10 Tips For Surviving Manchester Student Life

In the past fortnight teenagers have bid farewell to their parents and made their move to Manchester to embark on the start of their student life.

“Mixed emotions of excitement to be leaving home and being independent…”

Exciting and daunting times are ahead for them. Mixed emotions of excitement to be leaving home and being independent, will be coupled with anticipation at the prospect of making friends, paying the rent on time, looking for work and meeting those essay deadlines.

I Love Manchester wants all students in the city to be safe and enjoy their students. Here is our guide to surviving your first year as a student.

1. Get to know Manchester

Regardless if you live in halls or in a shared house, Manchester is a big city and streets can look similar after a few jars of ale. Check to see if your student union arrange pub crawls for freshers.

2. Chat to as many people as possible

Most students worry about making friends. Use as many social occasions to meet as many people as possible, you never know when making a cup of tea and a chat in the communal area in halls could be the start of a blossoming friendship.

3. Join the students union

The students union arrange a host of activities and events for new and returning students. There are a range of sports teams that students can join, organisations and trips. Don’t forget to purchase your students union card which gives you discount in a range of shops both online and on the the high street.

4. Phone home

The first few weeks of university is exciting. All this new found freedom away from home. But spare a thought for your parents who have just said goodbye to their darling child. They will be worrying about how you are coping being away from them. Keep in touch by phone or email just to reassure them that you are settling into uni life.

5. Attend classes

A lot of universities adopt a strict attendance monitoring policy. So if you are not in class this will be reported back to your programme leader and support staff in your faculty. This could result in you being kicked off your course, so try and attend all classes.

6. Pace yourself

The temptation to go out every night, get bladdered and spend lots of money is common particularly for new students. Pace your liver and your finances for the first semester as you get used to living on a budget, paying rent, buying food and books.

7. TV Licence

If you are bringing your portable TV from home to use in your bedroom, you will need a television licence. Most halls have communal areas which may have their own televisions, but you’ll have to fight over the remote control.

8. Safe sex

Some students unions give away from free condoms in freshers week. Protecting yourself could be the difference between walking away with a certificate in three years or walking away pushing a buggy.

9. Don’t panic

There is plenty of help available during your time as a university student. Speak to your student support officers about any problems. They have the skills and knowledge to signpost you to all services that your university has to offer. If you fall behind with work then speak to your personal tutor as soon as you can.

10. Enjoy yourself

University life will be one of those periods of your life that you will look back and smile about. Enjoy every moment of it and experience every opportunity given to you. Your degree plus your memories will be there for life.