Last updated 19:53, Thursday, 21 August 2008

THERE’S a lot to be done before you head of to university or college. Once your place is confirmed, the wait to actually get there can seem endless.

Use the time wisely and you could be off to a head start when you finally get there. Here are a few things you can do now, that will make your life easier later.

READY, STEADY, COOK

TRY to get some basic cooking skills behind you before you go. Even if you’re living in catered halls, you’ll have to cook for yourself sooner or later. Being able to cook will also save you a lot of money on takeaways and pre-packaged food.

MONEY MATTERS

NOW is as good a time as any to get used to a budget and practice sticking to it, because your money will have to go a lot further once you get to university. It’s also worth avoiding the freshers week rush and opening a student bank account as early as possible. Most banks now accept a UCAS offer letter.

Shop around and compare deals to find the right bank account for you.

STUDENT ESSENTIALS

IT’S A good idea to gradually build up the things you will be taking away with you. A few things that will be useful include a saucepan; basic cutlery and crockery; canned food; tin opener; bottle opener; kettle; washing up stuff; plasters; alarm clock; things to decorate your room.

READING UP

READING lists are often available well before the start of your course, and even if the set texts aren’t released, a preliminary reading list to help you get more grounded in the subject matter is usually available.

The amount of reading required for a university course can seem like a big leap from A-levels, and getting a head start on the reading will help you feel more confident.

ANYTHING ELSE

GET some passport photos done before you go. You will need these for all sorts of things, from departmental mug-shots, library and other ID cards.

If you’re taking your TV to university it’s very possible that you will need a TV licence.