University Survival Guide 2024: Must-Haves and Top Tips for a Smooth Transition

As the new academic year fast approaches, we reached out to our Instagram community to share their top tips for starting the new year as a Fresher.

- Student Minds Blog Editorial Team

Heading off to university is an exciting, life-changing experience. It’s a time of independence, self-discovery, and of course, higher education. But with all the excitement comes a lot of preparation, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To help make your transition as smooth as possible, we’ve put together the ultimate University Survival Guide. From essential items to bring with you to pre-arrival tips, this guide covers everything you need to set yourself up for success.

1. The One Must-Have Item to Bring to Uni: A Mental Health Toolkit

While a high-powered laptop or tablet might seem like the obvious “must-have,” there’s something far more important: a mental health toolkit. University life is thrilling but can also be stressful. Managing your time, workload, and social life, all while adjusting to a new environment can take a toll on your mental well-being. That's why preparing to care for your mental health is one of the best things you can do before you leave.

Here’s what you can include in your mental health toolkit:

• Meditation or mindfulness app.
• Journaling supplies: Keeping a journal is a great way to process your feelings and relieve stress.
• Exercise routine: Whether it's yoga, a daily walk, or a gym schedule, physical activity can greatly boost your mental health.
• Support system: Make sure you have friends, family, or a counsellor you can reach out to when you need a chat or advice.

Why a mental health toolkit matters:

While technology and school supplies are essential, having a plan to maintain your mental well-being can be the difference between surviving and thriving at university. With a toolkit that prioritizes self-care, you'll be better equipped to handle the highs and lows of student life.

2. Tips for Getting Ready for Uni

Now that you have your mental health toolkit in place, let’s move on to other practical preparations. Getting ready for university involves more than just packing your bags. Here are some tips to help you start the year strong.

a. Read Your Course Outline and Plan Ahead

Before classes begin, take the time to review your course outline. Professors often upload these to your university’s online platform before the semester starts. By understanding the structure of your courses, you can map out major deadlines and exam dates. This foresight will help you manage your workload and avoid last-minute stress. Plus, it gives you the chance to get a head start on reading materials or projects.

b. Stock Up on Command Strips and Room Essentials

One thing students often overlook is how to decorate and organize their living space. Most dorms don’t allow you to nail things to the walls, so command strips will become your best friend. Use them to hang photos, artwork, and even shelves. A cozy, personalized room will make the transition smoother and more comfortable.

Other essentials include:

• Extension cords and power strips (dorms rarely have enough outlets).
• Storage bins for extra organization, especially for under-the-bed storage.
• Comfortable bedding: A good night's sleep is crucial for academic performance.

c. Reconnect with Friends Before You Leave

University is a time of making new friends, but that doesn’t mean you should forget your old ones. Make the most of the summer by spending quality time with your close friends and family. Once uni starts, schedules become hectic, and it may be a while before you see them again. Reconnecting now will give you a sense of support that can carry you through any homesickness that might arise during your first few months away.

3. Budgeting 101: Financial Preparedness

Financial management is one of the biggest challenges new students face. Start by setting a budget for yourself before you arrive. Think about your monthly expenses—rent, food, transportation, social activities—and set realistic limits. It’s a good idea to download a budgeting app.

Additionally, try to set aside some savings for emergencies. While it’s tempting to spend your first few months exploring, eating out, and shopping, you’ll thank yourself later for being financially cautious in the beginning.

4. Stay Organized: Invest in the Right Tech

While your mental health toolkit is number one, it’s hard to argue that a good laptop or tablet isn’t crucial. Most university work is done online or through digital platforms, so you’ll want a reliable device. Whether it’s writing papers, researching, or attending online classes, a good piece of tech is a game-changer.

If you're on a budget, look for student discounts. Many companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Adobe offer special deals for students on both hardware and software. Additionally, a pair of noise-canceling headphones can be a life-saver in noisy dorms or shared libraries.

5. Join Online Communities Early

Many universities have online groups where students can meet and chat before the semester starts. Whether it’s Facebook groups, Discord servers, or Reddit communities, joining these early will give you a chance to connect with future classmates. It’s a great way to make friends, find potential roommates, or even get advice from upperclassmen about the university experience.

Final Thoughts

Heading to university in 2024 will be an incredible journey, full of growth, challenges, and unforgettable experiences. By preparing early—whether by focusing on your mental health, organizing your study materials, or connecting with others—you’ll be setting yourself up for a rewarding and successful academic year.

Take a deep breath, pack your essentials, and get ready to make the most out of your university life!

Find out how you can get involved with the Student Minds Blog.

Written by the Student Minds Blog Editorial Team.

Freshers' may not be the best time of your life

Hollie reflects on her struggles with mental health during her first year of university, sharing what she wishes she had known.

- Hollie Rose

As the car rolled up the Bailey and the wheels moved over the cobblestones as we approached Durham Cathedral, I spotted my new home to my left, with iron gates opening onto the future I had been dreaming of for years. I wish I could meet that nineteen-year-old girl to give her a hug, holding in my arms all her trepidation around being in catered accommodation and the unique experience of having a roommate. I wish I could tell her it would all be okay. But on that day in late September when I approached the college that I would eventually be overly involved in, little did I know that I was opening one of the darkest chapters of my life. And – spoiler alert – little would I believe, at the end of my first year as I made the same journey in reverse down the historic Bailey with a car full of my belongings, that in two years I would sob at the mere thought of leaving a city I am so proud to say I created a life in.  

For those of us who have experience already with tumultuous mental health before we arrive at university, we can fear what that will look like in a new city, with a transformed support system and a routine completely turned on its head. I can attest that it will all be okay…eventually.  

But that does not mean it will instantly be okay in freshers’ week or as a fresher at all. If you are someone who struggles to adapt, you are not on your own. Believe me, even those who adjust the fastest have moments of doubt or feeling like an imposter.  I prided myself up until university in being able to make things work, even if they weren’t ideal. I did not realise how much of that ability relied on the thing I claimed to hate: routine.   

The nature of living in catered accommodation meant meals became an intense stress factor for me as I had little to no choice and control over my food. As such, I would avoid meals, eliminating consistent points in a daily routine. This not only meant I lost structure in my day, which meant I ended up cocooning myself in bed longer into the day than I care to admit but also meant I was allowing my anxiety around meals to cut me off from the socialisation around mealtimes. Similarly, it became easier to skip lectures and seminars, provide email excuses for my absences and barely leave my room as the longer the gaps between my attendance became, the greater my anxiety of walking into those rooms grew.   

Within my first year, I became a ghost of myself because I did not know how to create a flexible and accommodating routine for myself. Instead, my comfort zone shrank to a small outline around my feet. It was not until my third year that I truly began to flourish because I gave myself the grace to manage my anxiety and depression.  

I implemented a flexible routine that focused on meeting my basic needs each day rather than attempting to meet unrealistic goals. I did not want to get up obscenely early, I just wanted to get out of bed each day. I did not care if I changed from one set of pyjamas to another, I was changing out of the clothes I slept in. I may not have the energy to cook from scratch, but I would eat at least one fully prepared meal. And I would go outside for a least five minutes, even if those five minutes were no further than my garden.  

What I found, is pushing myself to do these tasks often meant I started my day, whether at 7am or 7pm, in a headspace more willing and able to challenge my comfort zone, rather than waking up already feeling like a failure because I had missed an arbitrary morning alarm. I was focusing on a routine to meet my needs. And I was able to constantly challenge my comfort zone, watching it grow bit by bit, by challenging my depression and anxiety to constantly meet my basic needs.  

Another big change is I allowed myself to ask for help – something fresher me would never believe. But asking for help from student support resulted in the extension that saved my dissertation, which was the thing I had cared most about from my entire degree.   

Please know that it is okay if freshers’ week, or even your first year, isn’t the best time of your life. There are services available to help support you to get to the place that took me years to get to.   

Give yourself the grace to understand and meet your own mental health needs.

Find out how you can get involved with the Student Minds Blog.

Hiya, I'm Hollie, a masters student who has struggled throughout my university studies with various mental health conditions. Wellbeing and mental health advocacy, as well as LGBTQ+ representation, are at the heart of what I do, and as such, I hope to help students feel seen and supported through sharing my own story.