COV E N T RY U N I V E R S I T Y ST U D E N TS ’ U N I O N
reshers S U R V I VA L G U I D E
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CONTENTS Enrolment ......................................................................... 4 Student Bank Accounts ............................................... 6 Student Supplies & Essentials ....................................8 Freshers Itinerary............................................................ 11 Budgeting & Managing your Money ...................... 12 Student Meals & Shopping ........................................14 Staying Healthy............................................................... 16 Coping with the British Climate .............................. 18 Cleaning & Housework ...............................................20 Staying Safe on Nights Out ..................................... 22 Student Charter ............................................................ 24 Campus Map................................................................... 26 Contact Directory......................................................... 28 Win an iPad Mini............................................................30
YOUR SABB T
OU Are Y excited for You should be! Freshers is THE biggest event in the Coventry University Students’ Union (CUSU) calendar! Check out the FULL itinerary for Freshers 2016 on page 11 and find out everything we’ve got going on! In this guide we have put together some top tips to help make your Freshers experience even better. More in depth information can be found at www.cusu.org/freshers
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ENROLMENT Enrolment is your first step into being an official Coventry University Student! Once enrolled, you’ll be able to collect your Phoenix card; giving you access to your faculty buildings. You’ll be given a university email and user name; allowing you to access your university emails and log onto Moodle, as well as gaining access to other university facilities. HOME/EU STUDENTS CHECKLIST Check you’ve received your email link for enrolment online Enrol online BEFORE arriving via the link provided Collect and activate your Phoenix card on arrival from The Hub Haven’t received your enrolment email? Check our full article at cusu.org/freshers for more information, where you can find your faculty enrolment dates too. Still need help? Contact enrol@coventry.ac.uk
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS If you are an international student from outside of the European Economic Area you can only enrol online once all your documentation has been verified.
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During the enrolment period you will need to take your documents to the Student Centre to be verified. Please bring with you: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Statement (Tier 4 students only) UK Visa (for Tier 4 students this will be a BRP card) A valid passport Academic qualifications (for Tier 4 students the qualifications you need to bring will be listed on your CAS statement, for other students qualifications required will be listed on your offer letter) Evidence of your English ability (IELTS). For Tier 4 students you will need the exact English qualification listed on your CAS statement, for other students the qualification will be listed on your offer letter. Your financial sponsor letter (if applicable)
STUDENT BANK ACCOUNTS
Choosing a good student bank account can really make your life at University that much easier. A good student account can offer you some great deals or even freebies. Carefully consider what each bank offers and decide what will work best for you, especially if you’re an international student (make sure you find a bank that does the best deal for you.) Some banks offer free rail cards, while others offer exclusive deals and discounts, including cashback offers! Be sure to shop around for the best deal. Websites such as Money Saving Expert and The Telegraph give some great tips on what to look for in a student account and provide comparisons of several
banks and what student accounts they offer.
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You can open your student bank account as soon as your place at your chosen university has been confirmed, so you can make the most of those great deals and student exclusives! To open a student account in store you will need: • One or two forms of ID (such as a passport or driver’s licence) • Proof of address (such as a recent bank statement or a utility bill) • Proof of student status (a letter of acceptance from your university or a UCAS offer letter) If you are unsure about exactly what documents and forms of ID are accepted have a look on your chosen bank’s website or ask in branch.
STUDENT SUPPLIES & ESSENTIALS
Getting ready to move out of home is one of the most exciting and scary prospects when you’re heading to university. It can be even more daunting if you’re moving across countries and continents to study. We’ve decided to give you a helping hand with your packing - check it out!
KITCHEN SUPPLIES • Saucepans: One medium sized and one small. • Frying pans: One good quality, non-stick medium sized pan. • Knives: Vegetable knife and a general chopping knife. • Utensils: Wooden spoon, spatula, serving spoon, chopping board • Strainer/colander.
• Two tea towels • Two bowls, two tea plates, two dinner plates • Glasses and mugs (two or three of each) • One small baking tray
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KEY ESSENTIALS
• Toilet roll • Tin foil
• Cling film
• Freezer bags • Two sets of bed sheets
• Two pillows and a quilt • Two hand towels • Extension lead
• • First aid kit • • Laundry detergent • • Washing basket
Remember that this list is just the basics though; you’ll probably have a lot more to add of your own things! Don’t forget to get your cleaning supplies too!
UNI
WELCOME
WE’RE HERE FOR
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WHEN YOU GET HU
BUY ONE, GE T ONE FREE! USE CODE: STUDFREE*
/DominosPizza
DELIVERING 24 HOURS
@Dominos_UK
Click
Tap the app
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120 FAR GOSFORD STREET COVENTRY, CV1 5EA
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WHEN ORDERING ONLINE AT WWW.DOMINOS.CO.UK AVAILABLE ON MEDIUM & LARGE PIZZAS ONLY
Pop In
02476 220099 Call
*Buy one get one free on medium & large pizza only. Valid online only. Free pizza must be equal or lesser value than the first. Not valid with any other offer. Offer can be withdrawn without notice. Student ID required. EXP 31-5-17
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FRESHERS DAYTIME ITINERARY FRESHERS WELCOME FESTIVAL - MON 26TH SEPT, 11AM - 5PM
We’ve got live music, dancers, entertainment and loads more! Our various departments will also be there, ready to get chatting to you all. We’ve got games and activities for prizes too! SOCIETIES FAIR - TUESDAY 27TH SEPT, 11AM - 5PM
Get to know about all of our societies! Talk to current members and find out what each society can offer you! Come and discover how you can get involved! SPORTS FAIR - WEDNESDAY 28TH SEPT, 11AM - 5PM
Want to discover what sports clubs we have here at CUSU? Get all the information you need from current teams and members. Our sports clubs are a great way to make friends and keep active. COMMERCIAL FAIR - THURSDAY 29TH SEPT, 11AM - 5PM
This is the fair all you students have been waiting for. The famous commercial fair! Come and meet companies ready to hand out a load of free stuff! Did we mention Dominos will also be on campus with free pizza? Grab a slice of the action! GET INVOLVED FAIR - FRIDAY 30TH SEPT, 11AM - 5PM
Discover more about what opportunities we can offer you. Find out what campaigns we have CAMPAIGNS coming up and get involved! We want to know 2016 / 17 what you’re passionate about, so if you have an idea for a new campaign, come and tell us about it!
BUDGETING & MANAGING YOUR MONEY
The thrill of getting your first student loan instalment is always exciting. But sometimes knowing how to manage it can be daunting. Check out these tips for advice on how to manage your money! • Draw up a budget. This can be per term or per month. Be realistic and record all your outgoings, and include any direct debits you might have (phone contracts or entertainment bills like Netflix and Spotify). Give yourself money for food, rent, bills (if they aren’t included in your rent) and an allowance for fun things too! • Stick to the budget! Get into the habit of regularly checking your bank balance and keeping your
spending in check. Keep your receipts to help you monitor your spending.
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• Think about where you can save money. Do you always buy lunch? It’s usually cheaper to bring something from home. Is going out drinking what gets you? Try having a night in with friends instead. Take buses or taxis? Try walking or cycling. You’ll be surprised how much you can save when you start looking at your day to day habits. • If your loan just won’t go far enough to cover the essentials for a term, it’s worth looking into part time work. We offer vacancies for part time casual contract student staff members, but other places always are always looking part time staff are: supermarkets, nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cafes. Visit www.cusu.org/opportunities for info. If you need any help with managing your money you can come and talk to one of our advisors. For more information on how to see an advisor head over to www.cusu.org
STUDENT MEALS & COST-EFFECTIVE SHOPPING Getting a good deal on your food shopping is essential, but so is getting some meal inspiration! Check out some of our tips and advice below:
FOOD SHOP Get a deal! Supermarkets often rotate deals and offers, so check around for the best offers. Markets are a great place to pick up cheap ingredients for your meals. Shop smart! Don’t buy loads of fresh food you won’t be able to eat before it goes off. Plan your meals and only buy what you need. Switch out meat a few times a week for vegetable-based options – it’s a lot cheaper and healthier!
STUDENT MEAL IDEAS • Stir fry. Noodles, vegetables, and sauce make a quick tasty meal. • Baked potatoes are a student staple. Filling, warm, and super cheap, it doesn’t get much better! • Chilli. Bulk it out with beans, add some spice, and you’ve got a cheap, delicious meal.
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STIR FRY
BAKED POTATOES
CHILLI
FAJITAS
PASTA & MEATBALLS
CASSEROLE
• Fajitas. This tortilla dish is a student’s best friend. Cut your chicken small, and add peppers, onions, and salad. • Pasta and meatballs. Meatballs are dead easy to make – mince, herbs, onion, and an egg is all you need. Add tomato sauce and pasta and you’re good to go! • Casserole. You can add almost anything you like, then just cover with stock, cook for an hour and you’ve got yourself a hassle free dinner.
STAYING HEALTHY It’s important to stay healthy during your studies, so check out our top tips below: COPING WITH FRESHERS FLU With new people coming from all over the world to live in shared housing, it’s not unusual for all those new germs to mix and create the dreaded ‘Freshers Flu’. • Carry hand sanitiser. A quick spritz of hand sanitiser can help get rid of all the germs accumulated during the day. • Have a medical kit. Painkillers, flu remedies, and tissues are good to have at hand. • If you’re sick, rest up! Sleep, hot showers, and warm drinks are all good for recovery. • Good diet and exercise. Eating healthy and exercising helps build up your immune system to prevent illness in future. MENINGITIS AWARENESS Young people are the second most vulnerable group to meningitis after babies and children; it’s a dangerous disease that can cause long term complications and even
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death. Often meningitis presents itself as flu or a bad hangover, but if you know what to look out for you can get help in time. Symptoms: • Fever • Headache • Light sensitivity • Muscle pain and stiffness • Cold hands and/or feet • Drowsy or sleepy • Confused or delirious • Pale, blotchy skin. • Rash with red or brown spots that doesn’t disappear when pressed by a glass Meningitis is treatable, but prevention is better than cure. If you’re a new student, make sure you get vaccinated as soon as possible as there has been an increase in the number of cases of the Men W strain over recent years. Visit or call The Hub Medical Centre for more information and to book an appointment.
THE BRITISH CLIMATE
Britain is well known for its changeable weather, so check these top tips for handling the weather and coping with the cold.
TOP TIPS Wear layers for changing temperatures, especially the cold and rain. Be prepared for all seasons in one day – have sunglasses and umbrellas at the ready! Coming from a hot climate? Investing in some thermal clothing could be a good idea to help you get used to our temperatures. Endless grey, wet days can affect your mood with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Watch out for this if you find yourself feeling really down when the weather is gloomy.
PREPARE FOR WINTER
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1. Get some good winter clothing. It gets cold here, so equip yourself with boots, hat, gloves, scarf, and a thick coat. 2. Blankets and layers. We recommend thick winter quilts (opt for the highest tog you can find), fleece blankets, and thermal pyjamas. 3. Time your heating – have a warm room to get ready in the morning and to snuggle down in at night! Don’t forget to budget extra for heating bills in colder months. 4. Really feeling the cold? An electric blanket or heater might be worth it. Be careful though – these can suck up electricity! If all else fails when it gets really cold, come down to The Hub! It’s toasty warm here all year.
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CLEANING & HOUSEWORK
University presents a lot of challenges, and for some of you it’s the first time you’ll be fully responsible for all your cleaning! Have a read of our tips below to help you get started.
DID YOU KN
KITCHEN CLEANING Quick tips: Wash up as soon as possible. Housemates not as quick to wash up? Make it a rule that dirty dishes aren’t left in the sink.
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boards Chopping average contain on re bacteria 200% mo et seat! than a toil
Be sure to wipe down surfaces regularly to keep them clean and tidy. Key items: • Kitchen cleaner • Rubber gloves
• Washing up liquid • Sponges & cleaning cloths
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BATHROOM CLEANING Quick tips: Use disposable wet-wipes, toilet cleaner, and the power of a scrubbing brush to tackle the toilet. Scrub the tiles from top to bottom in the shower, as well as the door and shower head to keep them clean. Regularly wash your bath mat and rubber mats – they get dirty faster than you think! Key Items: • Rubber gloves • Cleaning cloths & disposable wipes
• Scrubbing brush • Bathroom & toilet cleaner
ROOM CLEANING Quick tips: Have a set day of the week for washing your clothes. If you’re in halls, keep change to use the machines. Hoover regularly! Dust and wipe down surfaces. Keep a dust cloth and cleaner in your room for quick and easy cleaning. Key Items: • Dust cloth & polish • Laundry detergent & bag
• Small bin
STAYING SAFE ON NIGHTS OUT
Going out and having a night out are classic parts of student culture. But sadly, they aren’t without their risks, and staying safe when you’re on a night out, especially in a new city, is something you need to be aware of. Why let a good night out be ruined? We’ve got some tips on how to keep yourself safe and still have a great time out. Drink sensibly. It’s easy to get caught up in drinking, especially when you’re out having fun and start to lose track of how many you’ve had. Know your limits and stick to them. Keep an eye on your drinks. We all know not to leave our drinks unattended, or to accept a drink from a stranger, but it is sound advice that bears repeating. The same goes for your belongings, don’t leave items unattended and don’t keep your phone, wallet or money in your back pocket.
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Stay together with friends. Don’t go off by yourself with someone you don’t know. Keep track of your friends too and stay together when on nights out. Take a taxi home. Don’t walk home alone when it’s late even if you only live a few minutes away from the venue. Always keep some taxi money seperate. If you absolutely have to walk home, make sure it’s with someone, and stick to well-lit public areas.
FACT ing can Drink spik r alcohol be drugs o d can lead related, an physical/ to theft or ault. sexual ass
STUDENT CHARTER The Coventry University student charter sets out a set of shared values that will allow any and every student to reach their full potential. The strength of the partnership between the University and its students expresses a joint commitment to achieve a transformational educational experience. Coventry University’s success relies on the success of you, its students. The student charter helps this to happen by setting out responsibilities and expectations of the university, the Students’ Union and its students. This makes your rights and responsibilities clear as well as letting you know what you should expect from Coventry University and the Students’ Union. Coventry University undertakes to provide: • Passionate teaching and responsive support • Full access to appropriate learning resources • International experiences • Embedded employability and ‘real world’ opportunities • All staff professional development to remain up to date in their specialist areas
Coventry University Students’ Union undertakes to: • Represent the interests of all students at a local and national level • Provide a wide range of extra-curricular activities which shall enrich and develop the student experience • Create, support and celebrate the cultures and interests of all students • Develop and facilitate communications between the University and students to promote positive change
Students are expected to: • Be active participants in their own learning and extra-curricular achievements, developed throughout their studies • Work together to achieve mutual respect, courtesy and professionalism • Attend scheduled activities
You can find the full document on our website at: www.cusu.org/your-union/student-leaders
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CAMPUS MAP CTION JUN
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CONTACT DIRECTORY
National Express Buses
Student Services
0121 254 7272 (or drop into Pool Meadow Bus Station)
024 7765 2525 (or visit the desk on the ground floor of The Hub)
Coventry Railway Station: 08457 48 49 50 (or drop into the ticket office/customer services office at the train station)
Protection Services 024 7765 7272 (or visit the desk on the ground floor of The Hub)
International Office 024 7615 2152 (or visit The Student Centre opposite the EC building)
The Hub Medical Centre 024 76592012 (third floor of The Hub, accessible via the Jordan Well entrance opposite the Ellen Terry building)
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CUSU Reception 024 7765 5200 (or visit the desk on the first floor of The Hub) Students’ Union Advice Centre (SUAC) suadvice@coventry.ac.uk
IT Service Desk 02476 88 7777 (or visit the Flying Squad, ground floor of the Library)
Library 02477 657575 (or visit reception on the ground floor of the Library) Emergency Services 999 (emergencies only). Call 101 for police nonemergencies and 111 for medical non-emergencies Coventry Central Police Station 0345 113 5000 Healthcare Walk-in Centre: Stoney Stanton Road Coventry 0300 200 0060
IPAD MINI GIVEAWAY! We’re giving away an IPAD MINI, be in with a chance to win! Get your hands on an IPAD MINI, the perfect companion to help you get through university! Now that you’ve learnt everything about how to survive your first few weeks of university, we want to see you getting stuck in to Freshers! Take a fun, creative selfie during Freshers at any of the events we’ve got going on. Send it to ac3197@ coventry.ac.uk, and we’ll upload it to the CUSU Facebook page, where your fellow students can like the images. The submission with the most likes will win an IPAD MINI! The competition closes 12th October, so get uploading straight away! Good luck!
WIN
an
iPad Mini
Less Screaming. More Streaming.
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Take control. Get covered. endsleigh.co.uk/university
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*Price is based on a student living on campus, insuring a phone and a laptop (or tablet) up to the value of £500 each. Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited acts as a Credit Broker exclusively on behalf of Premium Credit Limited (PCL), who arrange finance for monthly payments. **If your item is lost, stolen or unrepairable we’ll replace it within one working day of your claim being approved. Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting their website at www.fca.org.uk/register. Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited. Company No. 856706 registered in England at Shurdington Road, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire GL51 4UE.
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