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Guide for Freshmen: How to Prepare for Your New Life
Sadly, summer is already over, and the new semester is starting… For freshmen, this isn't just another semester but The First Semester, bringing excitement and a lot of changes to every college and university student’s life. It’s a good idea to prepare (mentally as well) for the first few months to avoid unnecessary stress and bad moods.
A must-read for freshmen from our student union team, and a recommended refresher for upperclassmen! 😉
Your New Home
If you’re studying far from home, hopefully, you already have your rental apartment or successful dorm application sorted. You’ve probably also planned when you’ll move into your new “home.” Before packing, make a list of everything you might need for the semester, whether for school, work, or daily life!
Make sure you don’t need to acquire any furniture or kitchen utensils (e.g., sandwich maker, mirror, shower slippers) for the apartment. If something is missing, get it before moving in because who knows how much time you’ll have once school starts.
Tip: Don’t forget things that can make an unfamiliar place feel like home! A few plants, your favorite throw pillows, or even a curtain can make a big difference.
What Will You Eat?
Those who can stay at home during university have it easier, but let’s admit it, dorms and apartments are much more exciting. 😉 You’ll face many new challenges, like managing your money well, significantly influenced by your eating habits. If you didn’t like cooking before, you probably still won’t. However, you’ll likely become very creative in making quick, nutritious, and cheap meals.
There will be days when you can’t or won’t want to cook at home, so you’ll need to find places to eat. It’s worth researching, even before school starts, where you can have lunch cheaply, for example, during a free period or where they offer discounted student menus.
Tip: During the first weeks of school, listen and observe where others go, and who knows, you might find the perfect place for studying between classes (or for last-minute paper writing)!
Also, check the transportation options! Do you know the fastest way to get from your (future) home to school? If you already live in the area, it’s worth testing a few routes before school starts so you don’t end up late for your first classes! Check the prices of passes and other transportation options (e.g., bike, scooter) if you want to save money.
Don’t Forget About School!
When a student starts university, so many changes happen simultaneously that the novelty and errands (moving, freshman camp, etc.) can make them almost forget about the university itself. However, it’s also worth preparing for this, both with supplies and mentally.
Check how many subjects you’ll have this semester, if you have enough notebooks for taking notes, or if your laptop’s battery can handle it… do you even have a laptop suitable for churning out papers on the conveyor belt? Do you have a bag that fits everything and that you’d be happy to carry to school?
Besides, the mental aspect of starting school is crucial, especially in a new environment.
Tip: Think about the place where you can always relax, the people whose company you always enjoy, and the activity that can calm you anytime.
Remember these after a tough day. A bad day at school, a stressful job, or even an unintentionally lonely day can be significantly improved by these if you’re feeling down. Moreover, use the last weekend of summer to spend some time with them!
Financial Preparation with Our Student Union for the First Semester of University
Browse through our current job listings and apply for one that fits into your schedule!
Don’t Know Where to Start? No Problem!
If you want to get familiar with the basics of student employment, click here!
