EMMA WYATT and CHARLIE COOMBS, Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF)
STARTING university involves change. A new city, new sights, and new friends. New opportunities are exciting, but the unknowns often provoke a number of questions. Will I get on with my flatmates? Will I find the right lecture hall? What will I eat? Am I even on the right course? As you step away from home and your friendships at church, you might also feel a little uncertain about what following Jesus might look like without your friends and church around you. Try not to fret too much about the unknowns; instead:
Explore your new location
God has called you to a particular place for a particular time. Take time to enjoy the culture, people, and places that God has gifted you. On your first couple of days, take a stroll around your halls and campus. Perhaps you could invite a neighbour to take a look round with you.
To help bed yourself in further, why not make a concerted effort to find a good coffee shop, pub, and takeaway. And is there a local theatre, or similar venue, that offers reduced-price student tickets?
And what about venturing further afield? It means you’ll know where to go to get away from the university bubble when term gets busier: the best hill or beach to catch a sunset, or the best route for a walk. Perhaps check out the bus and train routes, too, to open up the possibility of some wider trips out.
Get involved
The greatest way to navigate life with Jesus while at university is alongside others. Your university Christian Union (CU) would love to welcome you. Wherever you are on your faith journey, the CU is a community where you can belong, share life, and be encouraged to live out your faith while at university. To do this effectively, besides holding CU meetings, many CU’s run “impact groups” (small groups of students which gather in halls and university departments). These groups are designed to help you make friends more easily, get connected into CU life, and understand more deeply what it means to live for Jesus while at university.
Find ‘family’
All being well, finding a local church will help you to find your “home away from home”. Even if you still have big questions about faith, churches would love to help you, and it’s likely you’ll also get well fed along the way. Regular time worshipping with God’s people will help you to fix your eyes on the God who is unchanging and trustworthy, even when life feels full of change and uncertainty.
UCCF has student welcome boxes (or ask your parents or church family to get one for you) packed with helpful resources: from hot chocolate to recipe books and practical tips for uni life.
uccf.org.uk/supporting-new-students/student-welcome-box
JOHN WALLACE-HOWELL, Student Christian Movement
FOR me, preparing for university meant my dad marking my measuring jug with nail varnish so I could tell it apart. No one else had the same jug, and I broke it within a week! At the Student Christian Movement (SCM), we work hard to enable students to explore and to live out faith at university. So, as you prepare for your new life on campus, here are some tips for the first few weeks.
Try something new
Freshers’ week means new housemates, classmates, and societies/sports clubs — plenty of opportunities to meet people. British universities have an eclectic array of social offerings at the Students’ Union; a great opportunity to have some fun and maybe even to discover some new passions. So, why not discover whether you are any good at Ultimate Frisbee? Maybe there’s even a Cheese Society? Besides seeing what Christian meet-ups are available, perhaps sign up to one or two things outside your norm.
Get help
Academically, your department(s) are there to support you, as well as to teach. If you conclude that your course isn’t right for you, don’t worry. University student services will be able to provide someone to talk you through your options, and may even be able to help you find a new course that works for you.
Remember, the first term is just that: the first term. With many degrees, the first year is designed to help you settle in academically; so don’t worry too much if your course feels like a big jump, academically.
For non-academic support, student unions and chaplaincies are there for you. If you’re struggling with any aspect of university life, you will be able to find a listening ear and plenty of support.
Explore community
The early weeks are a perfect time to begin to find your Christian community. There are welcoming SCM communities in Britain, as well as chaplaincies, Christian societies, and local churches. Our “Honest Church” campaign calls on churches to be honest about their welcome for LGBTQ+ people and the parts that women can play. This is designed to help students find the right place to worship and grow.
You don’t have to stay at the first church you visit, nor the one that most students attend. University is a great opportunity to explore other expressions of Christianity. And remember that the theology section of the university library is not just for theology students.
Finally, is there a prayer, Bible verse, song, or object, that helps you feel close to God? Take that with you to remind you that, wherever you go, God is with you.
SCM Connect provides details of SCM communities, chaplaincies, and churches easily searched by location. Visit movement.org.uk/scm-connect. For budget help, recipes, personal stories, and more uni advice, get a copy of Going to Uni Guide (£1) at: scmbritain.sumupstore.com.
MARAL ASSADZADEH, Fusion
AS YOU prepare to start university, you are may be feeling scared, excited, overwhelmed, or something in between. You are not alone. University is a time when many people discover new things about themselves and the world around them.
University is also an incredible opportunity to live out your faith, and share your faith with others. I found faith at university because someone shared the gospel with me.
Be your authentic self
MANY students will have moved away from friends and family to go to university. No one knows your background, or who you are, and everyone is trying to get to know each other and make friends.
You may be tempted to hide your faith as a Christian student, or you may struggle to bring faith into conversation. But, if there’s a good opportunity, don’t wait to tell others about your faith, and in those first few weeks also prioritise making a connection with a local church.
Joining a church community as you arrive will help you to find a home and family away from home. It’s also a place you can discover, grow, and invest in your gifts.
Invite friends to ‘try’ church
Students are often searching for deep and meaningful connection, particularly in all the busyness, fun, and excitement of Freshers’. When your friends lack hope, faith, and feel lost and lonely, look to share and express something of the good news of Jesus in practice.
Think practically of how to show you care. Perhaps sit down with them and try to discover some answers to their questions together. And why not invite them to a church or a small group with you? A recent Fusion survey revealed that 74 per cent of students who don’t go to church would go if a friend invited them. You could be that friend.
The Student Linkup app is a tool designed to help you find a church while you’re at university. Find the app at fusionmovement.org/app or Linkup at studentlinkup.org. On Instagram, visit @hellofusionmovement for inspiration and advice on uni life.
PETER SNELL, Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
IT’S exciting to see your bank balance soar as your student loan arrives, and the temptation to spend it all in Freshers’ Week can be huge. But learning how to be in control of your money will make a big difference to your life at university and beyond; so start your student life with a positive financial plan:
Budget, budget, budget
This is always your first step. Identify your income and take time to list all your expected outgoings. Then, work out what there is left to spend, and over how long. Having a “weekly spending” account means that your money should last through the year, and you could use a budgeting app to see where your money is going and how much you have left. Once you know your budget, you’ll be able to work out what accommodation you can afford. Different landlords offer different benefits: are they offering a fully furnished place, or will you have to buy furniture or kitchen appliances? Does the rent include utility bills? Make sure to ask what’s included so that you can work out which is the overall best deal.
Plan your meals
Food makes a real dent in your weekly budget, especially at today’s prices. Going vegetarian or eating less meat is one way to lower bills. Planning your meals and making a detailed shopping list is also a great habit to adopt, because it helps you to resist impulse buys. Meal planning not only saves money, it also helps the planet by reducing food waste. There are plenty of budget recipes online that you can test out.
Join a money-saver group
Whether you use Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel, a quick search will reveal people sharing clever money-saving tips and tricks.
CAP “Life Skills” groups are run all over the country, offering practical tools on how to live well on a low income. One of the advantages of joining this kind of group is that people share local info; so they are hyper-relevant.
Perhaps go one step further and join a CAP Money Coaching course, designed to equip people in the art of budgeting, which 3642 students have completed so far.
Do your research on credit
Credit is sometimes thought of as a dirty word, but can be a useful tool to help us achieve a goal — like getting a degree (read CAP’s blog for students in England, explaining how student loans are changing this year). It is important, however, to make informed decisions about credit; take time to research the terms and conditions, work out how much you’re actually paying in the long run, and — most important — have a plan on how you will repay what you owe before borrowing it.
Protect your mental health
Money worries have a negative impact on our mental health. If you’re feeling anxious or stressed about money, there is help and hope available. You can reach out to mental-health charities like the Samaritans, or Mind, and, if you’re part of a church community, find a trusted person you can confide in. CAP also provides accredited debt help to anyone, completely free of charge.
Find out who’s offering CAP Money Coaching or Life Skill near you at capuk.org/get-help. For debt help, contact CAP’s team for advice on 0800 328 0006.