Starting university is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting times of your life - And for good reason. You’ll soon be studying for your dream degree, meeting new friends, and exploring a new city!
Although there is lots of excitement surrounding this new chapter in your life, you might also be experiencing some feelings of worry and uncertainty over moving away from home for the first time, learning to manage your finances, or just figuring out how to navigate your university campus.
It is important to remember that all the above feelings are both normal and valid, but it is just as important to remember that there are ways to prepare yourself and alleviate any feelings of stress you might be facing.
To help you along your way, we have teamed up with our partners at Student Minds to put together a list of everything you need to know to prepare for university. Read on below to learn more.

Get Organised
Ahead of starting university, take the time to do some research on your degree, university, and the city you’ll be moving to, as well as what you’ll need to bring with you to your new student accommodation.
What Uni? has a great search engine that allows you to find your courses and university, and to learn what to expect from both. You might also want to check out websites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor to learn more about the city you’re moving to and to find suggestions on the best places to visit for pubs, restaurants, entertainment, and more.
Last, but most certainly not least, don’t forget to explore your student accommodation prior to checking in! If you haven’t yet seen your accommodation in person, you should be able to attend a virtual tour and find both photos and videos on the accommodation website. This will allow you to familiarise yourself with your new home-from-home, and to feel fully comfortable in your space prior to moving in.
But don’t stop there! Be sure to check out what items will be provided at your new accommodation and start purchasing what you need well ahead of time. Many of the items you’ll need can easily be found and ordered online. In fact, you can take the hassle out of buying and transporting your bedding and kitchen items by pre-ordering a pack from our friends at UniKitOut to be pre-delivered to your residence. (Don’t forget to enter promotional code: ABODUS10 to receive 10% off at checkout!)
Manage Your Finances
Living independently comes with many other responsibilities, including taking care of your own finances. When you move out on your own for the first time, you’ll need to learn to manage your money yourself. This is something that you will not want to leave to learn until the last minute, so we recommend preparing yourself in this area well ahead of time.
While managing your finances can seem like a daunting task, there is luckily a wealth of information and resources available to you as a university student. While you’re researching your city and what