Edge Hill University

After first year you can either live on campus again space permitting or off campus in private accommodation. For my second year I lived on campus again in Founders however in my final year I am now living off campus. There are many pros and cons to living on campus or off one of which being the cost on campus can be much cheaper than in private accommodation. Your on campus which means you are much closer to everything. However, being off campus means you are closer to all the shops which is especially convenient when you have run out of something. Living off campus I find gives you even more independence and can mean you can live with friends you have made in first or second year.

My weekly budget for groceries is around £20 and sometimes less or more depending on the store as well. If I get all what I needed from Aldi, then it comes under my budget and if I have to buy it from different stores such as Morrisons, then it could be little more, so it all depends on the store and products we buy. Monthly grocery shopping is manageable around £60 per month as well if done well for a student.

🌺I mostly do major shopping on a monthly basis which is when I stock up on most everything and that costs me about 20-40 pounds depending on what I’m getting. However, I do sometimes get things like cheese and bread every other week/day. So, I’m a month, I’ll say I spend 30-50 pounds which puts me at roughly 10 pounds a week or so. Also, I mostly shop at ALDI but I sometimes go to Morrisons too for things I can’t get at ALDI.

Attend the weekly Global SU Café as much as you can and enrol to an evening language course to meet new friends! Having a support network can help you cope with the challenges of living in a new country.

🌺Make as many memories at home with friends and family with the time you have. It’ll help when the homesickness hits and will also make it easier to make memories when you get here.

My advice would to be prepared and open to learn new skills and grow intellectually as well. University will offer so many opportunities, the student just need to be a little active and alert at all the times. They should be open to explore as much as they can while they are here and not only give their full attention towards their education but also try to indulge in extracurricular activities which will definitively improve their overall performance and help them build their CV as well. Thanks 😊

My top three tips to someone trying to settle into university would be: 1) Make sure you put yourself out there, it can be tempting to just hide away in your room and not socialize but you should know everyone else is in the same position 2) I’d definitely recommend attending some of the on campus events that the university will have set up for freshers, these are great mixers of people and help you get a feel of the campus 3) It might also help if you try and decorate your new room at uni similar to your room at home using little ornaments and photos to help you feel more comfortable here

1. Try and make the most of each experience! There are so many events in Welcome Week, some free and some paid, and that isn't including the numerous societies that will be offering meetings filled with activities. It is a great time to meet new people and find something you enjoy while you have some free-time. If you're struggling to find a society, the Welcome fair (usually taking place on the first Wednesday) can be a fantastic way to check out societies and meet people. As a reminder, there are plenty of events throughout the year, so I wouldn't be disheartened if you missed any events or didn't feel comfortable trying new things straight away. 2. Try and connect with flatmates, coursemates, and anyone you meet. Try exploring the campus, and trying the numerous activities together. You could cook a flat meal, or check out one of the many cafes or restaurants in Ormskirk😊 3. Familiarise yourself with campus. Find your course building, but also the Launderette, Students' Union, where you'll collect post and parcels, the gym, the library, and anything else of note. Reach out to staff and older students around campus if you have any questions, and have a fantastic first week at Edge Hill!😊

Here are my top three tips for settling in at uni: - Bring your home comforts to uni with you. Whether that’s a teddy bear that you love and sleep with at home, a coffee machine, whatever it is don’t feel embarrassed, just bring it! I found this really helped me to settle in having these comfort items with me as well as photos of my family and friends from back home and a nice comfortable duvet🥰 Having these items as well as making your room your own will help you feel so much more at home and settled in. Kind of a separate point but you could also consider making your comfort meal that you would normally have at home. - Give yourself time to adjust. Don’t feel like you have to rush yourself into going out all the time and always being happy. It’s so okay to be home sick and just mentally giving yourself that time and space to adjust to university life I think it so important. - Be honest with your flatmates and friends about how you are feeling and how you are doing. Check in on others and they will do the same for you and you will hopefully create a really nice and supportive group of people you feel settled and comfortable around. Please know that you are not on your own and you will find your feet! 💗

Try not to worry about preparing too much in the summer as during freshers week you will be introduced to the course properly and may be given tasks to prepare for lectures. I would say though when students get there timetable to try and familiarise yourself with the campus and where things are, as well as the support available.

I would say research your course and see what modules you can expect in your first year of the course so you have an idea of what’s to come, you can also do some research on topics that make come up within the modules. You can also try and find your courses group chats on social media platforms so you can get to know the people you will be completely the course wit before you start.

My favourite place to go in Ormskirk is the new indoor market. It has recently been refurbished into a large food hall/bar which has multiple vendors offering a huge variety of local independent food vendors. It’s also open till late offering a great atmosphere with live music and events.

My number one choice would be The Bagel Deli. Staff are really friendly! But I recommend Love to Eat, Nordico Lounge and Bramleys.

My favourite place to eat in Ormskirk is the Fat Italian. The do lovely food and is a good vibe. I also love the Cricketers but it’s maybe for more of an occasion as it is a little pricier. There are loads of great places to eat and drink in Ormskirk so it just depends what food and atmosphere you like best :)

I have two one of which is Nordico Lounge which has a good variety of food including gluten-free and vegan options and it also welcomes dogs. Another favourite of mine is the Ormskirk Market which has a variety of foods available however there are various cafes and takeaways available in Ormskirk.

Being half Portuguese, my favourite place to eat is Piri Piri Grill a portuguese restaurant in Ormskirk. They have amazing chicken and chips for a relatively affordable price.

I have been able to try few of the restaurants in Ormskirk till now and The Shamraat which is an Indian restaurant near the town centre, offers some delicious Indian styled cuisine which everyone should try once :) I hope they will enjoy the food here, and other than this, for students, Istaanbull Grill is also good for takeaways as they also offer some delicious food and is affordable too. Thanks 😊

As a local, Cobble is not only a fantastic place to eat with healthy, varied and filling menu as well as the most yummy smoothies and milkshakes around, but the history behind the name gives it an extra special feel. A little way out of town is vegan friendly Wild Root Cafe with the best hash browns and must have TLT.

I found my interview experience very positive! I had some personal difficulties on the day of my interview, and before the interviews began, the staff asked us if there was anyone struggling who would benefit from speaking to them one-to-one. I explained my situation to a member of staff and they were very sympathetic and re-assured me in what I was expecting to be a stressful experience. Despite the difficulties I was facing that week, I found that the experience was enjoyable. The applicants I met and spoken to were really nice, and so we're the interviewers. In the interview stations, I felt at ease and the conversations still felt formal, yet I was relaxed. I remember saying something off-topic but the interviewer re-phrased the question to put me back on-topic. I didn't feel embarrassed or worried that I had 'ruined' my chance, as the staff were so supportive throughout the entire experience😊 The staff running the interviews were mindful that this can be a stressful experience, and their understanding went a long way in helping me on what was already a difficult way. I truly believe my interview at EHU was my best interview experience, and I hope those applying will share that sentiment!😊

For my interview I was given information in advance so I could prepare. For example I was told how the timetable of the day and that I had an essay to write, group interview, individual interview and a pre prepared question. I felt there was enough information given to prepare for the interview appropriately and the staff were really good at putting nerves at ease on the day!

My interview was a very relaxing and informal experience. I was provided with a link to attend an online interview using the collaborate virtual room. The link came with all the information needed on how to access the virtual room which put my mind at ease as it was a software I had not used before. The interviewers were two lecturers off the degree I was applying to and they made me feel very relaxed. The questions were aimed at getting insight into why I wanted to do my course, what triggered me to apply at the time, what I hoped to achieve during my degree and how the degree would help me achieve my career aspirations. I was also given lots of time to ask questions (and I had a few) but I was not made to rush and questions were well answered. I was told what the next steps would be and how soon I would hear. I was put at ease throughout the interview.

On campus, I love the hub for relaxation. There's so many places to sit, and relax with friends, and the top floor is really overlooked for how many comfortable couches there are to sit in, and tvs to set up movies or videogames with friends. For quieter moments, right next to campus there's a beautiful nature trail called "Ruff Woods," which is an amazing place to get in touch with nature and have some mindful rest between classes and campud events.

Campus has some lovely spots to relax on, walking around the lakes and the grounds is always very calming seeing the wildlife, including some resident cats like Buster!

I love to relax on campus by going for a walk during my study breaks. I feel this really helps to calm my mind and reset. I also love going to the gym and I find attending classes for example the yoga classes are a great way to relax :) In my free time I enjoy going to the Student Union bar to play pool and relax with my friends.

I usually go to the library in the evening to read as it’s a nice way to be in a different location rather than my room. Also, there is the gym which I either go to on my own or with some friends I also try and go to at least one exercise class a week as well. There is also the free film Fridays which show recent releases and also the Student Union isn’t just open for social nights they also have pool tables during the day.

When I am not studying, I love to hang out at the lounge in creative edge building. The one close to the window that has a view of the lake on campus. Sometimes, the sound of the fountain on the lake is therapeutic. I also love to sit at the sitting area just outside the Catalyst library. It's a lovely place to just chill and look around when it's not too cold.

I love spending time either walking the campus trail, observing the changes seasons and growing biodiversity, or sat on the patio of Garden 41 with a coffee.

On placements you will be allocated a practice assessor and supervisor and the majority of the time your shifts will be with them and they are really supportive and enable you to fill in the documents that you need! Within all placement areas there are also PEFS (practice education facilitators) who you can go to if there are any issues or concerns. Alongside this you will be allocated an academic assessor who works for the University and they will liaise with yourself, university staff and placement staff.

As a second-year student at Edge Hill University, I would advise prospective students to fully embrace the campus community and get involved in extracurricular activities. Join clubs or societies that interest you, as it's a great way to meet people and make friends. Also, don't hesitate to seek out support from the student support services and utilise the resources available for your studies. Time management is key, so try to strike a balance between your coursework and personal life. Lastly, explore the beautiful surroundings of Ormskirk and beyond, there's a lot to see and experience in the part of the city of Liverpool.

My biggest advice would be to get involved on the Student Life Portal! Not enough students know about it! This is where all the events at the university and in surrounding areas are. It’s really nice way to see all the things going on to ensure you don’t miss out on fun events and opportunities to meet people, as well as free trips! Things I’ve got involved with recently on the Student Life Portal on campus have been, Paint and Sip event at the Red Bar, Trip to the Lake District and IKEA and a poetry slam held at the Arts Centre :) But there is all sorts on there, there is defiantly something for everyone!

I attend a couple of societies for example the Sign Language society as well as the Uniboob society which have weekly meetings as well as socials - which is where people from the society meet up and often go out. In my free time I enjoy going to the bars and restaurants in Ormskirk (for example, the Old post office, Cabo, Lime Tiger) as well as spending time with my friends in our student houses. Ormskirk is only a half an hour train away from Liverpool so we also enjoy going to Liverpool for shopping and food as well as Manchester. We have also visited Southport and Formby for a day at the beach. University is a great time to start a hobby as there are so many societies and clubs. I enjoy going to the University gym which is such a good deal as it is only around £90 (this may change from year to year) for the whole year including classes, meaning you are able to attend classes and try new things for free once you have the membership. I also enjoy swimming which is also included:) There is so much going on and a lot to try!

Most weekends I spend my time with friends whether that’s going into Ormskirk and having a drink and chat in one of the cafes or going for a nice meal at Nordico Lounge. Sometimes on weekends or evenings I’ll go to Southport and watch a film with a friend. On days off during the week a lot of the time me and some friends will get the train into Liverpool and do some shopping. However, for spare time during the week this can include on Tuesday evenings I meet up with one of my friends for a couple of hours and we’ll sit in the library and read and have a little chat. On most Thursdays I’ll go to the Lost & Found with course mates and we’ll take part in the quiz. Lastly, I try to go to the gym at least once a week and in any extra spare time that’s not socialising I’ll likely be in the hub or the library catching up on any assignments.

When the studying is done, I love to meet up with friends. A group of us love to get together to play some board games or card games. There’s plenty of board games available, but I love the chaos that “Exploding Kittens” brings! There’s plenty of cafes around campus and that’s where most of my friends and I meet. I love coffee so it’s great to catch up with friends over an affordable latte. I also love going to the pub quiz at our SU bar - I don’t drink but I enjoy it nonetheless . The Arts Centre on campus is fantastic. I go there with a few friends to watch shows (there’s around 2 each week at least). They have everything from musicals and plays (performed by not only students, but groups on UK tours) to comedy nights (even celebrities come to perform!) And the best part? Most of the performances are completely free for students! I’ve enjoyed many nights there free of charge, and I’ve never seen a show ticket cost more than £10 for a student (usually for celebrity performances). If you want to know a bit more about something I’ve mentioned, ask away! Ask any of us what else we get up to in our free time. There’s always something going on around campus, including Crafternoons, Free Film Fridays, and so much more!

I find that the most useful thing I brought to university, besides from learning resources, were card games! These were great at the start as an ice breaker and helped everyone get to know each other better! Myself and my flatmates still play with these games on a regular basis and it’s a good way to connect and have fun with the people you meet at university :)

🌺I’ll say my laptop and spices from home. At least for the first few months before getting a hang of everything, it helped to not have to worry about those.

I would say the most useful thing I bought to university is a decent laptop! having a good laptop meant taking notes is a breeze and I can have the powerpoints up alongside my notes. It makes research so much easier and allows me to complete work at home rather than having to go to the uni! The library has laptops you can loan for 2 weeks so if you don’t have your own there’s no need to stress!

As a mature student it can be a worry that you won’t have things in common with other students but it’s not the case. The best thing about the societies is a shared common interest with likeminded people, especially in semester one. It’s also good to have interests outside of classes to give your brain some time off. This is even more important as deadlines approach.

I am mainly involved with the Sustainability Sociey as I am the secretary of it, and the best part about being involved with the society is feeling like we are working towards an active goal to help make things better on campus and within the community. It's a lovely atmosphere to be in a room surrounded by people who are passionate about sustainability and have many ideas about how to make things better. I am also a member of the Biosciences society which has an extremely broad range of activities and events on offer, from revision sessions to practice presentations and talks given from members of staff regarding their research. Similarly to the Sustainability Society, it's a lovely atmosphere to be in a room with like minded people in the Queer society, which I am also a member of. The uni is very supportive of LGBT students and recently held a Queer prom, attended by almost all members of the Queer society! I am sometimes involved with the Horticulture society as well, which holds weekly plant exchanges and health tips, and recently have had weekly presentations on helping students who may not have a background in plant identification in expanding their skills in being able to ID plants out in the field.

There are so many benefits of being involved with different societies at Edge Hill University. For example, I am part of the Islamic Society, which is amazing as it allows me to keep on top of my cultural and religious beliefs and a variety of events are arranged for everyone to join! Also, I am a member of the Multicultural Society (MCS), honestly the best- again, there are many fun and exciting activities held each week and it is a lovely way to make friends, socialise and have an enjoyable time as a uni student ☺️

During welcome week we had a timetable of scheduled activities, some were social activities and some were academic. There was a really good balance between time to ourselves and timetabled activities! some of the social activities included meeting up with people who have the same interests, such as people interested in non-alcoholic events! the academic activities included a taster session for the course and then being given a timetable and run through of how the semester will work.

My simplest tip for saving money is to only spend money when you really need too. Prioritise your essentials over everything else. So food, transport, and toiletries. In terms of spending money on luxuries like going out or eating takeaways or going to restaurants I would really recommend getting a job. I’ve only gotten a job at the end of first year, but if I had gotten a job at the start of the year I would’ve been able to be less careful about how much money I was spending etcetera. There’s always jobs in bartending and the food industry around Ormskirk.

My top tip is to bring a refillable water bottle. There are various drinking fountains in uni. Not only it saves you money, but it helps you use less plastic!

1. Get accustomed to the food here in the UK. Buying and keeping up with the food from your country might be too costly. 2. Try charity shops. The money spent there is used for charity and you could get good quality for really low prices. 3. Plan your travels and trips. Use the buses and trains more. You can save costs with day ticket savers for both. 4. Have a budget for bills, spendings, rent and plan. 5. Save more, spend less.

My top tips for saving money at university would be: - Eat in as much as possible. Packed lunches are such a good option when money saving. - Do some research into easy, cheap and tasty meals at university and you will find some that would for you. My favourites are chilli con carne, beans on toast and pasta : ) - Don’t drink a lot of alcohol at bars. Drinking out can be really expensive. My advice if you want to drink would be to either have a drink before heading out or just have a few. Lime and soda are such an amazing and cheap alternative to alcohol and are so much cheaper. No one will even know! I always have had lime and soda nights out when money has been tight :) - Try to be flexible about brands, Aldi’s own brand is fabulous. - Consider getting involved in free activities at uni. Not every social occasion has to be super expensive! Edge Hills Student Life Portal can be used to find out about all the fun and free events we have going on campus:) For example, I recently attended a free Comedy Night at Edge Hill with my friends with I really enjoyed and was something a bit different. Look out for things like this you can get involved in on the portal. Student Life also arrange free trips which are amazing to get involved in! Examples of last year's trips included Ikea, the Trafford Centre and the Lake District. These can be such fun days out where you don’t have to spend much! The gym have the gym classes which are a fun thing to do with friends or on your own which are included in your gym membership. - Speak to our Money Advice team. They are fab and can help with all things saving from banking, budgeting and funding. You can also chat to them if you are having money worries and they will do their best to support you. They can give you more information about our Student Support fund which can be granted as an emergency support to students facing financial difficulty. : )

In my Secondary English Teaching department we were lucky to be able to go and observe and experience teaching in a college environment and saw how students transitioned from secondary school into a sixth form setting. Soon my department are also planning to hopefully go on an educational trip to visit ‘the globe’ which is a world-renowned Shakespeare production theatre and a cultural landmark, which my whole English cohort are extremely excited about and we are all looking so forward to this amazing opportunity!😊

Within the health and social care department I was involved in the Teddy Bear Hospital. This was an opportunity to facilitate sessions for primary school children to teach them more about hospitals and what happens in a hospital. The children brought in teddy bears and completed basic skills like CPR and hand washing and were shown a simplified version of what theatres and recovery are like. This was a great opportunity to take part in as it helped to build confidence and leadership skills whilst also building on my own skills of working with children within hospitals.

One of the first things is that you don’t always have to say yes to everything just because you don’t do one thing doesn’t mean you have missed out on this massive opportunity. As there are so many opportunities available it can sometimes feel daunting but don’t be afraid to try something new. Another recommendation would be to take advantage of all the free opportunities available to you this could be getting a free art membership which allowed for me to see Russel Kane for free or going to the Free Film Fridays which became a weekly routine for me and my friends. Or even the woman’s free fitness classes that are twice a week are a great way to get active if you don’t wish to join the gym. Lastly, I would say bring all the fancy dress clothes you own because at socials there is always some wacky theme.

The nightlife in Ormskirk consists of three clubs: Alpine, Liquid and Styles, with Alpine being the most popular. However, I live in Liverpool and commute in, and Ormskirk is only a 35 minute train journey away from a major city with too many nightclubs, pubs and bars for me to list here! I would say nightlife as an Edge Hill University student also extends to nightlife in Liverpool (and Preston, although I've never been clubbing there). Aside from nightclubs in Ormskirk, there is the Student Union bar on campus, and there are two pubs I believe in Ormskirk, however I've only ever been once. Oh, and there is a Wetherspoons!

Nightlife at Edge Hill has something to suit everyone's needs. You dont even have to leave campus to attend a nightout as Edge Hill has the SU bar and Venue nightclub right in the centre of campus. The Student Union organise events throughout the year such as celebrity appearances, bongos bingo and more. There is also a quiz night every monday and karaoke every friday taking place in the SU bar. Outside of campus, Ormskirk has a selection of bars and nightclubs to choose from with different venues having specific student nights on various days of the week. Nights out in Ormskirk have a special charm to them as you always meet loads of people you know and it gives you the chance to catch up with the people you haven't seen for a long time. Liverpool nights out are also a popular option for students at Edge Hill as there is an almost unlimited choice of bars and nightclubs to go when in the Liverpool city centre. The train station is centrally located in Ormskirk and the trains run to almost midnight so getting to Liverpool is very easy and gives you the chance to expand your options of where to go.

Our SU bar and venue is where a lot of Nightlife takes place. I don't drink, however I enjoy going to the Monday pub quiz (which lasts from 9pm to around 11:30pm) and I have been to Karaoke on Fridays, which starts at 9pm and finishes around 12am. I really enjoyed both! There are plenty of opportunities on how to spend your night. We have free shows and films on campus that will finish at 10pm, so you can still enjoy your nights on weekdays if you have an early lecture the next day! We also have Wednesday night socials at our on-campus venue, which are usually themed. Unless you have a discount, entry is £5 and the night goes on until around 2am. I've not been to a social, but it looks like a great time if you like drinking, dressing up or partying! Ormskirk is home to Alpine, a club which is open until 2am. A lot of students go there. Ormskirk is also home to a lot of pubs and bars, including Styles.

There's the Student Union bar and Venue club on campus which has a pub quiz night, social night and karaoke throughout the week. In Ormskirk, there are many bars and a club called Alpine, and Liverpool isn't far away either. There are plenty of societies on campus running evening sessions as well if your interested in non-drinking orientated activities

The nightlife is a little different from other uni's because Edge Hill has their own 'night club' called Venue! It's amazing because you're still on campus so no taxi's home and there's constant security so you always feel safe 💛 They do a lot of different events such as LGBTQ+ nights, wednesday night socials that have a different theme each week, quiz nights, kareoke etc, there's always something going on!! 🥳 If you do want to venture outside of campus there is a bar called Alpine not far from campus, that a lot of students go to on a tuesday night and Liverpool is just a short train away!

Yes, the gym is part of the sports centre which is located near chancellors court/south and the car park. The sports centre consists of a 400m outdoor track, an indoor swimming pool with a sauna and a gym upstairs. They also have 2 big hall areas for netball,basketbal and badminton etc. You can also book classes with a membership.

Where to even start, if you enjoy researching new topics you have the catalyst, multiple floors of books and loads of space for study whether you want a social study session, quiet session or silent study. You then have the campus gym, with an indoor swimming pool and loads of sports activities run by students and staff daily. The hub is a great place to get together with friends with food outlets, coffee shops and loads of seating to sit back and have a chat. If you're a bit of a walking fan the campus is lovely to just walk around. Not even a minutes walk out the back of campus is Ruff Woods, this is a great place to go for a morning walk or when you just want a bit of peace and quiet. 10 minute walking from campus (or a few minutes on the free bus) will get you into Ormskirk, with shops galore, and the train station with a 35 minute train journey to Liverpool.

There are many activities on campus. There are many societies to be a part of and sports to get involved in. I personally make use of the sports centre and have a membership which gets me into the gym, swimming pool and I can book the halls for activities such as badminton.

There are loads of food outlets located around campus in many of the buildings including a subway and a Starbucks. As well as there is the SU bar and venue which is open during the day and night. There are themed nights including a karaoke night and a film night on a Sunday. As well as the weekly social which has different themes each week on a Wednesday. The campus is really nice to walk around, including a 1 mile trail going around the back near the sports centre. This is a very quiet and relaxing walk. There are also various places to sit and do work or chat with friends including the hub and the library.

As a university student in Ormskirk, I've found that there are actually quite a few things to do around here. First and foremost, the Edge Hill University campus is a great place to relax and explore. There are a bunch of buildings and areas to check out, and I love learning about the history of the university. When I'm looking to venture beyond the campus, there are a few options. I can go shopping in town, whether I'm in need of groceries or want to browse clothing or unique finds at independent boutiques. I've also taken the train into Liverpool a few times - it's an easy trip and the city has so much to offer. One of my favorite things to do in the area is walk or cycle in the West Lancashire countryside. It's absolutely stunning, and there are plenty of routes to explore. I've also checked out the farmer's market on the second Saturday of the month - it's a great place to pick up fresh produce and support local vendors. When I'm in the mood for a night out with friends, there are a variety of pubs and bars in town where we can grab a drink and socialize. And throughout the year, there are plenty of events on the calendar - I've attended music festivals, food festivals, and Christmas markets. Finally, if I'm looking to get more involved on campus and meet new people, Edge Hill University has a ton of clubs and societies to choose from. I've joined a sports team and a drama group, and it's been a great way to connect with other students who share my interests

Well, for my favourite activity, I have two words: charity shops! There are so many in Ormskirk and I've always found amazing finds! My favourites are the Bernado's by the McDonald's and the YMCA. There are LOTS of local businesses - there is a sustainability and ethics focused shop called the Bloom and Brew, there's also an amazing food place called Cobble. There's a neat vintage store too called ASAP Vintage. There's three nightclubs in the town: Alpine, Liquid and Styles, with Alpine being the most popular. Coronation Park is really not a far walk at all from the centre and has a lovely pond and is very biodiverse. All of the events are held there, I think there's an annual medieval festival held there, which is pretty cool! And of course, there is a Wetherspoons, which is important to know for any uni student. Overall, it's a quiet town with many local businesses to support, however Ruff Woods and by extension Ruff Lane is perhaps my favourite thing about Ormskirk that doesn't involve shopping, it really is a lovely walk.

Ormskirk has so many things to do for students! there are a range of local shops including charity shops, beauty shops, book shops and a 0 waste shop!! There is also an escape room that holds freshers events, making it a great place to make friends!

There are the main stores such as Waterstones and Boots you have the charity shops like British Heart and Cancer Research. There are lots of cafes which are great when wanting to get out of your room and go do some work there’s both Starbucks and Costa. There are lots of places to eat such as the Bagel Deli, Cobble, Nordico Lounge and so much more. You have the towns market that takes place on Thursdays and Saturdays. However if you want more option or a fun day out then you Liverpool which is only a 30 minute train away.

To many, this may be one of your biggest fears when choosing to come to university (I know it was definitely one of mine). However, the nature of university life means the process of socialising and friend making is entirely natural and a lot easier than other experiences you may of had. During welcome week especially, you are given multiple opportunities for this to happen, from Freshers events to course taster sessions, or even just socialising in your flat, you are bound to find people you click with some where. That's another positive of university life - due to the independence of being able to choose what you do with your day, the friends you make will be naturally build through your lifestyle choices. This means that the people you meet will already have some things in common with you!

Yeah it is easy to make friends! A good recommendation is when you begin if you live on campus to keep an open door policy at the start so people can pass by and say hello. Also might be good to bring something like cakes as an ice breaker or have a night in to begin with to get to know each other better. Additionally if your off campus join societies and get to know people well of your course as it’s likely you will have similar interests