Be prepared for the culture shock when you arrive at your chosen university or college. It will feel daunting-stepping in to the unknown! Even if you attended open days, read all the books even spoke to students at university you will still feel nervous. Remember other people will be feeling like you. Stay with it! Allow yourself time to settle. You’ll get the chance to find your way around and meet loads of people during 'freshers' week. Join a few clubs and societies.
Coping with the demands of the course, making ends meet, accommodation and work will depend on your survival skills!!
Read on and find out more…..
Accommodation
Finance
Disabled Students
Student Health
Travel
Gap Year
Accommodation
Thought about where you are going to live whilst at university?
The amount of university/college accommodation available varies. Some have none but most aim to house all first year students. Getting accommodation will involve filling in a form and returning it to the Student Accommodation Office by a specified date. There are big differences in the price of university accommodation. Accommodation prices are a good indicator of general costs. To find out some information on accommodation and rough costs check out the
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) website
For new students, halls of residence and university houses are the sensible choice. Unless you are a loner they are ideal for making friends and helping you to settle in. A good moan has started many a good friendship!
If you prefer private rented accommodation contact your Student Accommodation Office for information and consult the student union before signing a contract. This option will probably be more expensive.
If you are a student with a disability contact the Student Accommodation Office of your chosen university. You could also contact the
Skills National Bureau for Students with Disabilities.
Some students unions produce alternative prospectuses to give a “truer” picture of what the place is really like. They are useful and worth getting hold of-contact the student union of your chosen university or college.
Useful links: - The Housing Rights Service provides support on all aspects of housing.
Finance
Read on and find out more….
What will being a student cost? Can I get sorted before I go? Guide To Applying For Financial Support Banking options Sponsorships Some employers offer sponsorships – a gift or what? Two problems solved in a stroke – financing yourself through university and getting a job after. Get cracking early as competition is fierce.
What will being a student costYou’ll need money to live on and to pay your tuition fees. This has to be applied for it doesn’t come automatically! The process may seem complicated but you must take the trouble to do it or you could be charged the full cost of tuition fees.
Support to cover living costs can come from: Student loans Scholarships Allowances or grants (students with dependents, those
from low income families etc) Hardship funds for those experiencing financial hardship.
Each university distributes these.
Sponsorships
Can I get sorted before I go
Yes, get your money sorted as early as possible so that as much as possible is in place when you start your course.
Guide To Applying For Financial Support Contact your local Education and Library Board (ELB) for an application form in February of the year you intend to start your course.
Return the completed application form to your ELB as soon as possible. Your ELB will confirm whether you will be eligible to receive help with tuition fees and living costs. If eligible they’ll send you a financial form.
Complete the financial form with your parents/carer and send it back as quickly as possible. The ELB will then tell you how much, if anything, you and your family will have to contribute towards your fees and the maximum amount of help with costs that you can get.
Apply for your loan in June by completing the Loan Request Form, which will be on the reverse of the Financial Notification and then send it to the Student Loan Company.
Begin to research Student Bank Accounts during June and July.You’ll need a bank account for your student loan to be paid into, so make sure you have one.
However organised you are the system might not be. Don’t assume that your student loan will be waiting for you at the start of term. Make sure you have enough cash in the bank to survive for a few weeks.
Banking optionsYou should shop around the banks that are competing to attract student customers by varying interest rates, overdraft limits and the period after graduation allowed before repayment is expected. Guard against being won over by short-term benefits and post-graduation terms are equally important.
Sponsorships
Some employers offer sponsorships – a gift or what? Two problems solved in a stroke – financing yourself through university and getting a job after. Get cracking early as competition is fierce.
Useful links: -What financial help is availableOther help available
Repaying your student loan
Disabled Students
If you have a disability, make sure you disclose it so that the right support mechanisms are in place to aid your studies. Seek help and support from the adviser for students with disabilities, welfare officer, student services officer, personal tutor and students union.
Skill - (The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities) covers support available for students with disabilities.
Useful links: -
Specialist colleges
Student Health
Universities and colleges usually have a Student Health Centre (SHC) linked to the National Health Service (NHS) doctor.
You should register as a NHS patient in the first week of term or if you prefer you can register with any other NHS doctor.
You will probably find that your SHC will also provide a range of screening, preventative and treatment services for registered patients.
Full-time students under the age of 19 are exempt from most NHS charges. From the age of 19 you will cease to be exempt but you may be entitled to help with charges on the grounds of low income.
Travel
If you intend to go to university in NI and are wondering how you might get there click on
Translink for bus and train timetables. If you have decided to go further afield contact the universities you are considering for travel details.
Gap Year
What is a gap year Why take a year out Are there any disadvantagesUniversity/College View How do I defer my University/College placeWhat can I do Organisations Organising my own trip What is a Gap YearGap year is another name for taking a year out between school or college and higher education and employment. Taking a gap year is now becoming increasingly popular at other times such as after finishing a degree.
Why take a year outNot yet ready to settle down to life at university or college, need a break from studying, exams getting to you big time, not sure what you want to do or looking for more from life than a degree or a job then taking a year out could be a good idea for you.
If a year out is for you make sure you know what you’re going to do and plan for it well in advance including considering the money aspect. Drifting along doing nothing for a year is boring but worse than that it‘s not going to impress anyone when you do return to study or take up employment. At the end of the year someone may want to know how you spent the time and what you got from it.
Taking a year out can help you focus on what you want to do next in life. It is your chance to stand on your own two feet and to find out about you. Not only will you discover your strengths and weaknesses but you’ll also develop new skills, all of which could shape your future.
A year out can be a valuable learning experience, provided that it is carefully planned and structured.
Make a list of the pros and cons of taking a year out to help you to make your decision.
Are there any diadvantagesDisadvantages could include:
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your friends will be a year ahead of you
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it can be hard to get back into study
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it can be hard to give up the money
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your family may not be keen on the idea
Disadvantages mainly come with a badly planned year out or from not following health and safety advice available, particularly if travelling to remote countries.
Most universities and colleges accept students, who want to take a year out, so deferred entry is becoming increasingly common and shouldn’t put you at a disadvantage.
University/College viewMost welcome applicants who wish to defer entry, but attitudes can vary. If you plan to take a year out before higher education contact the university/college admission’s tutor to find out how they will view this.
Some admissions tutors have a preference as to what students should include as part of their year out but most don’t. I f you are wishing to do music you may be asked to keep up your level of performance.
How do I defer my University/College placeDeferring your place is fairly easy. Make sure you have all the information from
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissons Service) about the application procedure.
If you decide to defer entry after you have submitted your UCAS form, you should write to your chosen university/college.
What can I do
To make the decision on how to spend your year out you must research all the options. Consider all the possibilities and choose the opportunities most suitable and useful to you.
The opportunities are as long as your arm; you have the choice! For example you can do: -
Voluntary work-there are many opportunities for volunteers, both at home and abroad. Think about what you would like to do, the skills you have or skills you need to develop and anything new you would like to try. For further information have a look at our voluntary work leaflet. Working abroad-might give you your only opportunity to live and work abroad and gain exposure to another culture. It can also provide the chance to learn or improve language skills. However, you must research this as it will cost you and it can be difficult to get work permits for some countries outside Europe. A good deal of planning ahead needs to be done. Travel, holidays, courses abroad-the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world with time to stop and experience places of interest! A language course abroad can give you the time to get to grips with the language as it is used. This will cost you, even if you get student discount and courses may be expensive, but a part-time job may help.Research the areas you will be visiting and be aware of any potential problems. The
Foreign Office gives travel advice and information on areas to avoid.
Studying/Learning-time out for extra study could enhance your CV as well as adding to your development in other areas. It would be worth picking up a new skill, from a new language to computer skills. You may get a reduction in course fees if you are unemployed. Employment-paid work helps you to save money before starting university and helps to finance holidays. You may meet contacts with employers who might remember you when you are looking for permanent employment. You may decide to arrange travel or a placement yourself or do it through a gap or travel organisation.
Organisations
If you have decided to arrange travel or a placement through a gap or travel organisation, there are important questions to ask them. Some questions to ask: -
Selection process – what does the selection procedure involve? Who can take part in the programme?
The programme – what can I gain from the placement? How is it checked and monitored? What will my responsibilities be? Will I be placed with others or be alone? What will the accommodation be like? Will I be paid?
Money – what will the cost be does it include accommodation, travel and food? Will I have to pay a deposit? What if I cancel my placement?
The organisation – is it private, public or charity? What is its history? Are there past participants I can speak to and ask questions and voice my concerns to? Will I have a written agreement?
Pre-departure – will I get any training? Am I responsible for travel arrangements, visas and work permits? Is insurance provided, if so what is covered? Do I need any vaccinations?
During the programme – will there be support if I have a problem or emergency? Who do I report to?
Make a list of your own questions and make sure they are answered before signing up to anything!
Organising my own trip
If you decide to organise your own trip, some of the things you will need to do for yourself: -
organise your own transport and accommodationhave a daily accommodation budget
have a daily food budget
check out health issues.
If you want to read real life experiences about gap years click on the link of your choice below.
GAP Year in Africa with Project TrustGAP Year in India with Project TrustGAP Year in Mozambique with Project TrustGap Year in Uganda with Project TrustGap Year in TokyoGap Year in South Africa Useful links gapyear – an information resource covering aspects of your gap year, including advice, checklists, ideas, feature articles, links and a placement database.
Home Doctor (www.homedoctor.co.uk) – online health service. The section on travel health includes things to know before you go.
National Centre for Volunteering – for potential volunteers and anyone seeking information on volunteering worldwide.
Bunac – provider of summer camps, work and travel programmes. Student and graduate international volunteer work.
Camp America – summer camps and seasonal vacation work throughout the USA.Gap Activity Projects – activity projects for 17-20 year olds in 34 countries, including the UK.
Pure Australia - Visas, Jobs, Hostels - all you need to know for your time in Australia.
Hostels - worldwide hostel database with online booking, news, tips and travellers’ tales.
Inter Rail – go by rail with the Inter Rail Pass, economy class travel in countries in Europe and North America. Includes information on types of pass, planning and prices.
Meaningful Travel - provides unique travel and work experience to people of all ages from all backgrounds.