What the checklist does not tell you

Hello and welcome again. Let us talk about arrival, and I will share some of my own experiences with you. There are three things I want to focus on, and I think you might appreciate them.

First, I want to talk about the first time I travelled abroad for my Master’s degree. I was the first in my family to travel abroad for studies, and before my trip, everything I knew about the UK came from films and newspaper clips. As the days drew closer, I checked all the webpages and checklists about what to bring. But between T minus 10 and T minus 2 days, I became increasingly anxious. I overpacked, worried constantly, and felt scared and nervous all at once.

Fast forward two years later, when I travelled again from Nigeria to the UK for my doctorate. I was still anxious, but for a different reason. This time, I knew the UK and had studied here before, but I was moving to a different city and starting a different programme. I worried about how I would make friends and how I would get to my accommodation. I followed all the advice on the ResLife webpages and, although I am not proud to admit this, I exchanged many emails with the team. When I finally arrived, everything turned out to be okay.

The third thing I want to mention is that both of these arrivals were in September, when many students arrive at the same time. Imagine arriving in January or even March, as some of my colleagues did. Would I still be nervous? Yes. I truly believe that being nervous is part of the process. No matter how much you prepare, it can feel like you are forgetting something, and that is completely normal. Do your best, stay open, and trust that it gets better from there.

You will receive many checklists, but there is one thing that is often not included and is very important. Please remember to pack your special memento. Bring the thing that brings you comfort, that makes you feel safe or grounded. It could be a photo of your family or friends, a lucky pen, your favourite pyjamas, a cuddly teddy, a special outfit, or even your comfort socks. Do not leave that behind.

Moving into a new environment can be mentally demanding, so bringing something familiar can make a real difference. You already know that I will always be honest with you and share the things you might not hear elsewhere. What time is it for you now? T minus how many days until your arrival?

We cannot wait to welcome you. Please come as your whole self. See you soon.