According to some, Liverpool is most famous for giving the world The Beatles, Steven Gerrard and a loveable accent. However,  Liverpool is also a hotbed of academia and culture, and was christened the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Rich in diversity, energy and history, Liverpool is one of the UK’s most loved, and most vibrant cities. It’s also a thriving student city too, and is able to offer students a healthy mixture of the fun stuff with the serious stuff. From eclectic live music to the best in modern art, it’s a city that knows how to cover the bases.

And in case you’re considering fleeing the nest to become a Liver Bird, we thought we’d put together The Ultimate Guide To Studying In Liverpool. Just for you!

Universities In Liverpool

Liverpool’s student population is approximately 50,000, so you’ll have no problem finding someone to buy you a Jaeger bomb when you’re skint. There are three main Universities in the city:

University of LiverpoolLiverpool Hope UniversityLiverpool John Moore’s University

The University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool is consistently one of the highest ranked universities in the UK, and was first opened to students way back in 1881. It is able to boast a degree completion rate of 91.4% and has in its time produced 9 Nobel Prize winners. Could you be next?

Situated in the heart of the city, the University of Liverpool offers excellent access to everything you could ever need. It currently sits at 59th in the latest Guardian university league table rankings.

Liverpool John Hope University

Liverpool John Hope University is over 170 years old, but there’s life in the old dog yet. If you’ve got a strong interest in the arts, the humanities or science, Liverpool John Hope could be your best bet. It is the only ecumenical university in Europe, and it comes with its very own Creative Campus. This Creative Campus is home to the Creative and Performing Arts, as well as the Creative Campus Library.

Like the University of Liverpool, it is also situated in the centre of the city. The University ranks 79th in the 2017 Guardian league table rankings.

Liverpool John Moore’s University

Formerly known as the Liverpool Polytechnic, Liverpool John Moores University is known for being the go-to university in Liverpool for students who want work-related learning. Their World of Work programme is endorsed among others by Siemens, Ford Europe, Sony and Marks & Spencers. It has a degree completion rate of 84%, a graduate prospects rating of 61%, and two thirds of the campuses are situated in the city centre. LJMU currently ranks 84th in the league table rankings.

Fee’s, Living Aspects & Student Finance

Fees are what students dread most before they head off to university, and thanks to the 1000% increase of tuition fees (or something equally silly), you’d expect more and more students would be turned off the idea of higher education altogether.

Yet this is not the case, with the University of Liverpool seeing an increase of 18% more applicants. This is largely down to the fact that, while tuition fees are very high, they are mostly often covered by a magical little thing called Student Finance.

In terms of living costs, most first year students prefer to live in student halls during their debut year. It helps them to meet like-minded new people, and it means they don’t have to worry about finding a room in a house share with several strange Liverpudlians. The only real issue with living in halls during your first year is that they do cost more than renting a room in a house share. The bonus? They’re plonked right in the centre of the city and most of them come with 24/7 security.

There are a number of student halls in Liverpool. Here are our top picks:

• Arena House – from £95 per week
• St. Andrews Place – from £117 per week
• Hope Street Apartments – from £109 per week
• The Paramount – £137 per week
• Grand Central – £116 per week

General Info About Liverpool

Liverpool is classed as a World Heritage city, and is well known for its Mersey waterfront and associations with maritime history. It is also home to a historic university, as well as a bustling tourist industry that is helped in no small part by The Beatles and the historic Liverpool FC. The views of the Mersey are stunning, whilst the vibrancy within the city centre is equal to any of the UK’s major cities.

In terms of getting out and about, Liverpool is well-served when it comes to public transport. You can hop on a bus, train or taxi, or you can even jump on the ferry! The city was even ranked by Rough Guides 2014 as the third best city in the world to visit. It’s quite a remarkable achievement when you consider that Rio De Janeiro came first! Go Liverpool!

Events, Venues & Points of Interest

After a hard week of studying, you won’t be short of things to do in Liverpool. With more attractions than a fun fair, Liverpool offers a wealth of things to do. For culture vultures, there is a vast array of art and history on offer. From Tate Liverpool to the Walker Art Gallery, there is no shortage of paintings, sculptures and installations to get you musing and your friends wondering, “Just what is the meaning of THAT?”

Music lovers certainly won’t be bored in Liverpool, and indeed the city is known as the Pop Capital of the World, as there have been more number 1’s from Liverpool artists than anyone else in the whole world. If you love all things sixties, The Cavern Club will be for you. Located right in the heart of the city, this is a place for the cool cats who love to get down to live music. The Cavern Club hints of nostalgia as it plays host to live tribute acts each week, including The Beatles. But they do play tribute to other bands, we promise!

Or, if you fancy something more contemporary, the O2 Academy Arena is a mega venue that puts on the best modern music, with current bands lined up including The Kooks. Theatre lovers won’t be left kicking their heels in Liverpool either, with the Playhouse Theatre regularly staging some awesome plays.

But for students who are feeling the pinch a little more than others, it’s also worth noting that Liverpool caters for those eating on a budget, with places to eat including the American diner- inspired Moose Coffee that offers king-sized breakfast and a cosmopolitan eatery that offers the finest in chorizo sausage rolls for less than a few shots at the local club. Get in.

But perhaps the most exciting thing about Liverpool is that it’s set by the seaside. Although there is no beach, you can still enjoy tranquil sea views from Albert Dock, a veritable hotchpotch of all the best that the city has to offer. Here you will find the Tate, the Merseyside Museum, the International Slavery Museum, as well as the world famous Beatles Story.

And speaking of beaches, the lovely Crosby beach is literally just a bus ride away. Yay!

Yes, Great. But What About The Pubs?!

Naturally, no Ultimate Guide To Studying In Liverpool would be complete without a rundown on all the local pubs and clubs. If we omitted the boozers, it just wouldn’t be ultimate. It would simply by A Guide To Studying In Liverpool. And how drab does that sound?!

Liverpool is actually home to more pubs than students, so you’ll never be short of finding a few beers, cocktails and wines. But just in-case you actually have standards and want to separate the wheat from the chaff, we thought we’d recommend you some of our Liverpool favs.

These include Leaf Tea Shop, which is basically hipster student heaven. By day it’s a tea shop, but by night it’s a social hangout with gigs, events and beer. Then there is Mello Mello on Slater Street, an independent bar that plays host to gigs, theatre and even alternative comedy. This is not to mention the awesome, American-inspired Motel on Fleet Street that blasts out rock n roll jams along with nacho snacks and Detroit 51 Ale. But for students who just love to sit and chat over a fine ale, we’d have to recommend The Ship and Mitre on Dale Street.

If you’re the kind of student who loves to play out until the early hours, you won’t be short of options when it comes to fun-loving clubs. Among Liverpool’s most student-friendly clubs are The Krazy House, an infamous multi-floored student haunt that satisfies everyone from ravers to heavy rockers. Other clubs include Garlands, a gay club that does extravagance better than Las Vegas, and Nation, the kind of student club that does everything students love most: Lasers, strobes, cheap shots and foam.

So There It Is …

Liverpool is one of the hippest, most happening cities in the world.  Now start the search for your perfect course with Coursefindr.

Newcastle, WHY AYE! Now, you may have already heard of Newcastle Upon Tyne because of the MTV show Geordie Shore, or for the links it has with the wool trade and coal mining… Aside from all the things Newcastle is famous for, it is also a great place to study. The city is home to two universities, and has a total student population of over 80,000, meaning you would never feel out of place.

If you are considering studying in Newcastle but not quite sure about the city, I bet we can change your mind! Once you have read this article you will know all about the universities in Newcastle and what you can expect from the city. Go on then, start reading…

Universities in Newcastle

Newcastle is one of the biggest student cities in the UK, with over 80,000 students choosing to study here each year. These students are enrolled at either one of the two universities in the city:

Newcastle UniversityNorthumbria University

Newcastle University

Being a red brick university and part of the Russell Group, Newcastle University is a highly regarded institution with over 175 undergraduate full-time degrees available. Although the University is not campus based, the city is home to many student halls of residences within a reasonable distance of the university. Newcastle University currently ranks 37th in the latest Guardian university league table rankings.

Northumbria University

This University has a campus in the heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne, as well as a campus 3 miles from the city centre, both linked by a free bus service. Northumbria is currently ranking 50th in the UK and has been ranked in the top 50 universities in the UK for teaching and research excellence.

With over 500 courses organised into 20 departments, you will be able to find a range of courses within the subject area that takes your fancy.

Fee’s, Living Aspects & Student Finance

So, you want to go to university but you are worried you won’t be able to afford it? Don’t worry, that’s where student finance comes in! You will be able to apply to have your course fees covered by student finance as well as get extra money for living expenses. Although, it can be a very long process and oh so tedious, it is worth it when you have a nice bank balance to start your freshers off in style. To find out more about student finance and to start your application visit the GOV website.

If you are looking to study at Newcastle University and want to live on campus you will have to apply to one of their campus halls of residence:

• Grand Hotel
• Kensington Terrace
• Park Terrace

We thought you might also want to know that Park Terrace, a halls of residences at Newcastle University, was voted the 9th best halls of residence by students this year! Find out more with our article: Top 10 Student Halls.

If you are interested in living in the centre of Newcastle you can also apply to one of their 16 other halls around the city. Prices range from £78.89 to £151.83 per week depending on the type of room you want to live in.

Alternatively, if you are looking to pursue your studies at Northumbria University you will be applying to one of their 11 halls of residence. They also provide different room types which are priced accordingly, including a pricing plan at Claude Gibb halls with a catered option. Yes, you heard right, catered. Can you imagine that? Going to uni and getting all your food made for you…

General Info About Newcastle

Travelling to Newcastle can be incredibly easy by train and by car. Newcastle Central Station is accessible by many train lines running from London’s King Cross, Glasgow and Edinburgh. From London the journey time is approximately 3 hours. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to walk to both universities from Central Station. There is also a metro system that runs throughout the city.

If you are travelling by car you will have no problems finding the universities; you just need to make sure you end up on the A1(M) going north and you will pass close by to the city centre. Simple!

Are you a serial shopper? That’s good, as Newcastle is one of the hot-spots for shopping in the North. They have endless amounts of high street shops in their two Intu centres, along with even more along the streets of Newcastle. You can even find designer boutiques and independent shops throughout the city.

There is a tonne of places to socialise in Newcastle, whether you want to pop out to a cafe for lunch, have a few drinks at the local, or sip on a sophisticated cocktail, Newcastle has it all. Along with specialised restaurants and bars, of course, they also have your standard chain restaurants so you don’t have to miss out on your Cheeky Nando’s.

Events, Venues & Points of Interest

Newcastle Upon Tyne has loads to see and do, not to mention being home to the largest sculpture in Britain; The Angel of the North. During your university time you may want to take a look at the local points of interest and get involved with some of the cities events to get the real Newcastle experience.

If you are into music then you should pay the Sage Gateshead a visit. There are 2 main stages, and many genres of music have been staged here, including pop, rock, classical and even folk.You can get into the building for free, so if you are bored one afternoon and strapped for cash, why not pop down and explore!?

If football is your thing and you don’t despise Newcastle United, you can always go and see a home game at St James’ Park, or get a deeper look at the magnificent grounds by booking a stadium tour.

There are also many cultural places to visit in Newcastle including Alnwick Garden, Hatton Gallery, and Washington Old Hall. Prices vary, but generally speaking most places do offer a student discount, so remember to take your student card!

For those of you that like to get out and about and take part in activities you will be pleased to hear that you can get fully stuck in at places such as the Life Science Centre, The Great North Museum, and the Biscuit Factory. Hold on, don’t be fooled by the name, it is just an art gallery and not really where biscuits are made…

If you enjoy festivals then you are in for a treat. The Hardwick Music Festival takes place in August with headlining acts such as Razorlight, and tickets are as little as £25. Another festival close by is the Lindsfarne Music Festival, due to take place in September, in Northumberland. It is a niche two day camping event with tickets starting at £50.

What About The Nightlife?

The bit you have been waiting for… the club scene! If you have ever watched Geordie Shore then you will already know how crazy the nightlife is in Newcastle. But it gets even crazier if you are a student. During the week there is a student night every night. Yes, every night.

Sam Jacks is a popular student venue in Newcastle and offers free entry all night every night. Their student nights are held on Mondays and they also hold the Newcastle University Athletics Union night out every Wednesday.

For a fancier night out you can try Florita’s; a Miami Bar and Tropical Garden. Their big student nights are on a Monday and Tuesday, with music themes being commercial, RnB, electro and some disco classics.

If you are into hip-hop, dubstep and RnB you can head down to Tup Tup on a Thursday for their event Lovedough. There are many other clubs to check out in your uni years including Attic, Mood, Liquid and Digital to name a few.

Don’t like partying? Not to worry, there are many pubs and bars that accommodate for the more sophisticated student. Newcastle is home to loads of sports bars and cocktail bars so finding a venue for your occasion shouldn’t be hard.

So, What Do You Think?

We told you that you would love it! Newcastle is an all rounder amazing place to study with two universities for more choice of courses. The nightlife is buzzing and the city is vibrant, what more could you want from a university city?

Start your course search with Coursefindr today to find your perfect course in Newcastle!

Things generally tend to be cheaper in the north. Why though? Well, some people would argue that the north just isn’t as good as the south. But we disagree. The weather may be worse, but for a student, travelling up north is a great opportunity.

Ok, admittedly, there are some cities and towns in the north that aren’t as pretty (or as safe) as down south, but don’t rule them out as good places to study! Below we have listed the three main advantages of travelling north to study, so you can weigh up your options and consider venturing up north.

Living Costs

House prices are cheaper, that’s a fact. For what you would pay for a bedroom in a shared house in London, you could afford a four bedroom house in some cities in the north and the same applies for renting. After your first year at university you almost always end up renting a house with a few of your mates, so if you decide to study in the north you can expect to pay much lower rental fees. Rent is normally around £100 per week in the south, and as little as £60 per week for a room in a shared house in the north. And that only means one thing… more money to spend on other things!

Socialising

Ok, so we know you are students and we know some of you like to drink a hell of a lot of alcohol, so you will be pleased to know that alcohol is a lot cheaper in the north. Well, not if you buy it from a shop or supermarket, but definitely if you buy it on a night out. Your average pint of beer in the south, and particularly in London, can cost you around £5. But in the north, you could pay as little as £2 per pint, result! The situation is the same with spirits. When you are out for a student night in the north you could easily just spent a tenner, compared to a steep £30 on a night out in the south.

Some people might say that a night out in the north isn’t as good as a night out in the south. FYI – This is an urban myth. With cities like Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle to choose from, you’ll struggle to find a night out in the south that can be better! Tiger Tiger, Corporation, and Propaganda are some of the most popular clubs in the north, with entry to the nightclubs only being up to a maximum of £3 on student nights.

Job Prospects

Again, a lot of people slate the north for not having much opportunity for the younger generation, with many fleeing to London to start their careers. Again, we respectfully disagree. If you are a student and need to get a part-time job, being in the north is the best thing for you. Each of the major cities have multiple shopping centres, restaurants and cinemas, so part-time jobs are available in abundance.

The only downside, dare we say it, is that because it is cheaper to live in the north, you are generally paid less money. Bummer. It’s not all bad though, you will be on at least minimum wage and putting some money in your back pocket for your student nights out!

If you are from the south and decide to study in the north, adjusting to the price decrease will take you a matter of seconds. On the flip side, adjusting to being at home all summer in the south will take you weeks to adjust to; you will be astounded at the price increase, and won’t be able to contain your excitement to go back “up norf” and spend your pennies.

If you are interested in studying in the north, check out these destination guides and search for your perfect course:

• Studying in Sheffield
• Studying in Newcastle
• Studying in Manchester
• Studying in Liverpool
• Studying in Leeds
• Studying in Lancaster (Coming Soon!)
• Studying in York (Coming Soon!)

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and attracts thousands of students from near and afar to its universities each year. The city is well known for hosting the biggest art festival in the world; Edinburgh Fringe Festival, that takes place every August.

Edinburgh is a fabulous place for students to study due to being visually stunning and hugely cosmopolitan. The city is vibrant, eclectic and alive with culture and academia.

And just incase you were considering Scotland’s best city as your student home for the next 3 years, we thought we’d clue you up on everything you need to know about the home of castles and haggis. So without further ado, let’s crack on with our ultimate guide to studying in Edinburgh.

Universities In Edinburgh

The total population of Edinburgh is is 492,680, whilst the full-time student population is approximately 40,000. This means that Edinburgh is a booming student city which offers an excellent choice of Universities. There are three universities in Edinburgh:

The University of EdinburghHeriot-Watt UniversityEdinburgh Napier University

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is not only the oldest university in Scotland, but it is also the sixth-oldest University in the entire English-speaking world and boasts an excellent graduation record.  The University is proud to be ranked 22nd in the UK by the latest Guardian university league table rankings. Moreover, some 20 Nobel Prize winners studied here, so you’ll be in fantastic company if you decide to make it your home for the next few years.

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University is another old, prestigious university and dates back to 1821, when it was known as the School of Arts of Edinburgh. It became a university by Royal Charter in 1966 and is known to be the vocational university in Scotland’s capital. It is home to almost 8,000 on-campus graduates, as well as 31,000 students worldwide. Other campus locations include Dubai, Malaysia and, um, Orkney. The University currently ranks at 27th in the 2017 Guardian league table rankings.

Napier University

Napier University is something of a newbie, and last year celebrated its 50th birthday. It is currently home to 17,000 students, with 5,000 of these being international students. It offers a wide-range of courses, from Accounting to Wildlife Biology, and is very highly regarded. Edinburgh Napier University sits at 70th place in the latest UK league table rankings.

Fee’s, Living Aspects & Student Finance

One of the reasons a number of students are put off going to University is the fear of fees. The good news, though, is that no one expects you to actually empty your pockets and pay the entire cost of your course yourself. And especially not Edinburgh.

If you are moving away from home to study then you will need to consider your living arrangements, and how much it is going to cost you. During their first year of studying, most students prefer to live in student halls. It’s sociable, helps them to meet new like-minded peeps, and it’s also a lot easier than moving into a house share on the outskirts of Edinburgh with a bunch of strange strangers. The only real drawback with living in halls is that they cost a heck of a lot more than living in a house share. The positive? They’re right in the centre of the city, and they’re super safe. Naturally, if you decide to live in halls you’ll need to be very careful with how you manage your money, and it may be that you need to take on a part-time job to make sure you can still eat.

There are a large number of student halls in Edinburgh. Here are our top picks:

• Chalmers Street – Located 0.8 miles from the city centre, £155 per week
• Potsburgh Court – Located 0.7 miles from the city centre, £154 per week
• Sugarhouse Close – Located 0.5 miles from the city, centre, £141 per wee
• Lady Nicholson Court – Located 0.6 miles from the city centre, £226 per week
• Panmure Court – Located 0.4 miles from the city centre, £193 per week

General Info About Edinburgh

According to the Daily Telegraph, Edinburgh is the UK’s best city, and has been for two years running now. Yup, it’s even better than London. Take that, Queen! It is well-known for being one of the planet’s most gorgeous cities, and is renowned for both its culture and its history. Home to seven hills, cycling can be a bit of a task (we recommend you don’t attempt to cycle all seven hills in one day), but the city centre itself is fairly easy to walk around, whilst there are cycle lanes to make bike riding safe.

There is a bus service that is comprehensive and makes getting out and about nice and easy, whilst travel cards are also available – though it’s worth noting that Edinburgh travel cards are actually kinda expensive. Trams are also available, and have been since 2014, whilst Edinburgh is also home to a National Express coach network that is linked to all of the UK’s major cities. London is some 373 miles away, though it can be reached in less than 5 hours by train.

Events, Venues & Points of Interest

Fewer cities in Europe do culture quite like Edinburgh. The city is home to a wide range of art galleries, including a wealth of contemporary art ones. These include the somewhat remote Sierra Metro, a not-for-profit gallery that acts as a platform for artists who are just starting out; Embassy, a gallery that represents the city’s grassroots community; and the brilliantly named FruitMarket, a gallery that is located right in the heart of Edinburgh which showcases some of the best modern art from around the world.

Culture vultures can also get their fixes at the Museum on the Mound, a five-year old museum built on an old bank that showcases the 4,000 year evolution of money. For anyone who likes their history to be a little more gruesome, there is the Surgeons’ Hall Museum, where there exists on display a wallet made from the human skin of a “famous” Edinburgh body-snatcher. Ew. Other artefacts on display here include a glass jar containing gangrenous fingers. Ahem. For something a bit more normal, you can retreat to the National Museum of Flight, a museum that relays the story of the famous Wright Brothers, who developed the first ever plane.

Edinburgh is also home to the world-famous Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress that dates back to the 12th century. It’s still standing proud and imposing, and is known to have suffered at least 26 sieges in its poor, embattled history. Why can’t no one just leave it alone?! Other things to see in the great outdoors of Edinburgh include Arthurs Seat, a hill that has been described as a “mountain in virtue of its bold design”, and St Giles’ Cathedral, a distinctive building that dates back to the 12the century.

In terms of venues and events, sports fans certainly can’t go wrong with Murrayfield Stadium. Here you will find the Edinburgh Rugby team, as well as lots of Scottish Rugby Union. Edinburgh is also home to two iconic football teams, Hearts and Hibernian, who you may end up taking into your hearts (sorry). Edinburgh also boasts 3 huge golf courses, the largest artificial ski slope on the continent, as well as 4 mainstream cinemas, 3 independent/art house cinemas and plenty of theatres. You simply can’t go wrong in an eclectic city that mixes culture with sport.

Fantastic. But What About The Bars?

Yup, we know you’ve been waiting for this bit. Beer time! The great news is that Edinburgh is home to a fine array of boozers and night clubs, and the even better news is that there are plenty of student clubs out there if you want to keep a lid on your spending. So if you’re as poor as a pauper and waiting for your student loan to come through, Edinburgh might be the place for you.

In terms of night clubs, you really can’t go wrong in a city that is well-known to be the spiritual home of new year’s eve. If you like to get your kicks to a bit of indie rock, clubs include The Liquid room, a lovely little place that is open 7 nights a week; The Cabaret Voltaire, a den-like music cavern that is a huge hit with students; and The Hive, a cheeky little club that is known to be the party place for anyone who loves to rock out. Drinks start out from £1.

If, however, you fancy a bit of pop & retro instead, no problem. Clubs for you and your cheesy pleasures include HMV Picture House, where the only thing stickier than the floors is that bit of Jaeger on your shirt; City, a club where the shots cost a quid and Five will make you get down; and GHQ, another cheap as chips club where drinks start from a pound and make their way up to £1.20. Bargain.

Edinburgh also plays host to many other types of music, including rap, hip-hop, house, r&b, dub step, techno and drum and bass. If you’re more of a pub person who prefers to chat and beat everyone at pool, our fav Edinburgh haunts for students include Malone’s Irish Bar, The Last Drop, The Regent and The Sheep Heid Inn. More than anything, Edinburgh loves its real ale, so if you’re really into this hipster craft beer craze at the moment, you can’t go wrong here.

So There You Have It …

Edinburgh is officially one of our favourite cities in the world, and it’s the ideal place for any student to study for the next 3 years. Mixing culture with music, academia with sport, and castles with body-snatchers, it’s nailed this cosmopolitan, eclectic thing to a tee. Use the Coursefindr search to find your perfect course in Edinburgh.

University’s an immensely social affair, which can be very difficult to get used to. And when you do manage to be appropriately social, you need to then make very sure your study doesn’t suffer because of it – it can be a tricky situation, and it can be very easy to feel a little lonely and stressed at times. Your mental health is incredibly important and needs looking after; both for the sake of your degree and for the sake of yourself.

Thing is, a lot of people get lonely sometimes, and very often at university – you’re having to leave friends and family behind all in order to work very hard towards a degree, whilst all the while borrowing more money than you’ve ever seen before. It’s a difficult time, and a big step, and it’s no small wonder why many students get lonely and a bit depressed during their first few weeks of university. With all that in mind, here’s some advice on avoiding loneliness as best you can, and what to do if you do end up getting a bit down.

Social Media

Social media is a great way to talk to people you’ve met and to stay in contact with people you may otherwise forget about.

Try to get Facebook or Twitter before you go to university. We’re aware that the vast majority of you will already have an account and will be wondering who on earth we’re trying to communicate with here; but if you don’t have an account,  get one, you’ll only be estranged if you don’t.

Housemates

Make friends with your housemates or the people in your halls of residence – they’ll be the people you’ll be spending most of your time with, and they’ll probably be the people you end up living with over the coming years. If you’re not confident enough to dive right into the deep end (fair enough), fake it, and it’ll come to you. Weirdly, that appears to be how confidence works.

First impressions aren’t everything, but they certainly help – try to make as best and as interesting an impression as you can, without overdoing it too much, and that will help immensely with making friends in the long term and getting to know people in the short term. Seriously, just be as confident as you can be and people will be encouraged into wanting to get to know you better.

Friends and Family

One of the main reasons so many people feel a little lonely when they start university is the sudden distance between their friends and family, who for a lot have been around since primary school. This loneliness is entirely understandable and is absolutely nothing to worry about. Don’t forget that anyone you want to talk to is never really that far away with the use of technology. We recommend downloading Skype and setting up group WhatsApp messages with your mates before you leave.

Don’t be embarrassed for wanting to call your friends or family – everyone wants to occasionally, and sometimes it can be really comforting to catch up with an old friend and talk about developments at university; or to just be scolded at by mum for drinking too much/eating too little. There’s nothing wrong with taking the time to adjust slowly to what is an entirely new lifestyle; remember that.

Distractions

If you still feel a little lonely after this, it may well just be because you’re just a bit bored – try to distract yourself by preferably doing something social, even if it is just watching a film with somebody; or, failing that, by going for a walk or even doing some university work. It’s your call, but there’s almost certainly something that needs doing that you could better spend your time on than just wondering what your friends back home are doing.

This article works as a decent distraction in itself, but it won’t last forever – find something cool to do; it’ll be worth it. If you are at a university which boasts about their student union then you may have already heard about societies and sports clubs? If you haven’t go and check out your union’s website as most of them do offer these clubs. Students can join societies and sports clubs to socialise with people who have similar interests to them, and even if your interests are specific, I bet there is still a society for it!

Health

When people end up feeling lonely or down about something or other, their physical health tends to suffer at the same time as their mental health. One can very much have an effect on the other, and it’s important to remember to eat healthily and get at least a little exercise each day. This helps much, much more than people realise, and even a hot shower and a morning walk can have enormously positive effects on somebody’s psyche.

Explore the town you’re going to be spending a few years in and work out what you are and aren’t interested in – find a good bar you can show off to people, or a decent restaurant, or just a nice spot – all of which will be fondly looked back on in your later years. Just getting out and about is great for the mind, and a breath of fresh air is sadly very much underrated.

Help

And if none of the above is much help to you and you still feel down after a few weeks of adjusting to university, it might be time to seek some help from another source. Almost all universities have a health and well-being centre for students to talk to unbiased people who are happy to help if you feel bad in any way, and will refer you to a therapist if you feel you need it.

Remember that everybody gets sad and lonely occasionally, but if this is a symptom of a bigger problem, there’s nothing wrong with talking to someone and airing some issues – everybody needs somebody to talk to at some point, and it can be immensely helpful to even have a brief conversation with someone about what’s getting you down. Consider it – it really could help a lot and definitely isn’t going to be a hindrance.