September has arrived, which means it’s the start of uni for many students, and a return to uni for others. Whether you’re just starting your uni career or you’re returning to campus, September is always the start of a new season in some shape or form. This blog will give you all the essentials you need to make the most of the start of the new year. 

The first things to consider are the physical items you may need when starting a new year at Surrey. It probably goes without saying but some people still forgot to bring stationery! Even if you take notes on your laptop or ipad, having pens and paper may come in handy. You may also want to carry an umbrella, as you may know, the UK gets quite a lot of rain. 

For your room, you may want to consider getting some personalised decorations, posters of your favourite musicians, religious symbols or family pictures. This will make your room feel more like home, which makes all the difference whenever you’re feeling homesick. If you’re like me and appreciate a good-smelling room, you may also want to get a diffuser or electronic air freshener, but make sure to check your accommodation regulations on the use of diffusers. 

If you have an ensuite room, a bathroom mat is a very important investment! I certainly would not advise stepping out of the shower onto a cold, slippery floor. I would also advise getting a glass and mirror cleaner and a cloth to make sure your mirror stays clean and sparkly. 

You may be coming from a school where you wore a uniform every day and are worried about having to find an outfit every day. If you are going to get new clothes, keep it simple, affordable and most importantly, comfortable. Don’t worry too much about what you’re wearing, ultimately,  everyone is here to study, and you’ll see people wearing whatever they want. 

Physical stuff aside, it’s also important to shift your lifestyle and mindset, especially if you’re starting your first year. The start of a new academic year is the perfect time to learn new study habits, learn new skills and find new ways to optimise your lifestyle. The truth is, university offers a lot of freedom, but with that freedom comes a great responsibility. My first piece of advice before starting lectures is to think about who you are and what you want from the experience. It may seem unnecessary, but life becomes so fast-paced that you can often lose your sense of self and thus become stressed and anxious. Be sure to stand strong in your values and do not be a victim of peer pressure. At the same time, be open to trying new things and creating memories with new people. It’s all about finding the right balance. 

Saving the best for last… the fundamentals of ACTUALLY being a student. This may be somewhat controversial… but attend all your lectures and seminars, even the ones you feel aren’t as useful. Sometimes it’s not about what you actually learn in the lecture or seminar, but getting into the habit of doing things, whether you want to do them or not. This is an important soft skill which you will need at later stages in your life. I would also suggest taking time at some point during the week to do a brief reflection on where you are in each of your modules, assess what may need more time and allocate time accordingly. Also, remember to take notes and complete all your assignments on time. Again, some of these things may sound basic, but it’s easier said than done. 

To conclude, here is a list of the most important soft skills I believe everyone should have by the time they finish university: 

• Time management 
• Conflict resolution 
• People skills