Fear, excitement, and everything in between

I do not know if it is because of where I usually fly in from or simply my luck, but I often arrive in the UK in the late afternoon and reach my accommodation in the evening. This means I only have time to get comfortable before going to bed and leaving most things for the next day. That next day then becomes my first real day.

Everyone experiences their first day differently. I am sharing mine not because you should copy it, but so you can use it as inspiration to create your own. I am a planner, and before arriving at University of Bath city accommodation, I always have a personal checklist. I arrange for essentials in advance, including using Unikit to deliver bedding and basic kitchen items. I liaise with ResLife so that everything is ready in my room, meaning I arrive to a box with pillows and a duvet, ready to sleep. At the airport, I usually carry a small amount of money. During my Master’s, I arrived with some pounds to get me through the first week before setting up a bank account. During my doctorate, I arrived with Nigerian naira and used the exchange bureau at the airport. Both options worked well, and cards are also widely accepted.

With all this sorted, I divide my first day into three parts. I wake up early, excited, and spend the morning gently cleaning and arranging my room. The rooms are already cleaned before arrival, but this helps me settle. I listen out for sounds in the flat, and when I hear someone, I step out to greet my flatmates and begin making connections. I spend the morning arranging my space, asking questions, and using my phone to familiarise myself with the area.

In the afternoon, my excitement takes me to campus. I ask for directions, find the bus stops, and make my way to the University. For those in city accommodation, it is usually less than a five-minute walk to the bus stop. I take the classic selfie with the University of Bath sign to send to my family, locate my department, check where my classes will be, and simply walk around, enjoying the feeling of starting something new.

On my way home, I often stop at Tesco to pick up a few essentials. You might be wondering if I have eaten by this point, and yes, I have. I usually grab food at the airport when i arrive to sustain me for a few days and while on campus I had some food at 4West, which you will soon discover is a favourite spot for many students. Back at home, because that is what it becomes, I spend time in the kitchen, cook dinner, and chat with my flatmates. Most times, we realise that we are all new and figuring things out together. I end the day speaking to my family and friends, then head to bed, ready for day two.

How would you like to spend your first day at the University of Bath?