sing along to, or just go nuts!"
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