One of the key life skills that you will develop at university is managing your money. This may be the first time you are in charge of your own finances.

Student FundingLink opens in a new window is a team based at Senate HouseLink opens in a new window and they are there to support you and can provide advice on all funding matters including budgeting, if you struggle financially and signposting. You can book an appointmentLink opens in a new window or email them.

They also provide great resources on managing your moneyLink opens in a new window including topics such as:

• Student back accounts
• Bank statements
• Credit scoring
• Overdrafts
• Banking online
• Planning your money for the future

Meal planning is a great way of saving money and managing your time well. It also means you only have to go to the shop once every week or two weeks. It is also a great way of making sure you waste less food as you are more likely to use up all the produce you buy.

To help fight food waste more and save money at the same time, look into the following apps:

• Too Good To Go – allows you to purchase unsold food from restaurants and shops like Costa or Tesco
• Olio – allows you to connect with people in your local area that have surplus food that you can pick up for free
• No Waste – allows you to check what food you have left, plans meals and reduce waste

It is a good idea to practise some meals before you come to university but don’t worry you’ll learn as you go along. A good place to start is to try cooking your favourite meal that you eat at home so you can make it if you ever feel a bit homesick. Have a look at some of these websites for recipe ideas and basic cooking skills:

• The Student Food ProjectLink opens in a new window – Easy and budget friendly recipes made for students by students
• BBC Food Student RecipesLink opens in a new window – A collection of basic recipes to start you off like chilli, broccoli pasta etc
• Basic cooking skillsLink opens in a new window – Some simple tutorials with videos on cooking pasta, rice eggs etc

For first year, a lot of students tend to live in on campus accommodation which is managed by Warwick AccommodationLink opens in a new window. In later years, some students choose to move out of campus and tend to live in Leamington Spa or Coventry so it is worth having a look at both areas to see where would suit you better. It's a good idea to check for transport links, rental prices and home insurance when making your decisions.

One of the most important parts is choosing good housemates that you will get on with. You don’t have to live with the same people as in first year, you can live with your course mates or friends you make in societies, sport clubs etc. The SU also has a housemate finding forum where only Warwick students can post. There is no right answer, you have to find what works for you.

Finding the right housemates might take time so don’t rush. You don’t have to find your home for second year in the first term of your first year. There are plenty of houses available all year around, so don’t feel pressured. For most private houses you will need to pay upfront for a deposit (normally one months' rent) so bear this in mind when budgeting your first year finances.

The Warwick SU Advice Centre offers a free, confidential, impartial and non-judgmental service. They have great resources on the different aspects of renting including:

• Choosing an agent or landlord
• Tenancy agreements
• Deposits
• Repairs
• Moving in and out tips
• Security