Every year, new students prepare for intro week at their new place of study. Intro week is exciting, festive, and packed with activities designed to ensure a strong start, both academically and socially.
During intro week, you’ll bond with new classmates, meet your teachers, and get familiar with your new school’s surroundings. If you’ve moved to a new city, it’s also a great time to explore the place that will be your home for the coming years.
Your school’s intro program offers a variety of fun activities for students, including welcome lectures, game and activity afternoons, evening get-togethers, and other social events. It’s going to be so exciting that we’re thrilled on your behalf!
To make the most of your study start, it’s important to have your finances and student budget in order. We’ll help you enjoy intro week without breaking the bank.
At Nido, we’ve created a guide to help you prepare for intro week. The guide covers the following topics:
- How to navigate intro week on a student budget
- Materials and essentials for your new student housing
- Activities to explore your new city at the start of your studies
- Must-attend events during intro week at your school
Let’s get you ready for an unforgettable intro week!
Get the Most Out of Intro Week on a Student Budget
Intro week is filled with extraordinary experiences. Your school’s intro program is designed to help you quickly connect with your new classmates, learn about the campus, try new activities, and ease into student life. However, intro week isn’t free, so it’s important to plan carefully. That way, you can enjoy the week without straining your budget.
Here at Nido, we’ve gathered our best tips for managing your student life budget:
Create a Budget
A well-organized budget can make student life easier. Start by listing all your monthly expenses and include an estimate for intro week activities. This overview will help you identify which events you can afford now and which ones might need to wait.
Always include a buffer in your budget for spontaneous activities. Setting aside a little extra allows you to participate when new friends invite you to a pub quiz or a coffee outing!
Your intro week budget should include:
- Housing, study expenses, bills, groceries, etc.
- Costs for specific intro week activities
- Study materials
- A buffer for spontaneous activities
Save Money Before Study Start
You’re not the only one preparing for your first week of school. Many stores, restaurants, and companies are also gearing up for the influx of students. In the first weeks of the semester, many will offer special student discounts to attract you to their businesses—take advantage of these deals!
Check online for student discounts or special activities for students. Watch for back-to-school sales—even if you don’t need pencils or a new pencil case, you might save on notebooks and other study essentials!
Plan Ahead
Planning your intro week ahead of time can help you stretch your budget further. With so many activities on offer, money can disappear quickly, so good planning is key.
However, avoid planning every detail—leave room for spontaneity! Instead, sketch a rough plan of the events you want to attend and their costs.
Many universities and schools offer discount packages for intro events, allowing you to save compared to buying individual tickets. If you plan to attend multiple activities, it might be worth checking if your school has these deals available.
What You Need for Move-In
You’ve probably already made a packing list: clothes, toiletries, electronics, and important documents. However, some items—like school supplies—are best purchased after you’ve settled in. Here are some essentials to consider:
Items for Your Apartment
Moving into student housing is an exciting opportunity to decorate a new space. To feel at home before classes start, personalize your living area. If you have roommates, consider decorating common areas together to build a connection.
Here’s a list of items to make your apartment cozy:
- Adhesive strips (great for hanging items without leaving marks)
- Thumbtacks for pinboards
- Posters
- Photos of friends and family
- LED lights or fairy lights
- Plants, candles, or other personal decorations
Kitchen Supplies
Kitchenware is often a priority when moving into student housing. However, it’s a good idea to wait until you’ve moved in to buy these items. If you share a kitchen, there may already be some shared supplies. Here are essentials you might need:
- Glasses and mugs
- Bowls and plates
- Cutlery
- Pots and pans
- Sharp knives and cutting boards
- Oven mitts
- Whisks, ladles, and spatulas
- Baking trays
- Measuring cups
- Bottle opener and corkscrew
Study Materials
It’s also smart to wait until you start classes to buy books and supplies, as discounts are often available at campus bookstores during intro week. Here’s what you might need:
- Required textbooks and course materials
- Notebooks (one for each class)
- Pens, highlighters
- Folders (one for each module to keep materials organized)
- USB drive
- Backpack for carrying books
Explore Your New City
Looking for ways to get to know your new city beyond campus activities? Use this time to explore and familiarize yourself with your surroundings.
Be a Tourist for a Week
Embrace your inner tourist and explore local landmarks. Wander the city streets to soak in the atmosphere—it’s free and helps you feel at home.
If you don’t manage to see everything, make a list of attractions and visit them during weekends.
Discover Your Local Area
Spend time during intro week getting to know practical locations in your area. Consider inviting roommates to join you on a small exploration trip to find:
- Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other shops
- Banks and post offices
- Laundromats if laundry isn’t available where you live
- Public transportation stops
- Restaurants and bars
Meet Your Roommates
Living with new people can feel intimidating, but remember, everyone’s in the same boat. Use intro week to bond—explore the city, attend events together, or simply hang out over coffee.
Join Campus Activities
Intro activities are designed to help you connect with classmates and get familiar with your school. Attend as many as possible to build friendships and confidence.
Check your school’s website or social media for event schedules. Some schools offer open houses for clubs and associations—try a new hobby or find one that matches your interests!
Still Looking for Student Housing?
At Nido, we provide modern student accommodations across Europe, offering various options with shared or private kitchens. We focus on creating balanced student lives by offering study facilities and social areas, including fitness and wellness rooms.
If this sounds appealing, feel free to contact us—we’d love to hear from you and answer your questions!