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Advice for thriving at student life

Welcome to Bright Network's Uni Life hub – your go-to resource for tips, insights and advice about thriving as a university student.

University life is about more than just studying. Alongside your academics, you'll balance living away from home, maintaining a social life, building your future career and remembering to do your laundry all at the same time.

Wondering how to navigate the exciting chaos and live your best uni life? Look no further.

In this hub:

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Bridging the gap

Stepping from one phase of life to another is always a challenge. We're here to help you make the jump from classroom to campus.

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Finding your people at uni

One of the best parts of student life is the vibrant social scene and the new friends you'll make. We share insights on how to find your people, no matter what kind of uni lifestyle you're looking for.

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Staying afloat

Balancing the academic demands and social aspects of student life can be a challenge for your finances and your work-life balance. Here, we share tips and advice for managing your personal finances and working part-time while at university.

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Keeping well

Among the studying, socialising and skill-development at university, you'll need to remember to look after yourself. Here's our collection of top advice for looking after your wellbeing as a student.

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Learning academic and life skills

It goes without saying that academics are important while you're at university – you're there to secure a degree, after all. But alongside your studies, you'll also need to develop personal skills like confidence and resilience to see you through the rest of life. Here's our best advice on how to manage it.

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Building your career

A big part of why lots of students go to uni is to secure a graduate role for the future. It's important to dedicate time to building your career throughout your years at university, whether that involves going to events, completing internships or leading a society. Read our advice for boosting your career prospects while at uni.

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FAQs about student life

Going to university is a big decision that naturally comes with a lot of questions. Below, we've answered your top queries about student life and preparing for university.

What is student life like?

Student life can be described in many ways – it can be fun, chaotic, freeing, independent, stressful at times and very enriching personally, professionally and academically. Every student has a slightly different experience of university.

One of the main elements of student life to prepare yourself for is independence. You'll be free to study how you like, build a lifestyle that suits you and manage your own time without any intervention. This can be scary, but it's also a brilliant opportunity to figure out what matters to you.

For many students, university is the first time living away from home, which means balancing studying, hobbies, social life, finances, daily routines, and personal wellbeing can be a steep learning curve. However, finding this balance is a key step in personal growth and developing life skills.

In other words, university can be a little bit of anything and everything you want it to be, and it's a great way to build your future.

What do I need to take to university?

Deciding what to pack for university can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time moving away from home. Your personal packing needs will depend on factors like accommodation type, distance from home, and personal preferences.

Check out our university packing list for a run-down of everything you might need to bring, from bedding to room decorations.

How should I prepare for university life?

Preparation for university life should cover two key aspects: academic study and student lifestyle. Review our advice on how to prepare for university academically to find out how to make a start on your reading and get used to the new assessment methods you'll come across as you jump from A-level to university study.

In terms of lifestyle preparation, you'll want to ensure that ahead of term, you have:

  • Secured your accommodation
  • Registered at your new GP surgery
  • Signed up for a new local gym or sports club
  • Set up a student bank account
  • Enrolled in your course properly
  • Made a packing list and planned for your move (if you're moving to uni)
  • Created a student life budget to keep you on track
  • Learned the skills you need to live independently – we're talking cooking, cleaning, laundry and self-care
  • Researched the campus and local area and purchased any travel passes you need to get around
  • Figured out how you'll stay organised and manage your time at university

You can also consider the following 'nice-to-have' preparation activities:

  • Join a social media group chat or forum for your incoming year at university to start connecting with new friends
  • Set goals for your academic, personal and professional development
  • Make a head-start on your academic reading

By completing these steps, you'll be in good standing for freshers' week.