Let’s face it—choosing a university that fits the bill is already tough enough, preparing for one is even harder. There are so many things that need to be taken care of and organized, it may feel overwhelming for plenty of students. The university has different opportunities and provides you with an entirely different lifestyle. You’ll realize that things are at a whole different angle when compared to your home and dorm life. So, it is crucial that you adapt to it early.
If you’re entering a university, both at home and abroad, for the first time and have no idea where to start, well fear not, we have you covered. Below are 15 things that you need to take care of before entering a university:
15 Things To Do Before Entering University
- Subscribe To Netflix
We all know you won’t be studying all day. Sooner or later you’ll require a top-notch streaming service that offers a huge selection of the best movies and television programs that you can watch on your laptop, TV or smartphone at any given time. We recommend Netflix. We know that it is pretty obvious, but the great thing about Netflix is that it recommends content based on your watch history. It is creepy to some extent but this feature makes sure that you don’t run out of TV shows or movies to watch.
Of course, Netflix won’t have all the movies that you love watching now and then from your classic collections. We recommend you accumulate a large film collection over the summer that is perfect for you and all of your friends. It is a great way to spend those lazy days and nights during the weekends.
- Learn How To Online Order
It’s highly likely that you won’t be having much time shopping in the malls or hanging out in bars, or dining in restaurants with the new friends you made. In most scenarios, you’ll end up ordering food or buying services like write my paper for me. So, getting familiar with various shopping or food websites is a good place to start. Remember you’re on a budget in the university, so learn how to routine and buy things that you actually need.
- Take A Gym Membership
It is important to take your health and wellness whilst at university, so start looking at the various gym memberships being offered in and around your university. A lot of gyms now offer a whole range of sports as well as regular programs with different facilities. Select the one that is close to your university and offers the programs and facilities that suits you. You’ll be most likely to get student discounts, so take advantage of them.
- Figure Out The Bus Routes
Unless you’re living very far from your university and have your own car, you’ll most likely be taking buses to get around the city. If you’re are not familiar with the bus routes, look for them on the internet. Find the routes that you’ll be taking on an almost daily basis. Furthermore, familiarize with the bus fares, quickest routes, and student discounts, if applicable. This isn’t fun, we know that, but trust us it will make the whole bussing process a lot easier.
- Be Sincere On How To Save Money
Let’s be honest—studying in a university isn’t cheap, especially when you’re studying in expensive universities such as the Christ University Bangalore where a 3-year engineering degree will set you back around Rs. 5 lacs in tuition fees alone. You can’t always rely on your parents for money to cater to your needs. Therefore it is important that you learn the value of money and how to budget. There are several good apps that can help you budget and keep track of your expenses. Then there are some other ways you can save money while spending on essentials like getting a food card or using discount coupons, and so on.
- Wash Your Own Clothes
You’re in a university, not your home. There isn’t anyone who will wash your clothes and return to you shiny and new. Learn how to wash your own clothes and be familiar with what of detergents to use with different fabrics and colors. These simple life skills will certainly help you when you’re out of university, living by yourself, or searching for a job in a different city or country.
Do the washing and cleaning once in a while. Most halls or dorms don’t have a dishwasher. So you should do the washing and cleaning around the house the old fashioned way by yourself on a daily basis. Leaving all your dirty plates unwashed or your room or the bathroom unclean and disorderly until someone else cleans them is not going to work when you’re living with a group of people. It will probably just leave them seriously annoyed.
- Get Used To Being Alone
You don’t have the chance of hanging out and socializing with your friends when you’re far away from home. The same thing applies when studying in a university particularly when all of your friends and roommates have different timetables. So get habituated of spending time by yourself like taking a different hobby and doing things that you enjoy on your own. This will prevent you from feeling bored or having feelings of loneliness.
- Buy Ring Binders
As you progress through your courses, you’ll be surprised by the number of papers and sheets you’ve accumulated over time. Unless you do something to keep them organized things can go crazy. So, invest in a variety of ring binders. It is a simple way to keep all your notes, documents, and term papers organized in your dorm room. You’ll also save a lot of time searching for notes from four months ago when the exam season kicks in.
- Start Loving To Skype
Sometimes talking to family and friends over the phone isn’t always helpful especially when you’re far away from home. So when you can’t be with them, but want to see and chat with them at the same time, using Skype is the best alternative you’re left with. Skyping also comes in handy when you’re multitasking or want to show them something while you’re working. And the best thing is it’s FREE!
- Find A Pet Alternative
If you had a pet dog or cat before entering university, chances are you’re really missing your furry friends. But most university dorms don’t allow pets. If you’re an animal lover it is important that you find an alternative. Cuddly toys, life-size teddy bears, or layers of blankets can replicate the comfort the love that a pet gives you. These things will also help you to relax. Moreover, these toys do not require any feeding, cleaning, or constant attention, so it’s a win-win situation.
- Get Into A Routine
Summer breaks at most universities are so long that it can derail you from your daily routines. Having a list of things to do or maintain a daily schedule is essential to keep you motivated and productive throughout the day. During the break, it’s not healthy to lie in the bed late into the morning, do nothing active, and comfort eating for the rest of the day. Having a daily routine gives you a purpose. Furthermore, it’s also motivational and gives you a sense of fulfillment when you tried doing something and actually achieved it.
- Research The Modules For Your Course
Just because you’ve entered the university and enrolled into the degree you wanted doesn’t mean that you’re done. Do some background research regarding your program, and if you’ve found some optional modules that you think will make the process less stressful, we suggest you do it. However, make sure that the modules that you’re choosing are something that you’ll actually enjoy.
- Upgrade Your Resume/CV
Plenty of students work part-time whilst at the university. Finding work while studying is an excellent idea. It will teach you the basics of what it means to have a good work ethics and be productive with those empty hours or during the class off days. Furthermore, you’ll also earn some money. Finding a job is something that is extremely popular with the freshers, so the competition is stiff. So, it is important you really sell yourself and updating your resume is a good way to put yourself in a favorable position.
- Learn To Drive
Learning to drive is an important life skill like knowing how to cook. After graduating you’ll be searching for jobs, and you’ll realize that potential employers will demand you to have a valid driving license when applying for different jobs in addition to work experience. If you don’t have a driving license, it’s time that you start learning to drive during the summer break. It is a great idea and will also keep you occupied during the empty hours in the day. Even if you’ve something else to do, remember driving is a lifetime skill so do your best to squeeze the driving lessons into your schedule.
- Learn To Make Friends
It is very likely that you’ll be locked in your dorm for the most of the summer or spending time with the same group of people you’ve worked with for your group projects or assignments. It is nice to make new friends outside your university accommodation, and most universities have pages or groups on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for the new students to find out who will they’ll be living with. This provides new students an opportunity to learn more about other people and makes it easier for them to meet people and make friends. This is way better than those uncomfortable, awkward introductions.
