Your Ultimate Guide for Mastering the First Month at Uni

Student doing a yoga tree pose in her room looking out of the window

 Ready to crush your first month at uni? From surviving freshers’ week to mastering the city like a local, YourTRIBE’s got the ultimate guide to help you slay student life.

Getting Involved in Campus Life

Jumping into uni life is the best way to meet new mates and discover cool stuff you didn’t even know you loved. Joining different societies or sports clubs is the perfect way to kick things off. Fancy something quirky? There’s everything from the Harry Potter Society to the Darts Society – if you’ve always wanted to try, now’s your moment! 

Don’t forget to check out all the campus facilities too. The Student Union is a major hangout spot, packed with events that everyone attends. Getting involved will help you feel at home right away, especially since everyone’s in the same boat, figuring things out!

And here’s a pro tip: Find the go-to spots like academic support early on. When that essay deadline creeps up, and you’re a bit lost, they’re your secret weapon. The team has seen it all and can help you get a head start. Feeling overwhelmed? This could be exactly what you need!

Handling Homesickness

person packing suitcase with clothes

Moving to a new city and starting fresh can feel a bit unsettling at first, and homesickness is totally normal – it’s just because everything’s new (for now). But soon enough, you’ll be the one showing off London to your friends and family like a pro!

Here are our top tips for dealing with homesickness: Stay connected with your crew back home. Even though you’re miles away, a quick call or video chat can make things feel a little more familiar.

Also, make sure to sprinkle in things you already love into your new routine. If you’re into discovering new coffee spots, invite your flatmates for a little caffeine adventure. Love hitting the gym? Find time before lectures to keep that routine going. By mixing in things you enjoy with new experiences, you’ll feel right at home in no time! 

 

Setting Up Your Study Space

Moving into a new place is the perfect time to find your ideal study spot that keeps you focused, so you can spend more time enjoying London! At YourTRIBE, we’ve got plenty of study spaces, plus the desk in your room. Finding the right study space is key to nailing that work-life balance.

Also, work at the hours that suit you best. If you’re a morning person who likes to tackle your to-do list early, stick with that routine! But if you’re more of an afternoon grinder, grab your mates and hit the study area after lunch. Finding your perfect study space is half the battle when it comes to acing uni life, so experiment with a few spots until you find your groove!

Time Management

Drowning in deadlines? Don’t worry, here’s how to boss your time management with a few easy tips…

Find what works best for you. If you’re a visual learner, grab a giant wall calendar or a cute weekly planner for your desk. Check out The Completist, a super cool stationery shop in Peckham that’s sure to have something you’ll love! If you’re more into digital, set up time blocks on your phone or laptop’s calendar to keep things organised.

No matter how you learn, the key is to get everything out of your head and onto paper (or a screen) so you can start crossing things off! Start by listing all your deadlines and rank them by importance. Break tasks into small, bite-sized chunks—it’s like chipping away bit by bit. Before you know it, you’ll be miles ahead!

Self-Care and Mental Health

Self-care is all about taking time for yourself and finding that perfect work-life balance. It starts with staying on top of your workload and managing your time like a pro. 

If you’re feeling stuck on an assignment, don’t hesitate to ask your lecturers for help! They might just explain it in a way that clicks, and before you know it, you’ll be smashing that essay.

Finding stress-busting techniques is key, too. Whether it’s taking a break for a walk, blasting your fave tunes, or watching a couple of episodes of your go-to Netflix show, sometimes stepping away can make all the difference. 

Discover what helps you unwind and keeps you grounded, so you can go through uni feeling confident and in control. And if things ever feel overwhelming, don’t be afraid to reach out for help—student support advisors are there to guide you, and everything stays totally confidential. You’ve got this!

Making the Most of Freshers’ Week

There’s a reason freshers’ week has been a uni tradition for decades – it’s the ultimate chance to explore everything your uni has to offer and sign up for whatever catches your eye! 

Many societies offer trial weeks, so you can test the waters and see what you vibe with. Ever wanted to try hockey? Now’s the perfect time. Maybe you’ll give basketball a go and end up meeting your new best mates, sticking with the team for the next two years. You never know what could happen, which is why it’s so important to put yourself out there and get involved!

Conclusion

Starting university can be a rollercoaster, but it’s also your chance to make new friends and dive into all that London has to offer! This is the beginning of an exciting adventure, and we’re here to help you make the most of it.

Before You Go

At YourTRIBE, we’re all about enhancing your student experience. Soon, you’ll be balancing work and play like a pro and ready to discover every corner of London.

Looking for top-notch student accommodation in London? YourTRIBE is designed with you in mind – a place to connect, call home, and truly thrive.

For more details, click here.