The first year of university is a very unique time in a person’s life. Every aspect of life is totally changed, and finding your feet can seem super daunting. But making the most of your first year of uni will not only ensure you don’t regret wasting it, but will set you up for a better overall university experience. So here’s how.

Pack Smartly
It’s better to bring less than you need, as you can always stock up on more during visits home, and an overstuffed halls room can get pretty messy and stress-inducing. And two things that will really help you out that many people wouldn’t think of are a pack of cards, and a door wedge. The cards will ensure you can break the ice by playing games with your new flatmates, while the door wedge will make people know they can drop by your room for a chat. Both are invaluable tools in the tricky business of making friends.

Don’t Rush Into Second Year Housing
It’s all to easy to get swept up in the drama of finding a house for second year as soon as possible. But rushing the process will likely mean you end up living with people you don’t really like, in a house that’s not what you really wanted. Try to stay calm and collected throughout the process, and know that you will end up with somewhere to live.

Don’t Overdo It During Fresher’s Week
Fresher’s week is a week of extreme temptation – but try to retain a clear head and pace yourself. You don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of potential new friends, plus, being hungover for the whole week will mean you’re unlikely to make the most of other events on offer.

Get Into Extra-Curricular Activities
Speaking of, try to find some social activities which don’t involve drinking. They’re a great way to make new friends, and can actually be a really useful thing to include in job applications later on.

Keep On Top Of Studying
Although many universities don’t count the first years results in your final degree grade, that doesn’t mean you should totally let things slide. For one, you’re paying so much for the education that missing it is just silly, and for another, getting into good study habits now will make second and third year that bit easier.

Maintain A Clean(ish) Flat
In a similar vein, although you could allow your halls to become totally disgusting, it’s a good idea to get into good cleaning habits now. Discuss a rota with your flatmates, and try to stick to it. Remember, the longer you leave cleaning tasks, the more disgusting and difficult they become.

Accept Homesickness
Trying to totally avoid being homesick is basically impossible. So try to have a god support network of friends you can talk to when you’re feeling low. And if you’re really struggling, tell someone, rather than trying to keep it bottled up.

Don’t Buy Your Whole Reading List
Even though you’ll likely be advised to buy every book on your list, don’t rush into these purchases. Firstly, look in the library to see if they have the books you need. And it’s always worth looking for second and third year students who may be selling on their old books at a bargain price.

Use Your Tutors
Take first year as a time to make meetings with tutors to talk about your essays or revision. Becoming known to them now will be really useful in the future, particularly when you want to start thinking about your dissertation.

Annie Walton-Doyle writes for Inspiring Interns, which specialises in finding candidates their perfect internship. To browse our graduate jobs, visit our website.