Top tips for parents and guardians if your young person is starting university

From advice on Student Bank Accounts and how to start forming friendships, Elijah shares their top tips and what they have learnt when they started university.

Starting university is a nerve-wracking experience, not just for the students themselves, but for the parents and guardians out there who are seeing their young person leave the nest for the first time. Despite this, it’s important to realise that this is an amazing opportunity for them. You’re allowing them to grow and spread their wings in a place that may not be close to home.

I, myself, am a student who will be going into their final year soon, and I wanted to write this post to give reassurance and potentially offer some advice/tips, that can hopefully make the transition into university life a little bit smoother!

Student Bank Account

I would do some research into which bank would suit them best, as most also offer additional perks! To name a few, Santander offers a free railcard to students aged 16-25 and is valid for 4 years. HSBC offer interest-free overdrafts starting at £1,000 for the first year, and can reach up to £3,000 for their final year, which allows for a budget safety net if needed.

Shopping Reward Schemes

I strongly recommend they download the apps of the food shops they might be going to as it could result in gaining rewards. For example, having a Tesco’s Clubcard allows for cheaper pricing on products as well as gaining points that can be turned into vouchers. The same goes for a Sainsburys Nectar card. Having a Co-op Membership gives you member pricing, as well as personalised offers on products your young person buys often!

Accommodation Starter Kits

Buying starter kits rather than getting things individually might help lessen the stress of what you still need to get, and could be cheaper! If you are looking for kitchen sets, IKEA sells boxes that include plates, bowls, utensils, pots and pans, drinking glasses and mugs, some cleaning supplies, and more. They also offer basic bedding sets and desk organisers which you can either buy online or in-store. Dunelm and Argos also offer budget-friendly bedroom and kitchen ‘student starter’ packages and so does Amazon UK. I would also invest in some command strips as opposed to Blu Tack as there is less risk of damaging the walls.

Clubs/Societies and Making Friends

One of the main things my parents worried about was whether or not I would be lonely. But thanks to my classmates, and the amount of clubs and societies the university has to offer, I didn’t get the chance to be! The university hosts a ‘Welcome Fair’ where you can walk around the different societies stalls, grab some freebies, and sign up to join them super easily. They are all student-led and very friendly! They’ll also be good opportunities to make friends with their flat/housemates if they live in student accommodation. Me and my first-year flatmates ordered takeaway together once a month and played games in the communal kitchen!

These are my top tips for students just starting out on their new life adventure. Remember it’s okay to be nervous, this is a big step to take, but know that they won’t be alone in their endeavour! There are hundreds of students just like them who are in the same boat.

You are only one phone call or text away!

All information is correct as of August 2026. Information about Student Bank Accounts, Shopping Reward Schemes, and Accommodation Starter Kits may change.