Your First Month at University: The Essential Student Checklist

The first weeks at university are always a mix of excitement and stress. A new country, a different educational system, and language and cultural differences can feel a little overwhelming.

However, the first month sets the foundation for your entire student experience. It’s not just about getting into the academic routine — it’s also about organizing daily life, adapting to a new culture, and making your first connections. To make this transition easier, we’ve prepared a seven-step checklist to help you settle in quickly and feel more confident in your new environment.

Here’s what to do in your first month at university:

1. Open a bank account
2. Activate your student ID card
3. Connect with international student support
4. Make new friends
5. Explore the city and local infrastructure
6. Set up a personal budget (and don’t forget student discounts)
7. Establish a routine and daily schedule

1. Open a Bank Account

Having a local bank account in the country where you will live and study for the next few years is essential.

First, most universities (and employers, if you plan to work part-time) require a local account for payments such as scholarships, grants, or financial aid. Second, it helps you save on fees for cash withdrawals or transfers. Finally, a local card makes everyday spending much easier — from paying for transportation and groceries to booking tickets online.

It’s also worth connecting local payment services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or their regional equivalents. These make it easier to top up transport cards, order food, or shop online.

Pro tip: Before leaving your home country, check your bank’s international fees. In some cases, it’s easier to use your home card for purchases during the first weeks while waiting for your local account to be set up.

2. Activate Your Student ID Card

The student ID (Campus Card) is a plastic card with a photo and an embedded chip. It is used to:

• access academic buildings, dormitories, and libraries;
• use gyms, printers, copiers, and other campus services;
• pay for meals in cafeterias or vending machines;
• participate in bonus or loyalty programs.

In many countries, a student ID also provides financial benefits. For example, the international ISIC card is recognized in 130 countries and offers discounts on transportation, accommodation, cultural activities, and shopping. In Lithuania, it can reduce city transport costs by up to 80%, and in the Czech Republic, it even works on international bus and train routes.

At some universities, student cards also provide discounts on medical and dental services.

A modern alternative to plastic cards is digital IDs. In the United States, solutions like Samsung Wallet allow students to store their card on a smartphone and use it for dorm access and NFC payments — even when the phone battery is low.

3. Connect with International Student Support

International Student Offices (ISOs or ISS/ISSO) help newcomers with visa and immigration issues, cultural adaptation, and provide academic, language, and psychological support.

They typically offer:

• Immigration and visa assistance: guidance on documents, arrival dates, visa status, renewals, and obligations.
• Orientation and adaptation support: welcome packages, orientation programs, guides, and advice on housing, transport, and healthcare.
• Academic and language support: help adapting to the university system and infrastructure, and assistance with English or other languages of instruction.
• Social integration and mentoring: peer mentoring and peer support programs where senior students help newcomers adjust to academic life and campus culture.

It is recommended to contact your university’s international office immediately upon arrival. This ensures you can quickly resolve formal and practical issues, receive support, and integrate more smoothly into university life.

4. Make New Friends

During the first month, many international students feel lonely in a new country — and that’s completely normal. However, to prevent loneliness from lingering, it’s important to start building a social circle from the very beginning.

Getting close to new people can be challenging, which is why most universities organize events specifically for first-year students: club fairs, sports matches, and meet-and-greet evenings. Participating in these activities is the easiest and safest way to meet other students who are also looking to make friends.

Dormitories or shared apartments are another natural setting for social interaction. Shared kitchens and common areas make it easy to start casual conversations about everyday life, gradually expanding your network of acquaintances.

Language exchange programs are another effective way to socialize. In these, international students help locals practice English while improving their own language skills. Volunteering is also a great option: working together not only helps you meet locals but also gives a sense of belonging to the community.

Today, almost every university has informal social media groups where students connect, find roommates, and discuss academic issues. Participating in these online communities can help newcomers integrate more quickly into the local environment.

Whatever method you choose, the key is to take initiative and not be afraid of taking the first step.

5. Explore the City and Local Infrastructure

In the first weeks, it’s important to get to know the city and its infrastructure to feel confident and save time. Start by familiarizing yourself with the public transportation system: bus, tram, and train schedules, routes, planning apps, and any student discounts or travel passes available.

Shops and pharmacies may operate differently from what you are used to. For example, in some countries, stores are traditionally closed on Sundays. In pharmacies, over-the-counter medicines are widely available, but prescription medications can only be obtained at specialized pharmacies. Knowing local rules and opening hours helps avoid unexpected problems.

It’s also useful to learn about cultural norms and everyday practices, such as waste sorting, queue etiquette, or customary greetings. In some countries, a cheek kiss is common, while in others a handshake is the standard. Understanding these cultural differences can help you adapt more quickly and prevent misunderstandings.

6. Set Up a Personal Budget (and Don’t Forget Student Discounts)

Students studying abroad usually spend money on accommodation, food, transportation, study materials, and leisure activities. To avoid unexpected expenses, it’s advisable to calculate approximate monthly costs in advance, plan a budget, and keep track of your spending.

Student discounts can significantly reduce expenses, including reduced fares on public transport, tickets to museums, cinemas, theaters, gyms, and cultural events. Many universities provide information on living costs in the city and offer money-saving tips, which are worth consulting.

It’s also useful to compare prices in stores, take advantage of promotions and cashback, plan purchases, and check payment conditions in cafes and shops. Organizing your budget with discounts in mind helps you manage finances wisely and avoid financial stress during your first months abroad.

7. Build a Routine and Daily Schedule

The last — but by no means least — step is to establish a routine that helps you balance academics with personal life. Why does this matter? During the first month abroad, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by new tasks and unfamiliar activities. Thoughtful planning ensures you find time not only for classes, but also for exercise, rest, and socializing — and helps you avoid burnout.

Modern digital tools can make this process much easier. Online calendars, note-taking apps, and task managers (such as Notion or Todoist) allow you to organize your study process, optimize your time, and reduce stress. For a detailed review of the most useful apps that can really simplify student life, check out this article.

Good luck with your studies — and a smooth adaptation to your new environment!