Angry group chats to stolen food: 12 brutal things no one tells you before you start uni

4. Freshers’ Week is overrated

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It’s no secret that going to university is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. And it’s safe to say it’s unlike anything you’ve experienced yet.

So it’s not surprising that when you move to uni, some things will be very different from what you’d expect. And there are just some things people don’t tell you.

So here are 10 things no one tells you about uni, so you can prepare yourself slightly more for the chaotic experience ahead.

1. College/sixth form is completely different to uni

This one was huge for me. You go from a lot of one on one academic support and curriculums that tell you exactly what they expect of you to the total independence.

It’s definitely a learning experience and involves a lot of trial and error (trust me on this one) but don’t worry, there is still a lot support for you if you need it.

2. The lowkey aggressive flat group chats

When your flat inevitably makes a group chat, it’ll start with all fun group pics and making plans. But don’t get used to it.

It’ll soon be the pics of the dishes that have been marinating for weeks or the overflowing bins tagging the person whose turn it is to empty them. Unfortunately, it’s a canon event.

3. You might not get on with your flatmates

I won’t sugarcoat it. Moving into a flat with people you’ve never met is scary. Lots of people make very close friends with their flatmates, and others end up with flatmate horror stories.

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But, don’t let that put you off. There’s so many other ways to make friends like at societies and on their courses.

So, if you don’t get on with your flatmates, I promise it isn’t the end of the world. There’s plenty more fish in the sea!

4. Freshers’ Week is exhausting (and kinda overrated)

Personally, I found that Freshers’ was an expensive, overrated, and overwhelming experience. From the wristband that you don’t end up using to complete homesickness, I found it really hard.

And I actually made most of my friends and the best memories after Freshers’ Week. So, definitely put yourself out there, say yes to things, and enjoy but also don’t worry if it’s not the best week of your life.

5. You’ll spend way more money than you think

I can’t stress this enough: You will spend so much money at uni, especially in Freshers’ Week. If it’s not the endless nights out, it’s the post-clubbing kebabs, the countless cafe trips, the expensive food shops, or the regular Uber Eats deliveries when you don’t feel like cooking.

So, definitely save up some money (or just rinse what’s left of your student loan).

6. You’re probably going to be homesick (and that’s ok)

Everyone brags about how great the uni experience is and all the independence and freedom you get. And don’t get me wrong, it is amazing. But it might not always be.

At the end of the day, you’ve moved away from everything and everyone you know, it’s going to be difficult! Especially at first.

So give yourself some credit, let yourself be homesick, and don’t be afraid to visit home when you need to.

7. Don’t be surprised if your food or cutlery goes missing

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When you move into your uni accom, you might notice some of your stuff slowly disappearing. A missing frying pan, or an empty milk carton that was full yesterday. And when you put it in the flat group chat, obviously everyone will deny it.

Be prepared to move back home with less stuff than you left with. It’ll always remain a mystery how you’re left with only two spoons you aren’t even sure are yours.

8. You can forget your normal sleep schedule

If you think you’re going to get your usual eight hours, you’re wrong. You’ll go from a pretty regular sleeps patterns to just sleeping when you can.

If it’s not multiple nights out a week. it’ll be the looming exam or essay deadlines. But, to be honest, it’s all just part of the experience.

9. The bizarre freshers initiations and costumes

You might’ve heard of some of the feral initiations some societies get freshers to do, but it’ll still shock you. I won’t go into any details, but just prepare yourself to hear wild things.

And the costumes, although this is way more fun than the initiations, they are totally unpredictable. My personal favourite was having to eat peas, dressed as a pea (this one is tame believe it or not). And if you have any fancy dress at home then bring it with you, it’ll probably come in handy.

10. How often you’ll get ill

I cannot list the amount of times I have been ill at uni. Living in such close quarters with so many people and going to clubs and pubs a lot, you will be ill very often.

So, make a survival kit for when you’re ill and do whatever you can to prevent it.

11. The amount much free time you’ll have

I might just be speaking for first year here, but personally I found I had a lot of free time. Contact hours are quite small per week, so the rest of your time you’re supposed to spend studying (but lets be real, who does that).

But that worked out great because after my work was done, I got to focus on really making the best uni memories with friends.