Dos and Don’ts: Surviving your first year

DO:

1. Grab the free stuff. Whether it’s taking the tea and toast offered to you as you stagger through OP at 3am or dragging yourself out of bed before 3pm and trudging along to Freshers’ fair. You’ll soon be poor; free stuff is good.
2. Make the most of halls. No, they’re not the most luxurious of places to live but you’re surrounded by friends (hopefully), have your kitchen cleaned for you and most importantly can use as much gas and electricity as you please. (Second/third/fourth year problem: hypothermia vs. diminishing overdraft).
3. Find your nearest Domino’s. The beautiful offer of free pizza only comes around twice a year so source as many vouchers as you can and get queuing.
4. Sign up for UNiDAYS/studentbeans.com. Your inbox is probably full enough but they keep you up to date with student offers and discounts.
5. Embrace your flat mates. They might not be your sort of people but unless you plan on moving halls, you’re stuck with them for a year so suck it up and try your best. (N.B. No romantic relationships until you’re out of halls. Awkwardness for the two involved and the rest of the flat is not pleasant.)

DON’T:

1. Tarnish your clean rep. Go out and have fun, of course. But be wary. No one wants to bump into last night’s conquest as you creep out of a flat humming The Great Escape.
2. Blurt out all of your secrets in I Have Never. Unless you’re lucky, most people you spend Freshers’ Week with won’t turn out to be your closest friends so stay safe and keep schtum.
3. Sleep with people from home. As if everyone at uni knowing your business isn’t bad enough, the whole of your home town will soon find out too. The individual involved will also be there every Christmas, Easter and summer holiday. Steer clear: it’s really not worth it.
4. End up in your overdraft after seven days. It’s going to be an expensive week, granted, but there’s no need to start buying all your new ‘bffls’ vodka redbulls and Sambuca shots.
5. Neglect ma and pa. Their levels of worrying will be at an all time high so a quick call or Skype should keep them happy (and sweet if financial issues should arise later in the year).