Alex's advice

"All friendships start with a conversation"

Starting university can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time, but my biggest piece of advice is to remember that everyone is in the same position when they arrive. Give yourself time to settle in and don't put pressure on yourself to have everything figured out straight away.

Make your room feel like home. Bring photos, themed decorations, fun bedding, or anything that makes your space feel comfortable. Having a room that feels familiar can make a big difference during your first few weeks away from home.

Explore during Freshers' Week. Take some time to walk around campus and the city before teaching starts. Finding your buildings, local shops and good places to eat will help you feel much more confident when the semester begins. Keeping yourself busy and getting out of your room can really help with settling in and avoiding homesickness. Remember, all friendships start with a conversation. Be confident, introduce yourself and don't be afraid to start a conversation. Chances are the people around you are looking to make friends too.

Get involved. Hallam SU offers everything from course-related societies to sports clubs, hobby groups and volunteering opportunities. Look at the Students' Union website and explore the societies on offer, as well as the discounts and opportunities available through them. It’s a great way to meet people with similar interests and make friends outside of your course.

Learn to budget early. University is often the first time you'll be managing your own money. Keeping track of your spending from the start can help reduce stress later and make it easier to enjoy student life without worrying about finances. One method I use is taking the amount I have left after paying rent and dividing it by the number of weeks until my next Student Finance England payment. This gives me a weekly budget to work with. If your weekly budget is more than you realistically need, consider putting some money aside for the summer months when student finance isn't coming in. You'll thank yourself later!

Emily's tips

An Insider’s Guide to Your First Few Weeks in Sheffield

Moving to a new city can feel daunting, but I love Sheffield and I know you’re going to love it too. There is so much to do, it has everything. Here’s a guide to help you settle in.
 
Settling in

• Decorate your room - make the space feel like your own.
• Slowly get your bearings, explore places one by one.
• Find a third space - somewhere that isn’t home or work, maybe a coffee shop, or a park; it can help build routines easier.

Places to explore

• Division Street - lots of independent clothing stores!
• Botanical Gardens - free to enter and so peaceful.
• Ecclesall Road - lots of cafes, pubs, and cool shops!
• Red Brick Market - easily my favourite place; tons of independent stalls!
• Crookes Valley Park - a lovely green space with a fantastic atmosphere.
• The Peak District - it’s right on your doorstep! You can get there for as little as a £4 return ticket.
• Cambridge Street Collective - some of the tastiest food in the city!

Meeting people

• See what Fresher’s events are on the Hallam SU app.
• Say yes a lot during your first week.
• Knock on your flatmates doors, they’re your first community!

Getting around Sheffield

• Trams are your best friend.
• Get a Zoom pass - it’s free and makes travel cheaper!
• Sheffield is walkable, just be prepared for the hills!

Things I wish I’d known

• Sheffield is very affordable if you budget right.
• The weather can fluctuate a lot!
• There are so many different, unique neighbourhoods.

Your course

• If your course has a society, join it! It gives you so many opportunities for work experience and meeting new people.
• During fresher’s week, explore campus and find the buildings you’re going to have lectures in to avoid stress on your first day – you’ll get given a map!
• Speak to your lecturers! They’re friendly and there to help you.
• Set study hours outside lecture and seminar times - building good habits is important and university tends to have a lot more independent reading.