First-years: The Honeymoon

Right now, uni's like one big long honeymoon. The sun is shining, the classes are interesting. You're meeting people. There are parties every single weekend. You go out clubbing afterwards every single weekend.

Make the most of it, people - it's going to die right about the time your first assignment is due, and you realise that you really didn't want to know that much about the Mongolian Death Worm. Or Postmodernism. Or whatever. But don't let this faze you - it will happen all over again next year as well. And the year after that. And you'll realise that you enjoy uni regardless.

First-years: Surviving the first three weeks

The first three weeks of uni can be a minefield: possible pitfalls include feeling lost, walking into the wrong classroom, waiting in line for hours to buy books and missing class.... It's normal to feel nervous about starting uni.

Here's some tips to help you navigate:

Before uni:

• Finalise your courses if you haven't already done so. Make sure you're doing enough papers to qualify as a student for WINZ, if you receive a student allowance or loan. If you
• Make a calendar of the times of prospective courses you are taking, to ensure no classes clash. Do you have enough time to get between classes in different locations? Make sure you always have this calendar - put it in your diary or organiser.
• Go for a walk around campus and work out where your classes are held. This way, you won't feel as lost when you start.
• Organise your stationary. (See What to bring to class.) Take advantage of "Back-to-school" sales if you can.
  

The first week:

• Sign up for tutorials - check against your calendar to make sure they don't clash. Be fast - class sizes are limited, and you may have to take an alternative time if your first choice is full.
• If you need to change classes or discover you're completely not into that subject, do it in the first two weeks. After (usually) 6 weeks in a course, you'll lose your refund if you drop out.
• Talk to as many people as you can, especially in your hostel or your classes.

Books

• Make a list of all the books on your reading list (marked, "required". Don't buy the ones marked "recommended". You won't use them enough.)
• Buy as many books as you can from the 2nd-hand book sales or online in the first week or two, to save money. Textbooks are super-expensive, especially in the sciences or law. (Check edition numbers carefully to make sure the book is still up-to-date.)
• If you're ultra-frugal, reserve the books you need at the library ahead of time. Remember usually about 5 textbooks per class are held at the library, so you may still need to buy one come assignment time.
• Be prepared for long lines at the student bookstore. And even longer lines at the student notes bookstore. The best time to go is early in the morning, or later in the evening.

The first two/three weeks:

• Be friendly to everyone you meet - you never know who your friends will turn out to be. New Zealand is a small place, after all.
• Decide if you want to be involved in any sporting or cultural clubs. (Look out for a "clubs day" when all the clubs advertise in a central location at uni. At least for the free lollies!)
• Check out which local establishments offer student discounts!
• Establish a spending budget. (More on that later.)
• Have fun!

Remember that everyone else around you is also feeling insecure and a bit out of their depth, no matter how confident they seem. It's a completely new environment, with different rules, and it's going to be an adjustment from high school.

Because it is a different environment from high school, you can completely reinvent yourself if you so wish - you're not restricted by other peoples' preconceived opinions of you and what you should or should not be or do. Even if you still see them on campus. Get involved in some of the clubs and activities on campus to meet like-minded people - there are so many fun things available.

You may also be living on your own, away from your parents, for the first time. This is a huge adjustment - suddenly you are responsible for yourself and your choices. Don't beat yourself up if you forget a class, get lost, or make a mistake. It's OK. You're learning. You're allowed to get it wrong sometimes. It's all part of the process of making your own rules and growing up. Dont be afraid to talk to your lecturers if you're having a lot of trouble, or you're worried.

You'll be OK. You survived high school! That's much worse. In a few weeks, you'll feel much more confident. Just like those second- and third-years you see walking past.

Avoiding homelessness: Find your flat now!

Source
Have you got your living quarters sorted for the university year? Don't wait until the end of February when everyone else wants one too - start hunting now!

So how do you avoid having to sleep on the street next to smelly hobos as the rain blows onto your cardboard box from a drainpipe in the corner? Read on....


1. Research, research, research!

First, do your research. Look at as many different flats as you can on TradeMe etc before you invest the time and effort of going to each flat. That way, you'll get a sense of what's out there in terms of price and quality. Use the internet, ask friends, look at noticeboards at uni. The best flats start going in January, and most are gone by the middle of February. So start looking now. Move fast (i.e. within the day) if you see a good one.

At the end of November, as people move back to their parents’ houses for the summer, flats in major cities often become a lot cheaper for the summer period. Take advantage of the remaining flatmates’/ landlord’s desperation to fill the flat – many are heavily discounted and in good locations.

Consider:

• How much are you willing to spend? What is the maximum you can afford?
• How far away are you willing to live from uni?
• What housing conditions are you willing to live in?
• What housing conditions are you not willing to live in?
• Furnished or unfurnished accommodation? (Do you have your own stuff?)
• How safe are the areas you are considering? It's not as big a deal in NZ compared to, say, New York or Chicago, but cheaper rent isn't always more important than not being mugged.
• If you live further from uni, what transport is available? What will it cost to get to uni/ work every day?
  
• What about late night transport home after clubbing? Will you have reliable transport home? In many parts of New Zealand, buses and trains stop running at midnight, and sleeping at the bus station is cold if you can't shell out for a taxi.

While it may be cheaper to live further away from uni, you need to balance distance from uni with travel time and price of rent. A good general formula is (travel costs 1 way x 10 trips per week + rent per week). Compare this against the cost of a similar flat closer to uni which doesn't require travel costs. Try not to live too far away, unless you can stay with your parents and avoid paying rent. Decreased rent costs from living in a distant area is often made up in travel costs and time spent. Time you can't spend doing other things. Like that last-minute assignment. Or a mad dash to class. You're also at the mercy of any rail/ bus strikes, or a slow traffic jam.


2. Making sure it's not a dump

Once you have narrowed down your search to about 10 houses in your price range and area, call or email the advertisers to arrange a time to visit.

Consider:

How big is the room? Do you have your own furniture that has to fit? What if you can’t fit your stuff through the door? Do you need a furnished house? Try to imagine how you might arrange the room. You're going to be spending a lot of time in here, you might as well enjoy it. Most student flats will come furnished, which is better since you don't have to spend money buying your own from the Sallies and dragging it home. You don't have to lug everything up the stairs. And when you leave, you just pack up your clothes and PSP. No moving vans needed!

How broken is the house? All student houses are usually 'broken', to a greater or lesser extent. Think about the checklist you put together earlier of housing conditions you're not willing to live in - are there any things on that list in this house?

• Mould/ mildew on the walls and ceiling – this shows the flat is damp. It's unhealthy. If you are asthmatic, stay away! You'll have to live here in winter, too, and it will be much worse. Touch the walls to check for condensation.
  
• Broken or dripping taps?
• Check the lights work.
• Open the kitchen and bedroom cupboards.
• Is there a washing machine, or a laundromat close by? Any restrictions on where you can dry your washing? (Modern apartment blocks are more likely to have this restriction.)

Imagine what it would be like to study and live here. Is the bedroom separate and private? (I.e. no-one has to walk through your room to get to theirs.) Can you study here in peace? Or is there somewhere nearby you can go at all hours of the night, to study?

Ask the landlord about:

• Noise levels – is there a bar or club nearby? Are 3am drag races down this street common?
  
• Is the surrounding area safe at night?
  
• What about proximity to amenities, e.g. supermarket, university, work? If you don't have a car, and the nearest supermarket visit involves a long sweaty walk up a big hill with heavy bags and no bus, it's going to get frustrating very quickly.
• Are there any restrictions from the landlord regarding visitors, parties, etc? How can you contact them if there is an emergency?
• Sunlight – does the flat get early morning sunlight? Does it lose the sun at 2pm? (This is more important if you know you get affected by the "winter blues".)
  
• How much is the bond? 4 weeks' worth of rent is usually sufficient, although some may allow 2 weeks.
  
• How much notice do you need to give when you want to move out? (Get that one in writing.)
• Are you allowed to smoke in the house?
  

3. Winning the flatmate lottery

Don't flat with friends. Please don't. Not unless you're entirely sure you know what they're really like to live with. Lots of friendships have been broken this way. Who knew what disgusting habits he had, or that she had p*rn star-worthy sex with her boyfriend at 3am? You will discover horrible sides to your friends that you never knew they had!

Randoms are usually better. Pick randoms who you think you can get on with and eventually become friends with. Likewise, don't live with your parents until you're 24. You're supposed to be an adult. It won't help you pick up chicks, guys, if you're sneaking them back to your bunk bed.

What are your prospective flatmates like? Are they messy or clean? What are the deal-breakers? While you're looking around the house, pay attention to anything you think might annoy you later. Do dirty dishes left in the sink annoy you?

Once you move in, it's often a good idea to discuss expectations of cleaning, sharing the kitchen etc. so you're not surprised.


4. What if it goes pear-shaped?

You have rights as a tenant, and so does the landlord. But you both also have obligations to each other as well. The Department of Building and Housing has an excellent section on what rights you have as a tenant, and what your obligations are.

If something needs to be fixed, tell the landlord as soon as possible so they can sort it out. This is especially important if it could be dangerous.

If things really go pear-shaped, and you can't sort it out with the landlord yourself, the Tenancy Tribunal can step in. Try calling 0800 TENANCY (0800 83 62 62) for the department's helpline first.

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Summer jobs tougher to get

Student Job Search is warning the current economic climate means there are less summer jobs available for students this year.

What can you do to increase your likelihood of finding a summer job quickly?

• Start early if you're looking for a job after graduation. Easy to say, hard to do while exams are going on. But at least make sure you're registered with FutureGrad if you're 2nd or 3rd year, since the best jobs on Student Job Search are often reserved for FutureGrad students.
  
• Ask your friends if they know of any companies hiring in your field.
  
• Check out companies which may have seasonal jobs like retail or hospitality - businesses still have a Christmas rush.
  
• Register with several recruitment agencies.
• Approach companies you like, and find out if they're hiring.
  
• Make sure your CV is up to date and formatted professionally.
• Use job sites such as TradeMe or Seek to find positions.
  

Be persistent, and remember there are lots of other people looking for work too, so you're not the only one. You'll find something. Also, try your best to save a week's worth of expenses to cover yourself in between the time that the unemployment benefit/ student hardship benefit starts, and the time you actually get paid. For a week you won't have any money coming in, so be prepared!

First-years: What to bring to class

Source: flickr
It's easy to go overboard buying school supplies when you're in the stationary section of the local bookshop. (Guilty as charged. All those pretty pens!) But all you really need to bring to class is:

• Notepaper / refil / IB5s (I find notebooks are easier as you don’t lose papers. Use graph paper for chemistry or math notes. Stock up for the year with about 8 at "Back to School" sales.)
• Any textbooks/ student notes the lecturer tells you to bring
  
• Pens
• Whatever you need for the rest of your day – wallet, watch, etc.

And that’s it! Easy! Laptops, voice-recorders etc. are a good idea in theory, but don’t seem to work as well in real life. You'll be fiddling with them instead of listening. Laptops are heavy. Do you really want to cart one around in your backpack all day?

Arts and humanities lecturers tend not to give out notes, while science lecturers tend to send around their presentations afterwards. It depends on the individual.

First-years with huge backpacks – you don’t need to take all your books to class. Really. Only take them if the lecturer checks each person has theirs, or skips through random pages in class.

If you’re really daring, and you are absolutely sure the lecturer gives extremely detailed notes online, you can come to class without pen or paper. Generally, though, I recommend you do. No-one has a perfect memory, and you will need those extra scribbles come exam / assignment time when you’re struggling to decipher the lecturer’s cryptic notes and remember what she said about the assignment.

So, all you really need to bring to class is some paper and a pen to take notes. Bonus: you'll save money on school supplies!

How to navigate the minefield of 'unwritten rules' at uni

In New Zealand, there are a few rules around academic work which aren’t really stated, but assumed: the ‘unwritten rules’. It's a bit like fallen logs in the bush at night: you only really find one by tripping over it!

The Dos and Don'ts of Doing Assignments

New Zealand culture is individualist, rather than collective, so students are expected to do all work themselves. Unless the assignment explicitly says you must work with a partner or a team, you must do the work yourself. You may ask others for a limited amount of help such as spelling or grammar checks, and you can work together with another student on the approach to a problem. So you can ask another classmate, “What approach did you take to solve this math problem?” Or, “What do you think the lecturer meant about the exam when (s)he said X?”

However, you can’t do the exact same topic or a similar one to your classmate, or use their original notes on that topic. You also can’t repeat a topic you studied previously in another assignment or paper.

New Zealanders often become defensive if asked their approach or the answer to a question, as grades in New Zealand emphasise individual merit and giving the answer is seen as allowing someone else to take their merit. Classes focus on self-learning and discovery rather than rote-learning things from memory. Hence assignments are designed to help you research and learn about the topic yourself, and decide what you want to think about it.

You can’t tell another student the answers to all or part of an assignment, or copy from another person’s answers. (Lecturers in non-technical papers are especially good at spotting copied work, and at spotting who the copier is. Universities tend to have harsh penalties for plagarism, accidental or otherwise.)

Work done in a team is marked as a team. Members usually get an opportunity to grade the work done by each person in the team, to minimise instances of slack people being awarded grades they didn’t deserve.

If you ask someone for help, generally it's expected you will help them in return on something else in the future.

Dealing with lecturers

Lecturers and tutors cannot directly tell you the answers to an assignment. They will instead guide you to work it out yourself by showing you how to approach the assignment or a similar problem.

Lecturers may refuse to mark your work if they can’t read it. Sometimes they will give you the benefit of the doubt, or call you back to read it for them, but not often. Mostly they will fail you. If you know you have messy handwriting, be aware.

Knowing when to shut up

What gets said in class, stays in class. Sometimes case studies or research are actually confidential. The concept of "academic privilege" basically means that university classes are open places where all kinds of ideas can be discussed for study, but not published in the wider world where it may affect business or politics.

There are other ‘unwritten rules’ which you'll only find out by breaking them. Listen and look closely at what other people do, to help you avoid the pitfalls.

What other 'unwritten rules' has anyone else noticed?

Five signs you should change your major

Most people change their minds about what to study at least once as a student. It's pretty common, especially in the first year as you realise that topic that enthralled you in high school has become an entirely different beast at uni.

Five signs you should change your major:

1. You're bored to tears.
2. You absolutely hate it and can't stand the thought of another minute of class.
   
3. You're working really really hard, but only getting C's.
4. You're really, really interested in something else and think about that all the time.
5. You realise the reasons you had for taking that major weren't really reasons.

If this is you, it's OK. Relax! You can do this. Lots of people change their majors. Even, sometimes, after completing entire Masters degrees! Book an appointment with the Course Advice department of your university or one of the careers people, who can help you plan a new major and change any courses necessary.

Sometimes you may have to wait out that semester, if you can't change immediately, but remember that it's a relatively short time to wait. You may be able to credit those courses to your new major anyway.

How will you know when you've found the right major? Here are five signs:

1. You'll be much happier.
   
2. You'll enjoy going to class and doing assignments.
3. Your grades will improve.
4. Doing schoolwork will be mostly interesting!
5. You'll feel a sense of purpose, like the major fits in with your skills and personality.

Good luck!

How to find your first student job

OK, so you need a job because there isn't quite enough from the student allowance or student loan to pay for the weekends. There are usually lots of jobs available to students. Here's how to find one.

1. Make a basic Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Believe it or not, yes, you do need a CV. It's a summary of your skills and experience, and shows the employer that you are serious about getting a job. It also gives them something which showcases you in the best light and helps them to remember you.

Sit down with a blank piece of paper or computer screen. Make a list of anything you've ever done which you've been paid for. Washing Dad's car? Babysitting? Milking? Write it down. Also, if you've involved with sports or another extracurricular activity, write those down as well.

Next, think about the skills that you learned to do each job or extracurricular activity, and the challenges that you overcame. Write them down. For example, babysitting your neighbour's children probably taught you to be responsible, how to be on time, and how to sort out an argument. Playing sports probably taught you how to work as part of a team. Working in the school tuck shop probably taught you to be trustworthy and to handle change. Even if you have no work experience, you can still show the employer through your CV what kind of person you are, and what your strengths are.

Employers want people who will show up on time, work hard, and keep working even if they don't feel like doing it. They want people who aren't afraid to ask questions if they don't understand, but who can take the initiative sometimes and not require constant supervision. They want people who can get along with others with different backgrounds, and work as part of a team. Make sure your CV shows how you have these skills from your other jobs and activities.

Create your CV on a computer. First list out the words 'Curriculum Vitae' on the top, in large letters. Then below, in smaller letters, list your name, address, contact phone number and student email address.

List each job you have done before, in order of the time you did them (month and year). Underneath, list the skills you already identified earlier. Do some research online to help format your CV, or ask someone to help you. When you're happy with it, print out multiple copies of your new CV.

2. Make a list of places to apply

Think about the places you might like to work. Make a list of them. Why do you want to work at each one? Look through job listings at Student Job Search, online or the newspaper. Remember that not all jobs are ever advertised, and sometimes it's best to just walk into the places you want to work, and ask them. It shows the employer that you are interested and ambitious if you ask them even when no job is advertised.

3. Iron your shirt!

Prepare to apply to each company you will walk into, by dressing neatly and wearing a shirt. (You don't have to wear a suit. Take out your piercings, though.) First impressions are very important, and if you don't dress nicely to impress, the employer will think you don't care enough about the company or the job.

4. Walk in confidently

Stand up straight and walk in confidently when you approach a company. Ask to see the manager. Make eye contact and have a firm handshake. Managers want to hire people with good communication skills, who are confident and approachable. If you slouch, or look shy, and act like you aren't serious about getting a job, you won't get one. You may feel terrified, but act confident and show the employer you are serious about working for them.

5. Prepare for "no"

Sometimes, employers that you've approached just are not hiring at the moment. It's nothing to do with you personally, although it may feel like it. Nobody gets accepted at every single place they apply for a job. Nobody. Be prepared for someone to say, "No, I'm sorry."

When a manager or business owner says they have no need for you, hold your head high and say, "Well, if you do need someone in the future, please give me a call. I'll leave you a copy of my CV. Thanks for your time."

This shows the manager that you are serious about getting a job, and you have demonstrated the ability to follow up. If you sulk out of the store or are rude, it shows you aren't mature or serious about the job. Again, do not be rude. It will backfire on you. Cities are surprisingly small places.

6. Follow up

This is one thing that's really important. Following up with the employer after an interview or meeting shows responsibility and a willingness to get involved. Call the employer back or visit again about a week later, and ask whether they've made a decision on the job. Make sure you talk to the manager, instead of relying on someone else to pass along a message for you.

Keep applying and following up until you get your first student job!

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Is National or Labour better for students?

The New Zealand elections are tomorrow! The two major parties, National and Labour, have both promised policies to benefit students. Which will benefit you most?

Labour:

• Keep interest-free student loans for tertiary students
  
• Limit university fee increases
• Student allowances: from 2009, reduce the age at which parental income is considered and increasing the parental income threshold for student allowances.
• In 2012, abolish the student allowance parental income test entirely.
• More Step Up scholarships
• In January 2009, increase the number of Bonded Merit scholarships to 1,500.

National:

• Keep interest-free student loans for tertiary students
• Establish a 10% repayment bonus on a loan balance for voluntary lump-sum payments of $500 or more, for 10 years following the start of borrower repayments.

So which party's policies are best for you? It depends on whether you are a student or a graduate. As a student, especially if you plan to study for at least a year in 2009, Labour's policies are best. As a graduate with a student loan, National's polices are best, because it's essentially a 10% rate of interest on your lump-sum payments.

Do you qualify for a NZ student allowance?

Are you in your final year of high school? Are you heading to university next year? You may qualify for the Student Allowance! (AKA, free money!)

What is it?

The Student Allowance is a weekly benefit paid to students aged 16 years and upwards, to support you while studying. You may have to supplement this income with part-time work, especially in the more expensive cities such as Wellington or Auckland. But at least you won't have to spend all your valuable study time working at that Fish'n'chip shop down the road, just so you can pay your rent.

Do I qualify?

Aged 18-23? (Some 16-17 year olds also qualify.) The allowance is based on several things: your parents' income (because it's assumed they'll help you out somewhat, true or not); whether you live at home; and whether you're married and/or have kids. Check out the WINZ website to find out.

24 or over? The allowance does not take parental income into account, but it does take your partner's income into account, and whether you have kids. Check out the WINZ website to find out.

If I'm an adult now, what do my parents have to do with it?

Yes, I know. It's unfair. You've moved out of home, you're an adult, and your parents' incomes are still taken into account!

If your parents live in separate households or if they're supporting more than one student, then the amount of income taken into consideration will be reduced.

If only one parent supports you, then that parent should complete the Single Parent Allowance application to have only their income taken into account. This application usually only works if you are estranged from the other parent. (Here's the new list of reasons considered "unacceptable".)

If your parent has a new partner, and you live with them both, then WINZ will take both of their incomes into account, and decline the Single Parent Allowance application. (Check the website, because sometimes they'll allow it if you've only lived with your parent's new partner a short while, and that person hasn't supported you in any way.)

If you're estranged from both your parents, and neither of them support you, you can apply for the Independent Circumstances Allowance so that their incomes are not taken into account. You still need to apply for the Student Allowance as well.

Free money! How do I get it?

Make sure you enrol now, since the WINZ centres get swamped in January and you'll avoid having no money for the first few weeks. I know it feels quite complicated, but just take your time and read though all of the information on WINZ's main website, or their student-oriented website Studylink to make sure you're getting the most allowance possible for your individual situation.

Returning students also need to re-enrol each year. So don't forget!

What if I don't qualify?

Luckily, Labour has recently announced plans to raise the parental income limits from 1 January 2009, and scrap the parental income requirements entirely in 2012. This effectively creates a universal student allowance! I think this is a fantastic idea, because it treats all students fairly regardless of parental income.

In the meantime, you can borrow up to $155.00 per week from your student loan. If you qualify for a reduced student allowance, you can borrow from your student loan to make up the difference.

How do an “all-nighter”

A particular atmosphere exists in the computer labs at uni the night before something big is due – whether it’s for one particularly hard paper or (especially) the last week or two of term. You can feel the frantic desperation all over campus: Many people thinking, “Why oh why did I leave this to the last minute?! Argh I have so much to do!”


The lines of people waiting for computers in the computer labs increase. Every second that ticks by reminding everyone of their growing workloads and wasted time, waiting to get to a computer. The bone-wrenching tiredness. The sigh of despair that echoes around the room at 3am. And again, when someone leaves at 4am, followed by extra-furious typing on the part of everyone else. At double intensity, when the birds start waking up at 5 or 6am.

Still desperate enough to want to do this? You will need:

- Lots of caffeine (either coffee or a caffeinated energy drink)
- Vast amounts of snack foods such as chocolate or nuts
- The motivation of a deadline the following day (or, why are you doing this?)
- Warm clothing for the 2-6am period

Try to have a full dinner beforehand. Always have lots of snack food such as nuts, as being tired makes you really hungry! (It’s acceptable to go to the supermarket at 9pm that night to buy it.) You’ll not only be using up lots of energy to think with, but getting up all the time to prepare food is time-consuming and distracting. Eating high energy junk foods can also help you to stay awake, though be careful not to overload your blood-sugar levels leading to a heavier crash and even more tiredness.

Similarly, more than 4 cups of coffee / energy drink over the course of a night won’t do you any good. Drugs and alcohol can affect your thinking and make it harder to write good work. Not recommended.

Many things can be done in the time between 1am and 6 am - it lasts an eternity but the next two hours between 6 and 8am go very fast. (Thanks to Ida for this one)

Remember: you shouldn’t do every assignment like this. It’s not healthy. Also, not sleeping beyond three days could kill you. If you are constantly in this state of panic, then maybe you need to rethink your lifestyle and start a few days or weeks earlier. Remember, the last two weeks of term are always going to be flat-out, so try and prepare if possible. Even if it’s just getting extra rest.

Good luck!

How to survive your (first) year in a catered hostel

So, you've finally finished high school and are about to start uni! You've been accepted into a hostel, moved all your stuff into your new room and said goodbye to your parents. You've met your new roommate, with some awkwardness all round. You're feeling a bit apprehensive, and finally "grown up". So how do you make the most out of the catered hostel experience?


Hostel food:

If you’re the sort of person who normally has dinner at 5pm and then goes to bed around 8 or 9 pm, you can ignore this bit. Everyone else: you will get hungry every single night. Hostels tend to serve dinner from 5 pm to 6.30pm, so that the catering staff can have a life, too.

And honestly, some days you really won’t want to eat what’s on offer. Hostels have limited budgets to feed a few hundred people each day, and they try their best. Generally. But there are off-days. "Cafe night" every Friday, anyone?

If all else fails and you really can’t just pick a few things to eat, pretend you're vegetarian. Often vegetarian meals are far nicer than the standard ones. But you have to do this enough to be believable, not just when you don’t feel like eating what’s on offer. (Which reminds me - be nice to the chef!)


Food for late nights:

So it’s likely you will either make many, many trips to the supermarket around 9pm (funny, that), or you will acquire a stash of food in your room big enough to survive a nuclear holocaust, or both. (Parental food parcels are good for the second.) You really don’t want to cook food in your room, apart from the fire hazard. Even rice. It will make things smelly and damp for everyone around you.

Enter the kitchenette: notice I didn’t say kitchen. It will most likely contain these three things: a kettle, a microwave, and a fridge. It may contain a toaster, if fortune shines upon you. It will also, under the strange laws of invented quantum physics, contain: a container of bulk instant coffee solidified into a lump; a bulk container of sugar with aforementioned coffee scattered through it; and a dirty sink full of smelly old cups and beer bottles. There will never be teaspoons. The tea towels will be greasy.

It’s harder to eat healthily when you only have a kitchenette. Here are some survival tips: 1.) Buy a noodle bowl from The Warehouse or other bargain shop. It should be reasonably large. 2.) Do not expect anything you put in the fridge to actually stay there, especially milk. 3.) Buy many packets of microwaveable or snack-able food. Popcorn is good. Noodles are good. Toast and instant rice risotto are better. Put them all in your noodle bowl. 4.) Chocolate is not a reasonable option, no matter how tempting the call of the vending machines. Some nights at 4am before an assignment is due, maybe.


Friends:

The number one way to make friends with other people in your hostel: leave your door open when you are home. An open door says, “Come in and talk to me, I’m approachable.” A closed door says, “Leave me alone. Don’t even knock.” Use wisely.

Talk to as many different people as you can over dinner – it’s the best way to get to know someone. Get to know the friends of your friends. The friends you make in your hostel will last you at least through university, if not years later, and it’s much easier to network when you're in such close proximity to so many different people. It’s often harder to make friends once you go flatting, because you interact with fewer people.

Lastly, you are allowed to be anyone you want to be as a person – there will be very few, if any, people who knew you when you were dorky in high school. Enjoy your new popularity.


Dating:

At some point, you will almost certainly have a relationship with someone you meet in your hostel. This can be both a good, and bad, thing. Because, as you will most likely hear from the hostel managers on the first day, 90% of all relationships started here will not last the year. Most catered hostels will refuse to put you in the same room as your pre-hostel girlfriend or boyfriend for that reason. Find a flat if you really need to share a room. It’s much easier to move out of should things turn sour.

Some relationships do last longer, though, so don’t let it put you off entirely. I met my husband at Weir House, and many of our friends who started relationships there are still together 5 years later. Remember: if you break up with someone here, you still have to see them nearly every single day at mealtimes and around the hostel. For months. And you have to handle all their friends. Can you deal with that? If you can, do it and have fun. And be safe.

Also, if you really want to study with your boyfriend / girlfriend, study with your backs turned from each other. They’re still close by, but this way you actually get some work done!


But what if I'm unhappy?

It's normal to experience a bit of homesickness or loneliness for the first few weeks or even months. Cut yourself some slack - you're adjusting to multiple new life changes, and it's only natural that it can take a while. Try your best to meet new people and go out, instead of staying in your room. Keep in touch with your old friends from high school, but not to the extent that you neglect making friends in your new hostel or in your classes. You'll get through this.

However, some people realise early on that the hostel life, or uni overall, isn't for them. That's OK too - give yourself at least one month before making any significant changes, such as moving into a flat or quitting uni. Talk to one of the RA's or someone else you trust, to get another perspective.


In summary:

Catered hostels are fantastic when you've just moved out of home - you don't need to cook, clean the bathroom, or worry about any of the adventures that come with flatting such as crazy power bills. It's a good transition. Enjoy!