What my first year of University taught me

So, here I am! Finishing my first year of university and about to enjoy a nice long summer. I have definitely learned a lot from living alone for the first time and studying a much harder course, and I want to share that with everyone. 

1. I learned how to cook with little money! I already knew how to cook a lot of basic meals, but being able to do it on an even tighter budget than before was something I had to learn. Foods like pasta, potatoes, noodles and rice are all super cheap and go well with lots of vegetables and meat so you can ensure you are eating a balanced diet and staying healthy.
2. Loneliness is definitely a thing. I personally live with my boyfriend, but I definitely feel lonely from time to time as I don’t have a lot of friends at uni (the ones I do have are amazing though). To try to avoid this, I have a lot of video chats with my friends from home and try to go out, even just for a walk, to make sure I don’t stay cooped up in my flat.
3. Cleaning is THE WORST. However, you can buy cleaning products such as sprays, bleach, cleaning cloths and biodegradable wipes from Wilko and Lidl in the UK for suuuuper cheap, and I would recommend a lot of their products especially for cleaning. Finding the motivation to clean, however, is something I will get back to you all on!
4. Do your work!! Uni can make it hard to get work done when you have so many distractions. Sleeping in, going out, other lectures and seminars as well as making time for yourself can get in the way. One way I kept on top of my workload was making sure I didn’t do work past a certain time of day, so I could have time for self-care. 
5. Budget!!!! Student finance can be a pain, and if you don’t have a job at university, budgeting is absolutely vital. When you get your student finance money, make sure to pay your rent and put enough money aside for food until your next payment. For example, I have a set amount of money to spend on a weekly shop, and anything I have leftover from that amount goes into a saving account which eventually went on a new laptop for me. Then I’ll still have money left over to go out and spend on what I like! 
6. Don’t be afraid to email and ask for help! Most of my lecturers have been really good at helping me with work and personal concerns. University professors and support staff are literally there to help you, so they should always be the first port of call when you have a problem (only if you feel comfortable). Your student union (should) have some sort of student welfare officer that will also be available to help with any issues, so don’t pass up that opportunity! 

University can be difficult, especially when you’re alone. We have a lot of articles about university life here on our site and we are always happy to help if you have any questions or concerns. Don’t suffer alone! 

Kaitlyn