Freshers Guide

Written by The Editor

Getting Started

Settling Into Freshers Life

So you've decided to take the plunge and the day is approaching when you will begin your new student life. The following guide will take you through the essential steps needed to settle into life as a Fresher.

D-Day Approaches

The first thing to remember is that students tend to need money and nowadays lots of it to have any decent kind of existence. How do we go about filling up our pockets that little bit more.....read on dear student.

The majority of students will have taken out a student loan, which is pretty much the norm for all. However to top this up you would be wise to hassle your parents, friends, partners and anyone else who will listen to you.

The next step is to learn how to blag from your friends, the odd pint here or smoke there...it's amazing how this can add up....but don't got too far or you will be left out in the cold.

It comes to us all in the end but getting a part-time job whilst away at uni or college can be a godsend. Remember however to plan in advance as the kind of jobs left once term starts are not the sort you want to be doing.

Make sure you learn the basics of feeding yourself, study some basic cooking recipes and you'll stretch your weekly shopping budget far. Takeaways may be a gift from the gods but the devil will burn a hole in your pockets.

Go shopping with your folks as often as you can before arriving, and along the way casually pick items off of the shelf and add pop them into their basket.

Your Arrival

Nerves may well be settling in by now but don't worry the first thing to remember is that everyone else is in the same boat, and no matter how brave other souls are feeling when you meet them they are all putting on their own little acts.

Meeting people the more the merrier is what Freshers Week is all about. You will meet people who you bond with straight away, and others who you will hate...but remember to be polite and share some idle chit chat to pass them by.

One of the main events of Freshers Week is to move into your new home 'The Halls Of Residence'. You will be given your room key and time to set off and move your own stuff in. Try to make it somewhere that you feel at home in, add your photos, pictures, posters and anything else you fancy to give you that warm glow inside.

Once your done with the decorating it's worth venturing around the halls to meet your new neighbours, remember they will be the most important part of your new home as far as noise levels and parties go, so its a good idea to try to get on with them and invite them over.

OK you've done the hard part now its time to take a look around the grounds and check out all the new activities and social gatherings you can sign up for, and there will be plenty. The next few weeks of your life will be the foundation of your new lifelong friends.

Drinking will become a good way to meet people as the inhibitions will be calmed, but do remember to take things easy as being recognised as the new drunk on campus won't do you any favours longer term.

In conclusion the first few weeks of student life are all about having fun and meeting new friends, so let your hair down and let the good times roll.

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Essential Student Items

If you've been on holiday before or gone away for a long weekend you will know the feeling you get after you have begun your journey, have I forgotten something?. This handy little guide will list the essential items you need to remember to pack for your student life.

Your stereo and CD collection so that you have something to listen to whilst you are unpacking, do try to keep the noise bearable on your first day.

An electric kettle, tea, coffee and at least two cups, perfect for those awkward first meetings, don't get caught short with only one cup.

A can opener comes in handy when you want to eat, unless of course you plan to live off pot noodles.

A bottle opener comes in even handier when you fancy something to drink, and it will save your lighters and kitchen top from damage.

Plastic cups and plates are great if you hate washing up or plan on throwing some wild parties.

A non stick saucepan will tackle most foods even baked beans.

Washing powder and if your a tender sort fabric softener will come in handy after the first few weeks.

Soap, toothbrush, gel, hairbrush, hairdryer and the like, just so you don't get mistaken for the local hobo although you may be able to make some extra cash begging this way.

Posters, photos, pictures and anything else that you can plaster your room with to remind you of the good times, why do you think they do it in jail.

If your a little rich and have a TV/Video or DVD player then remember to bring along your collection of films to while away those dull evenings.

An alarm clock will come in very handy to tell you its time to go to the pub.

An little black address book is great for showing off to your mates, but is also handy for when you really want to call that friend you met last night, or last year if your down on your luck.

Get yourself some insurance for your contents, if you think your skint now try living after you've been burgled.

Eating On A Budget

Whether you weigh close to 20 stone or barely break 8, it is possible to eat healthily and cheaply at the same time, oh and yes it will taste good too.

Up until now you have probably always had dinner placed on the table for you by your folks, scoffed it down and then retired to your room bloated. Unfortunately your parents are probably busy working so won't be able to continue this time honoured tradition.

However don't despair as although we can't send our own cooks over to your new rooms we can offer you some advice on how to stay alive cheaply. We all now that Guinness is good for you but food tends to be on a par in the long run.

Shopping

Whether you want to or not a few months down the line you will know where to find the cheapest of the cheap essentials such as beans and bread. However we can stretch this much much further with a few simple rules.

Always look for the value range products, you know the ones with the packaging that looks so boring and drab...well that's how they sell these items cheaper. At the end of the day do you really want to pay extra for a shiny carton, unless you don't have any posters of course. People may believe that they don't taste quite as good, unfortunately we know that they are often the same food redressed.

Take some time out to find out the local supermarket closing hours, its the best time to pick up nearly out of date items on the cheap. If you have a local corner shop then get to know the owners and staff as they too will have bargains falling foul of best before dates.

Utensils

Yes we all know that you can buy a utensil for every job going in the kitchen, but over fifty percent of this can be done by hand. If you want to be able to cook yourself some decent tucker don't go overboard.

Get yourself this lot easily for under £50. A large frying pan, a saucepan, a chopping board, a sharp knife, a spatula, 3 plates, 3 cutlery sets, 3 mugs, 3 pint glasses, 3 wine glasses, and a salt & pepper grinder .

Food Basics

Get the basics in and you can pretty much knock up something edible every time. Get some flavourings in to disguise the taste when things go wrong, sauces, salt, pepper, stock cubes, gravy powder, chilli powder etc.

Staple foods are a great survival essential, rices, pastas, breads, potatoes, tinned tomatoes, tinned tuna, tinned soup & tinned corned beef, be careful with the corned beef those tins are lethal.

It helps to buy in some things fresh now and again and your body would appreciate it. Pick up some carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, cabbages and tomatoes.

Moving the beer and wine aside your fridge should also include some cheese, margarine, orange juice and bacon. Trust me this works great for a hangover treat.

In your freezer apart from your mates dodgy mags get some frozen veg, pies, pizzas and some chips. If your feeling particularly flush then some ice creams come in handy, but remember to leave room for the 'quick chill the beers' area.

Now I Have It What Do I Do

Pick yourself up a basic cookbook like Jamie Olivers Happy Days. This is a great little number based around simple quick dishes that even a dog could make.

The more cooking you try out the better you will become at knowing what works and what doesn't, how much to add and when not to add.

One major advantage that student life can bring is the diversity of cultures you are surrounded with. Tap into this great resource and try out to new dishes....just go easy on the chilli powder.