freshers

The grades are in, your university place has been secured after a few nail-biting months of anticipation, and you're ready to fly the nest. Heading off to University is an exciting yet daunting time of our young adult lives, on one hand the transition is full of change and nerve-wracking experiences as you meet new people and familiarise yourself you're your surroundings, and on the other it's the start of one of life's most thrilling journey's. If you've been used to your parents making life easy for you, then you'll soon need to learn how to take care of yourself and understand the many dials on a washing machine.

If your big move from family home to freshers' digs is on the horizon, then you might be wondering what items you'll need to pack for the start of your new life. Don't worry, everyone else will be in the same boat and asking the same questions as you.  This list of essentials is sure to help you with the first step...

All of the essential bedding

London is by far one of the most exciting, biggest and most diverse cities in the world. Therefore if you are lucky enough to study at university there, you're bound to have an incredible time. However, as it is so vast, it can be a little overwhelming at times to fresher's, but fresher's week is arguably the best week of your student experience!

Therefore we've put together some tips for spending fresher's week in London, regardless of which of the city's 45 higher education institutions you're at, to make sure you have an amazing time.

Go to your university's fresher's fair

Fresher's week isn't all about the parties and the alcohol; it's the main chance for you to get to know the people behind your university and to get involved in things like uni societies. Head to your uni's fresher's fair where you can sign up to societies, chat to members of your student union, nab a load of freebies from local businesses and ask any questions you may have regarding your chosen city/uni.

ForeignStudents.com editor Andy is not too long out of university and can (vaguely) remember his own Freshers' Week. He's brought together the seven deadly mistakes everyone makes during Freshers' Week so you don't have to (including the old tin foil room above).

1) Going too big, too early

For most people Freshers' Week is seven straight nights of drinking until the early hours. Your first week at university doesn't come round too often, so that's ok - going out is a large part of the process of making new friends. Getting so smashed on the first night that you a) embarrass yourself b) can't remember who your new friends are c) can't make it out for the next few nights, isn't the perfect start.

2) Not eating

With the constant socialising, food can often be forgotten about. A recent survey claimed that more than three quarters of students don't know how to boil an egg and 57% can't cook vegetables (supposedly). Despite your 18-year-old body being able to cope with almost anything you throw at it, it will soon wilt if you don't eat. Eating is not cheating, and however much you try and persuade yourself, Guinness does not count as one of your five-a-day.

It has been just a little over a year since I arrived in London, and I can still vividly remember the excitement of my first few days in this wonderful city. Securing accommodation and attending orientation events took up most of my time. I especially recall being bombarded with loads and loads of information which I could not possibly digest during such a hectic period.

In retrospect, I wish I had found some space in the business of arrival week to do some things that should have not been delayed. For example:

1. Meeting the neighbours. When one is far away from home, a community of caring friends provides comfort, company and happiness. My neighbours are by far the biggest treasure I have found in London, and I wish I had not waited so long to knock on their door.