With September rolling around it's the time for bright eyed freshers to pack up their parent's cars and drive off to wherever in the country is going to be their home for the next three or four years. Starting uni is new and exciting but can also be nerve-wracking and daunting. There are so many uni tips and tricks videos and blog posts out there so I'm not going to add to the market of media telling you to bring a door stop, or coordinate with your flat mates who is bringing which pots and pans. Instead, I have complied a list of five random tricks I have used throughout my time at uni that have made my life slightly easier in the hopes they can help you out too!
A typical coffee shop study scene
Put your calendar on your phone's home screen
At uni there is a lot going on at once and it is not always the case that lectures or classes take place at the same time every week. I have also found that I get bombarded with random meetings, coffee dates, lunch plans etc and forget where I am supposed to be when.
To fix this problem I use the calendar app on my phone and have added it as a widget to my phone screen. This means that whenever I glance at my phone to check the time or read a message, a reminder about my next event is right there on the screen and I won't forget where I am supposed to be. In order for this to work I add everything into my calendar at the start of the term once I get my timetable. I sit down and add all my lectures and classes into my calendar. I also take the time to add in training sessions for sports team and any big events I already know about. Then, as other plans are made or classes are moved. I add these in or adjust my calendar accordingly and that way I always know where I need to be and have managed to avoid double booking myself so far, which can actually happen quite easily when you don't have all your plans in one place.
2. Don't do your washing at the weekend
I have found it is super useful to have a set day to do chores such as washing your sheets and watering your plants so you don't forget. It can often be hard to keep track of when you last washed your bedding and things like that so this can help you keep on top. The key tip here is don't make your washing day a weekend. Everyone I know does their washing on a Saturday or Sunday, or hungover at midday on a Thursday. I had a gap in my schedule on Tuesday afternoon this year so made that my washing day. The machines were always free when I went to use them. It's highly likely that you will be sharing a few machines between more than a few people and waiting around for someone else's wash to finish is not how I personally want to spend my Sunday afternoon.
3. Utilise the find my friends app
This one you probably can't implement until you have made some close friends but what saved me many times in second and third year was the find my friends app. My close friends and I originally added each other on the app so we can keep an eye on each other on a night out and ensure we all get home safe. However, I have found it has so many uses beyond this. Oxford, where I am at uni, has many different libraries. If I know my friends are at the library and I want to join them but no one is replying to tell em which library they are at, then a quick check on find my friends and I know where to head. I have even once used it to locate a friend down to the desk in the library which may be seen as a little creepy but was incredibly convenient at the time.
4. Explore the city
When moving to a new place for uni it seems like you're gonna be there forever but in reality it is only three years. It's so easy to get caught up in uni life and forget to explore the new place you are in. Exploring the city is also a great way to bond with new friends. I've had some great times simply going for walks around the city, visiting the museums, picnic-ing in the botanical gardens, and treating ourselves to afternoon tea at a fancy coffee shop. Doing things like this are a great way to step away from the chaos of uni life and remind yourself it's not the be all and end all. Plus, when you've graduated you want to be able to look back and say you really made the most of your time in the city you went to uni in.
5. Mix up your study spaces
Studying in the same place everyday is extremely boring. A great way to keep yourself motivated, especially during exam season, is by mixing up the place you study. The library is always a good bet but don't forget about other spots in the uni such as common areas within your department or the student union, all free options. Studying in cafes is one I particularly enjoy, especially in the morning. Often the thought of a nice coffee is what gets me out of bed and to open my laptop, but keep in mind the cost of a coffee a day does add up.
Along the same lines, I would advise against studying in your bedroom. For some people this works really well but I have found that the physical separation between downtime in my room and studying elsewhere has helped me prevent burn out and stay sane. My room is for relaxing, and once I leave and go somewhere else I get into work mode. Same can be said for the end of the day, once I leave the library and get home my brain can switch off again.
There are so many pieces of advice about uni out there, but the most important thing is to try and enjoy it. It won't all be fun and games, especially in your first year it can be very overwhelming. Don't put any pressure on yourself if it feels like these aren't 'the best years of your life', but make sure you give yourself every opportunity to enjoy it while you can!
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