We've spoken to thousands of uni students over the past decade. Here's what they say are the best things about going to uni...
Updated: 29 Apr 2025You might already be pretty set on three (or more) years of blissful, carefree student-ing, but if you haven't started your UCAS application and are having doubts as to whether uni is right for you, then cast your eye over the following 51 best things about going to uni...
1. You’ll feel an overwhelming sense of freedom the minute your parents are out of sight.
2. You’ll meet tons of new people (none of whom will know any of your embarrassing childhood secrets)...
...and you’ll spend at least 70 hours stalking them all on Instagram.
3. You’ll discover the wonder of Freshers' Week...
4. ...during which there will be approximately 64,000 different fancy dress themed nights.
5. Not to mention more bizarre societies than you can shake an Ultimate Frisbee at.
6. Ever heard of custard wrestling, for example? You will.
7. You can even become a radio host, or see your name in print in the student mag.
8. There will be societies and sports clubs to cover pretty much any interest, no matter how odd.
9. Ring of Fire will become your new favourite game.
10. When the first instalment of you student loans comes in, you’ll have MORE MONEY THAN EVER BEFORE... (at least, until you blow most of it on booze or the ASOS 25% off sale)
11. You get to live with people your own age.
12. Waking up not just after midday, but after 3:00PM, is completely okay (and often expected).
13. You’ll discover the sweet, sweet joy of daytime television...
14. ...and you’ll become so good at shows like Countdown and Pointless that you’ll even consider joining your uni’s University Challenge team...
15. ...but then you’ll realise that’s a stupid idea, because you’ve never once got a single question right on University Challenge.
16. It becomes absolutely fine to wear your pyjamas at any hour of the day...
17. ...both in and out of the house.
18. And wearing flip-flops all year long is the norm.
19. You get SO MUCH DISCOUNT for being a student...
20. ...and you get so used to this that when you go into a shop that DOESN’T give you money off, you kick up a massive fuss.
21. You also get deliciously cheap travel (for those occasional weekend trips home).
22. ...and drinks will be outrageously cheap (think 2-4-1 deals and £1 pints).
23. You can eat whatever you want, all the time...
24. ...if you get desperate there’ll be no one there to tell you rice and ketchup isn’t an acceptable meal...
25. ...and no-one will judge you for your overzealous need for ice cream!
26. The ‘five second rule’ for food on the floor becomes 30 seconds.
27. If you want to order Chinese food at three in the morning, who’s going to stop you? No one, that’s who.
28. And when you do go home for the holidays, your mum’s home-cooking will taste better than ever before.
29. It becomes perfectly acceptable to have Disney Princess- or Action Man-themed bedding at the age of 18.
30. If you want to do something random like watch all three Lord of the Rings films in one day, you’ll almost certainly be able to find a few allies.
31. You’ll meet people who watched the same kids’ TV shows as you (and you’ll end up discussing them for hours).
32. You no longer have to study any subjects you don’t want to.
33. The facilities at your uni will probably be loads better than they were at your sixth form...
34. ...you’ll have massive echoing libraries (the kind you’ll become well acquainted with during the exam period)...
35. When you start lectures, you’ll discover loads of people who like the same stuff as you.
36. You might even meet people who will shape your future.
37. If you feel sleepy in a lecture, you can take a quick nap and no one will be any the wiser.
38. And if the worst comes to the worst and you don’t feel like going at all, hey – the notes will probably go up online later anyway.
39. Practical jokes can go further than ever before at uni (with hilarious consequences).
40. You might even get to experience the delicious thrill of newspapering one of your flatmates’ rooms.
41. You’ll have dangerous amounts of free time...
42. ...and you’ll get super-long holidays where you have nothing to do but relax...
43. Some courses only have around six hours of contact time a week (that’s right – A WEEK)
44. But if anyone ever accuses you of being lazy, you’ll just tell them that you’re an academic now, and that all your work goes on (you’ll pause at this point and tap your head knowingly) “up here”.
45. You get to explore a whole new city...
46. ...and then you’ll get to explore even more places when your friends invite you to come and stay with them at their unis.
47. Your parents will be so glad to see you whenever you go home they’ll be happy to do your washing and cook your meals...
48. ...and you’ll have millions of new stories to tell your friends from back home.
49. Then, at the end of it all, you’ll have a big, shiny degree certificate...
50. ...and people will think your mega-smart and want to give you loads of amazing jobs!
51. (But if they don’t, you’ve always got the option of staying on to do a postgrad)
NEXT:
Convinced that uni is the right path for you? Start searching courses on Whatuni now.
Want to know what students think of specific universities? Read our student reviews right here.