Cooking on a budget

Ask your parents or a friend for a quick cooking lesson before you go: stir-frys, pasta and a simple tomato sauce, jacket potatoes, and so on. The Beyond Baked Beans student cookery books, by Fiona Beckett, is great for freshers; www. beyondbaked beans.com . Visit a supermarket such as Aldi or Lidl for cheap basics such as rice, olive oil, etc, at the beginning of each term.

Highs and Lows

Possession of any drugs (even cannabis) is illegal, and most universities have a zero tolerance policy, which can result in your immediate exclusion. However, a recent survey showed that the majority of students - six out of ten - have taken drugs. Drugs are rarely pure and can cause allergic reacations. If you have any concerns, go to www.talktofrank.com , for impartial advice.

Keeping fit

Gym memberships can be expensive, but there are thrifty ways to keep fit. Join your university sports centre (about £30), which will have sports teams, clubs, a gym and fitness classes. Councils also have cheap facilities, with student discounts.

Cut-price cosmetics

Don't waste money on expensive cosmetics when cheaper brands can be just as effective. Own brands (such as Tesco and Boots) are a good bet, and Superdrug is particularly good for cheap make-up.

Doctor and dentist

Register early with your university's health centre, or log on to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for details of doctors and dentists in your area. Make sure that you note down the emergency surgery opening hours, as appointments are often hard to get.

Keep taking the vits

As it's nigh impossible to stay away from chips, curry, kebabs and pizza in favour of your “five-a-day”, take some multivitamins. Cheap, own-brand vitamins are just as effective as the more expensive versions.

Stay safe in the sack

No one will want to sleep with you if you've caught herpes through unprotected sex, so always wear a condom. Free condoms are often available at sexual health clinics. However, if you do have a small mishap, visit the doctor for the morning-after pill (free) rather than going to the chemist (from £22). Boots offers free chlamydia testing kits, as do many universities.

Support networks

Universities offer good, free counselling services. You may scoff at the idea when you first arrive, full of beans and excited about the new term, but when homesickness sets in it might be helpful to talk to somebody. Visit your university website for details.

How to survive benders

Start the night with a solid meal of carbohydrates (beans on toast perhaps) to soak up the alcohol. Remember that drinking games are lethal: drink shandy, not beer; white wine with lemonade/soda water; and single measures of spirits with plenty of mixer. Keep a bottle of water handy and have a few sips whenever you can. If you must drink shots, avoid retch-worthy vodka, tequila and sambuca (35-50 per cent proof) and go for drinks such as apple sours or peach schnapps (15-20 per cent). Finally, don't forget to cough up when it's your round; no-one likes a tightwad.

Exam blues

Although you need only a mark of 40per cent to pass your first-year exam, aim as high as possible. Potential employers can ask your uni for a breakdown of every module you have taken, so if you scraped through your first year with 45 per cent, and a competitor scored 70 per cent, you won't be signing the contract. Ward off stress with deep-breathing exercises and/or yoga.

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