Preparing to enter university is an exciting prospect every student highly anticipates. Finally, you will have some independence and get the chance to experience living away from the family home. But while dreaming of the fun things you can do outside university studies, you must first learn how to prepare for university.
Passing A Levels
For clarity, A Levels (advanced level qualifications) are subject-based qualifications from students aged 16 and above, usually studied for two years. Passing the A Levels leads to qualifications required for entrance into educational institutions in the UK. Many colleges and universities require a minimum of three subjects to qualify. You must pass specific subjects, including maths, sciences, English language, history, and foreign language, before entering a university and degree of your choice. If you do not qualify, you can choose to find another university or choose another course.
If you do not want to choose another university or course, you should ask the university if they consider students who retake their A Levels. You can click here for information on A-Level retakes, such as enrolling in a tutorial college, the available options, costs, and more.
Preparing for university
If you passed your A Levels or had to retake them to enrol in your chosen university, the next step is to prepare to enter university. For most students, here are important preparation tips.
Most first-year students opt to stay in halls of residence because they are under the university’s management. Staying in a school dorm is an easy way to meet other students and make new friends. However, if you enrol in a local university, it is better to live at home because you can save on food and accommodation costs.
It is important to set up your finances so you can budget for the academic year, preferably before the fresher’s week. Open a student bank account and choose one that offers zero per cent interest on overdrafts. A student bank account is important so your family can easily send you your allowance. If you plan to do part-time jobs, your salary can go straight to it so you can budget your finances better.
If you decide to live in a student hall, check what items the hall provides, so you can take what you need from your home. A student hall is not that large, so bring only the necessary items to fit the allowed space with enough room to move. Look into insuring your gadgets, and do not forget the small items, such as stationery, cleaning products, vitamins, and medicines.
If your university is far from your residence, look into the 16-25 Railcard to get a huge student discount on all train fares. Using this railcard will help you save on transportation throughout the school term. Of course, you can also use other forms of public transport, or invest in a bike, if your home is close to your university.
There are several more ways to prepare for university, such as reading the books in your course’s reading list. Knowing the area, learning to cook, and attending the fresher’s week are also important.
