Five Scary Things They Don't Tell You About University

After the nightmare we’ve just described you think, how can things get worse? We’re sorry to tell you this, but they can. The only thing scarier than essays and assignments: freshers’ flu!

Freshers’ flu will give you a false sense of security; one minute you’re absolutely fine and you think that week of partying, eating, and drinking too much has passed you by without consequences. Unfortunately, this won’t be the case. Whether it’s tonsillitis, the flu or just a bad common cold, freshers’ flu will get you in some shape or form. You’ll feel a bit like the teenagers in horror films who receive a phone call from an unknown number telling them they have five days to live.

If it’s too late for you and you already have freshers’ flu, try not to panic – this isn’t the end! Luckily for you, we have devised some helpful tips on how to survive freshers’ flu.

You know those nightmares about having to give a big presentation to a large group of people and everyone starts laughing and you don’t know why, but then you look down and you’re completely naked? Well, this might actually happen at uni (minus the naked part of course).

Presentations frequently feature in university modules, and are designed to prepare you for work life, where you may have to present to clients or in meetings. Even though you know it’s in your best interest, presentations most likely still scare you. It’s completely natural to be scared of public speaking, but unfortunately the only way to tackle this fear is to face it head on. Terrifying.

Now this is something you thought you already knew – you’ve been buying things for years now, right? Well yes, but something scary you learn when you have to start paying for them yourself is that boring things, like toilet paper, water, electricity and a roof over your head COST MONEY – and a lot of money at that! A monthly bill for utilities in the US, for example, will set you back around US$152 on average, according to Numbeo. If that isn’t scary, we don’t know what is!  

For a cheaper student experience, take a look at the 10 most affordable student cities.

Yes! You’ve just finished your assignment, albeit just before the deadline and are just about to submit it, but then, what’s that? Oh no, the campus Wi-Fi just went down again! Although this doesn’t speak for all universities, university Wi-Fi is notoriously unreliable and will ghost you when you need it most.

Luckily 4G is a thing now. Phew.