Get to know the area/campus. Get a map if your not given one they should be everywhere. Walk round and find out where your lecture halls are - if its empty go in and look around it's not like your school classroom.
Find your course leaders office, you will want to know where it is at some time in the future.
Find your workshops, classrooms, library, IT centre, student union etc. Knowing where they are will make you feel easier. Keep the map you will need it again in the future.
Go into town look around away from the students haunts local to the campus. You will find interesting, and quieter places. Your going to be there for a few years hopefully so need to know the place to make the best of it.
Personally I don't think students need the cost or issues of running a car. Parking is usually at a premium or not available at all. Cost are high at a time of limited funding. Risks and temptation to drink and drive are high. No car avoids all these and coach travel is fairly quick, available and cheap. Even trains are not so bad if you get the right fare. Ask, see if there is a student discount.
Find a decent supermarket. Even on full board your going to need essentials. toiletries, tea, coffee, biscuits etc. find a chemist - a 24 hour one if possible at some time you will need it and the pharmacist may be more available for advice than a doctor (and almost as good).
DON'T have unprotected sex, just don't. On most campus you can get free condoms usually from the student welfare or student union don't be ashamed or embarrassed.
Do remember that the terrifyingly self assured freshers who seem to have everything sorted out are almost certainly putting on an act and may be quite boring in reality.
I would recommend avoiding trailing in their wake like a groupie hopeful some of that assurance will rub off. It won't. In the end you will just look silly and often miss better chances and friends.
On the other hand talk to people who are like this - and there are always some - as equals and you may find they are genuinely nice and as worried as you underneath. However don't snub other who are, perhaps, not as socially gifted. Who knows what they may be like when they come out of their shell.
Don't think because you get amorous with a fellow student you are hitched for life. Few students are. Be prepared to get hurt, it's more than likely going to happen. You're in a world where there is a lot of sudden freedom to do what you like and a lot of choice, don't be surprised if people exercise those choices and you just happen to be one of them.
RESIST the temptation to live on junk food - You know what it is. It will not do you any good in the long run and may do harm and make it hard to study and work as you must. Junk food is surprisingly expensive - a bag of apples and some cheese makes a better option and a much lower cost. You can hid it under a multi bag of crisps if your embarrassed.
You are there to enjoy your time as well as work. Be organised and have enough time (and money) for enjoyment as well as work and you will be fine.
You will survive, thousands do every year, millions have in the past. You will as well, even better if you heed at least some of this blog.
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