Top 10 Tips For Being A Fresher
It’s your first year and you want to fit in, manage your money and do well in your studies whilst making the most of your student experience. Seems like a lot doesn’t it? Here’s some simple tips for to easily get through your first year.
1 – Move into your accommodation as soon as you can
You don’t want to be unpacking whilst your roommates are getting ready to go out, so move in as early as you can and get yourself settled.
If you’re living at home in your first year then go out to Freshers’ Fest events and meet people. You can find our full list of Freshers’ Fest events here and get your wristband here.
2 – Take a walk around your campus before university starts
Find out what campus you will be studying in and talk a walk around it before you have your induction day, that way you won’t be late to your first class and will be able to familiarise yourself with your campus and any bistros/food places it has to offer for your lunch.
3 – Attend your Fresher’s Fair
This year we’ll be holding our biggest Freshers’ Fair in the Exhibition Centre Liverpool near the Echo Arena on Tuesday 29th September and Wednesday 30th September, both from 10am-4pm. This is a great way to find out all the best deals in the city and you can even get yourself loads of free stuff. Also you will be able to join all the clubs and societies that you wish to here, which is a great way to meet new people.
LiverpoolSU will also have shuttle buses to and from the Fair, keep an eye out on our website for more details!
4 – Save a Taxi number in your mobile!
There are various taxi companies in Liverpool and here at LiverpoolSU, we partner with Alpha Taxis. They are a highly-respected company in Liverpool and also operate our Safe Taxi Scheme. Make sure you get in a licensed taxi and stay safe in the city!
Alpha Taxi - 0151 722 8888 or download the App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.*
*(N.B. Safe Taxi cannot be used on the mobile app).
5 – Create yourself a budget
It’s important to work out how much you will be living off each week before you go ahead and start spending your student loan/savings. Check out UCAS’ handy student budget calculator here.
You can get your free NUS Extra card (for level 4 non-NHS funded courses only), you should receive an email with a link to purchase your free card on your university email address.
Also if you will be travelling by train frequently you should purchase a 16-25 Railcard which saves you a third off your normal ticket prices, you can save 10% off this with your NUS extra card to buy yours now click here.
6 – You don’t have to buy stacks of university books
You’ll be given a reading list before starting your course, but that doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy all of the books on it. Get to the library as soon as you can and see what books on your list that you can borrow. Alternatively you can search for used books on eBay.
7 - Don’t stop talking to people just because Freshers’ is over
Seems obvious but don’t just fall into one set of friends at university, try different sports and clubs and meet people from all different backgrounds, this way you will be able to work with a wider range of people helping to prepare you for your word of work when you leave university.
8 – Stay safe in Liverpool
Never come back from a night out on your own unless you really have to. Always plan your nights out and know which part of Liverpool you will be going and how you will get back. If you can’t get back, don’t go, nobody will dislike you for it and if they do, they’re not worth knowing anyway.
If you go to a club never leave your drink unattended, Freshers’ is a busy time and clubs will be full.
LJMU provide help with health and wellbeing so contact them on 0151 231 3579 to speak to them about any troubles or worries you have to do with your degree or personal issues.
9 – Get a part-time job
Sometimes your budget just doesn’t cut it and you’ll need to find part-time work, apply for shops who will usually give you weekend shifts, so that it doesn’t interfere with your studies.
Here at LiverpoolSU we offer various job opportunities to LJMU students visit the Work With Us page to find vacancies. Ensure that you’re not contracted to more than 15 hours per week and remember that your studies come first.
10 – Don’t treat an overdraft as ‘free’ money
It’s not. It’s as simple as that. Even though most banks offer an interest free overdraft of £1000 or more you will have to pay it back once you leave university with possible interest to come. Check with your bank to find out the specifics of their overdrafts. So pay if off before you leave by cutting down on your expenses or getting a summer job.
