Hi there, I'm Luna.
I'm a bit like an AI, except instead of making pictures of people with 16 fingers, I can help you find the perfect course and uni.
Would you like some help in your search?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing...
Going to uni was an incredible experience for me. However, it wasn't all party, party, party. There were some times when things got tough – and I'm not just talking about essay deadlines.
And while I wouldn't change any of it – as it was my own personal journey, here's some of the things that I wish I'd known about uni way back at the start of Freshers' week...
1. Don’t spend your entire loan payment all at once, student life can get very expensive!
2. Don’t judge someone when you first meet them.
3. Do laundry often – don't get lazy and let it pile up as you'll regret it later
4. Ditto the washing up
5. During your first month at university you will probably get “freshers’ flu”, so prepare your medication.
6. Lock your door in halls. Sometimes people will come up with genius pranks. The most popular one? Tinfoil all your stuff.
7. When you order a taxi, ask for an eight-seater first, rather than ordering two taxis (it’s a good way to save money).
8. There will be never-ending queues to get into clubs (especially during Freshers’), so you need to get there early.
9. Be prepared for rumours.
10. Don’t hook up with your flatmates – it might be awkward for the rest of the year.
11. Sport socials will be regular... and messy.
12. There might be a lot of fancy dress up, so bring your fancy wardrobe!
13. Never forget your ID when you go out.
14. Buy earplugs… you will thank me later.
15. Get an NUS card – you will save, save and save!
16. You will need wellies.
17. Don't buy your books brand new – buy used ones from Amazon.co.uk.
18. You’ll be told that first year doesn’t really count and you only have to pass it, but life is a lot harder if you skip lectures (which can sometimes be tempting). Not only do you have to pass first year but also you need to understand the content for your whole degree, so it’s worth going to as many as you can.
19. Use your time wisely. Don’t leave your assignments to the last minute.
20. When it gets closer to deadlines the computer lab and the library get very busy, so get there early.
21. Sometimes you will be overwhelmed, and stressed, but it doesn't last forever. And if it really does all get too much, there is support out there.
22. Your course will most likely have a Facebook group where you can ask questions and discuss anything course related.
23. Sometimes it takes tutors a lot longer to mark your assignments then the time they say it will take.
24. Google saves your life, seriously!
25. Red Bull really does give you wings when you are trying to finish up your assignments at 2.30AM.
26. Leaving all your referencing to the end of your assignments is a bad idea – it takes forever!
27. Don’t be afraid to run for a course representative role. You get to know your tutors, your course and meet new people!
28. Take advantage of the faculties and equipment provided by the university.
29. Get to know your tutors and make sure they know who you are.
30. There will be a lot of opportunities around you – make the most out of them!
31. Ask your tutors questions – it’s what they’re there for. And don’t be afraid to chase them for feedback.
32. Start getting work experience as early as possible.
33. Don’t plan who you’ll be living with in your second year straight away. Get to know people properly first.
34. You will eat a lot of unhealthy stuff. Learn to cook some healthy meals.
35. Your sleeping schedule may be all over the place.
36. You will realise how much you miss home cooked meals.
37. Keep supplies of alcohol prepared in your room (but don’t forget about water)!
38. Fire alarms go off at the most random times. Typically while you’re in the shower, sleeping, or using the toilet…
39. You will spend a lot of time outside your lectures researching and revising. Learn time management... fast.
40. Uni work can get hard and stressful at times, but you will be OK. Thousands of students graduate university each year, so why wouldn’t you?
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