Joining university can be a daunting experience for many. Therefore, in order to help you have the best possible start to your university experience and get the most of it, first-year Finance BAEcon student, Faris Ghandour, has written down his top tips for new students from his personal experience…

1. It is okay to be scared.

My best advice for a new student would be that it is okay to be scared, because this is a new experience and a whole different change of scenery for some people who are not used to living by themselves. This being said, I think you should have a positive and open-minded outlook on going to university, because once you settle in, you will realize how much of an amazing and insightful experience it would be, not just in terms of education but also life-related.

Studying at university, no matter whether you are from abroad or the UK, will teach you responsibility and how to take care of yourself without having to depend on others. You will have to be completely independent, which will help you grow as a person and prepare you for the challenges that you might face later in life.

2. Do your research.

As a new student, I would recommend that you do a lot of research on the place that you will be studying at, as having done some preparation will help you not to be completely ill-informed about what you’re about to face. Finding out more about local amenities, like supermarkets, pharmacies and places to eat nearby, will also help you settle in more easily and make the transition smoother overall.

For example, the University of Manchester campus provides a lot of places to eat, such as Five Guys and Brew Dog, so you don’t need to go home and come back just to eat. Also, the city centre offers numerous supermarkets, like Sainsbury’s and Tesco no further than 5 minutes apart from each other, no matter where you are. This would allow you to be able to do some grocery shopping anywhere you might be!

You can also take a trip to Arndale Shopping Centre for all your household, clothing, and grocery needs. Arndale really has it all and it’s right in the middle of the city centre near Piccadilly Gardens. I definitely recommend people who just arrived in Manchester to pay it a visit!

If you’re new to Manchester and looking for great places to eat, I can recommend a pub called Bunny Jacksons. They have very cheap wings which are really good, and you can get a drink with them while you’re there. Another place is Wilmslow Road, also known as the Curry Mile or Arab Street. This stretch of road east of the University has basically every type of food you can imagine – from curries to shawarmas to even western cuisine, and everyone is guaranteed to find something they like there.

3. Take advantage of student support.

Lastly, I would recommend you do a lot of career research while you’re at Uni, because there will be so many opportunities that can be taken advantage of which will set you up for your future. The University has an amazing Career Service team that sends out emails almost weekly with different career opportunities, insight or events. More so, they provide a CV review service that can help you shape your CV to what employers want in order to increase your employability.

Furthermore, attending the various events organised by the Careers Service can give you a valuable opportunity of being able to network with working professionals and even alumni. I have attended a finance alumnus meeting previously and talked to people who work in organisations like EY, KPMG, Goldman Sachs, and more. During this event, I’ve received a lot of great advice which will really give me an advantage when I apply later.

Summary

A lot of people say that university years are for having fun, but I think people who prepare early set themselves for success and will be at advantage compared to others who didn’t do so. I know university can be very scary for a lot of people especially when you’re away from your family. But this new experience will almost force you to get out of your comfort zone, so you’ll have to be ready to face your fears and do things you have never done before. In the end, all of this is for your own benefit and when you look back you will say that you’re glad that you experienced university and not held back.

Overall, I know you might be scared and that’s natural, but once you settle in, university can be one of the best things you experience in your life if you embrace it.

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