Tuesday 24-08-2021 - 10:20

 

We recently asked our students on Instagram and our Student Officers what advice they’d give new students to help them breeze through uni life. We recieved so many amazing responses so buckle up, grab a cup of tea and hear what advice real-life students have got for you.

 

Join clubs and/or societies

 

You’ll hear this a lot, because it just makes sense. Joining clubs and societies is one of the easiest ways to meet people that you’re likely to get along with (because you have a common interest). You’ll also get to know different areas of the Uni and the city depending on where you meet up and have socials, which will make Manchester Met feel more like home!

 

 

Grab the essentials

 

You’ve probably got an idea of what you’ll need to bring to Uni, but there’s always room for a few extra things that may just be life-savers.

 

First up, sunglasses. Early lectures after a late night can seem like the worst thing ever, but throw on a pair of sunglasses whilst you sip your coffee and life will seem that little bit better.

Next, an umbrella. It’s Manchester, need we say more?

Finally, an extension cable. You might not know how many plugs your uni room will have, so a backup extension cable is always a good idea.

 

Manage your money

 

There’s so much going on in the first few weeks of Uni that you might want to try a bit of everything, but remember to keep an eye on your budget. Don’t get swept away and blow your loan in the first week, it’s got to last you a little while!

 

If you find yourself struggling financially, The Union has a free Advice Centre where you can chat to our fully trained Advisors about money worries and loads more.

 

Tap into the knowledge of Technicians

 

Student Officers, Fab and Cynan, recommend having a chat with the Technicians on your course if there’s anything you’re not sure of or want to explore further. Cynan says, ‘Technicians are some of the nicest most talented people on campus. Nine times out of ten they can fix a problem in half the time it would take elsewhere.’

 

 

Create a new email address

 

Freshers Fair freebies might come at a small cost—your email address. Why not create a new account just for this sort of stuff? It’ll mean you won’t get an inbox full of junk mail that you might never read.

 

 

Your student house/halls

 

It can be really frustrating if you spend loads of time and money getting all the kitchen essentials before you come to Uni, for them to then go walk-about. Label everything you own with a Sharpie and keep track of where you’ve left your belongings to reduce the chance of having to replace them. Another tip is to keep your tea towels in your bedroom rather than leaving them in the kitchen!

 

 

Don’t let nerves get the better of you

 

Try not to be shy when chatting to new people. We’re all in the same situation and you can almost guarantee people will be so relieved if you’re the one to spark up a convo.

 

If you’re feeling nervous, take it one step at a time and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You have loads of time to try new things throughout your time at Manchester Met, so don’t worry if it doesn’t all happen in the first week.

 

Explore your campus

 

Getting to know your new surroundings so it becomes second nature to you is one way you can really make yourself feel at home. Letitia says, ‘There’s so many hidden gems and nooks and crannies to explore. Grab a friend and make a day of it, then have a picnic in All Saints park.’

 

 

Get to know Manchester

 

There’s so many fantastic places to eat and drink, as well as cool places to explore like John Rylands Library (got to be one of the most beaut libraries in the world) and lovely parks to walk around. So, find a couple of cool places you’d like to discover and go for it!

 

 

Try something completely new

 

You’ve probably heard us banging on about this already, but The Union really does have so many different opportunities for you to try something new. Fab says, ‘Join sports and societies (but of course I was going to say that!). Take every opportunity and challenge your comfort zone—but make sure you manage your time. You could also get involved with volunteering and make use of the workshops and facilities available.’

 

 

We hope these tips have given you some helpful ideas on how to make Uni life as good as it can be. That’s what The Union is here for by the way—to help you succeed at University. Make sure you follow us on Instagram to find out more tips, get to know your Student Officers (the team of students who run The Union and make it great) and loads more.