Alexandra Keery gives some tips on getting ready for college life
While going away to university can be exciting, leaving the nest for the first time can be a stressful experience. Suddenly you’re in charge of your day-to-day life; your mum isn’t right there to remind you to wash your clothes or make your bed. Though the feeling of independence can be quite exhilarating, the ‘real world’ can also be incredibly overwhelming. If you’re feeling stressed out about leaving for university, don’t worry because there are a lot of resources that can help.
Support
Going from home to university often provides students with a transitional buffer into adult life.
Though you’re away from home there are many support networks and resources available to make being a self-sufficient individual much easier. The Union of Students in Ireland, USI, is a particularly good group that has advice on almost every question young adults living on their own for the first time might have. To check out their website, go to www.usi.ie
Every university has its own student union group as well, and it’s important to make sure you familiarise yourself with your university’s group when you get to campus.
Renting
Living in your own apartment or sharing a house can be a really great experience, but it’s important to make sure you’re doing it correctly. Here’s some useful advice from USI to help you prepare for renting life:
Don’t sign a lease unless you’ve read it and understood all of it – bring it to your students’ union if you have any questions.
For security, check all the locks on doors and windows, alarm, fire alarm, fire extinguishers, and make sure you know who else has a key.
Check appliances – cookers, shower, microwave etc – to see that they work.
What bills are you going to have to pay on top of rent?
Check for damp and mould, ie behind the bed, in the wardrobe.
Is the accommodation convenient and safe? Is it near your college, shops, bus route, etc – it’s handy when you need to run to a 9am lecture!
Make sure you’re familiar with the rules and procedures of your apartment building.
Spend smart
Living on a budget can be hard, especially if you’re used to your parents taking care of everything for you, such as groceries etc. The first time you go shopping by yourself, the cost of everything can be a real shock. The key is to learn how to spend smart.
Get in the habit of keeping track of how much you spend. These days, most banks have online services and even phone apps that allow you to access your account information 24/7. If you use a credit card, it is even more important to check your account regularly so that you remember to pay it off on time.
Student ID
There are many places that will give discounts to students with valid IDs. The USIT and ISTC, both international student cards, along with the national Student Travel Card, are all popular options.
The USIT and ISTC can get you discounts internationally, especially for travel. The STC is for use within Ireland; the card itself is €12 via application by post and €15 in person at third level institutions across the country.
Student discounts
Always be on the lookout for discounts and sales, especially in supermarkets and chemists. If your local shop has a Facebook page or email list, sign up for it to stay in the know about any upcoming promotions.
Check out the local paper to see if there are any coupons.
Consider signing up for a Groupon account. Again, the STC is great resource and it can get you discounts at a number of different places, including Dublin Bus.
There are also many restaurants and shops that will offer discounts to students with valid student IDs, including Boots, Oasis and Costa, so always be on the lookout for those as well.
Commuting
If you are living off campus, you’re going to have to commute into college. If this is the case it’s extremely important to familiarise yourself with your commute before you have to take it. First you need to determine if you will be travelling by bus, bike or something else.
Once you know how to get to your destination, do a practice run. Practising will make you feel much more comfortable and confident when you actually have to use your route to get into college on time.
Student grants
If you are looking for financial assistance to pay for university, the student Grant is the main source of aid in Ireland for students in full-time post-Leaving Certificate courses and full-time higher education undergraduate courses. The main factor that will be assessed for eligibility is family and/or personal income.
Those who are considering furthering their education should check to see if they are eligible for assistance, and if so, they should fill out an application. For more information on the student grant, and to find out whether or not you are eligible, go to www.studentfinance.ie
Get involved
The best way to acclimatise yourself to your university and to combat homesickness is to get involved. Every university has a large number of clubs for students to join, and it’s more than likely that at least one of your interests will be represented.
The sooner you get involved in a club, the sooner you will meet people with common interests and the more comfortable you will feel in your new home. Clubs such as choirs and drama groups can be especially good if you like to keep busy and, depending on your area of study, they can help boost your academic CV.
Working
Often students decide to work part-time jobs while attending college. However, whatever the case for part-time work, make sure that there is still time for academics. If you’re funding your education on your own, you want to make sure that you have time to take real advantage of your education. Make sure you know your rights as a worker and that you are not being asked to work too many hours. Don’t be afraid to talk to your boss if you feel like you’re spending too much time at work and not enough time taking care of college work.
For more helpful advice on being a student worker, go to http://usi.ie/your-rights-as-a-worker/.
Finding a balance
While it’s important to have fun, remember that you are in college to study and do well. Finding a balance can be hard to do, especially if you want to get involved with everything. Eventually, though, you will need to pick and choose the extracurricular activities you enjoy the most and that fit into your schedule.
Overall, going to university for the first time is an incredibly exciting experience.
So many new and thrilling opportunities await you, and the more prepared you are before you start, the more confident you will feel in your own abilities.