Before you dive head-first into the world of essays, late-night library sessions, and student nights out, there are a few things you’ll want to tick off your checklist.

Accommodation, student finance, living independently: these are all factors that need to be considered before September.

Here are six things to do before starting university. Let’s go…

Get your finances in check

University life comes with its fair share of expenses, and you don’t want to be caught counting pennies at the end of the month. It’s important to create a budget that you can stick to so your rent, bills, and everything in between is covered.

1. Sort your student loan – you can apply for student finance right now, so don’t delay!
2. Open a student bank account – have a read on Money Saving Expert for some up-to-date advice.
3. Plan your budget. Remember, if you opt for CCCU student accommodation then your bills and Wi-Fi are already included in rent so that’s one less thing to budget for!

The sooner you get this done, the better you’ll feel for when September comes. If you want any advice or info about finance, then head to our website.

Hunt for your new home

Whether you’re moving into student accommodation or thinking of living in a student house, securing a place to live is key.

At CCCU, we have a range of accommodation options for our students. We also offer an accommodation guarantee for our first years, which means that you’re guaranteed somewhere to live, so you won’t have to worry about finding anywhere for when your course starts.

All our student accommodation includes bills and Wi-Fi in the price, and our contracts run for 39 weeks, so you won’t have to pay rent during the summertime if you decide to go home. But if you want to stay, then there are extensions available.

Applying for accommodation opens in March via our website, but you can find out what’s on offer right now.

Have a browse of our accommodation for both Canterbury and Medway, and read why living in student accommodation is the best option for first year.

Master the art of cooking (or at least microwaving)

If you haven’t started experimenting in the kitchen just yet, then now is the time to do so. Learn a few basic recipes that go beyond instant noodles and cereal, and you’ll thank yourself later.

Knowing how to cook simple, fresh, and affordable meals will set you in good stead for student living.

If you’re already a cook connoisseur, or you want to up your organic veg intake, then you can also get involved with our Veg Box Project, where you can buy fresh, seasonal, and organic veggies that are grown locally.

All you have to do is order online and collect on campus. Easy. And you’ll be supporting our local producer, Ripple Farm in Wye. It’s a win-win!

Stock up on the essentials

Before your studies start, make sure you’ve got all the necessary supplies: notebooks, pens, and a sturdy laptop.

But you won't need to worry about downloading any specific software for your course, as this will be available for free through our CCCU App Store.

Don’t forget that you will most probably be able to grab loads of free pens from Fresher’s Fair, so you won’t have to stock up on those too much!

Connect with your future friends

You can start finding your new mates now so you’re not totally alone when you start. There are Facebook groups that you can join if you want to find people on your future course, or you can hunt for other CCCU applicants on social media.

If you’re looking to speak to our current students, then you can do this through our Unibuddy scheme. Whether you want to find out about your course or you’re after more information about student life at CCCU, all you have to do is ask one of our students.

Find out more about how to make friends at uni, and see what you can get involved in for when you join us.

Get your health in check

Lastly, and most importantly, make sure you are in tip top condition for when you start uni.

Check to see if you’re in need of any vaccine boosters, particularly for measles, mumps, and meningitis. You can find this out by contacting your doctor.

You should also register with a local GP at your uni location in case you need a doctor’s appointment during term time.

It’s best to be prepared for any possible sickness when you’re at university, so get organised now.

Just a heads up – you might catch the infamous Fresher’s Flu when you start, which is totally normal. Remember to rest up and stock up on cold and flu remedies.

 

Applying to university can seem overwhelming at first but there’s so much help online. Everything that you need to do is covered on our website.

Whether you need to figure out student finance or your parents need some guidance, then head over to the CCCU website for advice and support.