Before coming to university it would be good to ensure that you have practiced and prepared for this, as well as learnt some of the essential independent living skills.

You might find this app useful when you start Swansea University

For many students,  coming to university is both exciting and daunting. University is a time when students live independently for the first time. This section aims to give you some of the independent living skills you will need at university.

Administration

Be organised before you arrive by putting all your university documents, student loan letters, university correspondence, in a folder (or box) labelled “Administration”.  This could be a physical folder or virtual folder on your computer.  Practice putting any important dates in your calendar.  For example, holidays, exam dates, rent due, moving into accommodation date, etc.  Practice putting anything you need to use on a regular basis into a “Daily items” folder (or box).  For example, your wallet, phone, house keys, driving license/I.D.  Practice writing a list of important contacts that you are going to need when you arrive at university.  For example, ‘My Uni Hub’, your GP, the Well-Being contact, your banking phone number (in case you lose your cash card).

Eating, Drinking & Exercise

Start thinking about healthy living before arriving at university.  Practice making a meal plan for at least 5 healthy meals.  Practice writing a weekly shopping list.  Practice going shopping to get everything on your list.  Practice cooking these meals.  Practice drinking at least 6 healthy drinks a day (water &/or low-sugar).  Practice making sure that you exercise at least once a day (walk for 30 minutes, cycle etc.).

Mental Health

Being away from home can sometimes be challenging for some individuals.  Prepare a list of “who can help me” contacts that you can turn to for any support that you might need with your mental health.  For example, the Well-being contact email address, the disability office contact email address, the counselling service.

Money Management

Start managing your finances before you arrive at university by organising all your financial documents (e.g. student loans, banking statements), into a “Money Management” folder.  This could be a physical folder or a virtual folder on your computer.   Practice keeping a weekly budget sheet of your incomings and outgoings. For example, how much you spend on food, drink, going out, books, clothes, games, etc.  Practice keeping a tally of how much money you have at the start of the month and how much you have left at the end.

Self-care & Home care

Before coming to university: Prepare a “self-care” box containing all  the items you need to keep yourself clean.  For example, de-odorant, shampoo, shower gel, soap, tooth paste, tooth brush, razor, etc.  Practice good personal hygiene routines.  Practice keeping your bedroom clean and tidy, emptying your bin every week, cleaning your dishes every day, dusting, vacuuming.  Practice washing your clothes, using a washing machine &/or laundry service, washing, drying and putting away your clothes.  Practice making your bed, washing your bed sheets, remaking your bed.  Practice hanging wet towels to dry in your room, swapping them for clean ones at least every 3 days and washing them at least once a week (or sooner if they are dirty).  Prepare a box labelled “medicines” containing first-aid items, general health items & medicines that you take regularly.  Prepare a “What to do when unwell” list.  For example, what to take when you are feeling unwell, how much and how often, when you should contact the doctor.

Socialising

Before leaving home find out about all the clubs and societies that are being run at your university and how to enrol on them.  Prepare a list of “societies and clubs”.  Practice how to greet new people, saying Hi, asking them about themselves, etc.

Time Management

Being away from home for the first time without the support of your family will mean that you will now be responsible for your own time management.  Practice setting your alarm clock and waking up at least 1 hour before you need to go somewhere.  Practice keeping a ‘to do list’ of everything you need to do tomorrow before going to bed so that you are organized when you wake up in the morning.  Practice keeping a weekly visual timetable outlining everything that is going to happen during your coming week.

Travel

While you are still living at home familiarise yourself with the various modes of transport that will be available to you at your university.  Practice using public transport (bus, train, taxi).  Prepare all the information that you will need if you are bringing a car to your university.  For example, download university campus maps and check where you are permitted to park.  Prepare for any public transport that you might be taking at your university.  For example, find out how to get a student bus pass, student train pass, which buses you need to take to get around.  Prepare a “Transport” folder containing any information on travel that you might need while at university.

The ASC Team at Swansea Univerisity