6 things to do when you move to university
You’re finally all packed and ready to move to your new city. Congratulations! But it doesn’t end there. We have some important steps you should complete in between moving and starting actual university. These might not seem important to you right now, but you’ll thank us later down the line.
Bring Important Documents with you
There’s no doubt on your first day of university, you’ll be standing in a long queue with hundreds of other new students waiting to get your picture taken for your new student ID card. But here’s how to get ahead of the game and make this process as simple as possible… Don’t forget to fill out your forms!
Have your university asked you to bring a Passport or driving license? This may sound silly, but do not forget it! Here’s a tip – Before you set off on the morning of your first day, try not to be too hungover from Fresher’s week and bring all the relevant documents!
Your student ID will be key for accessing buildings, using printers, receiving discounts, registering at lectures, and in some cases, it may even give you access to your student halls. Treasure it with your life! (Not literally, these can be replaced easily).
Sign up to Your Nearest Doctor’s/Dentist
This point is an absolute essential. Ever heard of Fresher’s flu? It’s a real thing. And it’s not nice! Signing up to a doctor’s surgery can be pretty boring and easy to forget. We would seriously suggest you get this sorted as soon as possible, as there’s nothing worse than having fresher’s flu and not having anywhere to go about it.
It’s quite simple to change GP in the UK. All you need to do is go to the surgery of your choice and register as a new patient. You will then be asked to fill in a new patient form, and a request will be sent to your current GP for a transfer. It’s as simple as that!
Finally, you won’t want to forget to sign up to a dentist surgery. There is nothing worse than untreated tooth-pain! And the registration process is extremely similar to a GP change. Find your closest, fill out a new patient form and hey-Presto! No more painful teeth!
Learn to Cook the Basics
Something that is an absolute must, is to learn some basic recipes. Whether you are in a catered accommodation or not, we can guarantee there will be a time where you’ll have to chef it up for yourself, and maybe even some friends!
There are a few ways to do so. These could be learning from your parents, ordering yourself a cookbook, or have a browse on Instagram, it’s ultimately your choice. But taking the time to learn something new in the food world should be high up on your practical ‘to do’ list.
As we prepare for a harder winter in the UK, you may want to think of a cheaper way to satisfy those stomachs. Miguel Barclay is an absolute hero in this sector and has pretty much made the process as simple as possible for you. Check out his Instagram here for quick and simple recipes on a budget.
Trust us, nothing feels better than when your food turns out vaguely similarly to the one in the picture. And by the way, Miguel’s recipes look divine!
Student Discounts!
Everybody loves a discount, right? Well, when you are a student you pretty much get money off everything! Well maybe not everything, but many varied brands. There are 2 main ways to do so.
First, you’ll want to download the UNiDAYS application. You will need a university domain email address to verify this. But once it’s complete you will have hundreds of discount codes ready at your fingertips. You can also upload a profile image and show this in selected stores to receive discount in person. And it’s as easy as that! Sign up for UNiDAYS here.
Another fantastic way to receive lots of tasty discounts is to sign up for a TOTUM card. These were once known as NUS cards but have gone for a total rebrand! Again, you will need to prove that you are in full-time education. And with this card, you will have to pay a one-off fee for the year. But it’s totally worth it!
See the TOTUM card pricing guide here.
You can also see what brands your TOTUM card gives you discount on here.
And finally, one of the UK’s most popular discount cards are known as Railcards. These are available for 16–25-year-olds, and 26–30-year-olds and give you a third off the price for off-peak travel. These are an absolute must if you are one for cheap day trips. Enjoy!
Open a student bank account
The answer is yes. It’s definitely worth signing up for a student bank account when you move to university. Not only do you get an interest-free overdraft, but many banks also offer you rewards for using their services. Make the most of it!
You can bag yourself the best deal here. Martin Lewis compares the best offers that come hand-in-hand with student bank accounts across the UK. These include 0% overdrafts, a free railcard, or even a free cash reward! Cheers, Martin!
Get Yourself a TV License
If you’re planning to watch some Eastenders, The Apprentice or Drag Race UK when you move to university, you will need to purchase a TV license. We do not want you breaking the law, and anything to do with the BBC or BBC iPlayer requires your household to have a TV license. It’s totally worth it.
Fun fact: You can, of course, choose to completely avoid this and just stick with the US version of Drag Race on Netflix. This will save you a yearly fee of £154.50. This just means you won’t have Sir Alan Sugar shouting at useless business candidates on your screen every Thursday. Some may argue that’s not necessarily a bad thing!
