Top tips for freshers in Wales

Top tips for freshers in Wales

Starting university as a fresher this year? Congratulations, and welcome to Wales.

This can be an exciting but daunting time. You might be thinking: how do I budget my student loan? Where is the bus stop to my campus? Where can I get the best student deals?

We can help to provide some of these answers. Here is our list of top tips to help you get settled into this exciting new chapter of your life. 

Explore your surroundings 

Get to know the local area that will become your new home for the next few years. From local shops, pubs and markets to beautiful coastal paths, there’s plenty to explore when studying in Wales. If you’re new to living on the coast and fancy a bite to eat outside, beware of the seagulls!

Budget 

Budgeting may sound boring but it’s important, especially when you first get your student loan. Spend some time working out how much you need for essential living costs, like:

• Household bills
• Bus travel
• Weekly food shop
• TV license (if you watch Freeview TV)

Think about these essentials before spending on things like clothes and eating out.

Make the most of student discount

There are lots of discounts that you can make use of, from hairdressers to supermarkets. Unidays and StudentBeans offer hundreds of great discounts to save you money, including brands like Dominos, ASOS and M&S.

If you like going out to pubs and clubs, find out about different student nights and happy hours.

Apply for a mytravelpass

mytravelpass is a bus pass that provides cheaper bus travel for 16 – 21-year-olds travelling in Wales. Once it arrives, you can get £1 single and £3 day tickets in Wales*.

Get to know the buses

Travelling by Uber might become a luxury you won’t want to splash out on. With the introduction of £1 bus tickets, now is a better time than any to familiarise yourself with routes. Whether you need to travel to a morning lecture or the local pub, check out the different timetables here.

Take care of yourself

Living away from home can be exciting but also nerve-wracking. Make sure you set aside time to take care of yourself. Get some fresh air every day, eat well, and speak to someone if you’re struggling.

Key routes for universities in Wales

T1 - University of Wales Trinity Saint David

T2 and T5 - Aberystwyth University

T2 and T10 - Bangor University

T6 - Swansea University

T12 - Wrexham University