09 Feb 2020

Moving to uni can be a really intense shake-up in a young person's life.

Not only are they about to jump into potentially years and years of study, but they’re also faced with the reality of moving out of home for the first time - which comes with its own shaky terrain.

Don’t be spooked! Moving away from home for uni can open up the possibilities in your life exponentially, you just need to remember a few handy hints in making the transition as silky smooooooth as possible.

1. Take advantage of your freedom

Moving away in any sense is a holistically freeing and formative experience. Depending on where you are going, you’re given the chance to completely reinvent yourself, or become the person you’ve been all along.

But don’t just dismiss this as some ‘eat pray love’ bull. In any way big and small, let the change of scenery uncover those parts of yourself you didn’t know you were hiding, or the parts of yourself that you didn’t know existed at all.

2. Start off organised

Moving away and into a new place is hectic. So much will be happening at once that starting off with a few plans will do you wonders.

Whether that’s an initial budget, a meal plan or a study schedule; you’re better off starting as insanely organised as possible, and then figuring out and adjusting what works best for you. After I moved out of home, I started with a budget, then slowly but surely figured out that a budget wasn’t going to work for me. However, I wouldn’t have known that without a bit of trial and error.

Better off starting on the safe side.

3. Be open

You’re going to be introduced to so many new things and ideas when you move away for uni, and to experience these things in the greatest capacity is to keep your mind open. There’s so many ways our minds have been conditioned to think from our home towns, and breaking free of them will quickly make your new uni life all the more gratifying.

Try new things, throw yourself into the deep end, and allow yourself to be challenged.

4. Learn to cook, smart

Don't feel guilty that your parents cooked the large majority of your meals before you moved away. That’s ok, I’m not here to judge (!!) but you’ve got to get on that good cooking kick quickly, otherwise your cheese toasties will become very old very quickly.

There are tonnes of budget student recipe sites out there (www.budgetbytes.com) that will give you cheap and easy ways to reach Gordon Ramsey levels of success. My first piece of advice: buy salt and pepper immediately!

5. Don’t be scared to ring mum

Moving is hard!

Uni is hard!

Being young is hard!

You are not expected to all of a sudden put on your adult hat and jump into the world of maturity without a few helping hands by your side. Sometimes life gets hectic and all you need is a call from mum or dad or someone else who can take you back down to reality with a few words of wisdom and deep breaths.

Put your pride aside and reach out for help if you need, or even if you just need to get your mind off uni for a little bit. There is always someone who is just a phone call away.