- Rowan Brown, September 2022
I know you’re eyeing up that toasty maker or that app-controlled kettle for University. Trust me, put it down and you’ll thank me later.
Moving to university may feel like you need to bring all the gadgets and gizmos to make cooking quicker and easier but the reality is that you either won’t use it most of the time or it’ll get ‘borrowed’ a lot (with the risk of potential breakage). Bring the essentials (Cutlery, plates, a couple of mugs) and Uni will do the rest so don’t worry about bringing kettles or toasters. There is also a second-hand pay-what-you-like items fair at the start of term 1, meaning you can also get things like chopping boards, kitchen utensils and cups for as much as you’d like to pay (though I recommend being reasonable as the proceeds are usually charitable).
On the topic of packing, you’re not the hulk so don’t overload each box with heavy items. There’s every chance you may need to carry it up three flights of stairs (I’m looking at you Rootes). However, there’ll be student helpers on hand on arrival day to help you with your items so don’t be afraid to ask them for a little assistance if you can’t carry everything all at once.
Now you’re nice and settled in, what should you expect in your first week?
Why not take a walk up to Gibbet Hill Campus and familiarize yourself with the location of the lecture theatres and ICT suite – it’ll save a lot of time and confusion when you’re on your way to your first lecture (hint, GLT1 is at the top of the stairs!). But you can also use Warwick's Interactive campus map if you get stuck.
Don’t forget to make plenty of time for checking out what’s happening elsewhere on campus though! Save a slot in your diary for the societies and sports fairs as we boast over 65 sports clubs and more than 250 societies - including the amazing BioSoc ;) – here at Warwick. You’ll also find time in the evening for dancing the night away at the variety of events hosted in the Copper Rooms, including the popular Hall Wars.
While it seems you’ll barely have time to catch your thoughts in the first week, it’s not unusual to feel a little homesick and/or overwhelmed.
Don’t worry, this is completely normal and you won’t be the only one experiencing this so don’t hesitate to reach out to the people around you. There’s also RLTs (Residential Life Tutors) in your accommodation as well as BioSoc’s very own Wellbeing Officer, Manu Advani Rodriguez.
BioSoc is also a great place for making new friends to share your concerns with, running lots of fun socials and taster events in the first few weeks as well as plenty of study support. If making friends wasn’t enough to tempt you along to the weekly BioCafe support sessions then the prospect of free pizza definitely should! The weekly sessions are open to everyone but especially first years and cover a range of study skills, supported by our wonderful PhD students and your lecturers. Keep an eye out on Moodle and the BioSoc's social media for what the topic of the session is.
Perhaps the best advice of all though is, have fun and make memories. The time will go by faster than you think and before you know it, you’ll be throwing that cap and its tassel high up in the air with your fellow graduates. Good luck and enjoy your time here in Life Sciences
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