Preparing
Essential skills
Keeping track of time
Attending lectures and seminars, submitting essays and being on time to social gatherings – they’ll all require your son or daughter to have effective time management skills. Being punctual and organised is often one of the things new students struggle with the most.
Self-directed study
Studying at university is very different to secondary school and college. Students will need to be motivated to study the books on their reading list and undertake their own research on module content. Making your son or daughter aware of this will make the transition a lot smoother.Money management
It’s important that your child is able to stay on top of finances while at university. You should encourage them to work out a weekly or monthly budget – and stick to it! When your son or daughter is choosing a student bank account they should look out for offers such as free railcards.
Living away from home
Food shopping
It may be useful to invite your son or daughter food shopping and talk them through how to organise meals for a week in advance. Teaching them how to plan ahead will avoid any empty cupboards and skipped breakfasts.Getting enough rest
Students may find themselves getting carried away with all of the exciting things happening at the start of university. It’s important that your son or daughter gets enough rest before any early starts – they’ll be thankful for it the next morning.Learning to cook
Your child may be moving away from home for the first time, so they should know how to cook a few healthy recipes confidently. Pasta or rice dishes are a good place to start.Washing clothes
It’s a good idea to ensure your son or daughter is confident reading washing symbols and the various settings on the washing machine. A lot of universities will have on-campus launderettes with step-by-step instructions.Staying fit and healthy
Registering with a GP
If your son or daughter is going to be living away from home, they’ll need to register with a GP close to their university. The health centre attached to their university will usually be the most convenient, and the doctors there will be experienced in student health.Eating fruit and veg
The five-a-day rule still applies. Eating well is important for your child’s mental and physical health – the brain requires nutrients just like the body does.Joining a sports club
Getting involved with a sports club is a fantastic way to make friends and get active. Most universities offer a wide range of sporting clubs and societies – and these clubs usually have a social evening each week in addition to practice.
Socialising
Making new friends
Your son or daughter may be apprehensive about starting university and making new friends. It’s important they remember that induction programmes are designed with this in mind and everyone is in the same boat. Lectures and seminars are a great way to make friends as your child will already have similar interests to the students they meet here.