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Quick! Baton down the hatches. Run. Hide. It's... it's university... ARGHHH!

C'mon. Let's be honest, university's not that bad. Sure, you're going to be nervous when the time comes, but we bet you're secretly excited too, right? The good thing is you've got loads of time to prepare yourself and get in the mood. And, if you take note of the following tips, you'll have diddly-squat to worry about, and plenty to look forward to when you arrive at University.

1 Deep Breath.... And relax

OK. It's your first day. You've said your goodbyes. Mum was a bit teary and Dad's just slipped you some money. Then it hits you. You're on your own. But fret not! Just sit back, take a deep breath... and relax. Before you know it, you'll be getting to know Tom, Vic and Sally! Two days later you'll be wondering what all the fuss was about and you'll be on the phone to Dad for a loan. Conquer the nerves and everything else will just fall into place. Promise.

2 Friends Episode 1. The one where nobody knows anyone.

So, now you're friends with Tom, Vic and Sally. And there's plenty more where they came from. You're going to meet people from all over the place. Some you'll be friends with for a few days. Others, a lifetime. It's true. The people you meet at university will be there through the ups, the downs and the in betweens. You'll all learn from each others' mistakes. You'll all share secrets. Cheap wine. And hangovers (but only if you drink of course!). Most of all, you'll share the best days of your life. Give everyone a chance and treat them the way you'd want to be treated. Remember, you're all in the same boat. Even when it starts to sink!

3 ZZZzzzz!

Nope. This bit's not going to send you to sleep. It's about where you're going to sleep. Some students prefer to live at home and commute to University, which is a great way to save money and benefit from all those home-cooked meals. But if you are relocating, accommodation is pretty important - especially as it's your home from home. It'll be the place you go to get away from it all and the one place you'll keep everything you own, so you're going to want to know it's safe.

It just so happens we're a dab-hand when it comes to finding you accommodation that's affordable and secure. Whether it's in Halls on campus or, if you'd prefer, somewhere  a bit closer to town in a shared house, we'll do all we can to sort you out.

Halls is always a good choice. They're modern (they've got beds and everything!). They have their own kitchens (for those who fancy yourselves as a bit of a Jamie Oliver). They're clean (we like to think you'll keep them that way). And they're close to our catering facilities (for those who can't cook, won't cook). Oh, they've got broadband too (there's nothing like a bit of luxury, is there?)

They also cater for those with additional needs, whether physical or sensory -on the last count, there were up to 70+ rooms available! 

4 Money-money-money.

How many times have you heard money and University in the same sentence? It sounds boring, we know. But if you're properly prepared, budgeting can make a world of difference. It sort of works like this:

After tuition fees, you're going to need rent.
After rent, it's food.
After food, it's bills.
After bills, well, whatever's left is yours. All yours.

As you can see, it starts to add up. Now, we're not going to tell you to save every penny, where's the fun in that? Instead, we're armed with some top-notch advice about living within your means. Here are some of the main costs to consider if you decide to come to Staffordshire University. Again, if you're living at home, these will change, and if you're one of the lucky ones, your folks might not even ask for rent, but it's nice to give them something, even if it's just contributing to bills or the shopping list.

RENT:
£140-£165 (average per month)
BILLS:
£20 (average per month)
GROCERIES:
£80-£120 (average per person, per month)
BOOKS:
£300 (average per year) However, the internet means you can pick up course books a lot lot cheaper.
MOBILE PHONE:
As soon as you start meeting new people, your calls, texts and bills will soon rocket, especially if you're keeping in touch with people at home too. Try and opt for Pay As You Go and limit yourself to a certain amount each month.
CLOTHES:
We don't expect you to walk around in your birthday suit, but there's no need to wear all the latest, greatest and most expensive gear either. It costs loads.
GOING OUT:
OK. This is a luxury. But it's part and parcel of university life. Our advice is, spend wisely!
TRAVEL COSTS:
Obviously you're going to want to visit friends and family at some point. To save on travel costs, get yourself a Student Travel Card and take advantage of some great savings.

5 Chop Chop

Beans on toast? You've got to be kidding. Sure, add a sprinkle of cheese and a splash of Worcester sauce to spice it up, but let's face it, you've got to learn to cook sometime. And there's no better time to improve your skills than at University. Impress your housemates. Woo your partner. And, if you're living at home, why not dazzle your mum with your newfound culinary skills. Oh, and get yourself a good cookbook first (and some AA batteries for the smoke alarm too!).

6 Look left... Look right

Now for a bit of serious safety stuff. We've gone to every length possible to make sure your safe and sound on and around campus. But you'll also want to have a bit of fun and let your hair down off campus too. Please, all we ask is that you keep your wits about you.

Granted, you're going to meet some great people, but remember, there are always the not-so-great-people too. Use your common sense. Keep your mobile phone with you and always, always let people know where you're going and where you are.

7 Last, but not least... Enjoy yourself!

You've worked your socks off to get into university, so enjoy every minute while it lasts (it flies by!). Don't be afraid to get involved. Experience everything once, twice even three times. Whether it's salsa dancing or snowboarding... there's no harm in having a go, is there?

8 Student Representatives

If you've got a problem, who you gonna call? Certainly not Ghostbusters, that's for sure, they're based in America! Instead, there are student officers, reps and mentors who are in place to help. They're the ones who represent you, your views and your voice. If something's not quite right, they'll do their utmost to put things straight.

9 A problem shared...

If at any stage during your time here you've got a problem, please, please don't hesitate to talk to someone. It might be difficult, upsetting, even embarrassing but you're not alone - the Student Advice Centre can help.

The centre houses teams of professional advisors who are trained to deal with student concerns.  You may find yourself struggling financially, or have trouble with accommodation, even if it's an academic or employment issue, they'll do everything they can to help you solve it.

10 NUS extra

You may, or may not have heard about NUS. The National Union of Students are the people responsible for all the wheeling and dealing. They're the ones who organise student discounts, exclusive offers and competitions to make your life at university that little bit more rewarding.

When you come to university you'll get a student ID card. This will act as your NUS card that basically makes things cheaper for you.

But, for an extra £10 you can go all out and get NUS extra, which, in the grand scheme of things, is nothing compared to what you'll save. Whether you're buying course books from Amazon or tucking into a pizza from good old Domino's, a few pound saved here and there soon starts to add up.