Student Special: “Ireland’s public transport isn’t exactly famous for its reliability, especially late at night. Knowing your route home before you leave can save a lot of stress later”

So you’ve just moved into your new dorm. Your parents just gave you one too many hugs for comfort, and your flatmates are yet to emerge from their rooms. For many students, moving away for university is the first real taste of independence. No curfews. No parents asking where you’re going. It’s exciting, and it’s liberating, but it can also feel quite terrifying when the only person responsible for yourself is you.

Whether you’re moving into student accommodation, sharing a house, or renting a room, here’s what every fresher should know before starting life on their own.

Your phone will be your lifeline. It can be hard to know who to make an emergency contact when the only person you know in this new place is the guy from the post office, but try to find to build a community of trusted contacts as soon as you can.

Whether it’s your accommodation reception, the campus security guards, a roommate, or better yet, a roommate’s parents who don’t live far, having someone you can get in touch with during an emergency is always a good call. It sounds obvious, but your phone will quickly become one of your most important safety tools.

Always leave the house with enough battery to get home, particularly on nights out. If you’re heading into town, bring a portable charger or make sure low-power mode is switched on. Losing your phone isn’t just inconvenient; it also means losing access to maps, emergency contacts, transport apps and your ability to call for help if something goes wrong.

Freshers’ Week has a habit of making every journey feel spontaneous. One minute you’re at a society event, the next you’re somehow in a pub you’ve never heard of with people you met three hours ago. Before heading anywhere unfamiliar, know how you’re getting home.
Check bus times, download transport apps, and always have a backup plan. Ireland’s public transport isn’t exactly famous for its reliability, especially late at night. Knowing your route home before you leave can save a lot of stress later.

Try to also find ‘safe spaces’ wherever you now live. Some student centres are open 24 hours - great if you accidentally locked yourself out of your dorm or missed your last bus home. Knowing where to go when all other options fail is a good strategy.

Freshers’ Week is brilliant. It’s also the week when thousands of students find themselves in an unfamiliar city surrounded by strangers. If you’re going out, arrive with people and leave with people. The buddy system might sound like something from secondary school, but it works. Keep an eye on your friends and make sure somebody knows where you’re going if plans change.

Never leave drinks unattended. Don’t accept drinks from strangers unless you’ve seen them being prepared. If something tastes strange or you’re suddenly feeling far more buzzed than expected, tell somebody immediately.

Many freshers arrive at university capable of writing essays but incapable of operating a hob. If you’re cooking for yourself for the first time, learn a few basics.

Don’t leave food unattended on the cooker and keep kitchen towels away from open flames. Student accommodation fire alarms have a reputation for going off at 3 am; try not to be the reason why. Lastly, know where to get help. Many students don’t realise how much support is available on campus.

Universities have student support services, counselling services, security teams, accommodation offices and student unions specifically designed to help students navigate challenges. Whether you’re struggling with your mental health, dealing with accommodation issues or feeling in any way unsafe, asking for help early is always better than waiting until things become a crisis.