It's up to you... And these 5 top tips!

Moving to uni is a big deal.

Maybe you’re moving cities, moving countries or moving into a brand new academic field – all of these things pose unique challenges, and trust me when I say you’re not the only one feeling the pressure!

One thing that stressed me out when I was moving to university was the question of independence. What is it, and how do I get there? How fast am I supposed to be totally independent, after a lifetime of relying on others? Who is going to tell me when I’ve made it?

Uni is a big move, and arriving to campus is only the beginning. The journey to independence is one you ultimately have to figure out for yourself, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help you out with some tips and advice of what you should be aiming for.

So, want to learn How To Be Independent? Keep reading, my friend!

1)      Deal with your medical care

The moment you get to your accommodation, you should be looking up the closest GP and registering with them.

5 minutes of your day to complete an online form can save you so much stress later on. I learned this lesson for myself a couple of years ago, when I got an ear infection and had to take a train to a different city for medicine because I had not registered with any GPs nearby. That’s not a mistake you make twice, but if you sign up to the GP ASAP you won’t even have to make that mistake once!

But if you do get ill with no GP to fall back on, what do you do? The NHS 111 service is your very best friend. Or, if things are really bad, go to A&E. Ambulance wait times are  infamously long right now, so if you are able to move around your best course of action will be getting a taxi or an Uber to the emergency room.

Not sure if you’re feeling bad enough to go to A&E? Call 111! They will advise you on your best course of action.

Ultimately, you are the only person in your body, so it is your responsibility to take care of yourself. This is the first (and perhaps most vital!) step to independence.

2)      Figure out your food habits

Cooking is a valuable life skill and, for some, a real passion. (The ResLife website has so much cooking content, too!)

For me, cooking is a chore. I simply can’t be bothered, and I never could. But being independent means knowing how you work and figuring out how to succeed anyway.

If you don’t want to slave over a hot stove for your daily bread, put something in the oven and watch a YouTube video while you wait for it to cook (stay in the room – never leave cooking unattended!)

There is nothing wrong with buying frozen food (as a student, it’s arguably the most cost-effective strategy) from chips, to meat, to vegetables. Buy some staple foods that you know you like (I love a cod fishcake these days) and cook them when you want them – the instructions are on the packet, follow them exactly and you simply can’t go wrong.

If you do want to try some ‘real cooking’, look up recipes. There are plenty of simple dishes that taste really good; think of what you already like to eat and go from there.

If you don’t want to do any of the above, get a meal package from The Curve and enjoy freshly-made meals every day.

The ultimate lesson you need to learn in order to reach independence is that you can’t expect anybody else to feed you. It’s unreasonable to have your family drop off tupperware boxes every week, and even more unreasonable to expect a friend or flatmate to constantly cook for you. (If somebody asks you to do this, say no!)

You are the only person in your body, and you need food to stay alive. Being independent means handling that on your own.

3)      Manage your money

Nothing says “independence” like asking your parents for money every month, right?

Times are hard and money is tight across the country, but it’s unfortunately true that the only way to live well is to spend responsibly, and sinking to the depths of your overdraft is not a viable financial plan!

You have to keep track of your spending. What you spend that money on is no one else’s business, but keeping a single spreadsheet to track what you’ve spent and what you have remaining will make a huge difference to your life. Ignorance does not stay bliss for long, and the last thing you want is to wake up one day and discover that you’re in a financial hole.

An awareness of your money situation is the very bare minimum, and a definite requirement for achieving independence.

4)      Practise good habits

Being independent is empowering, freeing and super satisfying. If you feel miserable, something is wrong.

The causes for such misery can be broad and varied, and if you feel your suffering is related to your mental health, please reach out. But don’t discount these small ways that life can feel a little bit lighter on you:

First of all, practise some self-care. Did you eat today? Are you drinking enough water? When did you last shower? Have you spoken to a loved one recently, or watched your favourite movie, or gone for a nice walk?

You deserve to feel good, and that can look different for different people. If you need some productivity to get yourself fired up, go get ‘em! If you need a night of pampering and relaxation, indulge yourself. Whatever you need, take care of yourself like you would your very best friend, and see how everything else in life feels that much easier to handle.

Self-care means your surroundings, too! If you went to the zoo and saw a filthy enclosure, wouldn’t you feel so bad for the animal? My friend, we are the animals in the zoo of life!

You don’t need to keep things spotless all the time, but it’s easy to underestimate how much of an effect grimy surroundings can have on your psyche. Keep basic cleaning products around – anti-bacterial wipes for surfaces, air freshener, a rim block to clean your toilet – and set yourself a cleaning goal that feels right for you. I, personally, clean up my space once a week—but if life hits and I have to settle for a fortnight here or there, that’s fine too.

5)      Believe in yourself!

Corny, perhaps, but it’s true. Believe in yourself, believe in your choices and stand by them. Believe that you don’t deserve to be treated poorly by anyone, including by yourself, and that nobody else does either. Make decisions that you’re proud of and allow yourself to feel that pride every day – that’s not arrogance, it’s independence.

To be independent is to be the person you want to be: someone who can survive, thrive and handle each day as it comes. Somebody who can book their own medical appointments, talk to university staff and try new things even if it means showing up alone.

Living independently can be scary at first, but ask anyone who’s been at uni for a few months: independence is the best thing ever, and much easier to achieve than it seems.