Haynes Student Manual: The Step-by-Step Guide to University Life 0857332333, 9780857332332

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The complete guide to university life

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Bromley THE LONDON BOROUGH

ORPINGTON LIBRARY 01689 831557

www.bromley.gov.uk

Please return/renew this item by the last date shown. Books may also be renewed by phone and Internet.

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© James Thornhill 2012 James Thornhill has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

First published in July 2012 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978 0 85733 233 2 Published by Haynes Publishing, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7JJ, UK

Tel: 01963 442030 Fax: 01963 440001 Int. tel: +44 1963 442030 Int. fax: +44 1963 440001 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.haynes.co.uk Haynes North America, Inc., 861 Lawrence Drive, Newbury Park, California 91320, USA Printed in the USA by Odcombe Press LP, 1299 Bridgestone Parkway, La Vergne, TN 37086

Author: James Thornhill Project Manager: Louise Mcintyre Copy Editor: lan Heath Design: Austin Taylor Photos: Alamy and Shutterstock Posters: ‘advice to sink in slowly’ is an ongoing series of posters designed by graduates for the purpose of passing on advice and inspiration to first year students. An advice poster is given as a welcoming gift to first year students across the UK.

(www.advicetosinkinslowly.net)

While every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information given in this book, no liability can be accepted by the author or publishers for any loss, damage or injury caused by errors in, Or omissions from, the information given.

Whilst the publisher has made every effort to acknowledge the copyright ownership of material, if a copyright owner has inadvertently been offended, then please do discuss the matter with the Editorial Director of the Books Division at Haynes Publishing.

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Contents ee

Introduction 6

iving 3-21 Freshers’ Week: dos and don’ts Living in the uni bubble — Students’ union =|= Student committees =

ot going broke 22-37

‘stated mission is “to promote, defend and -

extend: the rights of students and to developae :and 1 champion strong students’ unions’.

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The NUS runs key campaigns on issues from

student housing to further education

student support, and from unpaid internships to graduate employability, to name a few examples.

The NUS is particularly well known for its campaigning work on higher education funding

discount card in the UK. The discount card also points to the commercial power the NUS holds — in

— and the pledge which it asked parliamentary

representing over seven million students, there’s

candidates to sign in the run-up to the 2010 UK

considerable ‘purchasing power’ to exercise. The

general election, stating that signatories would vote

NUS similarly uses this commercial leverage to

against any rise in tuition fees, was perhaps the

negotiate large discounts for students’ unions

single most high-profile campaign of the year.

through its commercial branch, NUS Services.

However, NUS campaigns also go much further

The NUS is democratically led, with member

than higher education funding, to include a massive

students’ unions annually electing the president;

range of issues affecting students. The NUS was

five vice presidents for each of the main policy

much praised for its successful campaign which

areas (further education, higher education, welfare,

forced HSBC into a U-turn on its decision to impose

union development, and society and citizenship);

charges on graduate overdrafts, seen as one of the

an officer for each of the liberation campaigns for

first campaigns to effectively use Facebook.

minority groups (black students, female students,

And the NUS runs key campaigns on issues

LGBT students, disabled students and international

from student housing to further education student

students); and their 50-strong national executive

support, and from unpaid internships to graduate

council (NUS NEC).

employability, to name a few examples. In addition to its campaigning work, the NUS is

Most of these elections take place at the NUS National Conference, which with over

also well known for its ‘NUS Extra’ discount card,

1,000 attendees is thought to be the largest

which is widely recognised as the major student

democratic student event in the world (elections

for the liberation officers take place at their own conferences). Key policy is also determined each year at the

The various types of student committee tend to represent specific student groups, such as course subjects, or for things like certain disabilities. These

NUS National Conference — including the ‘priority

can be organised on a course, college or halls basis

campaign’ that the NUS will work on for the coming

depending on the structure of the university you

year, any calls for national events, and much

attend.

else. During the year, the president and five vice

Most universities have a Students’ Union Council

presidents have to account for their decisions at

that gives student representatives an all-important

regular meetings of the NEC, and the vice presidents

platform to oversee and question (if necessary) the

also each hold a smaller ‘zone conference’ where

work of the students’ union officers and

policy is discussed and determined. While very

sabbaticals. Members get the

much a part of the NUS NEC, the liberation Campaigns are run as autonomous campaigns within the NUS, and are there to challenge the NUS to properly represent all groups. Any student or student officer can run to stand for any of the elected positions. However, typically students get involved first in the students’ union at their university or college; through this students gain important experience which can be invaluable both in running for such a high-profile campaign as an NUS national election, and in managing the large portfolios that each full-time elected NUS officer has. In addition to the NUS UK there are devolved, semi-autonomous organisations in each of the provinces — NUS Scotland, NUS Wales and NUSUSI in Northern Ireland (the latter also being linked to the Union of Students in Ireland). Each of these has a similar, if smaller, structure to NUS UK, with the same conferences and democratically determined policy development processes, and they Campaign on issues pertaining directly to students in their specific province. So in short the NUS are your voice on the issues that matter to you, and so much more than just the people who give you a discount card!

Student committees Maybe you don’t want to get involved in the students’ union but still want to be involved in helping yourself and your fellow students have a voice within the union and the university. If so you need to get involved in student committees. Lo

chance to grill the officers at organised meetings and also mandate them to take action on the issues that matter to students (basically force them to act). Union councils have a range of responsibilities such as planning union budgets, setting up select committees to investigate certain student issues, and appointing returning officers to oversee union elections and referendums. They also deal with things relating to the regional and national conferences of the NUS, meaning that they play a part in student issues on a national scale. In short the

Once you hold a committee position you might be approached by any number

of students

with any number of different problems and issues, so make sure

you're willing to commit before taking the decision to join one. Students’ Union Council plays a pretty important part in the democratic structure of your uni. Some of the different groups represented in student committees are Black Students, International Students, LGBT Students (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Students), Mature Students, Postgraduate Taught, Postgraduate Research Students, Students with Disabilities, and Women Students. Most of student life is represented in some way, meaning that if you have an issue you can normally get yourself heard. The committees are usually made up of the most dedicated students, and if you want to be a committee member dedication is what you need! Once you hold a committee position you might be approached by any number of students with any number of different problems and issues, SO make sure you're willing to commit before taking the decision to join one. There tend to be elections for presidents of committees, but for general positions you can usually get involved at any point during the year. You can also leave if you feel that you’re not able to devote the necessary amount of time to the committee. You should enquire with your students’ union about what committees operate within your campus. Most committees will also have web pages where you'll be able to find contact details of those already involved.

1.2

Going to university is likely to be the first time you need to learn the true value of money, the first time you'll need to manage paying for everything - rent, food, going out ... everything! And it’s all coming out of your pocket.

No one is going to buy this stuff for you. There’s no going to the cupboard and finding the biscuit tin has mysteriously refilled itself. Mum won’t be going

university education was free to British students. It hardly seems fair, does it? Not everywhere in the UK has the same rules

shopping for you. You’re on your own, and you

on fees. Here are the differences between the four

have to do all this on a measly student budget. How

home nations:

exactly are you going to avoid running out of money and suffering the very real consequences of being properly skint?

; Enqkand — UK students will have to pay up to £9,000 per year (depending on what the individual

If you don’t pay your landlord, they’ll throw you out. If you can’t afford to buy food, you won’t eat,

university is charging), unless you’re Welsh — then you only pay up to £3,465.

and so on and so on. It’s important you get good at looking after your cash.

» Wakes -— Same as England, with all UK students paying up to the full amount.

|All change on the fees front

»Yorthernm

Lreland - Local students will

pay £3,465 per year but all other UK students will have to pay up to the full amount.

You may have noticed people getting a little angry about the cost of education over the last year or

» Scot. Land — Now this has been causing quite

so. You may even have been involved in one of the

a bit of controversy, with English students shouting

protests to show your disgust.

about how unfair the system is. If you’re a Scottish

The political posturing, media coverage and |

student you can still get your university education for

student protests since the Brown report in 2010 has

free in Scotland; but all non-Scottish UK students

managed to blur a lot of the faéts about the rise in fees

will have to pay the full amount.

and what the new finance system means for students. Although the situation has changed for students,

In order to attract students many colleges

in many cases myths and misunderstandings will be

and smaller universities are offering considerably

deterring seriously worthy students from going to

cheaper fees. However, over a third of all institutions

university. From September 2012, universities in the

in England plan to impose the maximum amount

UK can charge up to £9,000 per year in tuition fees

of £9,000 per year, with predictions claiming that

for a full-time undergraduate student. Before this the

the average university will charge £8,500 to take a course there.

Chapter re

not going broke

|Student loans So, studying in the UK is going to cost a fortune.

MAXIMUM MAINTENANC RATES FOR 1 UL

It's enough to put anyone off. But there is help on

ifyou liveat home

offer in the form of student loans. If you’re about to start university you’ll more than likely have already sorted this out with the Student Loans Company (the Government-run body responsible for lending you the money, and getting it back); but if you’re starting in a year or so you'll

Ifyou live awayror and study outside : Ifyou live awayfrom

and study inLondon ae If you spend a year ofaUK course studying overseas —

still need to apply. There are two types of loan you can get your mitts on:

1 A tuition fee loan This type of loan covers the fees you’re charged to attend university. It’s paid directly to your

You'll get a chunk of this at the start of each term, in one go. So don’t spend it all at once, because once it’s gone it’s really gone! Before you can get any of this help you’ll have to prove you’re eligible for a loan based on all the factors

university or college.

mentioned before. You can get the full lowdown on

“MAXIMUM TUITION FEE LOANS _ New full-time students

your regional student finance office. It might all sound

£9,000 pa oe a

quite complicated but staff at these offices should

£6,¢ 000 per year ce

can contact the following offices for more information:

_ New full-time students |

be able to help you with the application process. You

at private university or eee New part-time students

what you’ll need to prove and provide by contacting

- £6 ae a ae a

New part-time students _

® England — www.direct.gov.uk/StudentFinance,

at private university Or college £4,400 peryear 2

telephone 0845 300 5090. ® Scotland — www.saas.gov.uk, telephone 0300 505 0505; ¢ Wales — www.studentfinancewales.co.uk or

2 A maintenance

loan

This loan is the one most people are talking about when they talk about your ‘student loan’. This is

www.cyllidmyfyrwyrcymru.co.uk, telephone 0845 602 8845. ®° Northern Ireland — www.studentfinanceni. co.uk, telephone 0845 600 0662.

the one that helps you with your living costs, or, if you're less than sensible, a massive pile of DVD box sets and new shoes.

You can also visit the Student Loans Company website at www.slc.co.uk.

The amount you can borrow depends on a number of things like where you live, how much your folks earn and what year of uni you’re in.

26

student

manual

TYPICAL STUDENT LOAN ‘REPAYMENTS FOR VARIOUS ©

SALARIES |

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Salary oS Of course, the downside of all this is that you'll eventually have to pay all the money back. Once you start paying it back they will be asking for both the

tuition fee and maintenance loan at the same time. But under the new terms in force from September 2012 you won't need to start paying a

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penny back until you’re earning over £21,000, and if you haven’t paid it all back after 30 years you’ll have it wiped out — gone!

;

To help curb your fears further regarding the

Of course, you’d rather not have to pay anything

whopping amount of cash you'll need to pay back,

back at all, but the amounts you have to part with

it’s probably worth giving you some more info on

are at least created to be affordable depending on

how it’s done, so here goes.

how much you earn.

Although many graduates will only take a few

To fully understand how much you’ll pay back

years to pass the £21k salary that means they have

and over how long, we need to take a closer look at

to start paying back their loan, even at this point the

the details. Under the new system you have to pay

payments are pretty small in the scheme of things:

back 9% of what you earn above £21,000. In theory,

chapter z

not going broke

despite owing a much larger figure, under the new

Your overdraft is the facility that allows you to

system you'll repay less each month than in the

keep spending even after your account has reached

past.

£0. Most student bank accounts offer an overdraft

The rate of payback is the same no matter what

of between £1,000 and £2,000. Even better, unlike

your yearly tuition fees are, so it’ll obviously take you

normal accounts the bank won’t even charge you

longer to pay back if they were £9,000.

interest on what you take out. But don’t see this as free money. Drawing out

Paying back a student loan offers you no tax benefits. You’ll be taxed on the amount you

£1,000 from your overdraft will mean sticking that

earn before the loan payment is taken off it. The

amount back in just to get back to nought. And you

Government can, of course, change these details

do have to pay this money back eventually. When

any time they like, but they usually make an

you graduate your bank will phase out the overdraft

announcement in plenty of time, even if you

being interest free, so the longer you’re using your

usually can’t do anything to change it.

overdraft the more money you'll end up paying to the bank for the privilege. When comparing bank accounts you should

Getting a student bank account You'll be needing somewhere to stash that loan (and other) cash, and in the lead-up to starting university a load of banks will no doubt have been doing their best to entice you to store it with them. Yes, sorry, you do need to have a bank account, and no, you can’t just store your cash in your desk drawer. Banks will have offered you all sorts of treats to get your business, but forget about that free pen and think about what’s going to be best for you to get the most out of your cash. Here are a few things to think about when you’re choosing your account: WHAT’S

THE

LIMIT?

Hello, student, meet Overdraft. Overdraft is your new best friend! But joking aside, as a student you'll live off your overdraft, and it’s literally a lifesaver. When all those nights out have added up, and you’re dangerously close

ah

|

to having spent every penny youhave,

your overdraft will allow you to keep

—_\

drawing out money (and spending).

—

-¢

ADVICETOSIN ; DAVID GIBSON /

ie

check out which have the best overdraft limits, and

READ THE CONTRACT

read the terms carefully to find out what the interest

You’ve decided on an account with a good deal

level is if you go past your overdraft limit (that’s the

on an overdraft and a sweet perk, but don’t rush

point at which you exceed your agreed limit). Some

to stick your signature on the dotted line just yet.

banks charge close to 20%, or expect a fee of a

Check over the contract first and ask the following

few pounds to be paid every so often until you go

questions:

back up into the 0% interest zone. Everyone makes mistakes with their spending and you don’t want to

Is there a minimum amount | need to open the

spiral further into debt because of harsh overdraft

account (and do | have it)?

charges.

Is there a monthly or annual charge for keeping the account?

CHECK

THE

PERKS

Do any charges come into effect if | go into my

So, in reality the perks offered by banks are a little

overdraft, or if my account goes lower than a

more enticing than a free pen. In fact some of them

certain amount?

are pretty sweet. See what each bank is willing to

Can the 0% interest overdraft limit be increased?

give you for signing with them. Each year there’s

If so, what’s the maximum?

a nice array of little bribes on offer — a free Young

Will |get a credit card when signing up for the

Person’s Railcard, contents insurance, cash and

account?

even music downloads have all been put on offer.

Are there any rules about how much | need to

While this shouldn’t be the only thing you base

use the account — are there a certain number of

your decision on, it can certainly make the decision

deposits and withdrawals | need to make each

easier.

month?

;

But don’t see this as free money.

chapter 2

.

not going broke

249

What the banks offer So what do the banks actually offer? This is what the biggest banks were ere at the time of we this book:

® £10 overdraft buffer zone — they won’t charge you until you’ve gone over your overdraft limit by £10.

500 interest-free during years U Overdraft -£1 one to three; if you study for longer the

~

° Save the change—every time you use your debit card Lloyds will round up to the nearest pound

overdraft is increased to £2,000 for years four to six. -

6 Visa debit-card and student credit-card —-19.9% APR (variable) and a minimum limit of

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and-stick the difference into your bank account: This might not sound like a lotbut itcould soon

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e add up. £500 (subject to application and approval). to. membership three-year _.6. Mobile-and-Internet-banking- —-meaning--..---*- Perks-— Lloyds. offer-a the Youth Hostels Association and also 40 free you can keep up with you account on your

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music downloads from eMusic.

|

phone and online.

BARCLAYS __° Overdraft — £2,000 interest-free for each year

_.¢ Mobile and Internet.banking..

of your degree course. There’s an option to

® Perks — there’s quite a range of little

extend your limit to £3,000, but they'll charge -—sperrks offered by Barclays to get you ea ‘ Ra eee led SE to. sign with. them: at... _interest.on everything used over £2,000. 8.9% interest per annum (variable). — Free Kasper in Inisenet ae mobile onc ~* A ‘contactless debit card’ — the card is just - ~——~—S—~ —Save £75 on anew monthly mobile ortablet _held near a reader and the payment.is made.

contract with Phones4u...

It’s safer than having cash and not as much

hassle a usual debit card payment.

— Up to Ue ase

Retin Seine SOREN.

e onn student travel

= =—=——Ss—~—SinSNCC.

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bursary competition thet ce —_’ ._ — _Student

_° Overdraft — up to £3,000 interest free, which is pretty generous. There’s also a

running a competition for one student to win

soo to relprthemrrmake-tretrrehcorne———

~~guaranteed £500 interest-free overdraft

_at account opening, and theyhaveno __—_world'.

tn

Winning that would more than make your

overdraft set--up fees.

uni life easier, it would completely change itl.

——~~--0-Unlike-other banks HSBC reward students ~~~ * Perks — HSBC have two little perks totryand oe who don’ tgo into their overdraft, offering =====—_—~-winyourbusiness;

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~ 2% annual interest on balances up to ®4-,000-held-in the accountin the first-year ° Mobile and Internetatbanking. ° Online budget calculator.

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—We. ~*-Overdraft -£1,000 interest-free in-year one, £1 250 |in year two, £1,500 in year three, rising to £1,,800 and then £2,000 in years four and five

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of your overdraft; but this is only payable on balances up to £500.

® Online banking. -* Perks — Santander will give you a mobile,

ee es ance also reward studentsts who | whc stay outeae of their overdraft. You can earn 1% annual

gt @Fest-ON-the-amount-you-have-above-the-start..-

_ gadget and laptop |insurance, worth over ~ £240 each. year, |

__ HALIFAX * Overdraft- an interest-free Srciat ofup to

* Commission-free foreign currency,

~~ £3,000 for every year you're studying. _ Ramon &‘Online mene

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which will be great fortravellers.

==”

_......Perks.— theyll give you.25% off. AA breakdown cover.

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NATWEST _

~~~? Overdraft — an interest-free limit of£7,000 in. ~~

Pp ._

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year.one. What's more they’ll also allow you to... —Student.discount card which gives go overdrawn interest-free up to £600 in the

~~ first term, £750 in the second and £1,000 ih”To

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= £100 off selected ASUS laptops.

_the third. _In the second, third, fourth andfifth years the interest-free overdraft rises to £1,250,

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,750

and £2,000 respectively, ~~

iPad

and BlackBer

mobile banking apps.

Online banking.

* Perks - Natwest hav some pretty nice perks if

you money off at places like STA Travel ANG

MNO

Al loads Morey,

~ If you're upgrading froma Natwest Adapt account to a student account you'll get’a brilliant free five-year 16-25

Railcard entitling youto a third offrailtravel__ costs. A few banks used to offer this, but

now appears tobe the-only ~~~Natwest

__one. Even then it'snotavailableto everyone!

”

Making a student budget So you’ve got your cash safely stored in a bank. Now you need to think about being able to pay for everything without running out of money. Having no money really isn’t much fun. And it’s not just a

|

plenty OF course, there are e or of apps For your phon most tablet that will Ao . for of the budgeting work ugh ou. Have a Loole thro

case of spending the bare minimum — even if you try to get by on just instant noodles, and wash your clothes only once a month, all these things still cost money. You'll want to know exactly what you need

your

batforws app store

e. +o see what's availabl

to spend each month, so | recommend you draw up a budget. This doesn’t have to be a complicated thing. It can be as basic as a simple list of outgoings

Deduct this amount from the amount you know you

(money going out) and when they need to be paid,

have available to Keep on top of your finances.

with a total of what you have to spend each month.

This way you can check off what you’ve spent against what you need to spend, and make sure you don’t come up short when you still have things you have to pay for.

How to write your budget First make a list of all your costs each month, term or year that you already know about. These can include:

® Rent and other accommodation costs. * Utility bills — stuff like water, electricity and gas. These may be included in your rent and

* Holidays — all that studying can be stressful and you might like a nice holiday in the sun to unwind. These aren’t cheap so you'll need to

accommodation costs. If they’re not don’t forget

really be on top of your finances to afford a

to factor them in.

trip to sunny climes rather than Skegness!

* Phone bills — both landline and mobile phones. * Internet costs.

Always remember to look for the best deals

® Laundry — whether you use coin machines in uni

on whatever you buy — there are hundreds of them

(or off-campus) or your own washing machine at

aimed specifically at saving students money, so

home, there are costs to consider, like washing

take advantage of them.

powder etc.

Just because you’ve budgeted for a certain

* Insurance — both for your possessions and, if you have one, your Car.

amount doesn’t mean you have to spend it all. Saving a little here and there will give you more

* Travel — stuff like bus passes, train tickets and petrol.

money for the fun stuff, like going down the pub! You can also go back and amend your budget if you

® Food — you need to make sure you can afford to eat. Food will be covered if you’re living in catered halls of residence.

find that stuff costs more (or less) than you thought. If, at the end of the process, you discover that you'll only have £5 to live on each week, try to find ways to slim down your costs, like changing your

After you've listed your outgoings, add up how

phone contract or buying second-hand books rather

much money you'll have coming in for the same

than new ones. Or think about getting a part-time

period, including your student loan, any income

job during term time. Going past your bank overdraft

from a job and any help from your parents. Then

limit can only add to your expenses, so try your best

subtract the cost of what you need to spend from

to live off what you’ve got.

that amount to see how much money you have left to play with. Yes, it is a bit scary, but it’s much better than burying your head in the sand and running out of cash. With the amount you have left over you can work out what you can spend on other things, like: * Toiletries — all the stuff you need to keep clean and look pretty. Women will obviously be looking to spend more on this stuff. Men are generally less bothered by things like appearance and hygiene!

;

*® Clothes — you might like to buy yourself something fashionable every once in a while.

MY BUDGET rent des

travel

food

Nahe internet

toiletries

Laundry

socialising hokidauys

INSUTONCe

clot as

® Going out - socialising is an important part of being at uni, but it can easily be the thing that makes you run out of cash.

33

Student hardship services Even though you’ve budgeted carefully and really covered your back in terms of what you spend, there’s still a good chance you might find yourself struggling. What with the rising cost of tuition fees and a general increase in living costs, student living is going to place a strain on your wallet. But don’t panic just yet, there’s help at hand — you might be able to tap into a couple of cash lifesavers provided by your uni. Universities that decide to charge over £6,000 a year are now legally obliged to offer more funding to help students. Here’s some of the assistance available to help you get by:

« Inaintenance

qaGit = This is a good

thing to get, as you don’t have to pay it back! You

allowances - There are three kinds of

can get your hands on this if your family earns below

allowances for disabled students, which —

£42,600 per year. The most you can get is £3,250 per year. But it’s not all good news — for every pound

cover equipment and general care. This helps with the increased cost of studying

you get as a maintenance grant you lose 50p from

due to a disability. They apply to all age

your maintenance loan.

groups and are again income assessed.

© The ational Schokarshi Progr aWMe- If your folks earn less than ___

* Disability students

« Special support qrant-If

£25,000 a year, from 2012 you'll be eligible for the

your family gets Income Support or Housing Benefit you might be able to get a special

National Scholarship Programme. The amount you

support grant instead of the maintenance

get doesn’t affect your student loan amount, and

grant. It’s pretty much the same as the

if you’re eligible you can get a maximum of £1,000

maintenance grant, except that you won't

plus accommodation or fee waivers. Each university

get less cash as part of your maintenance

is different, so check what yours is.willing to hand out. Se,

loan — which is a much better deal, isn’t it?

«Scholarships and awards - Different

© UKS

Bursary - If you're studying

from grants, these are given out for outstanding

on a pre-registration health professional training course you might be able to get

achievements instead of being based and decided

yourself a nice little bursary. The amount you

upon income. A lot of students are unaware of the

can receive depends on whether you study

huge number of things they can receive funding for,

in London and whether you live with your

so look around for anything that you can get some

folks during term time.

extra cash for.

eee need to sit through gn interview to discuss your application and convince

someone to give you the money. It’s best to show them recent bank statements

Rare a

tena

ee

eco

back in the long run. So think about a hardship loan seriously before you take one. This loan is useful to help you pay for things like travel, food, books and rent — these are things that you'll need to provide evidence you're having trouble paying for. There’s a limit of one hardship loan per student per university year, and you have to apply no later than one month before the end of the year. You'll need to sit through an interview to discuss your application and convince someone to give you the money. It’s best to show them recent bank statements and regular bills — as with most things, evidence is essential for supporting your argument about how poor you are. middieof f the academic year, your university will

Your university may have other requirements

offer two options to help you out:

before the final decision is made, so make sure you know what to expect before the process begins.

1 Hardship loans

2 Hardship funds

Your uni will give you a hardship loan if they think you'll have to drop out if you don’t get your hands

If you’ve got your hands on a hardship loan but are

on some extra cash. To be in with a chance of

still not making ends meet, you might be eligible for

getting one of these you need to have applied for

a hardship fund (also called access funds). There’s a

the maximum student loan available and be able to

chance this will be given to you as another loan, but

show you can’t get the money any other way. Your

you could also be lucky enough to get it as a grant

university will be on hand to ‘guide you through the

(ie something you don’t have to pay back).

process, and it might be worth having a chat with them if you’re considering going down this route but aren’t really sure what to do.

have a different process to follow, the requirements

You'll usually receive between £100 and £250, but in realiy bad cases you can get up to £500.

You can usually apply for hardship funds more than once in a university year, but each university will

But

you need to meet to get the cash will differ, and the amount you might receive will vary widely. Basically

this isn’t free money — it gets added to your student

it’s well worth asking your university what they have

loan, meaning that you’ll have even more to pay

available and what they’ll need you to do.

Chapter t ©

not going broke

oS.

~~

Moneymaking ideas No matter how careful you are with your money,

campus you can make some nice money. The pay can even be quite good — some universities pay as much as £10 an hour. Keep an eye out on campus for postings about this job or visit your campus

everyone could always do with a little more (unless

marketing department to see if they have more

you’re Mark Zuckerberg — he really doesn’t need

details.

any more money, does he?). There are plenty of

This job can be a fun and easy way to earn

ways to help boost your budget. Other than doing

some cash on the side. The only downside is the

the obvious things and getting a part-time job, here

early starts on a weekend, but getting up before

are a few other ideas to help you make a few extra

lunchtime on Saturday every once in a while isn’t

pennies:

going to kill you.

WORK

AT OPEN

DAYS

Most universities have open days to introduce

BE AN E-SELLER

people thinking of studying there to the campus and

It’s amazing what some people want, and what

what it has to offer. For these, they need students

they’re willing to pay good money for. When you

to show people round and ‘sell’ the place. If you

clear all that old rubbish out of the back of your

can talk to strangers for a few hours about your

wardrobe or from under your bed, don’t throw it out, stick in-on eBay (or a similar site). E-selling is a great way to make cash from what you don’t need (or want) any more. Here are a few places to sell your unwanted stuff online: e eBay — The most famous online marketplace. People bid to ‘win’ the privilege of buying your stuff from you. You’ll be charged for listing it, but it can be well worth it with the right stuff on offer.

« Amazon

warket place- Got old books

and DVDs you don’t want? Amazon is a great place to list your stuff, with a vast amount of customers to sell to. An account and listing is free, but they take a percentage of the sales price.

° Vausic

Vhag l2— Great for shifting your

unwanted CDs. Simply get an account and stick the barcode number from your unwanted CDs on the site and they’ll make you an offer for them.

If you can talk to strangers for a few hours about your campus you can make some nice money. The pay can even be

26

student

manual

BUY FROM

CASHBACK

SITES

BUSK

s(olU com ge)ey-10))1 buying Koy (o Ko)Ms)(UlimeyalliarcwalaN AEWA

If you’re a little bit musical you could get out and do

right? So why not make some money back off the

a bit of busking. This works well for people who are

stuff you’re buying? There are loads of sites that will

pretty good, but isn’t recommended if all you can

give you money back on the stuff you buy online.

(ofomicmaliar-Wcaiclare|(-Me0|me/mtlanlory al

Basically you earn money simply for doing your

that you need a permit to busk legally, so check with

shopping. This is a great service for students.

the local Council about getting permission.

PUT ON A CLUB

SELL

AV

NIGHT

a\vaalolananle\-m'e)0] arelanl 111

imero\U(oNol-W-Waller-We-laeNc-rel0l-l@mlint(-M--lan-1¢

with a lot of work.

Ava ilable Septemb eo

emates An

a

@

ZB:

pj dsd:dSi°-T

SSS

2s ==

Having somewhere to sl

and keep your stuff is

pretty important! It’s safe to assume that until now your parents @r some other family member) will have been

providing the roof over your head, so finding shelter can seem a pretty mind-spinning task. There’s a lot to consider and get your head around, but with a little bit of know-how it

shouldn't be that difficult to find somewhere awesome to Live.

|Halls of residence _- what you need ' to know

a small en suite toilet/shower (and by ‘small’ | mean wardrobe sized), or a sink in older style halls. Some older halls have rooms along vast corridors, while newer ones tend to be split into

As a fresher it’s likely that you'll be living in a halls

flats with a kitchen and living area per flat. If you find

of residence, which is basically a self-contained

yourself with a room on a long corridor of student

student community, like one of those gated

rooms the bathroom and kitchen facilities can often

communities you see rich people living in — not

be shared by an entire floor.

as posh or nice maybe, but with more parties. Most halls of residence are run by universities,

STUDENT

ROOM

TYPES

but over the past ten years many private companies

Halls of residence rooms can be split down into

have also joined in to offer student accommodation

three basic types. These can all vary in size and

blocks. As student numbers rose with Labour’s

quality depending on where you’re studying or

idea of getting 50% of young people to go to uni,

which company you go with:

there were too many people with not enough rooms available, so companies like Unite, Victoria Hall and

« Standard room -With this you get a

Opel stepped in to fill this gap in the market. These

basic room with bed, wardrobe, desk and drawers.

can be quite expensive, but often offer luxury living

The bathroom and kitchen facilities are used by

compared to the student digs of old.

everyone, so nothing is private for you! These can

Basically this is a nice buffer zone between living at home and stepping out into the real world of

be in self-contained flats or in massive blocks with lots of rooms per floor.

renting and living alone. It’s the renting equivalent of learning to ride a bike with training wheels on.

The living space Regardless of the hall's set-up you'll essentially get a room with furniture, a phone, Internet access and

Chapter 3

finding shelter

Standard

room

with

sinle- Basically

the same as above but with a sink, so at least you can have a wash and clean your teeth without queuing.

En-suite

room- Many newer rooms are en-suite

(meaning you have your own bathroom — shower, sink and toilet), Of course, the en-suite varies in space, from the size of a wardrobe to an average family bathroom, depending on where you are and

how much you're paying. The kitchen tends to have the bare essentials you'll need — cooker,

fridge, freezer, storage etc (some will have a microwave), Some might already have things like plates and cutlery, and other pots and pans.

It's worth seeing what you'll be provided with and making sure you have everything you need in order to feed yourself, You really don’t

realise how useful plates are until you've tried eating your dinner off other things! Some modern and more expensive halls have a

dishwasher, probably in an attempt to avoid the mounds of mouldy pots that student flats are famous for,

Bills etc These places like to make things easy for you, For most people it's their first time away from home, and in a bid not to overwhelm you

everythingis included in the cost - that's

rent and bills (like water, electricity, gas, Internet etc) - so provided you pay

your renton time you should be — good to go.

ANANAAN

EAS OF UNI AC ANG NO TE PR ST FLA

Keep it clean Your parents aren’t there any more, and

Hunting for a student house

unfortunately that means having to clean everything

Eventually (usually after the first year) you'll have

yourself. Some halls do have a cleaner, but not

to move out of the lovely safe bubble of halls of

many. In the contract you'll sign universities expect

residence living and start renting out in the real

a general level of cleanliness and maintenance in

world. You’re now in the hands of landlords and

their halls. Despite you technically being adults and

letting agencies, and there’s of a lot of things you

living alone, you can expect inspections every now

can fall foul of. Unfortunately, not all landlords are

and again to check you’re not ruining the place

nice people, and naive students are the perfect

and putting your health at risk (it does happen

target to exploit and rip-off.

— just check some of the stories in the ‘Renting nightmares’ section on page 48). lf you wipe things

The whole house-hunting process probably seems a little daunting, but by Knowing where to

down, dust and hoover once in a while you should

look and what to look for there’s no reason why you

have no bother at all.

shouldn’t be able to find an awesome place to live.

6 Some modern and more expensive halls have a dishwasher, probably in an attempt to avoid the mounds of mouldy pots TERRACE UNIVERSITY EAST OF ANGLIA ACCOMMODATION: CONSTABLE

that student flats are famous for.’ Chapter 3 e finding shelter

WHERE

WHAT’S

TO START?

INCLUDED?

Your university accommodation office is a good place to start. Most will have a list of approved landlords and letting agents and they can give you

be the case when you move into a privat

the contact details for these. So in one move you

property. It can come as a big (and exp

can find out who to contact, and know that they’re not dodgy (well, with the university’s endorsement they shouldn’t be).

have checked what you are going to ge WHO

TO LIVE

WITH?

You’ll no doubt choose the people you want to live

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCAT

with out of the people you like the most at university.

Work out exactly where the place is in r

But do think about who you'll find it easiest to live

things you need to use — uni, shops,p

with, not just the person you like going out with

find an awesome place out of the way, wit

the most. Yes, Chris might be a laugh on a night

cheap rent, but will need to spend a fortu |e on ta

out, but his penchant for setting fire to things and

and buses to get to and from places(it all ad

getting naked might not be the best qualities in a

Look at how much this is going to cost,

housemate! Make sure you move in with someone

over a week or a month and see how

you think you can trust and will still get on with when

have to spend on top of rent. Does it

you see them all the time.

out cheaper than a place closer tocar

DON’T

BE TOO

QUICK

TO SAY YES

There’s always a little bit of a panic that if you don’t say yes quickly all the places will go — landlords in particular will fuel your paranoia to try and get you to snap up theirs. But don’t panic! Take time to check out as many places as possible. Yes, you might end up in the place you first viewed, and yes you might miss out on some places, but without looking at as much of what’s available as possible you can’t be sure you've found the best place for you.

SIZE REALLY

DOES MATTER!

Your room in student halls probably wasn’t what you'd call spacious, but it would have been designed to fit you and all your stuff in comfortably — giving you enough room to live, work and play in one

WATCHING TV? GET A LICENCE!

LF you hive a television Cor want to watch live

television on the pet) you Le

need a TV hiceyce — you Le

onky need one, and split

betwee everyone in the

house. it doesy'+ worle out

too expensive, and certai nly

not as wuch as the fre

space. Think about how you’re going to store your

Youll be hit with for pot

stuff now. You might be able to get all your stuff into

having One.

a room, but it’s no good if you can’t move around afterwards or get to your bed!

+4

much yc

| XP tAeY-—C:

YOU’RE PAYING - MAKE SURE LANDLORD HAS DONE THEIR

THE BIT

Safety first! You really don’t want to be moving into

right away, and keep copies for yourself — that way you’ve covered your back when they conveniently lose them.

a house only for there to be unexpected explosions, building collapses or electrocutions a few months in.

CLEANLINESS

IS NEXT

TO GODLINESS

By law your landlord or letting agency has to provide

Give your place a really good clean. Yes, | know

you with two things when you move in — a Gas Safety

when you moved in it was filthy and the landlord

Certificate showing when the boiler was last checked,

claimed it had been ‘professionally cleaned’, but

and a receipt or a document showing where your

it’s not unheard of for landlords to charge departing tenants with the cost of

security deposit is being held while renting the

cleaning and then never

property (this is called the Tenancy Deposit Scheme). You should get these things straight away — if not,

actually have the cleaning

keep bothering them until you do.

done! The cleaner the

You should also make sure that the electrical

place is when you leave

system and appliances in the property are safe, and have been checked by a PAT-registered electrician. Electrocution is at the very least painful and can be lethal, so it’s well worth asking questions about the safety of wiring, appliances etc before you move in.

Getting your deposit back Each and every year this is a huge bugbear for student renters. Landlords really, and | mean really, like to keep your deposit — it’s essentially money for doing nothing! They’ll use any excuse to keep some, or all, of your deposit — they have lots of little tricks of the trade to justify keeping an extra chunk of your cash. But follow these simple tips to make sure you have the upper hand and so get your money back. KNOW

WHAT’S

ALREADY

BROKEN

Know what’s there and what’s broken before you move in. Ask your landlord to give you an inventory

Price comparison sites are really useful for this - you know the sort, the ones with those adverts on

of what’s in the house and what condition it’s in. You

television that ingrain

don’t want to be held responsible for any broken

themselves on your

doors or stained sofas when you move out.

mind. So just type the

Also, take pictures of everything and make your own list — even landlords find it hard to argue with photographic evidence (although some of them will try). Give all this to the landlord or letting agency

$6

name

from the most

annoying jingle into

Google and off you go.

the less opportunity you're providing to dodgy

Insurance

landlords to rip you off. Plus it’s nice to leave the place in a state you’d want to move into yourself.

There’s every chance you won’t have even considered getting insurance, but the minute anything breaks or

IT’S THE END - GET YOUR DEPOSIT BACK

is stolen (which does happen) you'll seriously regret

Between all of you the sum of money you gave to

not having signed up for some.

your landlord as a deposit will be pretty huge — make

pei

Getting insurance is very easy these days

sure you get it all back. If you don’t ask, in many

— you can get it just about anywhere, even your

cases you won't get, and unless you’ve completely

supermarket. There are even companies that

trashed the place you should be able

specialise in insuring students, for example Endsleigh.

_ to get a nice sum of money back.

The key to getting the right deal on insurance is

Once your landlord has been

to do your research. This is not just about finding the

round to check the place is still

cheapest option, but also reading the fine print to see

standing you should get your

what kind of cover is best for your needs. Price comparison sites are really useful for this

cash back within ten days of the end of the tenancy.

— you know the sort, the ones with those adverts on television that ingrain themselves on your mind.

Follow all the tips

So just type the name from the most annoying jingle

Outlined above and you

into Google and off you go. But remember, not all

should get your deposit back.

That is, unless you really have broken everything and ruine

‘carpet, when

it’s safe to say you probably won't getting a penny.

be

companies will be listed on price comparison sites A

(Direct Line aren’t, for instance), so it’ll be worth making some phone calls as well. Never be afraid to ask questions before signing on the dotted line. While different kinds of insurance policies generally work in a similar way, it’s best to know exactly what you’re getting. For your student home you'll need home contents insurance. This basically protects your property from damage and theft. So if some bugger nicks your laptop you can get some cash back to cover the loss. Contents insurance can also protect against damage from fire and water. It can even cover things that you take outside the house, such as bicycles, mobile phones and handbags. To get this kind of insurance your house needs to have windows and doors that lock (it’s very unlikely that it doesn’t). Check what your policy says about this — in some cases claims have been rejected because front windows didn’t have locks on the handles. Finally, check that you know exactly what you're covered for before taking the policy.

—_

| Renting nightmares

f

them were a bit dodgy, and he used to buy this cheap industrial-strength bleach that he made them use — the kind of stuff that strips paint off walls. One

‘Home is where the heart is.’ ‘There’s no place

time a “cleaner” put this bleach all over the bath and

like home.’ ‘Home sweet home.’ All these classic

just left it — no rinsing, nothing! Some poor female

sayings show that ‘home’ is somewhere you should

student filled the bath and the bleach just diluted,

feel comfortable, feel safe and have nothing to worry

she got in and it made a complete mess of her skin!

about. But for some people, especially students,

With permanent scarring, | think.

home can be a place of pure horror.

legal action. The landlord refused to accept any

Don’t take my word for it. Here some students

She threatened

responsibility for the disaster, saying it was her fault,

past and present share some of their renting

and that the cleaner hadn’t been there that day. He

nightmares. Be afraid!

eventually settled out of court with a wad of cash in

Sharon Grant used to work for a landlord in

a brown paper bag!

Glasgow who had a particular skill for endangering

‘Another time it took him over a year to fix a

F Students. She told me some of her most shocking

broken window (some Glasgow tenements have

stories about her employer. (She didn’t want to

these “protected”-type old fancy windows), just

mention his name, and to be fair he does sound

because he’d have to get a particularly expensive

pretty scary.) Here’s an assortment of her best

type of frame for it. His solution was to put

(worst) stories. ‘Probably the worst was the “bleach incident”. The landlord used to hire cleaners, and some of

+S

cardboard over it and gaffa-tape it on. When the tenant had finally had enough and threatened to report him over it, he was threatened with violence

student

manual

in return! Needless to say the tenant left, and the

two of our housemates moved out, so we all had

window was left as it was and some other poor

to leave in February with nowhere else to go.’ —

person was let the room with “promises” it would

Eileen Carter, Buckinghamshire New University.

get fixed. It was still broken when | quit. ‘In another incident, after a ceiling came down

‘| was in a house for two weeks and the bailiffs turned up to evict us because the landlord wasn’t

(luckily the tenant was out when it happened) the

paying his mortgage.’ — Jules Brown, University of

landlord refused to pay for the damage to their

Birmingham.

Stuff (it had been a dodgy DIY fix that caused the

‘We had an ant infestation in the walls of our

collapse), saying they should have had insurance.

(spotless) halls kitchen. We were told to buy some

As if that wasn’t bad enough it took months and

ant powder on two occasions, which we did, but

months for him to fix it with this poor tenant living

by the time we left they were crawling all over

in dust and chaos for all that time with no rebate or

the walls and out of holes in the ceiling.’ — Simon

anything. They got the usual response “if you don’t

Oakley, De Montfort University.

like it f**k off” that the landlord liked to give.’ It would be nice to say that incidents like these

And poor Colin Lewis suffered from a multitude of horrors in his student abode: ‘One

are few and far between, but talk to any student

place | lived was a bit of a student nightmare, on

renter and the stories just keep coming.

the Beavers Farm Estate in Hounslow. | was skint

‘Our contract started, and the washing machine was already breaking. When it eventually broke a

and it was £40 a week in Loot. After viewing they made me leave my bag there as deposit, to prove

week after we moved in, we emailed the letting

l’d come back. The front door had a head-sized

agents immediately. However, they did nothing

hole in it, where the dog could pop his head out to

SI was visiting a mate when

guard for intruders. My room was full of what was apparently stolen hairdressing equipment! One day | was making breakfast and was disturbed when

his landlord came round to search for their gas leak

some Aussie bloke walked in, in his underpants.

using ... a lighter!"

there six months — the couple | rented with hadn't

I’d never seen him before but apparently he’d lived bothered to mention it. And it was so close to the

except chase a lost cause for a month. One of my

Heathrow runway that every three minutes my

housemates started Febreezing her clothes so that

radio was interrupted by pilots.’

she could wear them and still smell nice.’ — Andrew Smith, University of Nottingham. ‘My landlord in the second year used to always

And finally some of my own personal nightmares. | once walked downstairs one morning in just my boxer shorts, thinking the

let himself in whenever he liked without warning or

house was empty, only to find my landlord not only

permission. It got very annoying (and illegal), but it

going through the fridge but making a sandwich.

got better after one of his legs was bitten off by a

He was also helping himself to a cup of tea! His

shark. After that we could hear him coming.’ — lan

only explanation was that he ‘owned the place’

Curtis, University of Lincoln. ‘| was visiting a mate when his landlord came

and ‘had every right to be in the house’. Whatever you’re told, this isn’t true. You’re entitled to privacy

round to search for their gas leak using ... 2 lighter!’

— what you want to do in your own home is up

— Geraldine Tucker, University of Birmingham.

to you, without the worry of having your landlord

‘We had mould in our house rooms, bathroom and living room. The estate agents didn’t care and

walk in unannounced.

Chapter 3 ©

finding shelter

oa

Basic

maintenance

and DIY tips

HOW

TO AVOID

WATER

PROBLEMS

» Vidlee sure your valves and

Living in a house, things go wrong all the time — the

stopcocks

are

wor ling — Find out where

heating won’t come on, the lights have gone out,

they are and make sure you can turn them off and

the toilet won’t flush, and so on. You can ask your

on. Doing this once each uni year should be enough

landlord to fix it, but it probably won’t get done very

to make sure they don’t seize up.

quickly. Landlords are always slow to do everything except ask for your rent. But don’t worry, there’s really no need for you

° Check. your washing machine. ipes- Washing clothes is important, so check the

to have to sit in the cold and dark, with no working

pipes because sometimes they can split or come

toilet. In this section we’ll look at some basic things

loose. It’s better to check these before something

you can do to keep your house working.

goes wrong. You really don’t want to deal with it

Water

going to pot while you’re running a washing cycle!

Water’s pretty essential to your house. You use it for all sorts of things — cooking, cleaning, going to the loo, and it’s easy to take it for granted. But once you have no running water (something that once happened to me for three whole days) you begin to understand how much you rely on it. So let me quickly explain how water gets into your house, and what you can do when things go wrong. Water comes from water mains that run under the road and into your house. Then a service pipe runs to the water company’s stopcock (stop laughing, this is serious), which is essentially a big tap. Everything up to this point is the responsibility of the water supplier, but after this it’s down to

e Avoid

causing

blockages - In the

you, So it’s a good idea to know some

kitchen, try not to wash bits of food, oil and fat

basics.

down the drain, as these can block the sink.

The main pipe bringing the water in is often Known as the rising main, and in most houses this and the stopcock can be found below or near the kitchen sink. The cold tap is always a direct offshoot from the main supply, so that the water is OK to drink.

SO

Solving simple water problems A lot of these problems sound like an ordeal to solve, but they’re actually quite easy. It's better to fix them yourself if possible, rather than call your

landlord out for a simple job.

student

manual

UNBLOCKING

A SINK

There are loads of really powerful and effective chemical products you can buy. Simply pour one down the plughole and see if it does the job.

If you still haven’t found the problem you need to work further down the pipe. Unscrew the next section of the pipe so you can get at the main waste pipe. 4 lf it doesn’t you’llneed to use a more hands-on 1. method. First, block the overflow (the little holey-bit halfway up the sink) with a cloth. This will create a vacuum, to start sucking at the gunk stuck down there. Then take a plunger, put it over the plughole and pump it up and down. This should move the blockage. Give it a good few tries before giving up. If plunging doesn’t work then your problem might be deeper down.

t’s time to get Under the sink. Put a bowl under the Ge waste pipe coming down from the sink and unscrew the U-shaped plastic pipe. Clean out any gunk you find in there and put it back. Remember not to use the tap above to clean it out — it’s not a great idea, if you think about it. The biggie in the bedroom - change

regularly. See the section on healthy eating on page 65 for tips on when

Ee icocianay

* Don’t use the same towel for

Sear

ands:

NACAERS sheets

weekly wee

(maybe every

y (

y

J

two

weeks). If you don’t, you really don’t want to find out what kind of creepy

crawlies and germs are building up

* Don’t use the same cloth for wiping surfaces and washing the pots.

right

where

you

sleep.

® Regularly replace the sponge you

use to wash the pots.

The

whole.

house.

* Empty the bins regularly, preferably before

Make sure the basic cleaning points listed above are done throughout the whole house. It might all seem

the rubbish is spilling out all over the floor

like a lot of hard work, but none of this is particularly

and the whole room smells like a tip.

time-consuming and it can make a whole heap of

® Clean floors once every few weeks.

difference in helping to keep you clean and healthy.

Chapter 4 e

finding shelter

s7

teri

al

ee

Taking ieesponsibility for YOur self at university also means looking after the health of your body and mind. It’s important to stay healthy, in shape and well enough to complete your degree. Plus, if you’re an overweight,

badly groomed, smelly mess you’re not likely to be very attractive to anyone.

|Basic health | and hygiene We all know the stereotypes. Students are

Wash your Face and necle daily — These are exposed all the time to dirt and other cack. It’ll make you look better and make you feel fresh.

unhygienic, they barely wash, and many don’t wash their clothes that often. It’s a bit harsh to agree, but

Clean your teeth twice a Ady

in the case of some people |’ve encountered this

— As well as keeping your gob healthy (helping to

isn’t so far from the truth. The stereotypes have to

keep your teeth in your mouth), it helps keep your

originate from somewhere!

breath fresh. Bad breath is a terrible thing, especially

Now, you don’t need to be a clean freak,

if you’re talking to that hottie from your seminar

washing everything down with disinfectant several

group. And don’t just brush your teeth — floss

times a day to keep germs at bay, but there’s a

regularly to get rid of the gunk between them, and

basic level of hygiene that’s essential to keeping

finish off with some nice mouthwash. After all that

you healthy and giving you a fighting chance against

you'll have lovely fresh breath.

all the illnesses floating around.

Personal hygiene

» Wash your hair a couple of times A weele — Think about it. Your head sweats a lot

Nobody wants to be the smelly guy (or girl) in

and what soaks up all that sweat and odour? Yes,

lectures! There may be a reason no one’s sitting

that’s right — your hair. Smelly hair is pretty horrible

next to you.

and it’s not a hard thing to sort out. Give it a wash,

Personal hygiene basically refers to the cleaning and grooming of your body. This is going to sound a little bit patronising, but trust me, some people really do ignore these very basic hygiene essentials.

you'll feel better for it.

» Wash your clothes reqularly-You know all that sweat coming from your body during the day? Well, that builds up on your clothes, so

» Shower Cor bathe) regularly-once

even if you’re washing your body regularly your

a day would be preferable, but you could get away

clothes can still pong. With most smelly folk it’s

with it for a couple of days. Any more than that and

their clothes causing the stink, and not so much

TONGE LUKE /ADVICETOSINKINSLOWLY.NET

their body.

Washing your clothes

‘7 Turn the dial (or press the buttons) to select whichever setting you require — The details of the different settings will be on the front of the machine.

It might not be something you’ve ever really thought

Washing at 30° should be sufficient and will save

about before, what with your old laundry fairy (or

you energy.

‘mother’) taking your dirty clothes away and then

8 Sit and wait.

returning them all clean and ironed, but now you

9 Take out the clothes and hang them up to dry.

have to wash your own clothes. If you don’t you’ll

10 tron your clothes (see the guide below).

stink, simple as that! Follow this basic guide on how to conquer the dreaded washing machine so that your clothes come out clean and the same size as they went in.

Washing clothes some frequently asked questions

How to wash your clothes it’s probably going to seem like some highly

HOW MUCH WASHING SHOULD IN THE WASHING MACHINE?

complicated piece of machinery designed to baffle

The answer to this might be a bit confusing. The

The first time you come to use a washing machine

I PUT

and bemuse you. Modern washing machines come

thing is, you really don’t want to overfill or underfill

with a fine array of settings, but let me keep it pretty

your washing machine. Overfilling can cause the

simple for you so that you can at least get started:

clothes to move round the washing machine drum

1 Separate your white clothes from your

won’t wash properly — in addition it can damage the

coloured clothes — This will avoid all your whites

machine. It might also not clean all the detergent off

coming out pink because of some rogue red sock.

your clothes, which could cause a nasty shock for

in one huge mass, which means that the clothes

2 Open the door — That’s

your skin when you put your

the big, usually round, thing

pants on!

in the middle with a glass front.

But you do need to at least fill the drum to get the

3 Stick your dirty washing

most economical use from

in the hole inside.

the machine and to save

4. Close the door.

you cash from doing loads

+3] Open the draw at the

of unnecessary washing.

top (usually in the right or left

Also under-loading means

corner).

that your clothes can build

6 Add your detergent

up on just one side of

and fabric softener — The

the drum. This can again

different slots usually confuse

damage the machine,

people. Put the detergent

because the load is out

in the biggest slot, and the

of balance and can cause

fabric softener in the smallest

violent banging when the

slot. (Read the instructions

drum spins. Breaking the

on the detergent as some go

washing machine isn’t a

Straight in with the clothes.)

good idea because then

62

student

manual

€ we're on the subject of washing machines - if you want to avoid shrinking or changing the colour our clothes, check these symbols on the labels before you wash, iron or tumbledry them.

cow | The wash tub indicates the most appropriate programme for that particular fabric.

The wash tub symbol with a cross through it means that the fabric is not suitable for washing.

K&

The maximum temperature is shown in °C. These will be 95, 60, 50, 40 or 30°C. In addition to the temperature a bar may be present below the wash tub symbol.

=

hand washed but should not be machine washed.

Do not use chlorine bleach.

The letter within the circle advises the dry cleaner which type of solvent can be used.

Where a single bar is shown beneath the wash tub, the washing action (agitation) should be reduced. This symbol is found on more delicate fabrics such as poly cotton, acrylics and viscose.

in the square gives the recommended drying method for that fabric.

Where a hand is shown in the wash tub, the garment may be

Chlorine bleach may be used.

om | Where there is no bar below the wash tub maximum agitation is recommended. This symbol appears on robust fabrics such as cotton and linen.

The information shown_ Fs

A circle with a cross means that the garment is unsuitable for dry-cleaning.

io] Today many fabrics can be tumble-dried and this is indicated by a circle within the square. The most suitable heat setting for the garment is indicated by the addition of ‘dots’ within the circle.

(-)

One dot indicates low or half heat is required — normally synthetic fabrics.

Tax (--)

Two dots indicates high or full heat is required —

normally cotton fabrics.

A cross within the circle, One dot = Cool Two dots = Warm

A broken or double bar beneath the wash tub symbol shows that only the most gentle wash action is required, as the fabric is likely to contain washable wool or silk.

Three dots = Hot

{

¥®»@OKD

jie] or across the square indicates that the garment should not be tumbledried.

Cross = Do not iron —

you'll either have to visit the laundrette or have

® You’re using low-quality detergent.

increasingly smelly clothes until it’s fixed.

® You’re using the wrong programme on the

So, fill the drum, pat the clothes down lightly, and

machine.

make sure there’s a reasonable gap between the top

® You've overloaded the machine.

of the clothes and the top of the drum. A 3in or 4in

® You’re not using enough detergent (especially in

gap should be enough - that’s roughly the width of your hand.

hard-water areas). * You’ve used the ‘half load’ button for a full load,

‘

meaning that the clothes haven't been rinsed WHY

AREN’T

OUT

CLEAN?

MY

CLOTHES

COMING

properly. ® There’s a blockage in the pumping system,

So you’ve done everything mentioned above but your

meaning that water isn’t being pumped out

clothes still aren’t what you’d call clean. There are

properly, which again is causing poor rinsing.

several things that could be causing this:

Chapter ¢ @

healthy body, fit mind

® The drum is broken and not spinning properly.

|Ironing

How to iron dresses

It’s a dull but necessary chore — unless, that is, you

and skirts

want to look all creased and scruffy the whole time.

Start by stretching the skirt section of the

But how exactly do you go about ironing things?

dress over the point at the end of the ironing board. If you have to deal with pleats, start

Obviously you need to make sure that there’s water in the iron (that’s where the steam comes from

at the bottom and work towards the top. Flat

that gets rid of the creases), and that it’s plugged

surfaces are much easier to deal with. Work

in and switched on (this is what generates the heat

round the skirt with strong, fast strokes.

that makes the steam that gets rid of the creases

If you can’t get the skirt over the point just

...). Make sure you have an ironing board set up.

stretch it as flat as possible over the board

Don't try ironing on the work-surfaces or the floor —

and start from the back and work forward.

bad things can happen.

Do both sides. Again, hang it up as soon as you’ve finished.

How to iron shirts

How to iron trousers

* Start on the collar. Stretch it over the end flat bit of the ironing board and run the hot iron over it

Turn the trousers inside out and begin with

a few times till it’s all flat and crease free. Turn it

the top. Iron round the waistband and move

over and do the other side.

towards the pockets. Iron both sides of the

Next the sleeves. It’s best to iron the back of

pockets. lron along the seams. Do it all with

the sleeves first and then the front. Stretch the

smooth, quick strokes of the iron.

larger part of the sleeves across the flat bit of the

Turn the trousers back round the right way

ironing board, and iron the whole of one side of

and use the iron to press the creases out of

each sleeve before moving to the other side. Iron towards the cuffs and then iron the cuffs last. =

Now for the rest of the shirt. Stretch it as flat as you can over the

the front part. 2

Place the trousers with the legs parallel to the board and iron each leg, making sure all the creases are gone on both sides.

ironing board. Iron from one side to the other, slowly smoothing

* Then hang them up right away to make sure you haven’t wasted you time!

out the creases as you go. Hang the shirt up as soon as you’ve finished — you don’t want it getting all creased again after spending all that time ironing it.

Seis

_ Something you really need to consider is that irons get really, really hot, so be careful with your hands, arms and clothes. Don’t leave a heated iron face down on anything — whatever it’s

on would be ruined and you might start a house fire. Concentrate and do the job properly and safely.

student

manual

What you need to eat

straightforward so don’t need explaining), try these suggestions to get you going:

All the nagging about healthy eating gets a bit boring, doesn’t it? Why can’t you just eat what you like? The simple answer is that you can! What you shove down your throat is up to you entirely, but there’s a reason people bang on about healthy eating — it will have loads of benefits for you in both the short and the long term.

STARCHY

PROTEIN

CARBOHYDRATES

A better diet will give you more energy, and less chance of becoming ill. But healthy eating

- Meat.

_ Wholemeal bread.

_ Fish.

_ Potatoes.

_ Shellfish.

_ Wholemeal pasta.

_ Eggs.

~ Brown rice.

_ Beans and other pulses.

_ Low-sugar

_ Nuts or seeds. STORE

breakfast cereal.

doesn’t mean giving up on your favourite foods (although a greasy kebab every night really isn’t

DAIRY

recommended), or mean you need to spend hours

Dairy products are amazing sources of protein but

Slaving in the kitchen. It’s all about balance, and it

they need their own category here. Go for low-fat

can be easy to keep on top of a decent diet. Try to

options if you can.

gee things like chocolates and takeaways as treats

_ Skimmed or semi-skimmed milk.

rather than part of your normal eating habits.

Here’s a basic list of what you should be

. Low-fat yoghurt.

sticking in your body each day:

_ Low-fat cottage cheese. __ Cheese.

, Starchy carbohydrates — 5-10 portions. . Fruit — At least 3 portions per day (but more

would be good).

If you’re intolerant to dairy or a vegan, give

;

calcium-enriched soya dairy products a go.

. Vegetables — atleast 3 portions per day (but

FATTY AND SUGARY

more would be good).

FOODS

_ Dairy foods — 3 portions.

You really need to try and keep these to a

_ Protein foods — 2-3 portions.

minimum. lf possible use low-fat and low-sugar

_ Fatty and sugary foods — 1 per day maximum

— try to do without if possible!

alternatives and keep your recommended intake

:

_ of these to things you just can’t do without =

_ you know what you really crave, like-checolate ~ (everyone loves chocolate) or biscuits. It’s not like

Now that gives you loads of choice, doesn’t

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_ froma guy.‘he knows in a small market stall iina_

hidden Asian backwater. He raves about brown rice, ! green tea and soy and always has the ‘necessary

homeopathic tablets for any given problem. :

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—-and cooking tips from Tom Weil,_ editor ofstudent

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useful tools to have at your « disposal. Firstly check.

the decimated remains of takeaway packaging that

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66

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How to chop an onion. It’s a real kitchen basic, but often done wrong and sometimes dangerously so. The first common mistake is to cut the onion towards your fingers, but there’s a much more effective method to slice an onion and keep your digits. First, chop off both ends and slice across the middle (in the direction of the grain, rather than across it). Peel the skin off. You should now have two half spheres with flat ends. _ Place one half on its flat edge with the flat ends to the left and right. Holding the onion with your left hand (assuming you’re right-handed) chop straight down about half a centimetre in from the right. Continue this action by moving further to the left until you get to the other end. Then take about half the strips you’ll have now cut and turn them sideways so that you have a little semicircle-shaped stack. Then repeat the action of chopping down as before, from right to left. You'll see that this leaves you with small cubes, utilising the existing layers of the onion. If you wish you can then dice these further by creating a small pile of the cubes on the board and then, gripping towards the tip of the knife (but keeping your fingers well clear of the blade!), rocking the knife back and forth, like a seesaw, across the pile.

6s

student

manual

How to make an omelette First, break some eggs into a bowl (two to three €Qgs per person), season with a little salt and pepper and then mix with a fork. Then add 40g of grated cheese. Add some oil or butter to a medium‘ed pan and bring it to a very high heat. When the butter is bubbling you may add the eggs, making sure they’re evenly spread across the pan. Follow this by gently pulling the edges towards the centre with a spoon as you tilt the pan back and

How to boil an egy

forth. The uncooked egg will flow into the gaps that

The incomparable Delia Smith always answers the question ‘How do you boil an egg?’ with ‘Carefully.’

She has a very valid point. It isn’t tricky, but it’s — certainly worth taking care to get it just right.

you create. After about 30 seconds of this simply fold the omelette in half and dish it up. It will go on cooking for a little even on the plate, so allow it to rest for a minute before eating.

SOFTBOIL

METHOD

Boil just enough water to cover the egg in a small pan. Add a pinch of salt and lower in the egg with a spoon. If the egg has just come out of the fridge you should prick the rounded end with a pin to avoid it cracking when you place it in the water. At this point it’s important to ask whoever’s having breakfast with you, ‘How would you like your eggs?’ It might seem like a strange question but everyone has a different preference, and knowing what it is is important in helping you gauge the next step: the timing.

oe

Simmer for one minute, then remove from the heat, place the lid on the pan and leave for six to seven minutes (the longer you leave it the firmer and creamier the yolk will be).

How to make poached egys Don't bother with those poaching cups — just boil some water in a large pan, add a splosh of vinegar,

HARD-BOIL

METHOD

,

Add the egg to cold water in the pan then bring

crack your egg into a cup and gently tip it into the water. Let it cook for approx. 38-4 minutes. Use a

the heat to a simmer. Put on a timer for six minutes

slotted spoon to lift it out. The only thing you should

(seven if want the yolk cooked through). Then

watch out for is how fresh your eggs are. If they've

~ comes the most important bit. Upon removing the

been on a supermarket shelf for a while, then

egg, douse it in cold water until it’s cool enough

they'll spread out in the water. If you've got some

to handle. You can now carefully peel the egg and

lovely fresh free-range eggs they'll stay in a perfect

serve.

Chapter ¢ ®

‘poached egg shape’.

healthy body, fit mind

69

How to cook pasta Pasta is a big part of most students’ staple diet. It’s

doesn’t allow the sauce to stick to the pasta and it won’t absorb any flavour! Some chefs suggest

cheap and filling and there are a lot of variations you

keeping a small cup of the water the pasta was

can play with to keep it interesting.

cooked in to add to the sauce; again this allows

Boil plenty of water (enough to generously cover

the sauce to mix nicely with the pasta.

your pasta) and add a pinch of salt. I’d recommend 85g of pasta per person as a sensible amount. Add this pasta and give it a quick stir to make sure it’s all separated. If you’re cooking spaghetti, drop it in the middle of the pan so that it splays out against the edges and gently press the tops until you feel it start to bend down into the water. Allow the pasta to boil for a further 9-12 minutes (depending on the cooking instructions and your personal taste). Drain the pasta in a colander — but not too thoroughly, as a little water helps bond the sauce to the pasta. Do not add oil, as this

How to cook rice Most people teach you to boil rice in a saucepan, but here’s a better way that really adds an extra level of flavour. Measure out your rice (approx. 65m! per person), and you’ll require about double that volume of hot water or stock. Heat a frying pan, with some oil, and then add the rice. Turn over

THE SIMPLEST SA UCE

|N THE WORLD

E This works well wi th pretty much

anything. You can ade it to pasta or ee Or use it as a st eak sauce. Gently heat some do ub le crea

m in 7 Frying pan : crumbl e in a stock Cube . and wi oex until it , saa consistent co

lo Ur. iT. Add it over some. pasta and Nickey to crei te Carbonara or ad d pe Peppercoms and serve. it OVer a delicious Lump OF stegle. ae

gently so the rice is consistently coated in the oil. Then add the boiling water and a little salt. Stir a little and then place a large lid on the pan and turn the heat right down to the lowest setting. Wait for 15 minutes for white rice and 40 minutes for brown rice. Taste the rice to make sure it’s cooked and tip the pan to ensure there’s no excess water. Then remove the lid and put a tea towel over the pan and let it to rest for a further five minutes. This allows the grains to absorb the steam and creates that lovely fluffy texture you find in restaurants.

VO

student

manual

Baked potatoes The key to a great jacket potato is that beautiful crisp, crunchy skin with a soft, fluffy interior. To start, prick your potato with a fork a couple of times and then add a thin coating of olive oil all over. Then add a little sea salt to help create that crunchy texture. Put your potatoes in the centre of the oven at a mid to high heat for between one and two hours. To serve, slit the potato, add a dash of salt and pepper and a lump of butter. So many things work well as an additional filling — a few things you could try include cheese, baked beans, chilli and curry. If you’re feeling like something a bit different you could try baking a sweet potato.

How to cook steak The secret to a good steak is a little patience. To start, heat a frying pan but don’t put any oil in it. To lock in the flavour and juices, season the steak on a chopping board and coat it in olive oil. Then place it in the pan and leave it. Just wait until the colour rises through the meat until you can see it’s reached about halfway up the side. Then flip it and wait again. It’s very tempting to want to jiggle the pan and check how the undersides are doing, but it’s best not to. After you’ve seared both sides in this way, turn down the heat and flip another two times to allow the centre to cook through (assuming you want a medium rare steak). The less rotations the better as it will only allow more juice to escape. If you prefer a more rare steak allow a shorter time between the first two flips.

Chapter ¢

healthy

body,

fit mind

Mrs Blackman’s easy chilli con carne You don’t need to be that accurate with

the ingredients! SERVES

4

1 onion (chopped) 1 green or red pepper (chopped) 1 large can chopped tomatoes 1 clove of garlic (optional) 1 tablespoon tomato puree 1 teaspoon salt

Add the meat and cook until browned, stirring to break up the lumps. Spoon any excess fat into a

3 teaspoon chilli powder (depending on your taste)

bowl.

450g /1lb beef mince

Add salt and chilli powder & mix well.

1 large tin red kidney beans (or large tin chilli beans)

Add the tomatoes, puree, chilli powder, kidney

Pinch oregano (optional)

beans and oregano. Mix well.

1 tablespoon oil

Cook for at least 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until cooked through.

Peel and chop the onion and pepper. In a large pan heat the oil and cook the onion

Crush or finely chop the garlic and add to the

SERVE with plain boiled rice, a green salad or use as a filling for pitta bread or a baked potato. Freeze what

pan. Cook for another two minutes.

you don’t eat or keep in the fridge for a couple of days.

and pepper until softened.

Christine’s sweetcorn fritters © Good with chicken or sausages

Prepare batter mixture:

and for padding out a meal —

Sift flour and seasoning.

makes it cheap!

Whisk eggs and milk together and add to flour.

110g/40z self-raising flour

Beat into a smooth batter with a

Y2 teaspoon of salt

wooden spoon.

Pinch of nutmeg

When you are ready to cook add the

2 beaten eggs

sweetcorn to the batter and stir it in.

2 tablespoons of milk (full fat) 1 tin of sweetcorn (or the same

Cook batter mixture: Heat a little oil in a frying pan.

amount of frozen sweetcorn

Cook spoonfuls of the mixture (like small

defrosted in hot water)

flat pancakes) until puffed up and brown on each side — need to turn once.

Keep warm in the oven until all of the mixture is cooked. student

manual

4

Charlie’s big stew

Beef stew

Stew is the best and easiest meal to make. Add

SERVES

dumplings to make it tastier and cheaper — suet is

900g/2Ib shin beef (stewing beef will do)

cheaper than beef! You can stew any meat or even

4 onions

pulses if you are a veggie. What you choose to use

2 tins tomatoes

4

as the liquid makes all the difference to the end

4 cloves of garlic and some mixed herbs

taste. The following recipe gives one example that

Carrots and mushrooms (quantity can vary)

works but you could use:

Flour (about a couple of tablespoons)

Beef —red wine, beer, Guinness, tomatoes, beef

Stock cube

stock, oxtail Soup.

Salt and pepper

Chicken — white wine, chicken stock, Campbell's condensed chicken soup, vegetable soup.

Season flour with salt and pepper.

LaWmb- red wine, minestrone soup, beef stock.

Chop meat into small cubes. Toss meat in seasoned flour.

THICKENING

Fry meat in a little oil until it begins to brown

When the stew is nearly cooked you may need to

and then transfer to a casserole dish.

thicken the sauce. If there is oil/fat on the surface

Add chopped onion and crushed garlic to the pan

spoon it off first. Mix a tablespoon of flour (plain

and fry for a few minutes — just to soften the onion.

flour or cornflour) to a smooth paste with cold water

Add tinned tomatoes and herbs and heat.

in a bowl. Spoon some of the hot sauce from the

Add some Worcester sauce, a stock cube and

casserole into the bowl and mix. Tip the warm flour

salt and pepper. Transfer to casserole.

mix back into the casserole and stir (if you put the

Cook in a low oven (160°C) for at least 3 hours

cold flour mix straight in, it will go lumpy). Put back

— better all day in a slow cooker.

into the oven for 20 minutes — add more if needed.

Add chopped carrot and mushrooms for last hour of cooking.

LEFTOVERS

Try adding red wine or beer for a change

You can reheat the stew again once (make sure it’s

(fewer tomatoes).

gently cooked until piping hot throughout). Have

Add dumplings at the end of cooking time.

it on pasta or rice. Put it in an ovenproof dish and cover with pastry for a pie or mashed potatoes.

DUMPLINGS 175g/6o0z self-raising flour and a pinch of salt 75g/30z beef suet Mix together then add water to make a soft dough. Roll into small balls. Drop on to the top of the stew and cook for about 15 minutes with no lid on in the oven

at 180°C. They should be risen and light brown on top when done. You can always add some mixed herbs or mustard to the dough.

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1 chicken (medium to small) 2 onions 2 leeks 2 carrots 2 sticks of celery 2 large potatoes 2 cloves of garlic 2 of any other vegetables you feel like adding 2 large glugs of white wine (optional) 2 large mugs of water 2 sprigs of thyme (or pinch of dried herbs) 2 bayleaves 2 teaspoons of salt (and a bit of pepper) Put the chicken in the casserole. Peel and chop all the veg into large chunks and place around the chicken. Pour in the wine and water and sprinkle in the salt. Tuck in the thyme and bayleaves. Add some black pepper. Noah's

pot-roast

chicken

Cover and put in the oven at 190°C. After 50 minutes

This is a great one-pot recipe which means it’s quick

take off the lid and give everything a good stir. Keep the

to prepare and there’s hardly any washing up. You

lid off and put back in the oven for another 30 minutes.

can change around the vegetables depending on what you like (all root vegetables work well). You’ll

Carve up the chicken and serve in big bowls with

need to use a large casserole dish with a lid (or foil).

all the veg and delicious broth.

| Pizza Taylor It’s best if you make your own

Topping - peppers, mushrooms,

dough but you can use a bought

olives, anchovies, sausages —

Decorate with whatever

base or even pitta breads.

anything you like

you like:

:

Anchovies and olives

Weg a 8

All quantities are approx — just add stuff until you get what you want!

a A

43

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110g/40z streaky bacon — chopped

Fry the bacon until crispy

Mushrooms

Add onion and garlic

Red and green peppers

When onion is soft add the

Chilies

water, tomato puree, half the

Cooked chicken or beef

grated cheese, marjoram, salt

Sprinkle with cheese (you can

ey

1 onion — finely chopped

and pepper.

use mozzarella if you have it)

nak

2 cloves of garlic - crushed

Stir it all up to make a tomato

Bake in the oven at 220°C for

w on in the » \nfecti and dis irritation owelling:

s tudent manual

Genital herpes This is definitely one of the least pleasant STIs (not that any are what you'd call nice). Genital herpes gives you painful blisters on your genitals and the areas around them. It’s caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or type 2, and can be passed on to others through intimate sexual contact. HSV can affect any mucous membrane (moist

Women On first infection: * Blisters and ulcers on the cervix (lower part of the womb). * Vaginal discharge. When it comes back: ° Blisters and ulcers on the cervix.

lining), especially those found in the mouth, anus and vagina — which means sex is one of its most common causes of spreading. When around the mouth, HSV can cause blisterlike lesions called cold sores. If you suffer from these, avoid kissing and oral sex, as this can also spread the disease.

Men and women On first infection: ® Painful red blisters that burst to leave open sores around your genitals, rectum (back passage), thighs and buttocks. ® Pain when you pass urine.

It’s a long-term condition, with most people having it reappear several times — on average at a rate of four to five times in the first two years after

® A high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or above. ® A general feeling of being unwell, with

infection. But over time the frequency of attacks

aches and pains.

decreases and the condition becomes less severe

When it comes back:

with each subsequent occurrence. This is becoming a bit of a theme, but once again this STI is most common amongst the student age group, that’s 20-24-year-olds. The bad news is that there’s no cure for genital

® Atingling, burning or itching sensation around your genitals, and sometimes down your leg, before the blisters appear (this can signal the onset of a recurrent infection). ® Painful red blisters that soon burst to leave

herpes, but the symptoms can be controlled with

sores around your genitals, rectum (back

antiviral medicines.

passage), thighs and buttocks.

SYMPTOMS

WHAT

IT CAN DO TO YOU

Symptoms may not appear until months (even

In some rare cases the herpes blisters can

years) after you become infected. If you do

become infected by other bacteria, and this

experience symptoms when you first get it you'll

can cause the condition to spread to other

notice them four to seven days after you’ve been

parts of the body. In women herpes has been known to

exposed to the virus.

cause complications during pregnancy. It’s also a condition that can be passed on to your baby — not the nicest first gift for your child, | think you'll agree.

Chapter 5

relationships

Am I pregnant? Let’s move on to the other side effect of having sex

A pregnancy testing kit Your local chemist will have a range of simple-to-

— babies. Yes, if you’re having sex there’s a chance

use products which can identify the presence of

you could get pregnant.

a hormone in your urine that will show if you’re

For most women the first indication that they

pregnant or not. Consider who you can talk to

might be pregnant is missing their period, but to be

after you check the results. It’s important to have

entirely sure you’ll need to take a pregnancy test.

someone to rely on for support.

Other signs of pregnancy include:

Chemist or health centre

Sore breasts.

You can take a urine sample to many Brook

Feeling sick or vomiting at any time of the day

Advisory Centres (if you’re under 25), contraceptive

or night.

Clinics, young people’s clinics and many chemists

Feeling very tired.

for a free and confidential urine test. It’s quick, with

* Needing to wee often.

less chance of misinterpreting the results. Do your research. Some organisations offer free

There are several options available to find out

pregnancy tests but don’t believe in abortion, and

whether you’re pregnant or not:

may not give you all the information you need to

Your doctor An appointment with your GP will help you to find

help make the decision that’s right for you. The article opposite appeared in The Guardian

out very quickly. They’ll ask you to take a urine test, which will give you instant results. Your doctor can then offer you the support you need depending on the results and what decisions you make.

MAKING DECISION

THE

£

RIGHT

FOR YOU.

The decision to have an abortion can ve A Very

difficult one. There can be a

lot of things to consider, so it's important that you get all of the necessary advice and information. Your GP is one of the best people to tall. to about everything. You

can also contact the Family Planning Association on their confidential wumber Cos¢s (L2 690) or The Broole Advisory Centre OW OgO0O Olgs O23,

student

manual

Positive results to a pregnancy test hen Rebecca Downes took a pregnancy test in the bathroom of her shared student house in Leeds, she screamed when she saw the result. “| thought | was going to pass out. | took three tests before | could believe it. |was shocked, scared

arranges for all your lectures and seminars to be emailed to you when you can’t make class. Prospective fathers still at university are also entitled to time off for antenatal appointments and delivery days.

and initially devastated, because | was only at the

You can usually interrupt your studies and

Start of my third year of uni and still had my fourth

take up to a year’s break (Sometimes two) before

year to go,” she says.

rejoining your course — but it is best to discuss this

Downes was 21 when she discovered she was

directly with your supervisor. Some universities can

expecting Chloe, now five, and was lucky to have

be less accommodating; the NUS spoke to one

the support of her parents. Having a baby is life-

woman who was automatically failed in an exam

changing at any point in time but how do you deal

because her waters broke, while another was

with pregnancy when all you are really thinking about

refused a comfortable chair during her exam while

is completing your coursework, passing finals and

she was full-term.

getting your degree?

:

Downes, who has just turned 27, says her

For some students, falling pregnant

university, Leeds Metropolitan, was exceptionally

unexpectedly is an alienating experience and one

helpful. “Not having the baby was never an option

they feel they can’t even share with their other-

for me. My tutor was really supportive and didn’t

halves, let alone parents and personal tutors. According to a recent study carried out by the

imply that I’d made a mistake or anything — so | was given special circumstances and exempted from

National Union.of Students (NUS), 29% of 2,167

doing the dissertation.” For eight of her nine months

students with children who were questioned said

of pregnancy, she stayed on campus attending

they fell pregnant during their studies.

lectures and classes, and doing a teaching

Most universities’ support centres offer guidance and confidential counselling to students in this

placement as part of her education degree. After Chloe was born, Downes took three years out, and then applied to Manchester Metropolitan University

~~ scenario. They stress that should you decide not to go ahead with the pregnancy, you are under no obligation whatsoever to inform your department — the termination can remain confidential. While you may need a doctor’s note to justify

to complete the final year of her degree and move closer to her parents. “| might have made mistakes but | have no regrets. Ifanyone finds themselves in my position, | would say get your education done — otherwise

time off, the note does not have to disclose the

you won't have a foot to stand on. | was lucky to

specific reasons why.

have my family’s support, but do what’s best for

Should you proceed with your pregnancy, you

you and your baby before anyone else, because

should let your departmental tutor or supervisor

you will have to live with your decisions.”

know as soon as possible, so they can help you

COPYRIGHT

plan your academic year around your due date. In some cases, you might find your department

Chapter © ¢

relationships

GUARDIAN

NEWS

& MEDIA

LTD 2009

(HUMA

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be honest , most people won’t spend all that much time at university actually ‘studying’! The good news is that on campus there is so much going you will never need to get bored. University also gives you more free time than you will ever have again to explore the world. Here are a few pointers on how to fill all that free time...

| Clubs and | societies

New fill societies will require the approval of the students’ union, who'll make sure they maintain the beliefs and moral codes set down in the constitution.

At school and college you’ll no doubt have

Common

gravitated towards people with the same interests

student club

and society types

as you (if you could find any, that is — it’s not always easy to find people with the same love of Bavarian

» Wusic

Whether you're a Little Monster

folk music). At university it’s dead easy to find

looking to share your love of Gaga, or you want to

people into the same things as you through clubs

sit around and discuss the nuances of Norwegian

and societies.

Black Metal, there’ll be something for you. Many

Basically students run their own clubs for other students who like what they like. And the array of

universities also have choirs, orchestras and bands to get involved in.

clubs available is staggering — it’s very unlikely that

» Politicak

you won't find something to interest you. In general

Maybe you hate Capitalism, maybe

these clubs tend to centre around a particular

you love it. Maybe you’re a raving Labour supporter

activity or belief (usually religious or political).

or

To join, the only rule tends to be that you’re a student at the university, although in some cases

arampant Tory Boy. Most types of political

affiliation are catered for on campus, from the big mainstream parties down to fringe political ideas.

you’re also expected to share the beliefs of the society you wish to participate in. If you want to join

¢ Religious

No matter what you believe in

the Christian Union they’d prefer it if you believed in

chances are you'll be able to find a society (or club)

Christ, for instance - which makes sense really.

where you can sit around and believe in it in the

In general they’re part of (and are overseen by)

company of other people.

the students’ union. Of course, you can always just start your own, but without any official backing it’s not really a club/society it’s just a group of mates

° Television and fil There's a wide variety of groups to watch, discuss and fawn over

sitting around to discuss whether they’re team

your favourites from the large and small screens.

Edward or Jacob (|’m pretty sure that’s a society

The same applies for books, theatre, arts — in fact anything to do with culture, really.

somewhere). RACHAEL WHITEMAN /ADVICETOSINKISLOWLY.NET Chapter 6

leisure

‘ Debating This can be similar to the about all sorts of things. The most famous

Drinking clubs are exactly what they say — clubs for people who like drinking booze. You can find wine, vodka and cocktail

debating society is the Oxford Union and they’ve

societies to name a few.

¢ Dr inking

political, but debating societies have arguments

had everyone from Michael Jackson and the Dalai Lama to Katie Price and BNP leader Nick Griffin

® Subject S

Yes, some students even love

through their doors to have a good old debate

the subject they’re studying so much that they

about various issues.

have a club to talk about it.

ive bizarre societies

3 Circus Sluills

Chanchester

As well as the obvious societies there’s also

Universit y) If you’re at Manchester Universit

the chance to hook up with other like-minded

there’s no need to run away to the circus to get

people with some, let’s say, weird and

your clowning fix. This society does exactly what

wonderful interests.

its name suggests — it teaches circus skills.

Here are just five of the most bizarre student societies in the UK:

4 Assassins Guild CWarwicle

1 Eqq and Sperm Society

not to worry, there aren’t students running around

Cheweasthe University) Not quite

campus knocking people off. No, this is all about

Universit y) Sounds violent, doesn’t it? But

as sexual as it sounds, this society plays a

mock assassinations. Players are assigned targets

charity money-raising game. The aim? Be the -

who they have to hunt down and assassinate with

first ‘sperm’ to enter the ‘egg’. Players work out

fake weapons such as cardboard knives and water

Clues in order to do this, while dressed up

pistols, while also being hunted. The winner is the

as either an ovarian egg or as a sperm.

last assassin standing.

5. Curry A Pe Univer sit y)

(Bath

~

his society is for those who

— |

5 Extreme Lroning Society Qurham

Universit y) lroning is pretty

enjoy setting their taste buds on fire — those

dull, right? Why not add a little excitementto this

people who can handle the heat of a Vindaloo!

mundane household chore by joining the Extreme

It is the biggest recreational society at Bath

lroning Society? Why not combine it with

University, and treats its members well. They

something else, like climbing, canoeing, rowing,

have plenty of social gatherings throughout

cycling, underwater hockey, hill walking,

the year and offer members a money-off card

mountaineering, orienteering, surfing, zorbing en

with discounts to some of the city’s best .

you name it, Durham does it! So if you want the

Curry houses.

combination of an adrenaline rush and a créasefree shirt this society is for you.

student

manual

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A student society that’s churned out the ridiculously

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UNIVERSITY Mus!ICAL

|Student media Student media is something very close to my heart.

on student media. He certainly knows his stuff and is a testament to what student media can do. Wannabe Hacks, now a well-used resource for

Without it |wouldn't be sitting here writing this book,

aspiring journos, was started by five graduates from

and | wouldn’t have done half the things that | have

the University of Birmingham who'd met working on

done over the past ten years.

their student newspaper Redbrick. Noticing there

So what is student media? Well, it’s pretty

was no online community about making it as a

self-explanatory — it’s media made by students.

young journalist, they set about setting one up. This

All campuses have some form of media, including

has translated into success for the founders, with

newspapers, magazines, radio stations and even, in

some of them now working at The Times, Guardian

some cases, their own television channels.

and Daily Mail.

If you ever fancied yourself as a journalist, radio presenter or TV cameraman, university is the perfect place to step up to the plate and give it a

Clarke explained to me why you should consider getting involved in student media: ‘Working in student media gives people so many

go. Although being part of student media can be

transferable skills that are attractive to employers

time-consuming and a lot of hard work, the rewards

no matter what industry they hope to work in in the

— and fun — can massively outweigh that extra

future. The original members of Wannabe Hacks

workload. But don’t take my word for it. | asked Tom

have more than ten years’ experience of working in student media and in that time we all learnt the

Clarke from the excellent website Wannabe Hacks

value of hard work and commitment to a job, be it

(also a former TNS writer) to share his thoughts

one article or a section over an extended period of time. | can’t stress enough how hard people work in student media and | think learning what it feels like to be _ drained and mentally exhausted after a few days pouring over words,

articles and designing and redesigning pages is something

} | |which itei | At

will stand any Student in

“|dood steadforthe future, 1

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‘But it’s not all about learning the values of hard work and perfecting your writing ability. This sounds tragically clichéd, but you make great friends working in such a hectic and passionate environment — our project is proof of what can be started when working in student media. Wannabe Hacks was born out of five mates with a passion for journalism who knew each other really well and knew they could be successful at starting something from scratch.’

‘Student media is never going to be the same as working for a national or a regional paper, but the experience that | and the other Wannabe Hacks gained has been invaluable in setting us up for our future careers at the bigger titles.’ Talking about journalism in particular, Tom Clarke added: ‘Any aspiring journalist who doesn’t get involved with student media is making a huge mistake. The reason being that journalism isn’t an industry where you qualify or you achieve a

Working in student media can uncover interests and skills you didn’t even know you had, like Tom setting up Wannabe Hacks and me setting up TNS. Without our involvement in our student magazines we'd have taken very different paths. Many top radio Dus learned their trade on their uni station. For example, Radio 1 Afternoon Show

» Working in student media gives people so many transferable skills that

are attractive to employers

University of East Anglia station Livewire, where he

no matter what industry they hope to work in in

became the station manager in 2006. The media is

the future.®

DJ Greg James started off doing several shows at

literally full of people who started their careers on campus.

certain standard of ability. You work through peaks

It’s a well-known fact that student media is the perfect place to start your media career, giving you

and troughs on a daily basis, you make mistakes every day, and the sooner you start making those

the right start and a safe environment in which to try

mistakes and ironing out your flaws the better you

out new things and develop your skills. Clarke gave

become. Which leads me to another point: it gets

me his own view on what it will give you:

you used to taking criticism. Every journalist needs

‘Other than hard work, attention to detail and

to learn to take abuse from all-comers, rightly

teaching you real commitment to a project, working

or wrongly — it just comes with the territory, and

in student media will teach you how to do the job.

student media gets you used to this. Working in

| don’t mean that it’ll make you an expert, but it will

student media gets your critical eye working ona

give you the foundations and building blocks to build

daily basis and, at the most basic level, gets you

on for the future. It’ll help you learn what works and

used to the pressures which come with the job.’

what doesn’t. For example, | wrote my first sport report as a flowing narrative, starting at kick-off and

Most student media in the UK is organised, controlled and funded by each university’s students’

ending at full-time. | soon learnt that you almost

union, who pay for the running costs and provide

always start a report at the end and weave the

the facilities. Although on many campuses there are

details of the match into your chosen theme and/or

harmonious relationships between union sabbaticals

bigger picture.

and campus media, the wishes of the union can

‘It will also, crucially, teach you the vital skill of working in a team and learning how to work with all

cause tension and frustrations. Sabbaticals may see their media simply as a tool

different personalities, and how to effectively deal

to promote themselves rather than the best interests

with any clashes that may take place.

of the students on campus.

Chapter & ®

leisure

Rupert Murdoch, BBC TV news presenter Peter Sissons and author Graham Greene.

But with the unions paying for much of the production costs of all media and with an elected sabbatical being constitutionally responsible for

Other publications independent from their students’ unions include Varsity (Cambridge),

the media’s output, shouldn’t they be allowed to in a positive light? Is the representation of the union

The Soton Tab (Southampton), The Linc (Lincoln), Palatinate (Durham) and The Founder (Royal

more important than giving students what they need

Holloway).

ensure that everything reflects the uni correctly and

But you don’t want to simply get involved with

in terms of information? it’s something you should be aware of if you decide

student media — you want to make it count! Here are Tom Clarke’s top five tips for making the most out of

to get involved. Working in student media, you'll not

your student media days:

It’s a debate that’s never likely to be settled, but

please everyone all of the time, and you may have

1 Try ever ything There are so many skills to

to fight to generate the product you want — but for many people this is part of the excitement, and it

pick up in student media and so many opportunities

certainly prepares you for all sorts of conflicts when

going — there can never be too many people working

you step out into the real world.

for a student paper, for example. So as well as being a sports reporter, do some proof-reading.

In some cases there are thriving student magazines, websites and other media that are

Think you’re a serious news editor? Make sure

completely independent of the university — in a lot

you do some podcasting too. Don’t miss out on

of cases these tend to cause a bit of a stir and get

anything.

up the noses of the university officials. The most famous and established of these ‘independent’

2 Be bold When you're on work experience, or

papers is Cherwell at Oxford University, which has

even later in a job, you’ll be bottom of the pile and

been running since 1920 and has had a website

doing as you’re told. But being involved in student

since 1996 (in web terms that’s pretty early). Some

media you can be the boss, and when you are — take

rather famous people and respected journalists have

risks and make mistakes. It’s the best way to learn.

moved through its ranks, including media mogul

see ee A ere ie Redbrick Comment & Features |...

B Stay Connected

/ Sunday, April 22, 2012 / Website of the Year 2011 - Guardian Student Media Awards

brick

he Student Radio Associatio

EJ www.studentradio.org.uk News Comment Sport CONTACT LATESTEDITION

student radio association

1e Hits Radio's search for the hottest student radio talent has le

stHtingham thic vear... (Read More)

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The University of Birmingham's student newspaper since 1936

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qi GUILD ei

OFFICER ELECTIONS 2012

=i")

BUCS Cha

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Follow it all online at www.redbrickpaper.co.uk/elections

| Redbrick Comment& Features

| Redbrick Comment Exclusive: US Elections 2012 Coverage Comment Feature

Latest Pages = The Edward Cadbury lectures concluded on

it

i

| Interview: Kim Shaw (I J EEG) | TNS caught up with Kim Shaw, from new s

of Duke University, but the final lecture — ‘Idols, Icons and Images’ — was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury himself, _..more

__ Archbishop second »

Back, about stealing ‘pants’, sex, romance