It’s that time of year again: 18-22 year olds up and down the country are dusting off their lashminas and getting their Mum’s to stock up on bog roll in anticipation of the grand opening of yet another year as a bright eyed, bushy tailed undergraduate. But smug as you may be that your student loan is just days away from defiantly fending off your encroaching overdraft, we also know that by November that new HD flatscreen TV and Xbox (plus a few dozen hangovers) won’t stop you going hungry as the dosh runs out. Lucky, then, that we aren’t going anywhere, and we’ll still be posting plenty of student jobs and handy hints and tips. Plus, we know University can be daunting for new students as much as returning ones. With that in mind, here’s a quick do’s and don’ts list for the classes of 2010-11. My soundest advice: Alka-Seltzer and Innocent Smoothies, and comfortable shoes. And under no circumstances is it a “good idea” to go to KFC after a skinful.

Who Dares Wins…

Do: Be outgoing, gregarious and confident (as far as possible) in the early weeks. Go out, have a drink or two, talk to girls and boys and generally make the most of the fortnight or so grace period at the start of any University year. If you’re a fresher, focus your attentions on making friends – strong early friendships will often last throughout University – and if you’re a returner, use your new living environs to branch out and expand your social coterie.

Don’t: Use words like ‘can’t’, ‘won’t’, ‘don’t want to’ or ‘no’. Except in obvious circumstances, naturally! Avoid being negative and liberate yourself from the shackles of your comfort zones.

The 21st Century Student…

Do: Have a Twitter and a Facebook account – or, don’t shy away from creating one if your friends or people you meet think it would be a good idea and want to show you. Social media outlets are particularly useful for networking with course buddies you may not live with (and consequently see that often). It’ll make going to lectures a lot more fun if you pal up with people on your course.

Don’t: Make business cards. Rip into Twitter without trying it. Get annoyed that everyone else has a Blackberry.

Fool’s Gold

Do: Eek out every last drop of your student loan – it’s tempting to splash the cash early on, which is fine, but try to limit the impulse purchases (most of the Jack Wills store at 50 quid a throw for boxers, for example) until Christmas is in sight and you can better assess your financial (in)competence.

Don’t: Buy all the books on the suggested reading list at full wack from the student book shop on campus – it’ll be daylight robbery and you’ll end up with tens of never-opened books come June. Instead: pick the vitals and share the cost with a coursemate, and/or buy second hand (try Amazon Marketplace)

Think Futures

Do: This one’s mainly for 2nd year and upwards. Use the free and (usually) extensive careers services offered by your institution, especially if you are unsure of where your future lies and doing a drinker’s degree (i.e. social sciences, the ‘arts’) with only 4 hours tuition a week. Attend talks, speak to the careers advisers – they will generally give you a big confidence boost and open your eyes to a plethora of possible avenues for ‘Life After Uni’™.

Don’t: Take careers advice from the regulars in the pub.

And Finally…

Do: Get involved in societies; go to Fresher’s Fayre; go out as much as possible; play halls sport; take your acoustic guitar (arf arf); learn to cook; smile; (work hard); ENJOY IT!

Don’t: Sit in your room playing computer games; have your girlfriend/boyfriend to stay every single weekend; play Black Sabbath with your guitar at top volume; wear tracksuit bottoms everywhere; sleep with the girl upstairs in Week 1; go on the library tour; fail; feel like you’ve missed out.

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