The before-uni checklist: essentials and money admin to sort before arriving

Starting university is up there with all the most important life stages. Often the first time living away from home, freshers can be left feeling baffled by the many things to think about when suddenly having to adult all on their own.

Apart from the nerve-wracking prospect of having to immerse yourself in studying your chosen academic subject, there is also the pressure of making new friends and settling into a new routine away from parents and loved ones.

It’s a to-do list that can feel overwhelming, and finances are often the most daunting of the bunch: 32 percent of students in our new LADnation poll said that they aren’t all that confident about managing their money day-to-day, with only 34 percent of students saying their loan lasted the full term.

Here's what you can do to get ready for uni to help navigate those first few weeks as a student and make you remember the time for all the right reasons!

That all-important uni packing list

Trying to decide what to pack up from your childhood bedroom for your uni halls can seem like an insurmountable task — especially when you’re likely moving into a much smaller space. But making sure you have all the items you need in advance can help prevent ill-thought-out panic purchases when you’re settled into your room.

As well as clothes, toiletries and electronic equipment, there are boring but useful things to remember, such as clothes hangers, a laundry basket (including new sheets, which, not to sound like your mum, you should wash every week), and extension leads (because we know there’s never enough wall sockets).

There will also be plenty of kitchen kit to buy, from baking trays to your own pots and pans.

Research from LADnation shows that first-time students are often caught out by unexpected but necessary purchases, with 24 percent of those surveyed saying they had to fork out for a mattress topper or better pillows, while 20 percent had to buy a clothes airer.

Moving to a new city means a whole lot of life admin (Monzo)

Balancing your social life with your studies

Many people will make lifelong friends during their uni days. Before classes start, you can research different societies and sports clubs available and check what freshers’ week events are taking place so you can try to find like-minded people by checking your university's Students' Union website or social media pages. You can also join accommodation or course chats, and introduce yourself before your first day.

Moving into a shared house? Clubbing together to buy household items or do the food shop can act as an icebreaker and help keep your costs down. By opening an account with Monzo, students can use Monzo.Me to send money to friends on the spot, and share one-off or ongoing costs like rent or grocery bills with Split. No awkward money conversations required.

Planning ahead

For many of us, it's unlikely that we’ve ever had such a large chunk of cash suddenly land in our bank account, and it can be all too tempting to splurge, so stay one step ahead with a budgeting plan.

Our LADnation poll found 33 percent of those questioned said they wished they'd sorted a termly budget.

Coming up with a sensible budgeting plan is vital (with some wriggle room for unexpected costs — hello Freshers’ Week fancy dress costumes!). Check what bills are included in your accommodation and look into where you can get student discounts, as many shops, restaurants and transport companies offer great deals.

One approach to budgeting as a university student is to calculate your total incoming money, and then subtract your fixed expenses like rent. You can then work out roughly how much you have left and set yourself a weekly spending limit for everything else.

Anyone with a Monzo account, whether new or a long-standing customer, can get their maintenance loan paid into their account. An added bonus? Student loan payments are included in Double Payday. That’s where Monzo doubles the eligible salaries of 10 lucky customers every month. As student loan payments are paid termly, that’s three chances a year to win.

Handling the life admin

If you're moving to a new town or city for uni, registering with a local GP surgery and making sure you have all your documents in order can make life easier for you in the long run. And not to go full parent mode, but important paperwork that is useful to have both printed out as well as digitally includes your university acceptance and enrolment information, student finance information, insurance documents and emergency contact details.

Finding some paid work in advance can also be a big benefit, with 34 percent of those questioned for the poll saying they wished they had a part-time job lined up before they started.

Even simple things like finding out where your nearest supermarket is, and learning what time buses you'll need to get you to your lectures will make future-you glad you were so prepared.

18+. UK residents. Eligible payments only. Monzo Current Account needed. Current Account & Double Payday Ts&Cs apply.

Words by Jenny Garnsworthy