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Words: Abi Colthrust
Even if you’re a near-professional socialite oozing with self-assurance and confidence, going to university still takes some getting used to. New city, new course to get into, new friends to make, and a whole new way of life to adapt to in which you are solely responsible for the time you wake up, what you wear, where you go, what you eat, and when (if) you clean up! If you start uni this year, chances are you’re already on the road to getting packed up, and you’ve given your first few weeks a bit of thought.
{mosgoogle left} Here are STREETBRAND’s last minute tips.
On top of the large list you’ve no doubt drawn up for yourself, don’t forget these packing essentials:
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Your Bible – nuff said.
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Tea bags, milk, sugar and biscuits – handy for offering to new friends
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Posters, photos, cushions and a desk lamp (you can get cheap ones from IKEA)
Be warned, your room at uni may initially look like a prison cell. This can be quickly alleviated by using your photos from home and other bits and pieces to decorate and make it look more homely.
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Towels and soap – won’t be provided, so don’t get caught without!
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A small first aid kit – you won’t have the family medicine cabinet to raid anymore
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Bin bags, laundry bags, and washing up liquid – easily forgotten and very handy
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Mobile phone and charger – essential for those calls home
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A transport map of your new city – get ahead of the game
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Folders and dividers for your work – organisation is the key to success in your studies
During your first few days:
DO....
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Introduce yourself to your neighbours
When you arrive, make a point of knocking on your neighbours doors and saying hi – why not invite them in for a cup of tea and a biscuit as a way of getting to know them?
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Be friendly and talk to everyone
Everyone is in the same boat, and talking to people will help you feel more settled right from the start. You may run out of enthusiasm for asking people what A levels they got, but it pays to be friendly. Try and remember people’s names, it will make them feel more at home too.
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Work out your basic geography
Figure out how to make standard journeys between campus and halls. If you don’t know, others will so don’t worry, but it’s good to be savvy. Pick up public transport information leaflets, and organise yourself a student discount.
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Go to the freshers’ fair and find the Christian Union
A few days in to your first week there will be a Freshers’ fair, take yourself along and make sure to find the Christian Union stand – they will tell you about events they have organised especially for freshers. Meeting other Christians early on at uni goes a long way to helping you feel at home.
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Read your Bible and pray.
It’s good to get into this habit early on.
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The main thing is just to be you, and trust God for the rest!
Don’t shy away from telling people you’re a Christian, it’s good to make that clear from the start when it comes up in conversation.
DON’T...
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Be tempted to be someone you’re not
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Feel you have to go to every freshers’ event – pick and choose.
Freshers’ week is packed with events, some of them good fun, others an excuse for drinking silly amounts of alcohol...choose carefully and don’t feel pressured to go to anything that would compromise your faith.
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Panic about logistics
It will feel like there’s a lot to get your head around, but there’s no need to worry, there will always be a crowd to follow, or a new friend to ask.
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Lock yourself in your room and spend hours on the phone home
Of course you should call home occasionally, and everyone will be a bit homesick, but you need to give yourself time to get used to being away from home. Don’t miss out on chances to get to know people by isolating yourself early.
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Put pressure on yourself to be best friends with everyone
It will take time to get to know people, so relax.
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Blow your entire student loan
It may be tempting to buy up the whole of Tesco, splash out on meals in restaurants, and create for yourself an entire new wardrobe, but pace yourself. A few months down the line when you’re eating value baked beans and cheese soup, you will miss that £30 you spent on shoes.
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Forget to have fun!!
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Life 
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