Next Steps After Results Day: 5 Tips for New University Students

Congratulations on securing your place at the University of Birmingham! This is a time for huge celebration, but there are also a few things to keep in mind over the coming weeks. Things may seem a little overwhelming, so I’ve broken it down into five top tips for the period between results day and welcome weekend.

My first, and potentially most important, tip is to be vigilant with checking your emails. The university will be sending you important welcome information, such as how to book your first-year accommodation, important dates and deadlines, and your enrolment form. This is essential to complete as your place at the university, and thereby your student finance, will not be confirmed until you have enrolled. If you applied for university accommodation before the deadline, you will receive an email with your booking slot and more information about the process either on, or the days following results day. It is important that you know when your slot is so that you can get in early to claim one of your top choices, as each two-hour slot works on a first-come, first-served basis. You will also need to complete your accommodation pass (which is usually sent out at the beginning of September), which includes more information about your accommodation and allows you to book your move-in slot for arrivals weekend.

My second tip is to utilise social media and the University of Birmingham Unibuddy community to reach out to other students in your cohort, as well as to ask student ambassadors, like me, any questions you may have. I was lucky enough to find six out of my eight housemates before moving in through Unibuddy - getting to know them in the weeks leading up to arrivals weekend definitely calmed some of my nerves! It's also great if you can find people who are on your course - having someone to walk to your first lecture with makes it so much less daunting.

My third tip is to make a list for anything and everything: packing lists so you don’t forget anything from home; shopping lists so you know what you need to buy before arrivals weekend; meal lists so you have staples you can choose from; and an initial food shopping list to stock up your fridge, freezer and cupboards for that busy first week. There are so many of these lists online and on social media, so I would recommend checking these in case there’s something you wouldn’t have thought to bring, as well as things current students are saying you will absolutely not use. Side note - make sure to check the inventory for your accommodation before you make these lists to avoid spending money on things you don’t need to buy (and you don’t end up with two bins in your bedroom like me).

My fourth tip is that it is never too early: don’t leave all your university shopping for the day before you move in! Obviously, this will make the process a lot less stressful, but also starting to plan out your room décor, what colour plates you want and ordering photos for your pinboard early gets you excited to move out from the get-go, and can reduce some of the anxiety.

Finally, my fifth tip is try not to stress! Feeling anxious is entirely normal but just remember that everyone else starting university is in the same boat. You’ve done the hard part of getting the results you need and now is the time when your university journey begins. We can’t wait to welcome you to campus!