Student survival tips from graduates

Check upcoming open days and book your place

There’s no getting away from it, university is a daunting thing for anyone. You don’t know anyone, you’re away from home and it’s a completely new environment, it’s completely understandable, and heck, very normal, to be a little nervous about the whole thing.

But remember, you’re not the only one going through this, and every year thousands upon thousands of students go through this exact same thought process, worrying about making the right impression, doing well at uni and generally making the most of this exciting new experience that lies ahead of them.  

To calm these nerves and worries, John Lewis spoke to blogging and vlogging graduates to find out their essential top tips, from making your student room your new home to the essential tech that will make the academic side of university ten times easier.

Poppy, fine art graduate from Kingston University

Student bedrooms pretty much all look the same when you move in, and so customising it and making the most of the space will really make it feel like home. Doesn’t sound like a big deal now, but trust us when we say after you’ve spent several hours writing essays in the library, you’ll need a room to relax in (or write the rest of the essay in if you’re really running behind!)

Here’s Poppy’s advice…

Give everything a home

When you’re at university, there really is no such thing as too much storage and there’s always something that needs a home. Baskets can store everything and anything, from your washing, to your notebooks. Not only does buying a set of something look great, it’s also just super practical. Buy in bulk or in sets, the more the better.

Think practical and personal

The likelihood is you’re not going to have a huge amount of space, so you’re going to need to make the most out of what you do have.

Buying items like a desk organiser will keep everything in order, whilst letting you add a personal touch to your space. When it comes to your study area, you’re going to want to create an area that you love to work in, that inspires your creativity and most importantly, somewhere you can be at your most productive.

Buying items that have more than one use is also a win-win situation. For example, Kilner jars, not only are they perfect for storing pasta and pens, they also double up as vases, or even drinking glasses when you run low. This not only saves time and money, it’s also super practical.

Finishing touches

Although you might not be able to paint your new room your favourite colour, you can still add your personal touch to it. Whether it’s using a colourful throw, or buying a couple of plants for your desk, picking pieces that make your space really feel homely doesn’t have to break the bank. Hang fairy lights from your headboard, or add a rug to your floor - it’s is the small touches that make all the difference.

Tom, law graduate from the University of Exeter

The amount of student tech that’s around can be completely overwhelming. Do you need the latest laptop or will a simple tablet do? Do you need the latest smartphone and a hundred apps to get through university or can you survive on university facilities alone?

Tech vlogger and expert Tom shares his favourite gadgets for students in this video:

Need more university advice? We've got an entire section dedicated to just that, so why not check it out?