It’s October already!? Where did the summer go?!?! It really is true what they say- time flies faster, the older you get. Hence, with the end of summer, it’s back to studying, which I imagine for some of you, you’re absolutely dreading, but for others, you may be looking forward to it!

I’m now in my final year of Optometry and it’s fair to say I’m quite terrified as, this time next year, I’ll be testing a lot of patients and doing the job I’ve been training for, for over the last 4 years! Nevertheless, I am very excited, as this year we get to test our own patients in our very own clinics! While this is very nerve racking, it is also exciting, as you get to start applying all of this knowledge you’ve acquired and actually start making a difference to people’s lives.

So as it’s a new academic year, I thought I’d give you guys some tips for surviving university!

• Make the most of it! You’re paying £9250+ a year, so why not get your money’s worth? This is not just from an academic perspective, but a social one as well. Many people are in the exact same position as you, and may be apprehensive about meeting new people too. Nevertheless, once that initial ‘Hi’ is out the way, you end up meeting people who you’ll probably be friends with for life! Join societies and get involved with the uni! Your 1^st year is probably the best time for you to try new things, as well as entertain old hobbies. See a society that you’re quite interested in but maybe feel embarrassed about? Give it a shot! It isn’t a commitment, and if it’s not what you thought it would be, that’s fine! You can easily leave and do other activities with your time instead. Universities can be the place where people find themselves, and by doing things that may be slightly out of your comfort zone, at least you can walk away and think at least I tried if things don’t go as intended, rather than regretting not giving it a go. You never know, you may enjoy it!
• Organisation is key! You may have heard your parents or other adults nag on about how important it is but trust me, it really does make life so much easier. Your entire university life doesn’t have to be consistent studying but by finding a good balance between studying and chill time, it makes it so much more enjoyable. Often I would leave my studying to the last minute, thinking I’d be ok, then  look back and be very frustrated with ‘past me’ for not doing the work. I’d be in the library for ridiculous hours trying to cram as much information as I could until I’d simply crash. Try your best to get into a routine early on, so when it comes to revising for exams, you’ll feel already ahead of the game and will find you can fit in some fun on top of your studies.
• Check out sites for student discounts! You’d be surprised just how much you can save from discount cards-whether it be for travel, food or even clothing! Check out what banks offer student accounts as well- some may offer you a railcard, others may give you a larger overdraft (though I would strongly recommend not ‘’banking’’ on this as once you’re in, it can be hard to get out!) Most people get a UNiDAYS account as they notify you which stores and restaurants offer discounts. Nevertheless, don’t be afraid to ask restaurants and stores as well, if they offer student discount. I mean if it’s going to save you  20% off your bill, why not ask? What could go wrong?!
• Living out? This can be quite daunting- not having your parents to cook and clean for you is definitely something I missed! It may also be intimidating living on an allowance every week. You may think, I can’t get a cheeky nandos or go wagga’s, but if you plan your spending, you definitely can! It may also help to get a tastecard, which offers sometimes 50% off meals when eating out across London. Moreover, if you have the time, I’d recommend getting a Saturday/Sunday job. This can really help with some extra cash, so if you fancy a treat every so often, you can treat yourself.
• Finally, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself. You may only be in London for a limited time, and though you may think ‘oh I have 3 or 4 years of uni’, those years will fly by! Take advantage of all the attractions London has to offer, check out different websites to see if there are any events on for a discounted rate and why not give it a go! London is an amazing city and definitely accommodates a wide variety of people with different interests. Go exploring, you never know what you may find!

A lot to take in, but hopefully this has shed some light on university and living out. Best of luck to those who are in their first year, and congratulations on getting there! And for those who are hoping to go to uni in the future, study hard and hopefully you can use these tips when it comes to your time in the future as well!