Wednesday 16-09-2026 - 10:53

Coming to uni can be super exciting and full of new experiences especially if you're going to a new place. Harriet, your Carmarthen Campus President has been exactly where you are, and has put together her top tips that she wished she knew when she moved to Carmarthen - take it away Harriet!

 

Budget, budget, budget

Your loan isn’t free money. You need to use it to pay for your accommodation and food, so spend it wisely. If struggling to work out your finances or budget then have a look at the information provided here by our Advice Team: https://www.uwtsdunion.co.uk/advice/finance Make sure that you also save some money up for freshers before you start in September. It is very tempting and easy to blow your student loan in one go during freshers, especially if you go out clubbing a lot, so save some money and keep your loan aside for accommodation fees and food.

Freshers Flu Is Real 

Please be wary that after Freshers there is a high chance that you might become ill due to mixing with new people etc, so please make sure you are stocked up with tissues, painkillers and anything else you may need to help you when you are ill. Make sure you take the time to rest up, otherwise it will take longer for you to recover. Most lectures can be recorded or made available for you to join in online, so give your lecturers plenty of notice. Also if you feel comfortable, then inform a trusted friend or flatmate that you are ill so they can make sure you are ok.

Make Your Room Feel Homely 

Decorate your room to feel like how it does at home. I love anything with a floral pattern so I have got floral bedding, posters etc. I have also got some fake plants and some fairy lights up in my room. Just make sure that any decorations are compliant with the Accommodation Handbook and you don’t leave any marks on the walls. I personally recommend using command strips as they don’t leave marks on the walls if removed correctly. If anything is unclear then please contact the university accommodation team at accommodation@uwtsd.ac.uk  I would highly recommend getting a decent mattress topper for your bed. University mattresses are usually quite cheap and not the most comfortable thing. I know they can be quite expensive but view it as an investment, and you can use it for the full 3 years you are in halls for and even beyond that!

Try Not To Overpack 

Its easier said than done but do you really need 4 plates, bowls and glasses for just one person? Try to bring 2 of most kitchen items, because otherwise you will struggle for space, as you are sharing a kitchen with 7-9 people. Also on that note don’t be too greedy with Fridge and Freezer space. The general rule is to have 1 fridge shelf (or 2 smaller ones) and 1 freezer shelf. Once everyone has moved in then perhaps have a discussion as a flat on what to do with the spare shelves so that everyone has equal space!

Don’t be the messy flatmate 

I think every 2nd and 3rd Year here has some form of horror story to tell about a really gross flatmate. I know I do lol! So please make sure to wash up after yourself. I wouldn’t leave dishes any longer than 2h on the side, unless you inform your flatmates of when you will sort it out so they can hold you to account.

We understand that sometimes people are in a rush to do something but please be courteous and tell them the reason why. Or alternatively, if you think washing up is going to be an issue for you regularly or you need to let things soak, then buy a washing up bowl and leave your dishes to soak in there. But make sure that you leave this in your room rather than in the kitchen where it will take up counter space.

Also make sure to clean up after yourself if you make a mess, regularly clean the kitchen (at least weekly to keep it spotless), and regularly empty the bins so they don’t overflow. A bin rota is always a good idea to get people into a routine but also so you can track who is doing the bins and who isn’t. 

Finally, have fun!

This might be the most important one, this probably going to be the only time in your life where you are living away from home, and don’t have much in the way of responsibility (you only really need to worry about paying your accommodation and food) so make the most of this freedom and have fun (but sensibly lol)