In the third and final post in our series of Freshers blogs, providers of student housing Liverpool and Salford based Mistoria Estate Agents, advise you on how to make the most of Freshers’ Week and beyond…
Join Clubs
No, we don’t mean as a club promoter. (Seriously, we don’t care that its Voodoo Wednesdays, you told us that last week…) At the Fresher’s Fair, you have the opportunity to join potentially hundreds of clubs and societies. Make the most of this opportunity. They range from sports clubs and dance troupes, to the really wacky, like the Humous Society or the Extreme Ironing Society. Don’t try and join every single one, otherwise you’ll be bombarded by emails for the rest of your life, but choose a broad selection that both caters to your interests but also pushes the boat out. If you’re interested but unsure, many societies offer free taster sessions.
Whilst you’re wandering around the Freshers’ Fair choosing clubs, milk the stalls for all they’re worth. Get all the freebies you can. You can easily get a lifetime supply of pens there, but also vouchers for free pizza and snacks.
Get In On The Discounts
As a student, you can get hold of an incredible number of discounts. Get a UNiDAYS or NUS Extra card to get massive reductions in most high street shops. Even if a shop doesn’t actually advertise that it offers student discounts, it’s worth asking anyway, as many do.
Cooking
Whether you decide to cook with your housemates on a rota, or do it just for yourself, try and bulk-buy and bulk-cook. Try to make enough for three meals when you cook, and freeze the portions you don’t eat for a later date. This will save you lots of money, and will mean you don’t buy things you don’t need. Similarly, don’t shop on an empty stomach; you’ll be more likely to buy rubbish. It’s worth getting your hands on a cookbook before you arrive at your new house. You can get student ones with quick recipes using cheap ingredients. If you’re not a great cook, try and learn some recipes beforehand. As amazing as living off takeaway kebabs sounds, it can really destroy you.
The First Lecture
When you first start university, you may feel a bit too relaxed about going to lectures. Don’t sleep through them though, even if the hangover is awful. Sometimes, later in the year, you might feel too ill to go to a lecture here or there. Don’t make a habit of missing them though. Even if you take notes on a laptop, bring a pen and paper too, in case your computer runs out of battery. Sometimes, actually writing out your notes can help you remember them better.
Don’t be scared to shout out ideas in a lecture. Everyone is just waiting for someone else to answer, and there’s nothing worse than an awkward pause after a lecturer has asked a question. If you have queries after a lecture, don’t hesitate to email the lecturer or go to their office. It’s what they’re there for, and given how much you’re paying for your education, you should make the most of it.
The First Assignment
Your first assignment can be a daunting prospect, but don’t fret, it’s doable. Lecturers are well aware that it’s your first real taste of uni work. The most important thing is that you don’t leave it until the night before it’s due. That just causes unnecessary stress. Plan what you’ve got to do in advance, and begin reading. Try to work on the essay in chunks, rather than all in one go. This way you won’t get bored, and it won’t look rushed.
Don’t leave referencing until the end either. Trying to find out where you got a quotation about 1st century BC Roman cheese production can be incredibly frustrating, and isn’t something you want to be doing at 2am. The other thing you don’t want to be doing in the early hours is crying when your computer crashes and you lose your work. Back-up all your work.
Mistoria Estate Agents
If you’re still looking for student housing Liverpool and Salford based Mistoria Estate Agents are here to help. We still have a range of properties available in both cities. To find out more about what we can offer you, call 0800 500 3015, email info@mistoria.co.uk, or fill in the contact form here.
