Preparing for a college and university life outside your native country is as important as a UCAS application which guarantees the students a spot in the best universities. While we all know what the preparation should be like for academics, few know what bases are to be covered in order to counter the culture shock. In order to get over them, you need not just the mental sanctity but also an implementation of few basic plans which can make your stay worthwhile during your study period. Take a look at the tips to better prepare you while studying abroad:

1. Set up a student bank account- This is the first of the many mandatory things to be done while pursuing your studies under study abroad scholarships. Having a bank account at the nearest branch to your university can save you from your bill paying woes big time. Once you set up an account, you can make any sort of payment with regard to college fee and other miscellaneous expenses. Students can also benefit from the offers by the rail networks in countries like the UK wherein they give free 4 year railcard or an interest-free overdraft.
2. Learn the basics of a few foreign language- It is not just English that we are talking about. If you happen to be an international student, there are good chances of meeting and interacting students from all parts of the world. While English is definitely going to be a language barrier, if you still learn a language or two from different countries, you are likely to avoid isolation at university meet or some social gatherings. The UK Universities, for long, have the repute to conduct such events on a regular basis and it is about time you harnessed your skills in the language.
3. Decide on what you need to carry with you- Contrary to the popular belief that you need to pack it all up, there is no such rules. Rather you are required to carry only those stuffs that you need most. If you are allotted a residence/hostel room by the universities, you are well and good without carrying much of your essentials.
4. Use social media- In this age of social media; you are no more a strange provided you use the medium to your benefits. This platform is the best way to make some friends and get to know people on your course before arriving. You can often get in touch with flat mates in halls and get to know each other before moving in or plan some events together for Freshers week! Even the universities have their official user accounts and handles on popular social media accounts like Facebook and Twitter. They post all the updates with regard to syllabus, exam dates and other important announcements on a regular basis. It also acts as a forum for interaction between students and teachers who can also raise their grievances. No wonder one can fall behind if they fail to realize the importance of going social!