Welcome to Essex! We’re so excited you’re here!

Settling in? We’ve got you covered.

Starting university is exciting, but it can also feel a little scary, overwhelming or just… a lot. There’s plenty to get used to, from finding your way around campus to figuring out how the washing machine works (and wondering why you suddenly have so much washing).

It’s completely normal for settling in to take some time. In fact, the National Union of Students estimates that up to 70% of new students feel homesick in their first few weeks at university. So, if you’re feeling a little out of place, missing home or wondering when it’s all going to start feeling normal, you’re definitely not the only one.

And even if you don’t hear other people talking about it, whatever you’re feeling is completely normal. You might feel at home straight away, or it might take a few weeks — or even a few months — to find your feet.

If you take away one thing from this page, let it be this: don’t be afraid to ask questions! No one expects you to arrive knowing how everything works or to have your whole university life figured out from day one.

Whether you need practical advice, a bit of reassurance or just someone to point you in the right direction, there’s support available. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own