I’m sure you have a lot to think about now that you are planning your new life at university come October, but there are many things that you will read, see or hear, which are simply not true, especially with all the new restrictions in place because of Covid-19.

Have a look at what myths we've busted for you!

“First Year Doesn’t Count”

Although, generally it doesn’t count towards your overall degree classification, you do need to do the work and pass your first year at uni.

There are many ways that your final degree classification is calculated taking into account your overall grade from each year - meaning that sometimes, they do take your first year into consideration. So maybe skip that night out and get started on a piece of work that’s due!

“You don’t have to go to online lectures”

Actually, you do.

And if you don’t turn up to the majority of your lectures, you’ll find the university will contact you about why.

You should really go to all of your lectures - physical or virtual. You are paying for them after all! With Blended Learning in place for October, most of your lectures will be online, so you will need to attend your online classes to make sure you get the information you need for your submissions and exams. Lecturers won’t pull you up if you miss one or two of their classes, but if you’re consistently missing - they do worry!

“All Socials are Drinking Socials”

Did you know that over 20 per cent of 16-24 year olds in the UK are non-drinkers?* Lots of societies are now doing non- or low-alcohol socials, so there is no need to worry about feeling left out. Societies do films nights, board game nights and so many other socials where ‘down it fresher’ will not ring through the room multiple times in an evening. With social distancing in place too, the amount of time you can spend in a bar or a pub is limited, so you can go for just a few, without the fear of it getting messy.

“The Cleaners will do everything”

This is the fastest way to become unpopular in halls, with the staff and your flatmates. If you are in halls, you’ll find that the cleaners will take care of the communal spaces - but only if the space is respected. You can’t expect to have a wild party and not do any of the clean up. Pull your weight and put your empties in the trash - and don’t be surprised if the room isn’t cleaned if you leave it in a terrible state.

The cleaners will be doing more thorough cleaning due to Covid-19, to make sure you and your housemates are safe. It's best to wash your own dishes, keep your space clean and not lick door knobs, for your own peace of mind.

“You’ll Spend Hundreds of Pounds on a Textbook and you’ll only Read a Paragraph”

We won’t lie, textbooks can be expensive. BUT there are cheaper solutions out there.

The University Library is a great place to find your textbooks, and for many of the key texts, they have multiple copies for students to borrow.

You can also look at the ‘used’ options on Amazon, or try eBay. There is also a Facebook page for UoP Second Hand Text Books, where students will sell on their used textbooks from previous years. If you can find online copies too, that’s great! Just make sure to triple check your references. You don’t need to be spending your entire student loan on books - promise!

“You’ll Live off Tinned Baked Beans”

And it won’t even be the good branded kind.

If you choose to spend all your student loan on nights out and takeaways (and maybe textbooks) in the first few weeks, this might be true. But if you make sure to have a weekly food budget - and stick to it - you’ll be fine.

Yes there may be frugal weeks but you won’t ever starve. When your loan comes in, bulk buy some cupboard essentials - pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes (yes, beans too) and you’ll be able to whip up something decent to eat.

“You’ll Meet Your Best Friend On The First Day”

Now that is just statistically unlikely. Especially if you meet most of your classmates over an Online Lecture.

Do not put too much pressure on yourself to find your BFF in your first few days, or even the first term. Unfortunately, life is not like a movie, where the first person who knocks on your door turns out to be your bridesmaid and the fun aunt to your children.

Take your time to get to know people on your course, in your flat, at a society - friends can turn up in the most unlikely of places! You can also check out Groups and course pages on Facebook to connect with people if you aren’t heading to Portsmouth in Teaching Block One.

Finally...

Uni isn't as big and scary as you might think.

There is a lot of help, advice and support, especially from the Students' Union. If there is anything you are worried about when you start, speak to the Union Advice Service.