How to prepare for university

An overdraft allows you to spend more money than you have in your bank account. This is normally up to an agreed amount.

For example, if you had £100 in your bank account and spent £500, you would have -£400 in your bank account.

You should look for a bank account with an interest-free overdraft. That means if you go into your overdraft, you will only pay back the amount you spend.

You should try to find a student bank account which has a savings account with a good interest rate. This will help you save money at university.

For example, if you put £500 in a savings account with 5% interest rate AER, you will have £525 in a year. 

A lot of banks will offer deals and extras to try and get you to choose them. This could include cash, vouchers, railcards and other perks. Think about which will benefit you the most in the long term.

Learn how to cook a few basic, healthy meals. Student staples include pasta and stir frys. You can find quick and easy recipes on social media, which you can cook on a budget.

You'll need to keep on top of cleaning your flat, otherwise you could be charged a cleaning fee when you move out. You probably already know how to vacuum and sweep up. Ask a family member to teach you how to clean a kitchen and bathroom. 

You'll need to know how to use a washing machine, tumble dryer and ironing board. This will be much easier than bringing your washing home every weekend.

This might be the first time you are in charge of a budget. It's important to keep track of your outgoings, so you can plan your spending. Once you know how much you will receive from your maintenance loan, you can make a budget.

Work out exactly how much money you will have each month - including your maintenance loan and any other income. Then work out how much you need to spend on essentials, like rent, food and transport. Take a look at our cost of living page for average spending in Preston.

If you are worried about money, we have plenty of financial support on offer. You could consider applying for one of our scholarships and bursaries.

As cliché as it sounds, everyone is in the same boat. That means they're as nervous as you as you are. So don't be scared to go up to people and start a conversation - they'll probably appreciate it.

You might be able to find your flatmates or people on your course before you start. Don't be afraid to pop them a friendly hello and let them know who you are. You might be able to break the ice and plan to meet up on your first day.

You should also try to add the people you meet in your first few weeks. Even if you don't become friends straight away, you might be able to reach out to them in the future and build a relationship.

There are so many events during Welcome Week. There's fairs, vintage sales and karaoke nights. These events can be a great way to break the ice with your flatmates. Try new things and discover what you have in common.

We have a wide range of societies available. This can be a great way to make friends, as you already share an interest.  You could join a society based on your hobby, religion, heritage or subject.

While it may be scary to move away from your family and friends, starting university presents a unique opportunity. You will probably never meet as many new people from all over the world again. Be open to conversations and approach it as an exciting opportunity.