University - important things to do before you go!

By some miracle I was accepted by one of my top choice universities, so in two weeks I am moving to Bournemouth to continue studying psychology! During the time I have been preparing for university I have realised that there are actually lots of important things to do before you go! This is a just a few little things that I've needed to do and hope you find it useful if you are off to University too this year or will be in the coming years!

1. Apply for student finance! - if you are in the UK this may be an obvious one unless you are lucky enough to be able to fund it yourself or have a sponsor to pay for your university time. The application is actually easier than I thought but learn from my mistake and get it done as soon as possible so you know how much money you have before you start the term.

2. Budgeting - once you know how much money you will be receiving from loans and maybe event grants you can start to factor rent, money for food, and other necessities, also its important to set aside money for leisure and going out as well as any standing orders you have in your account such as mobile phone bills, gym membership etc.

3. Accept your offer!   - as soon as you have received your A Level grades it is important to check UCAS and accept the offer you are taking. You will then need to go through a number of different steps including enrolment, don't think you can just rock up to Uni on the first day without doing anything between results day and day 1 of Uni! If only it worked like that!

4. Accept accommodation offer - once you have finalised what university you will be going to its important to make sure you have somewhere to live. If you got into your firm choice university its likely that your accommodation will be guaranteed if you applied for it in advance. However if you got in through Clearing or it was your insurance choice university then in most cases you need to be quick in order to get yourself accommodation at the university!

5. Apply for a student bank account! - you may wish to simply upgrade the current account you have with your bank to a student one but it is worth looking around at the different options as many banks offer brilliant overdrafts for students, and many even throw in excellent freebies such as laptops, tablets or student railcards.

6. List it! - make a list of the things you use on a daily basis and will need to bring with you to university. Also check with your university what is provided for you, so as not to bring duplicates. Personally, I'm not buying all that much new stuff to take with me and am going to see what other people bring, as I am sharing a kitchen and bathroom with two other girls we really don't need 3 kettles and 3 vegetable peelers, so my advice is bring the basics to live with for a couple of days and  things that you can share and save money on wait off on buying them for a while and then if someone else hasn't brought them split the cost between all of you! Just remember students aren't made of money!

7. Student discount cards - another way of saving money at University - NUS cards are brilliant as they offer students around 10-20% off in many different shops and restaurants around the UK. There are others out there and I believe there are ones specifically for the city that you will be going to university in so do your research and if possible speak to other people who are already at university where you will be going - see what they say is best and what really isn't worth the money.

8. Join Facebook groups for your university - most university's have webpages or Facebook pages/groups for freshers (new university go-ers) to join. These are a great way of talking to people on your course before you get there - its always nice to know at least someone!

9. Book Freshers events and get involved - yes you can get tickets on the door to most events and clubs but if you are planning on making the most of your Freshers experience it is well worth booking in advance and getting discount wristbands etc to ensure a good week and to save you some more money! Also look at the different opportunities available such as clubs and societies to get involved in the community and make lots of new friends and meet new people!

10. Most importantly have fun, get involved and work hard!

Let me know in the comments below if you are going to University this year and if you have any tips for me or anyone else starting their university experience. I'd love to hear from you!