What to Do After Final Exams? A Pre-University Checklist of Things to Sort Out Before Classes Start

You did it – final high school exams are behind you, and one of the most exciting chapters of your life is just ahead! Between picking up your graduation certificate and attending your very first lecture, a lot of paperwork, important decisions, and small tasks await you that are easy to overlook in all the excitement. We’re here to make your start easier.

In this article, we’ve organized a comprehensive pre-university checklist of things to get done before classes start, so you know exactly what to handle and when, letting you enjoy what’s ahead with a completely clear head!

You have your exam results – what’s next? First steps

Congratulations, your final high school exams are out of the way! Before you get back to celebrating, take a deep breath – the second stage begins now, and it is just as important as the exams themselves. The coming weeks will determine which university you end up at, where you will live, and how smoothly you transition into the academic year.

The absolute priority right now: university admissions. It sets the pace for all the subsequent steps on this list, so let's tackle it first.

University admissions – key deadlines and formalities

University admissions in Poland are conducted entirely online through systems such as IRK, ERK, or similar university platforms. Every higher education institution has its own separate system, so if you're applying to several universities, create as many accounts as you need. We have described the whole process step by step, along with common pitfalls to avoid, in our dedicated guide to university admissions and the IRK & ERK systems – here is the essence:

A few essential things to keep in mind:

• Enter your exam scores into the system immediately after they are officially announced – the sooner you do it, the less last-minute stress you'll face;
• Pay the recruitment fee for each chosen program separately – without a booked payment, the system may skip your application during the qualification procedure;
• Keep a close eye on ranking and qualification lists – after results are published, you usually have only a few days to confirm your enrollment and submit the full document folder;
• Prepare your document folder – typically, you must submit your original high school diploma (or certified copy), the application form printed from the university portal and signed by hand, and ID photos in both paper and digital formats;
• Always have a Plan B – if you missed the threshold by a few points, check the dates for supplementary recruitment for full-time programs, or explore part-time programs and private universities.

If you find yourself on a waiting list, don't give up – spots frequently open up throughout August and September as other candidates choose alternative universities.

Where will you live? Accommodation is one of your first decisions

This is definitely not a topic to leave for the last month of summer. If you're heading to university in a major city like Warsaw or Krakow, sorting out accommodation is the most critical item on your checklist. Waiting until late September often ends in overpaying for tiny rooms in remote suburbs.

Searching for a traditional flat on the private rental market comes with plenty of headaches: high deposits, complicated lease agreements, and uncertainty regarding the technical condition or skyrocketing heating bills in winter.

For this reason, more and more students are choosing modern private student residences. When choosing a place, look beyond just the baseline room rate. Always check what is included in the rent – utilities, internet, room furnishings, and access to shared amenities. See what the price of a private dorm genuinely covers before comparing offers.

At StudentSpace, you can complete your booking 100% online without waiting for admission results – and if your plans change, flexible cancellation terms give you a safe cushion. Our student residences in Krakow and Warsaw offer modern, fully furnished studios with private en-suite bathrooms and kitchenettes. Utilities and high-speed Wi-Fi are already included in the rent, so you pay one predictable monthly fee with zero surprises.

Student ID, bank account, and healthcare – the student organizational toolkit

Once university paperwork and housing are locked in, it's time for administrative tasks that will make your daily life much easier:

• Electronic Student ID (ELS) – upload an appropriate passport-style photo to the university portal and pay the application fee; this is your most important document (granting transport discounts and cheaper culture tickets);
• Check scholarship deadlines – universities usually announce deadlines for social or academic scholarships at the very beginning of the academic year; missing them means waiting until the next semester;
• Open a student bank account – if you don't have one yet, open a free youth/student account with a great mobile app;
• Healthcare coverage – before moving to a new city, locate the nearest primary healthcare clinic (POZ in Poland). Remember that as long as you are studying and under 26, you remain covered under your parents' health insurance;
• Plan your monthly budget – factor in rent, groceries, city transport, and a small buffer for unexpected expenses.

University starter kit – what to buy before you leave?

Starter shopping is a whole separate topic – and a separate checklist. If you want to know exactly what to buy and how much it will cost within your budget, check out our university shopping list, where you'll find specific items broken down into budget categories.

In short: the better equipped your future room is, the shorter and cheaper your starter shopping will be. Before buying anything, check carefully what your residence provides – that's step one to avoid buying duplicates.

How to prepare mentally for this new chapter?

Formalities aside, moving away for university is a significant emotional shift – and it is completely normal to feel a mix of excitement, stress, or a slight fear of loneliness in a new place. We understand this inside out – which is why we broke this entire topic down in a dedicated post – read more about how to overcome first-week stress and make friends.

A few key tips are worth remembering right now: join your year and faculty groups on social media before the first lecture, attend at least one integration event during your first week, and avoid locking yourself in your room right after classes. These small steps make a new city feel welcoming much faster.

Choosing an environment that naturally fosters connections makes this transition infinitely easier. The open StudentSpace community creates a safe haven where nobody feels anonymous. Regular integration events, shared chillout zones, gaming lounge tournaments, and movie nights ensure that meeting peers and stepping into student life in Krakow or Warsaw feels effortless.

"The biggest fear for freshmen isn't difficult midterms, but questions like: 'Who will I hang out with?' and 'How will I fit into a new city?'. The key to peace of mind is knowing that everyone around you starts from the exact same point. At StudentSpace, we make sure to break the ice from day one. We organize meetups, casual events, and spaces where friendships spark naturally – without awkwardness or pressure."

– Julia Wójcik, Sales & Community Building Junior Manager at StudentSpace

Start with the most important step – secure a great place to live

Of all the items on this checklist, securing accommodation is best handled earliest – it determines how calmly you navigate the rest of your preparations. While other graduates are just starting to sift through dozens of ads, scheduling flat viewings, and stressing over deposits, you can check this off your list in a few minutes.

Check our current availability of fully furnished studios with private bathrooms and kitchenettes in modern StudentSpace residences in Krakow and Warsaw. Choose a place ready for move-in from day one: no buying furniture, no shady ads, no flatmate lotteries – just a vibrant StudentSpace community!

Have questions about a specific room, location, or the booking process? Drop us a line at: hello@studentspace.pl – we'll gladly help you take the next step.