As a third year student in Sheffield, seeing everybody prepare for starting their first year across the country, it’s hard not to reflect on the things I wish I knew before coming here. Moving to a new city on your own is daunting enough without all the little worries in your head, so hopefully after reading this you’ll feel a bit more relaxed about what’s to come and be able to make the most of first year as it goes by faster than you realise!

Your student loan will not last!

Don’t waste your student loan the minute it hits your bank account, make sure your rent and bills are paid first. Uni can be expensive and seeing a large lump sum makes it tempting to go on a spending spree. Your loan is there to help with maintenance costs and/or travel expenses and if there is anything left over then bonus! Sheffield is a heavily student populated city so there are plenty of part-time jobs going if you're wanting some extra money (which is also a great way to meet friends!)

First year might not seem like it counts, trust me, it does

Speaking from experience, attend your lectures and seminars! Other students may tell you “oh don’t worry, it doesn’t count towards your final grade” and whilst it might not in some cases, it definitely counts in finding a routine that works for you. You’re now in a position where you are paying for your education, so why waste that. I’m not going to pretend I was an example student in terms of my attendance because believe me, I was not. However, I wish I had tried harder in first year as it would have made me more prepared for second year when the real work began.

If you did A-Levels you might remember hearing the phrase “the jump from GCSE’s to A-Levels is harder than the jump from A-Levels to Uni”, and for some this might be true, for the majority it really isn’t. First year might feel relatively easy if you’ve studied your chosen degree in your A-Levels etc. but what makes the jump from A-Levels to Uni harder, is there is no one to hold your hand. You’re an independent student now so set your alarms because mum’s not here to tell you to get up! Find a routine that works for you quickly and the next year will fly by!

Freshers’ flu is real & it’s gross

At the same time, every year, freshers' flu will knock you for six. Get stocked up with cold and flu medicine, lemsips, vicks vaporub, the LOT. My closest shop with a pharmacy in the first year was Waitrose, the looks I got from other shoppers whilst I hobbled through in my dressing gown and slippers because I was so ill is a memory I’d much rather forget! It is brutal so make sure you come prepared when the inevitable happens.

Try & find out who you’ll be living with before you move in

When I came to uni, I joined facebook groups such as Sheffield Freshers Community and Sheff Hallam Freshers where other new students were posting where they were living. Joining this page was the best thing to do as I was able to find my flatmates quickly, we started a group chat where we could get to know each other, which made things much easier the day we moved in! Students were also posting which courses they were on so that helped find people to meet up with before classes started so we had a familiar face.

Don’t stick with the first people you meet

You’re moving to a new city where so many people are in the same boat as you but don't feel like you have to stay with the first person that was polite to you. You’ll meet friends through societies, work places, through your course or even if you’re living in the same building. Don’t feel pressured to put a deposit down on a second year place straight away either, there is absolutely zero need. Fall outs are inevitable and once you've signed a contract, you're stuck with the difficulty of finding somebody to takeover your tenancy. When the time comes make sure you're feeling good about the people you want to live with.

Clean up after yourselves!!!

This seems like the stupidest thing to mention, but when people move out of their parents’ homes - cleaning and tidying goes out the window. For the sake of your own rooms (and to stop your kitchen getting maggots in the bin), clean up after yourself. Make sure you aren't cleaning up after everybody else and turning into Mrs Hinch, if everybody pulls their own weight it will cause wayyyyy less arguments - take my word on that one. And please make sure you change your bedding more than once a year!

What does the SU actually do?

Now until I started working at the Student Union for my placement, I actually had no idea what the SU did. In my head it was for societies and as I didn’t join a society, what use were they to me? Oh my god, how wrong was I?! I really wish I had known what they did when I started because they are so helpful for quite literally anything!!!

Their advice centre is there to help with any of your concerns, don’t be scared to ask for help - that’s what they’re here for. Everything is confidential, and don’t be embarrassed they’ve heard it all. If you’ve got complaints about the uni but don’t fancy approaching them directly, go to the SU - they’ll act like a middle man almost. They can also signpost you to the right places if it’s something they can’t directly help with. Treat the SU like that friend who plans and books the group holidays and you just turn up!

A lot is about to change for you and big things are on the horizon, it’s scary, I felt the exact same when I was in your shoes. The difference for you is I’ve given you essential insider information to help you get through the first few months! First year is without a doubt the best year at uni, so most importantly, make sure you enjoy it before the real work starts!

(Oh and before I forget, definitely don’t have flings with your flatmates - it doesn’t end well for anybody!)