HOW TO COPE WITH MOVING TO UNI

MOVING TO UNI

The moment you have been anticipating your whole life has arrived – you’ve secured a place in your chosen university, have shopped till you dropped in IKEA and now you are preparing to road trip to your new city.

Anxious, excited, overwhelmed and maybe even homesick. All these feelings are completely natural, and we want to make you feel right at home from the get-go.

If you are staying with us for the first time this year, you won’t regret it. With so much to look forward to you’ll be eagerly anticipating the beginning of the rest of your life, and the freedom and independence that comes with it.

We have gathered our top tips on moving to university, to make you feel settled and at ease.

DON’T FEEL GUILITY IF YOU MISS HOME

Moving away from home to go to university is a major milestone in anyone’s life. While the excitement of starting a new chapter and gaining independence is palpable, it’s also common to feel some guilt about leaving home.

Whether it’s because of close relationships with family and friends or a deep familiarity with the area, the thought of being away from home can be daunting. It’s important to remember that these feelings are completely normal. It’s okay to miss home and the people you left behind. However, it’s important to embrace the new experiences with university life. Remember that you can stay connected with loved ones and visit home, even if it’s not as often as you’d like. University is a time to grow and learn, both academically and personally. Don’t let the guilt of missing home hold you back from making the most of this exciting new journey.

REMEMBER WHY YOU ARE GOING TO UNIVERSITY

Everyone will have a different reason for deciding to make the move to university, some will be solely focusing on a career path while others may have a passion for studying or want the true university experience of living in a new city or country altogether. Whatever your reason for deciding to move away to university, remember your reasons for going and how this experience can benefit your own personal journey. This truly is an exciting time to grow and flourish as an individual and make the most of your three or four years of education, fun, friends and more.

PACK YOUR HOME COMFORTS

You might be moving onto into the big wide world, but your favourite childhood items still have an important place in your new home such as your longest fluffy friend, a blanket that you may have had since being small or your dad’s football team t-shirt. Alternatively, printing off some of your favourite photos of family and friends to frame to help personalise your room, to make it feel homely and comfortable from the beginning of your halls experience.

SPEAK TO YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS

Talking to loved ones in the build-up to moving to university will make your feel less alone, and they might even have similar experiences to share with you. For example, your parents might have moved house or job, or an older sibling might have already been to uni. That said, regular phone calls post move-in can sometimes make you feel worse. Don’t forget, there will be many people in the exact same position as you, so try to immerse yourself in the ‘here and now’ at university as much as you can.

MAKE PLANS BACK HOME

Having something to look forward to back home might help ease you into university by making plans with friends and family. Give yourself time to settle in first and remember that the first few weeks of university are the best time to meet new people!

SOCIALISE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND FLATMATES

The thought of stepping out of your room in your shared apartment for the first time may seem quite daunting, whether you’re a first year or a returning resident. But it isn’t as bad as you may think. Take it from our very own  Newcastle resident Charlotte as she shares her top tips on how to make friends.

GO EXPLORING

Get ready to explore your new city and make it your own. Exploring your university city will help you overcome your homesickness and is also a great way to bond with your housemates if you go together. For inspiration on where to explore in your university city, look at our city guides.

TRY NEW THINGS

Immersing yourself in social clubs and sport teams is a great way to help you settle in, whether that may be joining the cricket team or even joining a social that’s all about Taylor Swift – there is something for anyone! Especially with the most iconic week in university history, Freshers Week, to look forward to. Most universities and student unions host their own Fresher’s fairs. To make the most out of your university experience, save our ultimate university bucket list and tick off as many activities as possible!

WE CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU!

If you are anxious about moving to university, it is a good idea to look at the support available to you before you arrive, so you know where to turn. For example, our resident teams are on site 24 hours a day to provide support and assistance to anybody who may need it, even if it is a friendly chat. So relax, book your arrival slot, join our exclusive resident Facebook & We Chat groups and get ready for some unforgettable welcome events.

See you in September and let the fun begin!