Four Things I’d Tell My Fresher Self About Moving Away to University

Fourth-year Fashion Management Rachel left the Highlands to study at RGU in Aberdeen and now shares her top tips when moving away to university, with specific insights on Aberdeen and why it is a great student city.

It sounds cliché, but your time at university really does go in a flash. Between studying, socialising and attempting to navigate independent life (like figuring out how to use a washing machine) for the first time, I can’t quite believe I’m (almost) at the completion of my studies already…

Having grown up in the quiet, somewhat rural Highlands of Scotland, moving away from home for university was of course, scary, and if you are anything like me, a Google deep dive on ‘how to cope with moving away from home’ wasn’t exactly reassuring, from complex tutorials on washing dishes to a never-ending list of ‘essential’ items you supposedly can’t live without, the advice was overwhelming.

With the benefit of hindsight, almost at the completion of my studies here in Aberdeen, I’m hopefully here to help, sharing some things I really wish someone had told me about moving away to university!

1. Plan, Plan and Plan

Living away from home can often feel like a part-time job, and after moving into student halls, I soon realised how much of those little tasks I didn’t even think about at home took time, like sorting your washing into colours, or writing your shopping list!

With university classes, socialising and exploring the city to fit into your day, learning to plan is going to become your new best friend. Embrace it early. Creating a weekly schedule for lectures, social events and even laundry slots can be a game changer, blocking out time for each thing on your to-do list will make university life feel much more manageable as you settle in.

If you are old-school like me, and love to put pen to paper, try Flying Tiger, Sostrane Green or Typo in the city centre for some super effective (and cool) planners. Or…if you are a digital fan, your notes app may become an endless scroll of daily to-do lists, with apps like HowBout perfect for scheduling!

2. Learn How to Cook (even just a little bit)

I know I said Google searches can be a little unhelpful, but all those articles telling you to learn how to cook are right, this one is important. We aren’t talking Gordon Ramsey, but whether that’s closely observing your parents in the kitchen (and asking a million questions about ingredients) or purchasing some classic student cookbooks, gaining even just a basic proficiency in the kitchen can help reduce some unneeded stress.

Personally, I mastered just a handful of recipes before the big move, which formed the basis of my weekly meals… until I later discovered the wonders of an air fryer (sadly only a fourth year discovery), opening up a whole world of easy, super simple recipes on Instagram, which I can’t recommend enough for some inspiration.

Here are some of my favourite creators to get you started:

@alexskitchenbangers
@boredoflunch
@food.fit.maya

3. Make the most of your student discount

Aside from the long summer holidays, my favourite perk about being a student has absolutely been the incredible discounts on (almost) everything! Make sure to download the Unidays and Student Beans apps as soon as you have your academic email address and get into the habit of checking for a student discount before you pay for literally anything, you never know what may be available. My personal favourite is £2 coffee at Black Sheep every Monday!

Not only do these discounts work for the fun stuff, but they can also be super practical too, for travelling back home for example. If you aren’t lucky enough to be under 22 and receive free bus travel, First bus offer ‘Student First’ rates, which makes it more affordable to travel across the city, whilst FlixBus offer a 30% discount, which is perfect for longer trips! And of course, not forgetting about trains, the 16-25 railcard is also great for an added discount if your travel home is on rail!

4. Get involved with societies and sports clubs

My last, but certainly not least, tip is to take advantage of RGU’s societies and sports clubs. The perfect opportunity to try some weird and often wonderful things, from ice skating to gaming and k-pop to computing, there really is something for everyone!

And the best part? They don’t have to be related to your degree. As a fashion student currently on the motorsport society, I am living proof. It’s your chance to connect with students from all corners of the university, and without sounding cringy, a chance to meet lifelong friends, another thing I can attest to. And if we are getting serious, being a part of societies can offer some great additions to your CV too…

Aberdeen as a great student city

I couldn’t be more grateful for taking the big leap! Moving away to university may seem scary, and at times it absolutely is (especially when you can’t figure out how to turn on a microwave), but moving to Aberdeen for university has been one of the best decisions I have ever made!

I have often described the city as the ‘perfect place’ for students, and after four quick years living in the ‘Granite City’, I absolutely stand by it! Aberdeen offers an ideal combination of busyness with so much going on, balanced with a homely community feel.

For those looking for a first step into independent life, Aberdeen is a fantastic location to start. From making my way through the city’ vast array of cafés and shops (on extended study breaks), to day trips to some of the area’s beautiful castles and beaches (shoutout Stonehaven), Aberdeen has been a wonderful hub to explore the Aberdeenshire area!

In essence, taking that initial leap, despite the understandable anxieties, opened doors to not only a fantastic education but also to a period of significant personal development and unforgettable experiences in a city I now wholeheartedly call a second home. And, aside from all that, if you take anything from this short but sweet guide, make it this: invest in that air fryer (and don’t forget to use student discount!)