Spreading the school gist : 10 common myths about university that just aren’t true

We spoke to a tonne of current students to find out exactly what their worries were and busted those myths just like ghostbusters busted ghosts. Except with myths. Geddit?
Oh whatever, maybe humour just isn’t our bag today. But we sure can bust myths though.

1)You need to be super stinking rich

If there’s one thing we learnt from Scrooge it’s that having shed-tonne-loads of money isn’t the way to happiness, which is good because the chances are you don’t have oodles anyway.

But the good news is that you don’t need to be stinking rich to go to university and survive, learn and drink a sensible amount of gin.
From grants and loans to scholarships and learning funds there are LOADS of different forms of financial support to get you through uni if you need some support.
We’ve also got a whole guidey-widey on ways to top up your income too if you feel you need a bit extra and a proper good job search engine too.It’s also worth noting that you don’t need to pay any tuition fees upfront. A bit of help from mum and dad or personal savings will always help but it can be done without!

2)Debts repayments are taken in huuuuuge chunks

So, the whole point of going to university is to get learned and have a prosperous future thereafter, like a great big rainbow cake of joy.

But what when the government want to start taking slices of that cake back coz you kind of owe them?
Well, remember you’ll only have to start repaying what you owe after earning £21,000 a year. The amount you repay is fixed at 9% of earnings over the threshold.
For example, if you earned £30,000 you would pay only £810 towards your loan (less than £16 a week) under the new system. Plus, you don’t even see it. It simply goes straight from your pay cheque. Like it was never there.
If you’re still confused make sure to check out our loan repayments calculator which does all the maths for you.

You have to buy everything before you leave home
If you’ve ever tried to fit your whole life in one car before, you’ll know exactly why we’re saying this. It’s just so hard to do, it’s not worth the hassle.
Save yourself the stress and a jam-packed car by buying some of your essentials, like your kitchen utensils when you arrive at university, or getting them delivered to you if you know the address.
You may even find that you have five sandwich toasters because all the people you will be living with have bought one too!
1. You need to do really really well in your first year
  Okay, so we’re in no way advocating that you should spend the year dossing, drinking cheap gin and eating takeaway pizza, but don’t stress out if it isn’t all first class honours straight up.
  University is a big step up from A Levels and coupled with an entirely new living environment, you might find it takes a while to get adjusted.
  Lots of universities recognise this and won’t count your first year grade in with your final mark – not the case everywhere though – and you’ll just need to pass with 40%.
  As we said, don’t take this as an excuse to not work.
  1. First year doesn’t count
    Just to hammer the point home, you do actually need to do some work in first year. You will always need to do enough to pass, even if the grade you get doesn’t count.
    It’s also worth mentioning that the stuff you learn in first year will be built upon in your next years of study so you will need to know your stuff and it always helps to make a good impression on lecturing staff.
    To the library!
    1. All friends will be made in the first few days
      We don’t want to shatter any illusions here, but the chances are you’ll never see Robyn who dressed as a sailor and was so cool on that night out ever again.
      This isn’t to say that you won’t make a stonking friend in freshers’ week who you’ll be besties for life with, but well, probably not.
      You’ll meet loads of people as the year goes on and your friendships will undoubtably change. Takeaway message: don’t panic if you don’t make super serious friends straight away.
      1. Clubbing is required for nightlife and funsies
        Club, schumb. While clubbing can be fun, it isn’t the be all and end all of fun by any means.
        Have a cocktail night at home, set up a house party or just simply whack on some DVDs or pants TV and eat Ben and Jerry’s in your pyjamas.
        Fun comes in many different forms my friends, and more often that not that involves ice cream.
        
        A part-time job is bad for studies
        You’ll hear a lot of people proudly proclaiming that their university course is too intense for them to possibly have a part-time job, but it’s more than manageable with a bit of organisation.
        Not only is it good for your wallet but a part-time job can also help you make new friends, snag you a staff discount and help you build a great CV for when you graduate.
        This said if it affects you at any point then you may need to reconsider your position. Your studies always come first and if you are struggling financially then the university should be able to help you.
        
        Accommodation needs to be sorted quickly
        It can feel like you’ve no sooner arrived for first year and people are already bunking up and finding their new pads for next year. But fret not, this is all part of a waiting game.
        Take your time and find a group of flatmates you know you’ll get on with – trust us you can’t decide on that in the first few weeks. You could also save loads of naira too by holding out.
        
        It’s all sex, sex, sex
        Not to disappoint you if you had your hopes on this, but university isn’t the big sex-fest it’s made out to be. Seriously, it isn’t.
        Of course not living at home means you will have more freedom to invite *special* friends around, but there really isn’t any pressure.
        You live it up how you want too. And be safe, yea?