Need to know - FIRST YEAR

While Uni is substantially centered around your social life, don't forget you did actually go there (and are most likely paying a lot to be there) to further your education! Don't throw away a ginormous build up of debt wasting your lectures, even if it is a 9am Monday morning start.

Here's the plan for first year...

**Budget. Budget. Budget.
This is something I wish I'd been better at. Once I realised how much money I was getting through, I divided what was left of my loan between the amount of weeks left and set aside a bit less than that for each week. If you lower your budget it means you'll have a little sum saved for that must have splurge or an unexpected payment that arises. The earlier you learn to budget, the better.
If you'll be staying in halls or away from home during the holidays then factor those weeks in as well, I was lucky enough to live quite a cushy life at my parents so had no outgoings for food or rent.

**Don't take exam period too seriously
Obviously I'm not saying go out every night and wing it, but as I've never been one to get stressed about exams, I'm constantly trying to tone them down to reduce friends' stress. Take them one at a time and revise the key facts and figures, but space it out, take breaks and still have fun! The harder time you give yourself making sure you never break from revision will catch up with you and you'll over work yourself.

**Keep mum & dad involved
You've just abandoned your parents, and for me I was the last sibling to fly the coop (is that the right saying?!). Keep them in touch, whether it be a weekly phone call or the odd text. I made sure to email my mum at least twice a week just to fill her in on any and everything I had been up to. Surprise birthday gifts or visits home now mean so much more than when you were there!

**Have friends visit
Whether they're at Uni or not, have them come up for the weekend and show off your new life and your new home town. It's surprising how much more a fun a night out can be when there is a familar face in a new town. One of my best nights out in Newcastle was my 20th birthday, when my best friend visited for the weekend. Plus, it will give them chance to bond with your new friendship group for when the uni friends come to visit you at home!

**Food shop with friends
You'll begin to notice how much food costs and how fast it can add up. You'll remember the cost of your favourite products and avoid things you once took for granted. Shopping (and cooking) with friends can really bring down the cost. Buy in bulk and prepare a few meals in advance then freeze them. Share the cost of each meal and only buy what you really need with only a couple of 'luxuries'. The little things will mean so much more when you can get them for free at home than when you realise you've gone way over budget because of branded treats.

**Embrace the basics
I used to hate buying economy food when I lived at home. I know that sounds snobby but I always assumed it was the much crappier version of the higher priced counterpart. Not true! Apart from meat, I've found the majority of basics/value/economy products taste just as good as the branded version and most of the time you can't even tell the difference. It's little things like this that will add up and save you loads.

**Explore!
Being in a whole new town means you have whole new opportunities. I loved my first few weeks in Newcastle just seeing what was there. We have taken trips to Durham and South Shields as well just to get and about in the area. Uni isn't all about the night life!

Most importantly just have fun and experience it all! First year at uni has probably been the best year of my life because of how much I squeezed into such a short time.
It might get annoying people telling you it will fly by, but trust me, it does and by the end of it your uni friends will seem like friends from childhood despite knowing them for less than a year.

Any more first year tips and tricks? Stay tuned for the final instalment tomorrow (hopefully!), One year on! And don't forget to look at Freshers and Pre Uni if you haven't already!

If any of you freshers to be need any advice then tweet me @Phibster, it's nice to have someone on hand you can ask those random questions to!