Starting University (Second Edition): the book that helps students prepare for university
Updated in 2021, Starting University (Second Edition) is a useful and easy-to-read bestselling book that provides a reassuring look at university life and helps students prepare for this exciting and life-changing experience.
Packed with helpful advice, hints and links, the book includes:
Aimed at the young adult audience, the writing is accessible and the design is appealing. It's mostly written in bullet point format, includes wise, witty and poignant comments from first year university students, has good use of white space and includes attractive illustrations. It’s the perfect gift for anyone preparing for university. |
What Students Say
"Everything about going to university is made so simple. There were things I hadn't thought of doing and the double checklist is great!"
“The chapter on friendships is so informative and enlightening, particularly the info on how to make friends whilst Covid is still occurring.”
“This book is so reassuring, providing amazing advice for all aspects of university life and how it may be different post pandemic.”
“I really enjoyed reading this book and I LOVE that both sides (positive and negative) of social media are highlighted. And listing the different places you can reach out to if you’re really struggling is great - it highlights that there are lots of options!”
"I finished the book in one night - I couldn't put it down. So much information I didn't know I had to do. Thank you for the suggestions, they were needed."
“This is a really thorough and informative guide including everything you need to know before you go to uni. I especially love the checklists!”
“This is really useful explaining how to prepare for university”
“I wish I had this student guide when I started uni because there were so many things that I didn’t even think about bringing with me. I also found the chapter on money very useful and it has given me lots of ideas on how to save money and spend wisely.”
“The chapter on friendships is so informative and enlightening, particularly the info on how to make friends whilst Covid is still occurring.”
“This book is so reassuring, providing amazing advice for all aspects of university life and how it may be different post pandemic.”
“I really enjoyed reading this book and I LOVE that both sides (positive and negative) of social media are highlighted. And listing the different places you can reach out to if you’re really struggling is great - it highlights that there are lots of options!”
"I finished the book in one night - I couldn't put it down. So much information I didn't know I had to do. Thank you for the suggestions, they were needed."
“This is a really thorough and informative guide including everything you need to know before you go to uni. I especially love the checklists!”
“This is really useful explaining how to prepare for university”
“I wish I had this student guide when I started uni because there were so many things that I didn’t even think about bringing with me. I also found the chapter on money very useful and it has given me lots of ideas on how to save money and spend wisely.”
What Parents Say
“So many things to think about in such an easy to read format. I love the checklist and ticking it off twice – great idea to help feel in control of jumping off the precipice into the unknown. I wish I had this book when I went off to university - it would have made my first year so much easier!”
“I want my daughter to embrace everything at university. This student guide is a great resource which can be read in one sitting or dipped into when needed.”
“A must for all students starting uni during the Covid-19 pandemic. This book brilliantly covers off every angle in practical and positive detail.”
“It’s very easy to read and digest. Really nicely presented with not too much information on each page to overwhelm you! The link to the website that shows how much they pay in rent at each university and how much they spend on food etc is a great idea!! It’s useful to get an idea of monthly outgoings and that looks spot on!”
"This book is helpful on so many counts. I'm a planner and the timeline is really useful in telling me what my daughter needs to do and by what date. Also, the money section prepares us for how much we'll need to give her and how much she'll need to pay back when she graduates. It's brilliant: one place to go to for everything we need to know."
"Not only is this informative and funny in places but it's also written in a kind and reassuring way."
“This is awesome. Lovely writing and very accessible.”
“This is amazing. Totally understandable even to a non-uni goer like me. So well written and I can totally see why both students and parents would benefit from reading it.”
“Really good and a huge amount of information”
“With each page I discovered more and more useful hints to get my family and I through the complex and high-stress university process”
"Impressive stuff. Thorough, detailed, thought of everything. I can’t fault it"
“An indispensable guide that navigates you through the complexities of modern student life. Every aspect has been thoroughly researched and thoughtfully written - especially useful was the section on money that had so many valuable money-saving hints and tips I would never have thought of!”
“I’m so glad this book’s been written - it’s brilliant! It’s got some fab information in here and is so comprehensive. Just as a mother/cleaner/general dogsbody around the house there are a few things that I love - use a different set of gloves to clean the loo than you do in the kitchen!! Don’t leave plates of food in your room or it will attract bugs!!! Those among many others have made me smile!!”
“The 'Countdown to Leaving' section gives a reassuring view of what’s needed to be done and when – so I feel I’m not missing anything out! And I was really impressed with the ‘Parents’ section, a thorough guide to how things affect us and how we can help ourselves and our Daughter prepare.”
“Fascinating and full explanation of how student finance works…we now have a better idea of how much money we need to give our son.”
“I want my daughter to embrace everything at university. This student guide is a great resource which can be read in one sitting or dipped into when needed.”
“A must for all students starting uni during the Covid-19 pandemic. This book brilliantly covers off every angle in practical and positive detail.”
“It’s very easy to read and digest. Really nicely presented with not too much information on each page to overwhelm you! The link to the website that shows how much they pay in rent at each university and how much they spend on food etc is a great idea!! It’s useful to get an idea of monthly outgoings and that looks spot on!”
"This book is helpful on so many counts. I'm a planner and the timeline is really useful in telling me what my daughter needs to do and by what date. Also, the money section prepares us for how much we'll need to give her and how much she'll need to pay back when she graduates. It's brilliant: one place to go to for everything we need to know."
"Not only is this informative and funny in places but it's also written in a kind and reassuring way."
“This is awesome. Lovely writing and very accessible.”
“This is amazing. Totally understandable even to a non-uni goer like me. So well written and I can totally see why both students and parents would benefit from reading it.”
“Really good and a huge amount of information”
“With each page I discovered more and more useful hints to get my family and I through the complex and high-stress university process”
"Impressive stuff. Thorough, detailed, thought of everything. I can’t fault it"
“An indispensable guide that navigates you through the complexities of modern student life. Every aspect has been thoroughly researched and thoughtfully written - especially useful was the section on money that had so many valuable money-saving hints and tips I would never have thought of!”
“I’m so glad this book’s been written - it’s brilliant! It’s got some fab information in here and is so comprehensive. Just as a mother/cleaner/general dogsbody around the house there are a few things that I love - use a different set of gloves to clean the loo than you do in the kitchen!! Don’t leave plates of food in your room or it will attract bugs!!! Those among many others have made me smile!!”
“The 'Countdown to Leaving' section gives a reassuring view of what’s needed to be done and when – so I feel I’m not missing anything out! And I was really impressed with the ‘Parents’ section, a thorough guide to how things affect us and how we can help ourselves and our Daughter prepare.”
“Fascinating and full explanation of how student finance works…we now have a better idea of how much money we need to give our son.”
What the Professionals Say
"Starting University is packed with tips and information for the prospective undergraduate...it would make a useful addition in the Sixth Form Library...an excellent source for pastoral staff...or as part of PSHE generally."
The School Librarian the journal of the School Library Association
The School Librarian the journal of the School Library Association
Recommended Reading in Schools and Universities
Copies of Starting University can be found in school sixth form and careers libraries across the UK.
Starting University is a recommended resource for new university students. Student welfare, support and wellbeing departments recommend it, including University of Manchester (Settling In) and University of Leeds (Successfully Managing Change and Transition).
Starting University is a recommended resource for new university students. Student welfare, support and wellbeing departments recommend it, including University of Manchester (Settling In) and University of Leeds (Successfully Managing Change and Transition).
PLEASE do leave a review wherever you buy the book from as they're really important. Thank you!