Combatting concerns: tips for starting university

It’s completely natural to have some butterflies at the thought of starting uni for the first time. From having enough money to making friends, to fending for yourself or needing support – read on for some top tips to help ease any worries.

I’m worried about money

Hopefully you’ve managed to sort out ‘the big ones’ – a tuition fee loan and living cost support from the Government. (Although don’t worry if you haven’t yet – you can still apply for funding up to nine months after the start of term). So, what else can you do once you’re on campus to help you be finance savvy?

• Set a budget. Use Excel or a budget app to list your income and likely expenses. Set yourself a weekly or monthly budget… and stick to it! Not sure where to start? Check out this Save the Student worksheet here.
• Get a part-time job. Many students want or need to work alongside their studies and it’s a great way to gain extra employability skills alongside increasing your income. Make the most of our Careers and Opportunities Hub, from CV workshops, one-to-one advice and our CareerConnect jobs portal.
• Be smart with your money. If you’re opening a student bank account, don’t be swayed by cool incentives without looking for whether the account has an arranged interest-free overdraft. Aim to get the biggest and longest 0% overdraft you can. This is a buffer and not free money, so read the small print about when you need to repay the bank. Avoid payday loan companies as the interest is usually astronomically high.

If you need advice, or you find yourself struggling financially, then please get in touch. Our dedicated Students and Money team are here to help.

I’m worried about making friends

Remember, everyone is in the same boat. Everyone is eager to make new friends and you’ll soon suss out who might be a potential bestie.

• Join Campus Connect. If you’re joining us this September, you’ll have received an invite to our app – connect with other applicants and get to know each other before you arrive.
• Join a society, sports team or network. It’s an ideal way to meet like-minded people, and you’ll meet different people to those on your course or living with you.
• Be brave and get involved. There’s a whole host of activities and events to get involved in, during Welcome Week and beyond. There’s something to suit everyone.

Most importantly, be yourself. Whether you’re the life and soul of the party from day one or prefer to quietly observe until you feel comfortable to open up, there’s a place for everyone at Winchester.

I’m worried about fending for myself

Chat to a family member or friend about any concerns before you arrive – they’ll probably have some top tips to help. Whether that’s getting your favourite recipes from your mum to help uni feel like home or advice on paying bills or not shrinking your favourite t-shirt in the wash from your older brother. You’ve got this.

• Food. With just a bit of planning, cooking from scratch can be super easy, cheap and healthy. Tinned and frozen food can be really handy, or pop into shops just before closing to nab a ‘yellow sticker’ bargain. Soon enough, you might be able to bulk buy and share with your housemates – thank you Tesco for 3kg of pasta for £4!
• Housekeeping. Finally, a great excuse to scroll for ages on TikTok: cleaning hacks! If you’re living in university accommodation, utility bills are included. If you’re living privately then ask a savvy parent/relative/friend to teach you how and when to pay such things as council tax, electricity, water and internet bills.
• Time management. Whether you’re a ‘plan ahead’ person or a ‘leave it until the last minute’ person – time management skills are crucial. It’s up to you now, but there are plenty of hints and tips online or from our Academic Skills team.

I’m worried I might need support

We all need support sometimes. We are here for you. 

• Academic success. Try not to feel daunted – it’s all about transitioning you into undergraduate study and progressing year-to-year. We work with you to develop the skills, knowledge and tools to thrive academically so you can reach your potential. This happens both within your Faculty/Department and we have an amazing team of Academic Skills Advisors.
• Personal wellbeing. Your wellbeing is a top priority. We have a dedicated team of professional and approachable counsellors and mental health advisers who can provide you with a confidential space to be listened to and to help explore issues.
• Don’t hesitate to reach out. Reach out to family, to friends, to a member of staff at uni. You are never alone.

Winchester is YOUR place to become. We want to equip you with the skills to succeed so you can go on to become whoever and whatever you wish to be – in your career and in life. We can’t wait for you to start your journey with us.

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