Your first week and first month plan

The first weeks set the pattern for the rest of the year. You do not need to do everything, but a simple plan stops you drifting, helps you meet people and gives you something to hold on to on the harder days.

Before day one

• Join your university's official new-student groups. UCAS says most universities run moderated accounts where you can find your hall, flatmates, course and societies once your place is confirmed.
• Look up where student services, the wellbeing team and (if you are international) the International Office are. UKCISA lists orientation programmes, the International Office and hall wardens among the first places to go.
• Check how to register with a local doctor. Dundee links GP registration to coping with homesickness because looking after your health is part of settling in.
• Plan your first meal and first food shop, so you are not hungry and tired on arrival night.
• Pack a few home comforts in your hand luggage so your room feels like yours on the first night (Dundee, Liverpool, UKCISA).

Days 1 to 7: say yes, but pace yourself

• Greet people in the shared kitchen or lounge. UCAS suggests keeping snacks to share with anyone who drops by; dates or sweets from home are a great opener.
• In lectures, people often sit in the same places and start to recognise faces, so UCAS suggests simply smiling and saying hello.
• Go to the orientation or welcome events your university offers (UKCISA).
• Sign up for two or three societies or clubs you are genuinely interested in. UCAS notes shared activities reduce awkward silences, and Liverpool suggests aiming for one or two friends rather than a huge group.
• Walk around your area. Liverpool and Deakin both suggest exploring your surroundings so the new place feels less strange.
• Find a calm spot for when it all feels like too much. Dundee mentions quiet rooms on campus as somewhere to take a break.

Weeks 2 to 4: build a routine

• Liverpool advises building a routine, because fuller days leave less time for homesickness or loneliness.
• Liverpool also suggests planning around 30 to 35 hours of study a week, which it calls sufficient and which leaves time for friends and leisure.
• Bangor warns against both extremes: do not overwork, but do not neglect study either, because falling behind adds stress.
• Keep regular meals and sleep. Bangor, Bradford and Liverpool all list eating well and sleeping enough as protection for your mood.
• Try one volunteering session. Bangor and Liverpool both suggest volunteering as a way to meet people and feel useful.

A sample first-month week (adapt it)

• Weekdays: classes and study blocks in the day, one meal a day with someone else, one short walk outside.
• Two evenings: society or sports sessions.
• One evening: a planned call with family at a fixed time.
• Saturday: a food shop, laundry and a small adventure such as a market, museum or park.
• Sunday: a calm reset: plan the week, tidy your room, cook something familiar. Sunday evening is when many people feel homesick, so plan something for it.

Common first-month mistakes

• Going home every weekend: Bangor suggests thinking carefully about going home at weekends so looking back does not stop you moving forward, and Dundee suggests not visiting home too often.
• Calling home several times a day: UKCISA warns that very frequent contact early on can make settling in harder.
• Comparing your real life with other people's posts: UCAS notes that posts are curated and can leave you feeling left out.
• Deciding to quit in week two: Liverpool advises avoiding major decisions until you have taken time and talked to people.
• Hiding in your room: UKCISA says the key step is to find someone who will listen without judgement rather than isolating yourself.

End-of-month check-in

• Ask yourself: am I sleeping and eating reasonably well? Have I had at least a few real conversations this week? Am I keeping up with study?
• If you have not made friends yet, Liverpool suggests talking to your personal tutor or a wellbeing adviser. This is common and they can help.
• If you have doubts about your course, Bradford suggests speaking to the careers service or a tutor, and Bangor suggests checking with a tutor whether this course, place and timing are right for you.
• Adjust your plan: keep what worked, drop what did not, and add one new thing to try next month.