Before Uni

Hi everyone

Getting ready for uni is a worrying task; leaving home, cooking on your own food and not relying on your parents anymore can be scary for some. For others they couldn't care less but will most likely soon find out how much they rely on their parents for food, washing, transport etc.

For some of these the soultion is simple; quite simply grow a pair (no this isn't sexist it just gets the message across). Cooking is something that is simple to do but hard to do well, i've been living on sausages so far and while edible they do get abit burnt. Don't worry about 5 star food but try your hand at the simpler stuff like spag boll, omlettes and scrambled egg. These are basic but tasty and healthy food. These can be learnt by asking parents (read mum) to watch and help as you cook dinner. Cooking is prehaps the most daunting thing most students find, your parents (mum) has had to do this for as long as you have been alive so lean on them (her) for help about how/ what to cook and what to use. More advanced stuff can be picked up by cookbooks but just remember to read the cookbook first as some are difficult to understand. Best bet is less is more, the less recipies the more instructions you'll get with each one. At the end of the being able to cook basic and quick to prepare food will get you through uni or until you find someone who can cook.

Universities will normally give you a room, a bed and not much else so look online at what they give and what they don't so that you can prepare. One lad i know thought that towels were provided at the uni (they weren't) so think ahead. Cooking stuff like plates, bowls, pots, pans and frying pans are essential. Shop around for the best deal but remember that quality is good. We bought some cheap plates only for one to crack after being put through the washing machine. Moral of the story look around but get something of good quality.

Going to uni isn't scary but a challenge. You will meet new friends (facebook allows you to keep up with the old ones) and learn loads not just about your course. Good tip for making new friends is that 99% of people don't know each other and are just as scared as you. Walking up to someone is a great way to meet people. My whole block met as 2 people were talking and the rest just started to walk towards them to introduce themselves. It was a great was to say hello (same as during registration) the only snag was when we found out that we were talking outside the toilet when someone walked out. Nice guy but abit akward.

Cheers everyone and i hope this helps (if not why are you reading this)

See ya

Money makes the world go round, but alcohol makes it work.

Hi guys

I have now been an official student for over 2 weeks now. And the wisdom that i have learnt is that the two most important things you need for freshers is money and alcohol.

Unfortunatly you have to bring your own money (unless your a girl who can get free drinks, lads sorry) but you can buy the alcohol. Women seem to be able to know everything about each other after a five minute conversation; lads on the other hand have a simpler method. Go to pub/ club, get drunk and bob's your uncle your best mates with someone you don't know (or can't remember anything about). To quote the most popular eastern European besides Borat "Simples".

These two things require money and alcohol so make sure you have/ can get both for simple friends that reminds me off those cheap meals where you just add water, but in this case its alcohol. Please note the word alcohol is used as beer implies a slow drinking or pre drinking session and vodka is for those cheap basterds (like me) who want to get drunk quickly and cheaply.

When talking about getting drunk the downside (hangovers aside) is the urge to dance. Most men cannot do this, lets be honest, but fortunatly their is a solution. Brief pause for drummroll... Women at the start of any clubbing dance on their own in a circle, that looks like they are trying to exclude lads. Most of them aren't so if you (and preferably a mate) simply ask one if you can join them they propably will let you. Best things is that if you are the only lad there (the popular, sporty and good looking is still at the bar) there is no one to compare to so all the girls go to you. Dont be afraid to offer drinks but at least get the dance first. Dont be afraid if you cant dance since not many people can proberly dance to most songs anyway but if you can pick some common and popular songs, check youtube for dance vids to that song. Sorted.

All there is left is to find the drinks you like (recomended to do this before you go to uni) and can keep drinking.

Cheers for reading

Jack