How to settle in
And find your groove
Uni is a great place to make lifelong friends and to learn new things. Even if you’re excited, it's not unusual to feel a little lost in the first few days and weeks.
Many people will feel the same as you, even if they don’t show it. The university you go to will have lots of people to help and guide you in the first few weeks, and lots of support services to access throughout your studies too.
To help you with the big and exciting shift to university life, let’s take a look at some of the things to expect when you start, and how you can seamlessly find your groove on day 1.
Adjusting to Uni Life
Like school, but better
Some students worry about the jump from school to university. You’ll be doing more independent work when compared to your time at school or college. But don’t worry, there’s lots of academic support on hand to help you.
More independence means you’ll get to pick when and where you want to study, so that it suits you and your lifestyle.
What to do when you first get to uni
Meet your flatmates
For most people, moving to uni is their first time living away from home. Try to spend some time getting to know your flatmates. They might not be your lifelong friends, but you can help each other to settle into uni life.
Make your space your own
And when you’ve unpacked all your suitcases, it’s time to add your own stamp on your room. Put up pictures, posters or art. Bring your favourite blanket or something to remind you of home. This will make your new surroundings feel more familiar, and it might even start to feel like home.
Not moving away to uni?
If you’ve decided to stay at home for university, then it’s best to set a space for studying or unwinding. Get prepared and find the best way to travel into uni, so you don’t have to rush on your first day. Get to know other first years before you start by joining freshers groups on social media.
Have a course introduction
Your course introduction will usually happen within the first couple of weeks. Go along to meet some of your lecturers and course mates. It might help you to feel more excited about being at university.
You can look forward to when your classes start and find out what resources and materials you might need, such as textbooks and stationery.
Sign up for clubs at freshers fayre
Going to uni is also about enjoying the fun side of your studies. Freshers' fayres are a fantastic opportunity to see what clubs and societies are on offer at your chosen university. Alive and full of possibilities, you can try your hand at something new, keep working on an old hobby, or get involved in some of the quirkier societies. And there's always a chance to take home some freebies and vouchers.
At Portsmouth, you can join over 140 student groups and sports clubs, where you can meet like-minded people and share experiences on (nearly) any interest you may have.
Go to welcome events
Looking for inspiration? Welcome events at uni are a great way to get to know your surroundings. You'll find key things to do in your first few weeks, such as registering with a GP. You'll discover student support services, and find out how to get around your campus and city, including what you can do in your downtime. You may even find some great socials, which could involve movie nights, arts and crafts, as well as broader talks to help you prepare for your studies.
At Portsmouth we offer 1 whole month of welcome events, to make sure you have plenty of time to meet new friends and settle into student life. These include a tour of the city, sports taster sessions, cultural workshops, art nights, mocktail evenings and support workshops to prepare you for academic writing. You can also get help with finding a part time job and registering for your course.
Find your way around campus and the city
Taking a tour of your new university campus beforehand can help you feel more at ease when you attend your induction. This includes getting familiar with the main buildings, such as the Students' Union.
It's also a good idea to figure out the most convenient route from your accommodation to the main lecture theatres and library. One helpful tool is to download Google maps of the campus or city onto your phone, so you're well-prepared before arriving.
Things to remember
Do the things you want to do
With so much going on, you might feel a bit of social pressure to get involved in things when you don’t really fancy it. Maybe you’re tired or want to save some money – remember that it’s okay to pass, because there’ll be plenty more opportunities at a later date.
Get support as and when you need it
At university you’re never alone. Most universities have student wellbeing services, which you can access at your leisure. That can be for managing your finances, health and wellbeing support and academic advice. If you ever need a helping hand at uni, we’ve got you covered.
Register with a GP and dentist
To make sure you can get medical treatment if you need it, you should register with a GP and dentist as soon as you get to university.
As a new student, you'll need to provide proof of your new address and fill out a medical questionnaire.
Come prepared with useful home skills
It’s worth learning how to cook some of your favourite meals, and picking up other skills, like how to use a washing machine. You can even put together a meal plan and make shopping lists to make sure you buy enough food and the right food to bring your recipes to life! Creating a budget will also help you manage your money across the term.
Unsure what kind of budget you might need? Take a look at this money diary kept by current students.
Create a routine
Making a routine can make the first few weeks of uni before classes start a lot easier. Write to do lists, this will help remind you to do things like register with a GP, and get food shopping. Get a diary or calendar to help you to plan your day or week.
Block out time for exercising, socialising, studying, and make sure you give yourself time to relax during the week. Coming to uni can be quite a big step, so you will need some chill time.
Expect to be a little nervous
It's completely normal to be anxious as everything is new. But know that everyone is feeling the same and there’s plenty of help and support if you need it. Why not try meditating, going for a walk or listening to music to help calm your nerves?
You could also reach out to current students to find out how their first few weeks at university were.
