There are a couple of saving graces about the finances of Freshers’ Week.

Firstly the goody bag. The students’ union usually organises a plastic bag full of free stuff for new students. The free stuff comes from sponsors desperate to get your custom and includes everything from dog-flavoured Pot Snacks to new guarana and amphetamine drinks.

You’ll also be given a whole load of money-off coupons for more of the same which, when you discover the stuff is disgusting, you should throw away rather than waste money on.

There should also be some useful stuff in there, like toiletries, condoms, coffee, crisps, chocolate, even beer – you know, the essentials.

Secondly, there’s the stuff you bring from home. Many parents won’t object to you raiding the cupboards before setting off to university. Some will even help you load up.

Freshers’ Week is also the time parents are most likely to give you some extra cash.

You’ll presumably have already worked out between you how the whole formal parental contributions deal is going to work and some parents may want to stick rigidly to the formula. Fair enough. However, even they often feel tempted to shove £20 in your hand as they wave you goodbye (with a tear in the eye and a whoop of joy in their heart).

If they can afford it, don’t stop them. Just say thanks and tell them you’ll see them at Christmas. (You can tell them you love them too, if that’s the kind of stuff you do with your folks.)

• Freshers' week
• Starting out
• Costs you might forget about

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