Lifestyle: First year at university - what I've learnt.

As I come closer to finishing my first year at Sussex University, I began to think back to the fantastic year I have had and thought I would put together a list of the things I've learnt and a few tips for future freshers! (I've also added a few of my favourite photos of my first year throughout!).

1. Join flat mate group chats and leave your door open when you move in.


These are two simple but very effective way to get to know your flat mates in the first few days as it opens up conversations as you'll see everyone coming and going. With my flat I not only got to meet everyone in my flat before I moved in and quickly before I arrived, I also became friends with a girl from the flat opposite. Also in regards to getting to know people, cooking together is a great way! We cooked a flat meal a couple of days after we arrived and bought a cake for one of my flat mates who was moving in a day after her birthday and even though nobody really ate the cake, it is still a memory we all look back on fondly!

2. Expect communal areas to be a mess.


With lots of people living together; in my flat this means up to 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners a day being made in the kitchen; there will be a lot of mess! As long as everyone agrees on boundaries so it doesn't get too bad then it's ok, but be prepared for some mess! (also bin rotas are extremely useful if you share a kitchen/communal area!).

 

3. Do everything you can in freshers week.


One of the best weeks I had was freshers week as there is so much going on that you get a taste of everything the area you are going to call home for the next 3+ years has to offer, whilst meeting loads of new people! I went bouldering, to dance classes, on bar crawls, laser tag and the classic club nights in freshers week - as well as most notably a party on Brighton pier with rides and a bar! Take full advantage of everything in freshers week as you will only be a fresher once!

4. Talk to as many people as you can.


This is the best way to settle at uni. Everyone is in the same boat as you at the start so talk to everyone you can in classes, around your accommodation, at lunch, on nights out, anywhere you can meet other student! It is a lot easier to make friends than you think if you talk to everyone you can!

5. Explore the area (and find your favourite spots).

Over the year I have lost count of the many bars, clubs, cafes, shops and tourist attractions I've been to. While some have not had a second visit, some have been regular hotspots since (laser zone, globalls, shuffle bar, the haunt, Brighton pier, revolution bar, Casablanca, snoopers paradise and Wahaca are good shouts if you live in Brighton!). It is easier than you think to find your feet in a new town or city if you explore a bit; and you may stumble across some hidden gems on the way (bagelman and shakeaway)!!!

6. Manage your money!!!

I made this mistake many times in my first year. Be careful with your money so you can take advantage of all the opportunities thrown at you! It is the worst feeling not being able to go out because you can't afford it or having to eat the same thing everyday to save money; so make sure you have an emergency fund on hand and don't spend what you can't afford like I've done before!

7. The library can be your best friend


When it comes to getting work done on time, the library is the best place to be in my opinion. You are in a work environment rather than the relaxing environment of your bedroom so it is so much easier to focus. I usually plug in my headphones to encore radio (great for musical theatre fans) and just focus on one essay and get it done that day so I don't have to think about an essay for too long. Whilst it's not for everyone, the library is a great place to go to focus for a while.

8. Take advantage of societies and socials.

This was the biggest game changer for me at university this year. I started attending the Ballroom and Latin dance society (strictly Sussex!) at my uni just after Christmas and it made my university experience a thousand times better! It helps you get into a routine of doing something other than work, you can do any activity you enjoy regularly, meet loads of likeminded people, go on socials and have people to talk to who all support each other. My dance 'family' have became some of my best friends at uni and the society gave me so many opportunities over the last few months to learn something I have always wanted to do with a group of great people. If you take one thing away from this post I would say join a society - it is the best way to explore the area around you, meet people, do something new and make the most of uni!

If you have any university fresher survival tips post them bellow! And also a massive shout out to strictly Sussex (the best society and people at Sussex uni!).

 

"I have insecurities of course,

but I just don't hang

out with people who point

them out to me!"
- Adele