I got a bit unlucky with my flat mates the first year, in that I didn't really get along with them too well. They were into clubbing, getting pissed every other night, playing rock band on the PS3 and watching lots of football at the pub. Not necessarily something I wasn't interested in doing, but I didn't make as much of an effort to fit in with them in the first few weeks, and I eventually became the odd one in the group who never went out or talked to them much. So there's my first tip, try your hardest to socialize with the people you are living with, otherwise you will be outcast for the rest of the year.

Secondly, join any group that looks interesting to you. I joined the gaming society, which is where I met most of my friends for the year, and the person who I'm sharing a house with this year. Most groups are just an excuse for people with similar interests to go to the pub and get drunk together anyway, though the gaming society did do monthly LANs, one of which I went to (I didn't go to more because it was such a hassle taking my PC).

Try to go home as often as you can, even if you can get home for 1 night at the weekend, mum's food and your own bed will seem like paradise after living at uni (you can also take washing back, I managed to not use the laundry once and washed everything once a month xD). I tried to go back for the weekend every month, though before I came back for summer I had been at uni for at least two months, and got very homesick.

For food (and I'm going to do this in days per week, on average): One day I would have fish & chip takeaway. Three days I would generally try to cook for myself spaghetti bolognese or stir fry (very easy to do). Other three days would be microwave meals. Breakfast was usually cereal (or nothing, but I'd advise against that, going to a lecture with an empty stomach is not a good thing). Lunch usually in sandwich form from the cafeteria or local store. Hmm what else....

I spent more time playing games than I should have, I left coursework to the last minute, the usual stuff. If you have any more questions feel free to ask .