THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT
2015
YOUR ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO UNIVERSITY AND BEYOND
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Introduction
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT
2015
YOUR ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO UNIVERSITY AND BEYOND
Amol Rajan
FRESHERS’ WEEK ........................... 5
Yes, you’ll be surrounded by people with different world views, accents and dress sense. Don’t worry, here’s how to make the most of it.
‘There was something magical about the university experience, the boundless potential and the total freedom’
A
WHAT TO PACK ................................. 8
Essential items to take away. ALL ABOUT CLEARING ................... 11
A-level results not what you were expecting? Check out our guide to landing that place. LEAVING HOME ............................. 16
Going to university is a big change for you – and your parents. Here’s how one family coped.
on a degree are some of the luckiest people now living. Above all, you’re free! Free as a bird, free to roam and rant, free from responsibility – you don’t have kids yet, do you? – free to experiment and to enjoy. As you get older, other wonderful things happen, like wives and expenses accounts. But freedom diminishes. Therefore you should optimise it. Here are five ways to do that. 1 Be nice to people. This maxim is valuable in life generally, of course; but it is especially vital during that time in your life when you are making more friends than ever before (or after). 2 Work very hard. I know you thinking memorising two sonnets is hard. It’s not. Memorise 50 of them. Then 50 more. 3 Stay healthy. I’m not just talking about avoiding STDs, though that’s a good idea. Too many students don’t wash for days and consume crisps, beer and nothing else. You’ll get more out of it if you’re in good condition. 4 Try new stuff. No, I’m not saying you should be taking tequila in week one and acid in week two. But if there are scratches you want to itch – acting, paragliding, karate – now’s the time. 5 Be positive. There will be ups, there will be downs and there will be plenty of both. If you’re thinking of quitting to become a pilates instructor, just remember, you’ve got time on your side. And that’s not something you’ll always be able to say.
2015
CONTENTS
EDITOR , THE INDEPENDENT
bout halfway through my gap year, I remember very distinctly speaking to a mate called Chen who was at university already, and who said it was sheer bliss and life doesn’t get much better than this. We had all heard the clichés about these being the best days of our lives, just as Bryan Adams had sung about the Summer of ’69. And I remember thinking, just before I went up to Cambridge, that I shouldn’t get too excited, because if I thought they would be the best days of my life I was bound to be disappointed. Nostalgia is for losers, generally old losers in fact, but being one of those myself now at the ripe age of 32, I can at least say this: I kind of know what Adams meant. My friend was right. I don’t say that the three years at university – was it really that long? – were as good as it will get for me, because I’m having a pretty good time of it right now, and it will be fun having a family and so on. But there was something magical about the university experience, about the boundless potential, the emotional intensity, and the total freedom; and if I had just five minutes with my 18year-old, gap-year-happy self, I guess my message would be simple. Make the most of it, mate. Look, I know it sounds almost mournful or sour to say you don’t realise how lucky you are at 18, or to say, as Oscar Wilde did, that youth is wasted on the young. I have to tell you that it’s true. Those of you who are about to embark
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MY STUDENT DAYS ........................ 20
Six celebrities, including comedian Holly Walsh and magician Ben Hanlin, look back on their university experience. SAVING YOUR BACON ................... 27
How to make the most of your limited student funds. STUDENT ACCOMMODATION ...... 30
The rundown on your living options. SOFT SKILL S .................................. 35
They really are the key to employability. DEAR CONSTANCE ........................ 37
Our agony aunt answers your personal questions. RECIPES FOR SUCCESS ................4 3
Decide (and practise) your signature dish, eat cheaply and then impress your peers. And maybe a future partner.
Be nice to people: this maxim is useful in life generally
FINAL SAY .......................................46
Don’t waste your time. Enjoy the ride but prepare for post-uni life while you enjoy the party.
E DITOR DAVID TAYLOR DE PUT Y E DITOR SOPHIA MARTELLI DESIG NER DE AN MORRIS PIC TURE E DITOR ELENA GOODISON COVE R ILLUSTR ATION LOUISE LOCKHART
THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE
3
IN CLEARING? WE’VE SAVED YOU A SPACE…
Call us on 01224 473504 and our team will be delighted to help you. WWW.ABDN.AC.UK/CLEARING The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland No.SCO13683.
Don’t worry if you don’t enjoy it to the hilt – Freshers is a one off. Take the long view and personal and intellectual satisfaction could be yours BY NICK MOORE PORTRAIT BY GETTY IMAGES
THROUGH 1GET FRESHERS’ WEEK
Freshers’ week is a rollercoaster – how can it not be? Propelled from the protective womb of home, students are suddenly in a place they may not know, surrounded by curious people with different accents, world views, dress senses and philosophies about bathroom cleanliness. You simultaneously have to do an enormous amount of admin – working out digs, transport, where lectures and seminars will take place, and hang on… do we need a TV licence? (Yes, you do). THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE
5
Freshers’ week
Then smiling oddballs shower you with leaflets persuading you to join their medieval war gaming society. The first week has basically been designated by some – although by no means all – as a terrifying week-long Magaluf-style bender, in which you must pour endless shots of green spirits into your eyeballs or be SHUNNED FOREVER. Combined, these factors mean that many new arrivals feel the sudden urge to scuttle back home and live with mum until they’re 43. The key thing here is perspective. Week one is always going to be bewildering – so give it time. Many people love Freshers’ week, but it is a one-off, so if you don’t, stay calm: you’ll eventually find like-minded people with whom to enjoy your time, guaranteed.
FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT 2ASK
One of the best aspects of year one is the sheer amount of people on hand to baby-step you through pretty much anything that might confuse or bother you. From central university services to the students’ union, your halls of residence organisation (if you’re in one), to tutors or fellow undergrads, always make sure you reach out for assistance when required – whether it’s an issue regarding finances, your course, or a personal matter. Every university has an advice centre – where professionals can give you free, confidential and impartial guidance – and counselling services, should you need them. If you’re looking to join a society or widen your social net, the Freshers’ Fair, usually held in the first week, is also a must. And if you’ve got a supportive family, count yourself lucky, and make sure you stay in touch: they’ll be thinking about you all the time. Find whatever strategy works to keep you productive and happy; and – if you’re struggling to fit in – be bold and do something new. Keeping occupied is the best way to avert early homesickness.
A NEW 3EMBRACE STYLE OF LEARNING
As well as suddenly controlling your own time in a way that might seem refreshing compared to the dictatorial former regime of mum and dad, you might be surprised to find that when it comes to learning, you’re now your own boss. University professors won’t tell you off for chewing, or not doing your homework; if you don’t complete an assignment, you’ll get a fail, not a spanking. This revelation 6
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can quickly lead to pitfalls: liberated from former motivational sticks and carrots, you can find yourself procrastinating wildly, choosing to pull an emergency all-nighter rather than get work done in ample time, or opting not to bother with that “recommended further reading” – after all, it is optional. Ultimately, this unprescribed headspace gives you scope to explore your thoughts, to try and fail, to be original. So make sure you put aside some time to ponder what it is you truly want to get out of your course. Job opportunities, sure – but personal and intellectual development and satisfaction are also up for grabs, if you want ’em.
YOUR 4 GET MONEY STRAIGHT
50 Cent and Kanye West probablyweren’t thinking about buying supermarket value brands when they rapped about getting their “money right”, but the duo’s wisdom should still be heeded: muck up your finances – easily done in a world of free credit – and you’ll soon be facing a Greecestyle meltdown that’ll distract from your studies and curtail your fun, and you don’t want to file for bankruptcy like Fiddy. Work out a weekly budget for essentials – food, rent, phone, travel, college materials –and stick to it (apps like OnTrees and DollarBird, which track overspending, and bargain-hunting mySuperList, can help). Avoid takeaways, check out local charity shops, become a friend of Poundland, and scout around the banks for decent deals: many offer 0 per cent overdrafts and Santander offer free four-year railcards. Budget for some fun, too, but on a night out, take out only as much money as you’re able to afford, and leave your card at home. Check online for the numerous vouchers and offers aimed at students (we’ve found everything from free pina colada to punnets of cherries). If you’re really wily, you can even source cheap food by getting it after ‘best before’ dates (almost always in place for a supermarket’s stock management benefit, and fine to eat). It’s what Kanye would have wanted…
5
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
One downside to being a student is that some of the more unscrupulous elements of society think that you’re
This headspace gives you scope to try, and fail, to be original
a naive lamb to the slaughter when it comes to treating you correctly as a tenant or a consumer. If you ever feel like you’re being cheated, do your research and equip yourself to strike back. Housing wise, every landlord must provide fire escape routes, smoke alarms, a gas safety certificate and properly installed electrics. You’ll need permission to do any decorating – most will appreciate it, should you chose to – and remember that landlords also need to give you 24 hours notice to come round: they can’t just storm in whenever they want to. Never let anyone railroad you, so find out your rights and put them forth confidently if needs be; and from phone contracts to restaurant bills, learn when, and how, to complain. If you face eviction or a notice to leave, seek advice from your student services – who can also help you with a spectrum of other consumer matters.
HARMONIOUSLY 6CO-EXIST
The biggie. As many a student will tell you, Fresh Meat isn’t a just sitcom, it’s a virtual documentary. Put someone from Obsessive
Freshers’ week
fully on your wavelength. So be nice, chip in with a fair share of cleaning – doing it all together in a blitz usually works better than a rota – and try to subscribe to the philosophy that house shares are all about respect.
MARK HARVEY
STAY ALIVE 7PLEASE,
Compulsive Cleaners in the same house as the world’s biggest slob; a diligent overseas student in the next room to a death metal guitarist; or an anti-establishment crusader in the same house as a former Bullingdon Club president, and you’ve got a nice, spicy recipe for backbiting, bickering and angry notes left on the fridge. The key thing is to remember a few factors. First up – you don’t have to be best friends with your housemates or hall of residence near-neighbours, but it is preferable if you can all rub along. Try to be tolerant of behaviour that might not be your cup of tea, and be respectful of others’ requests: maybe stick that guitar onto headphones after 11pm, eh? Don’t make assumptions based on appearances or backgrounds, and try to look on differences as an opportunity to expand your horizons and circles, rather than fuel for bitching. Vive la difference. Remember, in your second year, you’re far more likely to be able to shack up with a selection of mates who are
University isn’t a health spa, and with limited budgets, unusual hours and the temptation to party lurking around many a corner (“20P A PINT NIGHT!”), you can soon end up with a complexion like a snooker player and the internal organs of a septuagenarian. The basics of decent nutrition and sleep, however, are the only way to stay sane for an entire year – even Pete Doherty kips eventually – and a few simple tips can keep you in good shape. Eat well, and cheaply, by planning a little in advance: the bog-standard basics of bread, cheese, pasta, frozen veg, fresh fruit, baked beans, tinned tuna, chicken and pizza are all easy to find and prepare. On big nights out, try not to mix your drinks too overzealously, don’t get peer-pressured into downing anything you don’t want to. If you start to feel ill, stop. And if the more hedonistic side of student life isn’t for you, you’re not alone: there are plenty of others out there who’d rather be debating politics, keeping fit or working, just like you – it’s just a case of finding them.
HOW TO CRAM 8LEARN
Maybe stick that guitar onto headphones after 11pm?
Not leaving your work to the last minute is the best advice for any course – and getting it done immediately means that your original notes and lectures are fresher in your mind when you address them. But there will always be a point when even the most diligent student feels the need to cram a lot of information into their cerebrum at short notice. A tricksy way of doing this is by using the method Derren Brown favours, building a mental memory palace to retain a lot of information easily. To cram, choose a quiet place where you won’t be distracted (a corner of the library works best), turn off Instagram (or, better, your phone completely) and get stocked with water and snacks, minimising any faffing about. Don’t go into revision willy-nilly: work out a plan for every topic you need to cover, assign time periods to each, and stick
to it. Chapter summaries and key information boxes are your best friends, and handwriting notes rather than laptop-typing helps retain information. At the end, re-read, highlight and condense each topic to a page. Try to sleep properly before any exam: a well-rested mind will always beat an knackered one, even if the latter has revised a bit more.
THE RIGHT JOB 9DO
One in seven students work full time alongside doing a degree, according to a 2014 NUS Services survey, while 45 per cent do some kind of part-time work during term time. For around 35 per cent, it is a simple matter of staying solvent while at college; but around half of students also hope that working while at uni will boost their employability prospects in the future. Finding employment that is at least vaguely related to the career path you desire can be an excellent double-whammy, offering insight into the business itself while also providing muchneeded income. If you do end up working, ensure you get advice about your rights: employed students commonly overpay tax without realising, and this can easily be claimed back via HMRC. Try to graft in manageable shifts, broken up in a way that suits you: most universities recommend no more than 15 hours a week. Can you afford the time off academic studying? Make sure you’ve sussed that out before over-committing.
THE 10CHERISH EXPERIENCE
Finally – and it may seem like a fogyish piece of Hallmark card sentiment – try to truly embrace every moment of university, because there really is no time like it. Fast forward 20 years, probably amid the maelstrom of careers, families, mortgages, and other such time-guzzling elements of real life, and there’s very little doubt that you’ll look back on the freedom you enjoy right now then with some envy. Certainly, going to college has changed over recent decades: it has become far more expensive, meaning that treating it as a three-year chance to muck about is now extremely foolhardy. But even the most dedicated bookworm should still enjoy a period of self discovery, new hobbies, long holidays and, yes – the odd clichéd student day spent slumped on the sofa watching the Test Match or back-to-back episodes of Judge Judy – without guilt. It’s all character forming, y’know. THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT
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What to pack
CLOTHES AIRER No self-respecting student can do without somewhere to dry their washing. This Airer Deluxe folds flat and is sturdy enough to take a few knocks. How much: £10 Where from: wilko.com
BEDSIDE TABLE Taken for granted at home but not commonly provided in halls. Pay extra and you can plonk your phone on it and charge by wi-fi. How much: £20 or £50 with embedded wireless charger Where from: Ikea
TOASTIE MAKER Toasties are the staple student diet but why waste the crusts cutting to fit a toastie maker when you can make them full-sized with a Panini press? How much: £21.99 Where from: Amazon
SELECTED BY LIZ LIGHTFOOT
Ten Student Living Essentials TRAY Don’t make two journeys from the kitchen when you can carry it all in one go. And you can eat off it as well. Nonslip surface is handy for glasses. How much: £6.49 Where from: Amazon
NOTICE BOARD Pin all your favourite photos, gig tickets and cards on this large board and you will soon feel at home. Could also be used for lecture timetables. How much: £9.36 Where from: Amazon
CORKSCREW AND BOTTLE OPENER Last but not least, here’s something that will bring you instant popularity. Halls don’t seem to provide them. Wonder why? How much: £3.50 Where from: Tesco
WASTE PAPER BIN You’re going to need somewhere to throw corks and crisp packets. If your university provides one it can double as a linen basket. How much: £5 Where from: wilko.com
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT
DESK LAMP Personalise your room with this desk lamp. If one is provided, keep one on your desk and the other at the bedside. Saves getting up. How much: £15 Where from: Ikea
CLOTHES HANGERS It’s tempting to dress from a heap of clothes but with a bit of discipline you can have a nice tidy wardrobe and find things easier. How much: £3 for 5 or £5 for 10 Where from: wilko.com DOOR WEDGE Hall doors have a habit of shutting by themselves, just when you want to have company or join a conversation. You could use big books but this is simpler. How much: £0.98 Where from: morehandles.co.uk
Looking for your university place? Find your Clearing course at leedsbeckett.ac.uk/clearing
Call us on 0113 812 3113 110467 independenthalfpage_150_232tail 31_07_15.indd 1
31/07/2015 11:15
Come and change things with us. Call our clearing team today on 03300 195900.
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16th in the UK and in the top 10 for Social Policy (Guardian University Guide 2015)
Clearing and adjustment The University of Kent’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research has a limited number of places available for well-qualified applicants. • • • • • • • •
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Plus many more study abroad, work placement and joint honours options are available.
www.kent.ac.uk/sspssr
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A-level results not quite what you were expecting? There is a solution – which one in 10 students took last year WORDS BY AMY MCLELLAN / PICTURE BY GETTY IMAGES
IN THE
CLEAR L
ife doesn’t always go according to plan, and that’s why the gods invented Clearing, the Ucas system that matches students with course vacancies. Once famed for being a high stakes scramble for last minute places, Clearing is increasingly just another route into higher education. Last year it accounted for almost one in 10 admissions: that’s over 61,000 students. With growing numbers of Russell Group universities listing vacancies, this is no last chance saloon but instead a valid way to snap up great courses at top institutions. And this year the lifting of the student number cap means it’s an applicants’ market. “The universities want you as much as you want them,” says Susie King, head of admissions at the University of Bedfordshire. “They don’t hold all the power so take your time and work out what is right foryou – after all, this represents at least £27,000 of loans and three years of your life.” For many students the big reveal of the A-level results can be a time of shock and upset. That’s OK – have a cry and a cup of tea – but then it’s time to move on. If you’re only slightly short of the required grades, ring your first choice: they may still accept you, in which case, job done. If not, and
you’ve discounted retakes or a gap year, get in front of a computer and have a phone to hand: you are now in Clearing. This means it’s time to execute plan B. Ideally, those with an inkling that their exams have not gone as plannedwill already have scanned the clearing vacancies listed on Ucas to find other courses, institutions, or both. Lynn Grimes, director of student recruitment and admissions at London South Bank University, says: “don’t just go by the course title, make sure you understand the content of the course. There can be significant differences between courses with the same title while some universities use different titles for what is effectively the same course. It’s a big decision so don’t rush this.” Jot down useful phone numbers, course codes, your Clearing number – which you can find on Track – your personal ID number as well as your GCSE and newly minted A-level results. Note points about your passion for your chosen subject and why you like this course in particular, and be ready to ask questions: about the course, the institution, student life, and what happens next. Initially, you’ll speak to a member of the Clearing helpline team, and there maythen
Don’t feel pressured into accepting the first offer you get
be a phone interviewwith a lecturer. Make notes during this conversation; if you’re offered a verbal offer, express interest but don’t commit until you’ve had weigh options. Logistics permitting, try to visit the university: most actively encourage visits. “Half of coming to university is feeling comfortable in the place,” says Grimes. Otherwise try speaking to current students, or check out forums such as The Student Room to get a feel for the place. Research living costs, sports facilities, opportunities for work placements or trips abroad. And ask about financials: what bursaries and scholarships are available, what textbooks are required, what student support is available. “Don’t feel pressured into accepting the first offer you get,” advises Annie Dobson of the Exam Results Helpline. “There’s nothing worse than finding yourself somewhere you can’t settle.” Found the perfect match? Add your Clearing choice on Track to confirm your acceptance, complete loan paperwork as soon as possible and sort out accommodation: many universities reserve places in halls for Clearing students. As Clearing veterans on the following pages attest, it all tends to work out for the best. THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT
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TERI PENGILLEY
Adjustment
case study
Alexandra Hadaway, 19 university of bournemouth
I
was studying A-levels in English language, media and psychology and was predicted to get ABB, but I didn’t feel I would get that and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go to university at all. At my grammar school it was programmed into us that we would go to university. None of my family had, so the expectation wasn’t coming from my side of things, but at school we didn’t look at any other options. I felt pressured into applying, even though I wasn’t sure it would be right for me. I applied to study English at Cardiff University, with Bournemouth as my second choice, but I didn’t put any effort into my studies. I sort of switched off. I wasn’t stressed about my exams because I didn’t put any pressure on myself. I needed to get ABB to get into Cardiff but got BCC so I was surprised when I woke up on the morning of the results and found out I’d been accepted into Cardiff. 12
THE INDEPENDENT student
By then I knew I really didn’t want to go to Cardiff. I’d visited Bournemouth in June, after my exams, and just felt I would be happier there. I felt more at home there. So I had to phone up Cardiff and ask them to release me from that place because I couldn’t apply to Bournemouth until I was released into the system. It felt like I was waiting around all day: Bournemouth only had two spaces left on the course so I knew I couldn’t hang around too long. It was a really hectic and dramatic morning, panicking about what was happening, and it was all made worse by the fact I had a job as a receptionist – and was due to go on holiday the next day. Mum pulled me out of work to see if we could get some advice from school in person, and on the way I finally heard that Cardiff had released me. The C learing lines only opened in the early evening and that night my place at Bournemouth still wasn’t guaranteed – and I’d be away the next day. Looking back, I hadn’t planned it well at all. It was only when I was about to get on the plane that my mum called to say Bournemouth had confirmed my place. I was so relieved and happy. All my friends had their places sorted and now it meant I could really enjoy my holiday too.
There are other options and you get lots of support: don’t panic
There was no problem with my loan but accommodation was a little more difficult. All the places in halls were full but there was a home finders day at the beginning of September, where they match you up with people with similar interests so you can find a house together. I really wanted to be in halls and fortunately I found a last minute space in halls – the irony is all my friends from the course live in private housing anyway so it wouldn’t have mattered either way. The course has been great. It’s more media-based than the course in Cardiff, which was more focused on language, and the media side is where my interests lie. I’ve really enjoyed my first year. At the time, my dad couldn’t understand why I put so much extra pressure on myself by not taking the place at Cardiff but I just knew it wasn’t for me. My mum came to Freshers’ week and said straight away that she could see why I was so happy at Bournemouth. It was just the right fit for me. I felt happy and comfortable here in a way I just felt I wouldn’t be at Cardiff. Adjustment was a great opportunity to fix that. I’d definitely advise other people who feel they’ve made a mistake not to panic. There are other options and you get lots of support to help you make the right choice.”
Transform Your Future.
As a member of the Russell Group, our commitment to teaching excellence and world-class research will help you reach your true potential. Apply now for a clearing or adjustment place at the University of Sheffield. Your accommodation is guaranteed. www.sheffield.ac.uk/clearing
Clearing
case study
Emma James, 20 university of staffordshire
COLIN MCPHERSON
E
mma James entered Clearing after she missed the grades she needed for her first choice university. She’s now getting ready to start her third year studying journalism at Staffordshire University “I was studying A-levels in psychology, English Literature and government and politics and an AS in PE, it was a bit of a mixed bag as I didn’t know what I wanted to do. It was only in Year 13 I decided I wanted to study journalism so I looked for courses that were accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and not too far from my home in Buckinghamshire. Bournemouth was my first choice, then Kent and then Staffordshire and I needed to get an ABB for my first choice. But after the exams I just had a feeling that I wasn’t going to get that. I’ve never been very good at exams, I tend to panic and can’t remember things. Having lots of exams close together meant I really felt the pressure and I just knew I hadn’t done as well as I should have done. In fact the night before results day, I went on the Clearing website and drew up a shortlist of places with similar courses just in case. I also had a piece of paper with my GCSE results, Ucas code and other things I might need if I had to go into Clearing. I was glad I did: I got BCC in my exams and just started crying when I picked up the results. I just felt so disappointed with myself and felt like I’d let myself and everybody down. I spoke to my teachers and they advised me to call my first choice and see if they would accept me but I felt they were quite rude on the phone: they said no straight away. I spoke to my Mum, who had visited Bournemouth and Kent with me, and told her I couldn’t get in there and she said to just go with what feels best for me. So then I phoned around the other universities on my list: Nottingham Trent, Salford, De Montford and Staffordshire University. The latter had been my third choice anyway and I’d had an interview there, been accepted and knew what it was like. What really clinched it for me was how friendly Staffordshire was on the phone: the people were so supportive and understanding about how I was feeling, and they
allowed me to speak to a lecturer who was in charge of the course. The lecturer was really nice about it, it was the same one who had interviewed me originally and seemed to remember me, which was a really nice feeling. By 3pm that day I had a place at Staffordshire confirmed and I was so relieved. After all the upset and panic in the morning, by the middle of the afternoon it was all sorted out. Accommodation was easy: I got a place in halls, which meant I didn’t miss out on any of the student experience. The student loan was also easy to switch. I had to reapply as the fees were slightly different but it was easy to do. It really was a smooth process after all the initial upset.
By the middle of the afternoon, it was all sorted out
Overall, I think Clearing is fantastic. It’s a really great system that gives you the opportunity to make changes as circumstances change. So much can change between applying to university and getting your results. I’m really enjoying my course and I’ve got the same qualifications as if I’d been to any other university. They’ve helped me get some great work experience on the local newspaper, The Sentinel, and at the BBC in Salford, and all the lecturers still work in the industry, so they have great contacts and advice. The most important thing is I’ve really enjoyed myself here, and I’ve also learnt to cope better with exams!” THE INDEPENDENT student
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THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE
interview by kate hilpern / portraitS by teri pengilley
Out into the big wide world Leaving home for the first time can be scary – and exhilarating. And we’re not just talking about the children. Abi Stone and her family recount their experiences of embracing independent living
FROM Left: Helen, Abi and Tim Stone in their garden
“I
was terrified when my parents drove me up to university for the first time,” admits Abi Stone, a 19-year-old fashion design student at Leeds University. “It didn’t help that it’s a long way from our home in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire.” By the end of the weekend, however, Abi felt more settled. Then it was her parents’ turn to feel anxious. “It helped that we stayed the whole weekend to settle her in,” says her dad, Tim. Abi’s mum, Helen, agrees. “It was still upsetting leaving her, but it meant we met some of the people she was sharing with, as well as getting to see some of the city where she’d be spending the next four years. We spent time with her, whilst not invading her space, and did a big food shop as they like to get every last penny squeezed out of you before you leave!” she laughs. The first time Abi visited Leeds, she wasn’t that taken with it. “It didn’t jump out at me at all, but the second time, I was drawn to the lively, friendly vibe and the grandness of the university itself, as well as how close it was to the city centre. It goes to show first impressions shouldn’t be everything,” she says.
Helen, on the other hand, loved it immediately. “I thought Leeds University looked amazing. I quite fancied going myself!” she says. Abi initially applied to study fashion and marketing. “I’ve always been interested in marketing (what my dad does), and I’m passionate about fashion, having leaned towards the arts and textiles at school. But when I heard a lecturer talk about the course, it felt too academic for me.” It was surprisingly easy to change courses, however, something that Abi points out can be done even after term has begun. “I think it’s really important for students to realise there’s huge flexibility with courses and therefore no need to panic if you don’t like the one you’ve chosen. I personally felt so much happier with swapping for a degree in fashion design, which has a more creative edge.” Abi wasn’t sure she’d get the grades she needed, however. “I wasn’t predicted to get the ABB you need to get in, but I wanted so much to do this course that I worked really, really hard and wound up getting three A*s.” Helen was quietly confident. “I’m a great believer you can do well if you do something you like – and she did,” she says. THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE
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Leaving home
As the start of university loomed, Abi felt a growing mixture of excitement and nerves. “I didn’t know anyone going, so it was a completely blank canvas, which was scary but also nice to be starting anew. One thing that helped was finding someone at my school in the year above who had gone to Leeds. She told me what to expect and was particularly helpful in giving me advice about halls. I’d already seen one I liked, modern and almost like a hotel, but this girl said that if you apply for that one and don’t get in, you are allocated one quite far away. She suggested another, much more homely, one. It was brilliant advice.” Over the summer, Abi’s family had the big ‘money’ chat. “When you sit down and work out all the expense of university, it actually feels a bit like getting a mortgage again,” says Tim. “So my biggest piece of advice for parents is be prepared to give up quite a bit of money. There’s the fees, the accommodation and the living expenses and it soon adds up. In hindsight, I think we probably gave Abi a bit too much money because she seems to socialise so much. But then again, she’s loving it.” It’s not that Helen and Tim didn’t plan carefully, points out Helen. “My mum is an OAP on her own and she’s very careful about how much she spends each week, so we asked her exactly what she forks
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out weekly and it was way less than we thought. Then I asked other parents of people already at university what they give... and that seemed to be way more than I thought. In the end, we broke everything down and worked out an amount we thought was fair. We made it clear Abi would need to save up some of her own money and that she was to stick to her budget and not to ring us up asking for any more. That has worked: Abi has no debts, despite a lot of her friends being quite overdrawn.” During the summer, Helen persuaded Abi to join a Facebook group of some of the people doing her course, which meant there were some familiar faces when she arrived. She also made sure Abi went off to university knowing how to cook some of her favourite family meals. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised that I only need to spend around £15-£20 a week on shopping. I eat well and healthily, with no food waste,” says Abi. Abi advises making the most of Freshers’ week and getting to know people who aren’t necessarily like you. “It’s easy to go in making judgements about people or to feel too scared to go out on a night with people you don’t know, but you really have to be open-minded and go for it. My social life has been much better because of that and also because of the city. I’m out about four times a week,
I’ve been pleasantly surprised I only need £20 a week to buy food
whether that’s to a gig, club or warehouse party. I’ve met so many great people. In fact, I’m not going be living with anyone from my course in my second year.” Working out the logistics of housing for the second year was among the most challenging parts of her first year, admits Abi. “Choosing who was going in which house caused a massive divide in friendship groups, but we all rose above it thankfully and it got sorted out. But I think it’s an issue that first years need to be aware of,” says Abi. The hardest time in terms of missing home wasn’t when Abi first arrived, but when she returned to Leeds after Christmas. “You’re all psyched up to head off when you start, but Christmas is a big family time and you’re home for long enough to get used to all the creature comforts again. I found it harder than I expected settling back in Leeds after that.” Helen adds parents should prepare themselves for empty nest syndrome even if they have younger offspring, as well as a major shift in the dynamics of the family. “Abi has two younger sisters – Sophie, 18 and Charlotte, 13 – but while the house is still busy, it feels very different when one goes. Abi is really helpful and she’s the most chatty of the girls too, so it felt a bit like losing part of me. And I think it’s fair to say that we all took a bit of time finding our new place in the household without Abi being there.” Sophie agrees. “As younger children, Abi and I were best friends, but then we grew further apart so I didn’t think I’d miss her as much as I did. Interestingly, we’ve become closer again now,” she says. As for communication, Abi’s family decided to play it by ear. “I know people whose mums call daily, but they have nothing to say,” laughs Abi. “We started off by talking on the phone about twice a week and that’s gone down to once a week or fortnight. We text a lot in between, as well as using social media, and I also like talking to the whole family via videolink.” The biggest shock to Abi came at the end of her second semester. “I had so much coursework I didn’t know how I’d get through it. But with some all-nighters and a time management plan, I did it,” she says. Looking back over her first year, Abi feels she’s matured enormously and her family agrees. Helen says, “you bring your kids up to go out in the world and whilst that comes with lots of emotions when it actually starts happening, it’s absolutely how it should be. I feel Abi is ok on her own and that’s a great feeling.”
The way we were
MY STUDENT DAYS INTERVIEWS BY KATE HILPERN, SOPHIA MARTELLI, NICK MOORE, BEN WALSH
They didn’t necessarily pursue their subjects further than their degrees, but our six celebrities learnt valuable life lessons from their time at university. They share it here...
BBC RADIO 1 DJ
DANNY HOWARD, 28 ED GE HILL U NI VERS I T Y
THE VAIN PHOTOGRAPHY/ CARL SUKONIK
“I
started university wanting to be a sports psychologist working with athletes in the 2012 Olympics, and I came out a DJ. I still say to people that you never quite know what you’ll get out of university, but it’s bound to be positive. For me, those four years also gave me a feeling of true independence for the first time, plus great friends that I still see regularly and expect to know for the rest of my life. I chose Edge Hill because I wanted to stay near my home town of Blackpool, but far enough away that I could live my own life. It was also a massively expanding university and it felt exciting when I went to visit. Plus, past students gave it good reviews. I remember being really nervous because I didn’t know a single person, but looking back I think it’s better if everyone is in that same boat. You are forced to get to know others quickly and I wound up getting a seven bedroom house with a great group of friends I made in the first year. 20
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My second year was my best time. That was the year I started DJ-ing. I’d always loved music and was interested in my older brother’s decks, but I had no idea what it would lead to. It all began when I had to retake a couple of modules in the second year. It meant I was only in university on Fridays, so I had a lot of spare time in the week. I started out DJ-ing at the student union, then got a few sets in Blackpool. My friend Alex Huckerby, who wound up being my business partner, used to promote nights as a student and so we started doing our own nights. In 2011, a year after I’d left university, I wound up winning the Radio 1 DJ competition, which I really hadn’t expected. That was the moment my life really changed. Perhaps inevitably, I wound up balancing the whole social side of university with studying badly. I’m not one of those lucky people who can wing it at the last minute, so that meant I wasn’t doing that well. But my dad passed away in my third year and while he was ill, he said that all he wanted to do was see me graduate. Although he didn’t live to see it, that spurred me on to really focus on my course and make sure I passed. I ended up with a 2.2, which I was quite happy with.
You never quite know what you’ll get out of uni, but it’ll be positive
The funny thing is I never really wanted to go to university originally. But I did well in my sports course at college and when I left and got a job in what wound up being my gap year, a gym instructor friend said I should go for it and I’m so glad he did. I now do the same, encouraging anyone who is in two minds about going to university to do it. I know I didn’t wind up working at the Olympics, but 2012 still wound up being my big year.” Danny Howard is performing at Creamfields on August Bank Holiday weekend and Cream Ibiza throughout the summer. For tickets and information visit cream.co.uk
The way we were
ACTOR
ENZO CILENTI, 41 NOTT ING HA M U NI V ERSI T Y
“I
was extremely excited to leave home but apprehensive too. The idea of leaving the protection of a group of friends I had known since I was seven or eight was terrifying. Too shy to leave my room for the first dinner at my hall of residence, I got there late, by which time everybody seemed to have already slotted into some kind of social network whose membership had already closed. So I did the only thing I felt equipped to do at that point, which was go back to my room and cry my eyes out. Looking back, I did a lot of growing up in avery short time; I came out avery different person to the one who started the course (French and Hispanic studies). In those four short years I fell in love, had my heart broken, had 11 stitches put in my head and seven in my hand, went through counselling for depression, experienced drugs for the first time, rejected an academic career,
adopted an entirelyunexpected career path and made friendships for life. The study of French and Hispanic language and literature at university has a direct link to what I do now, and I chose as many film-related modules as I could, which gave me a greater understanding of the medium I work in now (Cilenti most recently appeared in BBC1’s Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell). To my great shame, I really didn’t approach the course with anything approaching seriousness so I can’t remember any of the lecturers by name. I wasn’tvery mature. My acting career came about only in my final year of university. As well as wanting to meet new people, I wanted to get away from the dry atmosphere of the French department and salvage something from my time at university. I feel guilty that I didn’t make the most of the opportunities at the university and took a place that could have been taken by someone who really wanted to be in that environment. That said, the frustration of being on a course that didn’t stimulate me only toughened my resolve to find what I wanted to do with my life.” Cilenti recently completed theVentoux3 extreme cycle challenge for Parkinson’s UK: see justgiving.com/enzo-cilenti/
FOLK MUSICIAN
BELLA HARDY, 31 YO R K ST J O HN U NI VER SI T Y
“I
didn’t get the results for the universities I’d originally applied for, so I went through Clearing. I think Clearing can feel stressful, but take a deep breath and make sure you’re embarking on a course that suits you. I went to York St John University and studied English literature, my favourite subject. I hated the pressure to decide on some kind of career path as a teenager. I’d recommend doing something you enjoy, otherwise you might just end up with a job that you hate at the end of it all. Freshers week was... messy! Hectic, fun, chaotic, kind of a blast and also overwhelming. I was overexcited and nervous as hell. I felt like everyone knew what they were doing except me. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I had the great opportunity to do it a
second time when I studied a Masters in music at Newcastle. The trick is to take your time, understand that everyone else is in the same boat, just trying to figure things out, so chat to people, ask questions, join lots of clubs and groups (join as many as you want, you can always leave some once you’ve figured out which suit you best). I loved York. I used to sit and read on the grass behind the Minster. I was lonely sometimes, in that process of trying to figure out how to structure my own time, how to be by myself. But that’s all part of the learning. English literature is such a broad subject; you’re studying history, psychology, sociology, human behaviour and motivation, and also communication, how to cross-examine and write opinion. As a songwriter, this is endlessly useful. My dissertation was on Angela Carter’s Fireworks collection, and I love all her writing. When I’m creatively stuck, I read her short stories and am always inspired. Take the bad with the good, it shapes you. A willingness to try and an openness to new people and ideas are the things I’d recommend... and a toothbrush.” Hardy’s album With the Dawn is out now THE INDEPENDENT THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT STUDENT 21
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The way we were
comedian
nish kumar, 29 D u rha m u ni v ers i t y
“I
was pretty academic at school, so there was always an assumption that I’d go to university. I wasn’t necessary the most hard-working, but I seemed to be able to pull it out of the bag come exam season – a way of working that stayed with me during university. It served me well as I wound up with a high 2:1, although it’s a bit frustrating that I could probably have got a first. I chose Durham without evening visiting the university both because they taught the subjects I wanted to do and a couple of friends from school were going. It was a fair distance from home in south London, but I loved it. In fact, as much as I haven’t taken my degree directly onto a related career, I honestly feel I wouldn’t be able to do my job as a comedian having not started out in such a supportive environment and with such well-structured opportunities. When people assess
magician
ben hanlin, 26 rea d ing u ni v ers i t y
“I
never meant to become a fulltime magician – I thought the best idea, as a student, was to get a career in property and make a ton of money. I went to uni in 2004 and studied land management. The idea was to be the next Phil Spencer, doing up houses and making millions! It seemed like a job that wasn’t a proper job, which appealed. I chose Reading because they have the best courses in that field, and I enjoyed it. It’s a great uni. I’m from Birmingham, so I was 22
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the value of higher education, they don’t realise that there’s a much wider value than what you get academically. It was the Durham Revue – a comedy sketch group associated with the university – where I first got started with comedy. We were slightly subsidised by various grants and funding bodies to travel around and at the end of my second year, I got to do Edinburgh for the first time. I’d never done comedy before that, although I had always loved comedy and harboured an ambition to do it in some form. I wasn’t very good at it at first, but I met people who were much more savvy and switched-on about how to make good comedy. Some – Ed Gamble and Tom Neenan – are still close friends. We were lucky you could hire out places like a room in a pub in town, where you could easily fill 30 to 40 places to do stand-up nights. Comedy quickly took over my social life and indeed my academic life. We
keen to live on a campus rather than in a city, which I’d already done. I liked going out my front door of the halls and being right among campus life – there’s a real student identity. What I loved most about being a student was hanging out with people with completely different backgrounds and life experiences. It’s all about that big melting pot, learning about different music and films and culture. People who weren’t from Solihull! My music tastes grew so much, and I got into loads of bands. I was introduced to The Libertines, and we also loved the Arctic Monkeys before they got big – we’d go and watch them in these tiny back rooms of pubs. It was exciting. It’s also great being a student at Reading during the music festival – you can go along, but still sleep in your own bed at the end of the night, have a shower, change underwear and clean your teeth. I did a fair bit of magic as a student. I worked two nights a week in TGI Fridays doing tricks, and that
would work disproportionately hard on our shows and then work like mad during exam season. Like I said, I was good at exams, but could have done with more sophisticated time management when it came to coursework. Still, looking back, I feel I learned such a lot in such a short space of time. In many ways, it feels like as long a period of time as secondary school, even though it’s actually under half the time. I didn’t work in term-time, besides comedy, but I did office jobs during the summers. I never remember worrying about money, though. It wasn’t that I had a lot of it, just that I’ve never had an extravagant lifestyle and drinking cost very little in Durham. I don’t think any of us really had a plan for careers, even at the end of our third year. And if it wasn’t for comedy, I’m still not quite sure what I would have done.” I’m so Clever is at the Edinburgh Fringe. Visit nishkumar.co.uk
paid for my degree. It’s also a good way to talk to the 8,000 or so girls on campus. I probably didn’t work hard enough, though. I got a 2:2 and maybe should have got a 2:1. I remember my tutor saying “in year one, just do enough to pass”. I took it too literally, and did the bare minimum throughout. My top student tips? Don’t wear any good shoes to the Union – they’ll go purple from the snakebite. I used to rock a pair of Dunlops. And if you want a toasted sandwich at 3am in your halls of residence, make sure you steal bread, cheese and beans from different kitchens – it is untraceable and nobody notices. University did pay off for me – I got a job at Knight Frank as a chartered surveyor, which is what I trained to become. I went round commercial buildings, assessing how much they could be rented for – but I hated every minute. Eventually I got made redundant due to the property crash, and it ended up being a blessing in disguise, because I decided to give the magic a go full-time. I did learn all about property though, and the sensible part of me is glad about that. If I ever get some spare cash, I’ll buy property, and my degree will help me.” More at benhanlin.com and @benhanlin
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The way we were
CO-FOUNDER, SCHOOL OF LIFE
SOPHIE HOWARTH, 39 B RISTOL U NI V ERS I T Y
“L
ife, thankfully, is all about second chances. I went to Bristol to study medicine, which was very demanding: you learn more new words in medicine than when you learn a new language. I found it a lot of pressure and hard work. When I didn’t like the course it seemed like a catastrophe: and with my mental health the way it was, I was using more of the NHS service that I was ever going to contribute to it. When you’re that sort of age, you don’t have much experience to fall back on, and I’d got on a track that I couldn’t get off. It took courage – and basically a breakdown – to leave the course. In the end, that was incredibly liberating. A year later I returned to read history of art, which I loved – and I also brought the discipline of a medic to studying, which was a real advantage. Immersing myself in
the pleasure of learning – reading long books, talking until the early hours, being an art geek – was a new experience that I revelled in. The course opened up a world of career opportunities for me. After university I was offered a job at the Tate, and worked there as a curator for seven years. While I started off in health, through the School of Life [which Howarth cofounded with Alain de Botton] I’ve now found a different way to help people. And when I’m interviewing now, I’m looking for people who love what they do, because they exude magnetism. There’s a lot of expectations attached to university, but I’d say don’t go down the road of thinking it will be a perfect experience. It will be something else: and if you grab it all with open arms, and are compassionate with yourself, well, it could be something unexpectedly better.” Co-founder of The School of Life, Sophie Howarth has also been curator of public programmes at the Tate, and advised the Cabinet Office and Number 10 Policy Unit on social action and community development. With Stephen McLaren, she is co-author of Street Photography Now (Thames & Hudson, 2011)
Grab it all with open arms: it could be better than you expect
COMEDIAN
HOLLY WALSH, 34 CAM BR ID G E UN IV ERSI T Y
NICK HARDCASTLE
“I 24
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went to Cambridge University, read History of Art and left in 2001. Or maybe 2002 – I can’t remember. It was around the time that The Strokes were massive. I once told a journalist that university was the ‘most boring three years of my life’ which was a stupid thing to say because it means I’ll never be invited back for an honorary doctorate. That said, all
my friends had a whale of a time so I was clearly doing something wrong. Looking back, it was a bit chicken and egg– I worked hard because I wasn’t having fun, but I wasn’t having fun because I was working so hard. It wasn’t all bad being a university nerd – I smugly breezed through every STD test, and I had exclusive access to the ‘librarian’s kettle’ (not a euphemism). My biggest anxiety before starting was the pressure to do well. I felt like it was a fluke that I got into Cambridge and I was constantly worried that I’d be found out. And honestly, looking back, I shouldn’t have been worried about anything. Maybe money a bit, but I had a student loan and things seemed a bit fairer back
then. Nowadays I think money is a major concern. Don’t waste your time on your degree. In both senses. Either – really embrace your course, do as much work as you can, and learn how to learn. That’s something I gained from my time at university, I got used to sitting down to work. And that’s been a huge help since I’ve been a self-employed comedian (though these were the days before Twitter, the black hole of productivity). Or… don’t do anything to do with you degree – use it as an excuse to spend three years doing tons of other stuff. If you love theatre, do nothing but theatre – if you love music, practice all the time. If you want to be a comic – gig your butt off. This is three years
This is three years where you can do anything. Don’t do nothing
where you can do anything. Just don’t do nothing. I lived off pesto for three years. I must have massacred the equivalent of an entire rainforest of basil plants. After three years of being a mega-nerd, I felt that I owed myself a gap year – a bit of time out. So in my late 20s I decided to quit my job to see if I could make it as a comic. If it didn’t work out, I figured, I’d go back to art. Luckily, I’ve been working in comedy ever since. I sometimes wonder, if I’d dossed around at university for three years, I might have found myself – aged 27 – feeling that I should knuckle down and focus.” Visit Holly Walsh’s website for details of upcoming gigs: hollywalsh.co.uk THE INDEPENDENT student
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GETTY IMAGES
Budgeting
BY RUSS THORNE
Saving your bacon L
ike many students, I arrived at universitywith a smattering of practical skills alongside my A-level results. I could rewire a plug, iron clothes (which I did in return for beer) and change a duvet cover without getting trapped inside it. But there were definite knowledge gaps. Laundry, for one, was a mystery. Mainly I was hopeless at managing my money and ended the first year with only enough funds for a loaf of bread and a tub of cream cheese to last a fortnight. Good times. My story isn’t unusual: financial inexperience is common amongst new students. “It’s a steep learning curve with regards to personal finances,” says Anne Chawk, a senior student money adviser at the University of Bedfordshire. Getting a handle on your money might not be the most exciting thing to contemplate, but think of the excitement you’ll miss if you don’t. “Being unprepared means that within a few weeks you may well be that person left in halls by themselves, with no money to go out, living off Pot Noodles.” While the odd Pot Noodle (or stale cream cheese sandwich) is character building, you can achieve a more balanced diet and bank account with a few useful strategies. Start now, says Chawk. “If you haven’t
done so already, apply for your student loan. At busy times it can take between six to eight weeks for your application to be processed, so do it in plenty of time before starting your course.” You may even be entitled to further support from your university. “Many provide bursaries and scholarships, so make sure you check the eligibility to see if you could apply for one,” adds Chawk. You’ll also need somewhere to put your money,which means findingastudent bank account. “Students can get great deals so it’s definitely worth snooping around to find the best ones,” says HollyWorsley, currently studying at Edge Hill University. Compare accounts using a site such as money savingexpert.com, focusing on things like the interest offered and overdraft facilities before looking at the freebies. (Shopping around is a good general money saving tactic, applicable to everything from insurance to mobile phone and utilities providers.) The right account can offer big benefits, according to Worsley. “I was able to get an interest-free and fee-free arranged overdraft limit of £1,500 as well as 3 per cent AER interest on my balance. A
CASE STUDY
CHARLOTTE COOK, 21 S HE FF I EL D H AL L A M UN IV ERSI T Y
BA IN MARKETING
Students can get great deals so snoop around to find the best
“Having a savings account and a current account has really helped while being at university. It’s a lot easier when you can separate your money out and if you do online banking it’s so easy! As soon as my loan came in it went straight into my savings account and I’d just transfer money every now and then into my current account to spend on everyday items. By having two accounts I could judge how quickly my money was going down because I was consciously having to dip into the pot. When I can share meals I will, but on the days I can’t I try to cook enough for two meals and then freeze it. That way you have a quick meal to bung in the microwave on those nights when you don’t get in from uni until late. My biggest temptation to spend money is local food stores. They are handily close to university and make it easy to top up the fridge, but putting aside an hour to go to a big supermarket once a week can save you a noticeable amount. It also means you eat what you have rather than being tempted to buy what you fancy. One main tip: if you live near an Aldi, utilise the opportunity!” THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT
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Budgeting
discounted train travel card gave me plenty of savings in my first year alone.” Once that’s sorted, help your money stay put by learning to budget. It’s the one bit of knowledge Robert Fowler, student money advice and rights team (SMART) co-ordinator at the University of Derby, would like all freshers to have. “It doesn’t have to be complex, just a simple understanding of income and outgoings,” he says. There are lots of online tools available to help (see useful resources), and don’t forget to take all your accommodation costs into account, including bills. Scott Groom just graduated from Derby and agrees that budgeting is vital for keeping your finances in check, especially once that huge loan payment goes in. “It’s hard to know what to do with it,” he says. “I wrote down all of the things I knew I’d have to pay for and then looked at how much I had left. You can break it down from there into monthly orweekly allowances so you can budget your food shops and nights out, for example.” You may have other sources of income, too. Will your family contribute to your living allowance? Now is the time to find out (maybe make them a cup of tea before bringing it up). You could also work over the summer and squirrel some savings away for the first term, or apply in advance for part time work so you have something lined up when you arrive. “Shops and restaurants in student towns are often flexible with providing term time work, and your university may have some jobs you can sign up for,” suggests Chawk. Another handy thing to do between now and Freshers’ week is mine forums for tips and advice from other students. Universities often post blogs or host twitter chats with this in mind, which is great for finding out how to live cheaply in the local area, so check your institution’s website. You can also investigate more general sites like The Student Room, which has forums on a range of topics. “When it comes to money, what’s really useful is first-hand advice from peoplewho knowwhat student life is like. In other words, fellow students,” says Nik Taylor, the site’s community editor. “To find out the tricks that landlords use to keep your deposit or the banks that actually treat students well, you’re going to want to talk to other students with experience of those situations.” Current students do indeed have plenty of advice on managingyour money. “Don’t be tempted to buy treats that you can’t 28
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afford using a credit card – it can be the start of a slippery slope to debt,” says medical student Kat Telford at St George’s, University of London. Staying out of temptation’s way is also helpful. “Don’t go browsing in clothes shops – it’s an easy way to talk yourself into ‘needing’ something you can’t afford,” counsels fellow student Ruth Varney. There can be unforeseen costs, too, such as alcohol-induced generosity, so be warned. “Don’t take your card with you on nights out,” says one Exeter university student. “I once woke up fully dressed clutching handfuls of cold chips, having bought my flat a round of McDonalds the night before. With apple pies for dessert.” They recommend using cash instead of card wherever possible. “It makes it easier foryou to see how much you’re spending and how much you have left.” Other small things can make a big difference. Cycling to campus (if possible) instead of running a car or paying for public transport will keep costs down, for example. According to research from Rutland Cycling, pedal power comes in over £1000 a year cheaper than driving – enough for over 400 pints in the union. Lucky the extra exercise will help you stay in shape, then.
See how much you spend by using cash instead of a card
Help is usually available from your uni once you arrive, too. “Students can talk to their union or to the relevant financial guidance team at their university,” says Fowler, explaining his team deals with all elements of funding/finance/budgeting support and advice. “Many students struggle with having to budget a large amount of money over an academic term,” he adds. Don’t be afraid to reach out – you’re not the only one finding it tricky. Plan ahead and take action if things go wonky and you’ll be fine. My own first year fiscal fiasco led to some changes that made things more manageable, including learning to cook and meal share along with my best friend and housemate. I’d recommend it to any student, as even if you don’t cook together every day, you still save a lot of money (and you can prepare and freeze meals in advance). Plus, by writing the list, doing the weekly shop and standing in the kitchen together conducting weird culinary experiments, you’re developing some useful life skills – and, even more valuably, lifelong friendships. It’s one of the great things about going to university. Almost twenty years later my former housemate and I still cook as a team when our families gather, usually every few months. We steer clear of the cream cheese, though.
FRIENDS OF THE THRIFTY
MONEYSAVINGEXPERT.COM Has a dedicated student section with lots of tips and cash-saving tricks, from mobile contracts to getting refunds on your TV licence during the holidays.
FOOD TOOLS Apps include The Student Cook and All Recipes (which suggests meals based on cupboard contents). BBC Good Food has a student section: make meals that last over a few days.
BILL SPLITTING SERVICES Sharing accommodation? Services such as Glide and Dividabill help you share utilities, rent, Netflix etcetera equally. The fee may be worth it for the reduced hassle.
TRADE-IN SITES Music Magpie, Cex and Ziffit all offer money for CDs, DVDs and books. While you won’t make a packet, these can be handy for an end-ofterm cash boost.
FREECYCLE.ORG A grassroots and non-profit movement, this global community helps you to pick up furniture and bric-a-brac for your new place for – you guessed it – free.
HELP FOR BUDGETING Sites like studentcalculator.org will help wrangle the numbers, as will apps including Goodbudget and Toshl Finance (which features cute monsters, for bearable budgeting)
Student accommodation
By liz lightfoot
A place to call home N
ow you have the university place it’s time to find somewhere to live. The earlieryou start, the better, as the most popular halls are quickly snapped up. Being happy in the place you call yours is important, especially during the first few weeks, so it might help to ask yourself a few questions before you book. Do you want to share a flat and bathrooms with a small group of students or would you prefer an en suite room in a hall where you can choose who you see first thing in the morning? Can you be bothered to shop, cook and clean up the kitchen or would a catered hall with meals provided be easier? Will you get up to go to lectures if it takes half an hour to get there? Many students say that the things that were important to them – such as en suite bathrooms and modern kitchens – changed once they started living independently. Unite Students, the largest private provider of student accommodation, commissions an annual survey of undergraduate choices. This year, for the first time, wi-fi came top as the most important factor in accommodation. Nearly four fifths – 78 per cent – ranked wi-fi as the most important factor when choosing accommodation. ‘Reasonably priced’ trailed at 64 per cent. Postgraduate applicants are far more likely to rate cleanliness as important; only 57 per cent of 2015 undergraduates thought it very important. So how does it work? Those who usually get priority are students who have taken a gap year and have a firm place before A-level results are published, and those who put the university as their first choice. Students who chose the university as an insurance choice come next, followed by those that come in through Clearing and Adjustment – though universities may offer accommodation to some late applicants as a sweetener to help recruit them. Quite a few universities nowadays offer a guarantee of accommodation to all new undergraduates and some 30
THE INDEPENDENT student
have extended it to late applicants who confirm offers before 1 September, such as Manchester and Bristol. If you don’t get a place in either accommodation run by the university or a private company providing halls on its behalf, then don’t despair, there are other options such as a privately run hall or shared house, or a flat in the private sector. University accommodation offices or student unions will help you find places. Another option is to live in a hostel or bed and breakfast and go on the university’s accommodation waiting list. Places do become free during the first few weeks as students drop out or swap to different accommodation. Sometimes it’s quite hard to work out exactly where halls of residence are in relation to where you study. It may look a five minute walk until you find out there is a river or motorway to negotiate. Use Google maps and Street View to get the full picture. Caroline Hamilton, who manages the contact centre for Unite Students, suggests don’t delay by emailing questions when rooms are filling up fast. “You can save yourself time and stress by going to the help section of an accommodation website instead of calling in or emailing very often others are asking the same things,” she says. It’s important to check cancellation policies and the number of weeks on the contract, she says. Contracts can vary from 33 weeks to 52 and most are around 44 weeks. If you are not there, you are still paying for your room. Unite Students does not ask students to move out at Christmas and Easter but some university halls do and that can be a major disruption. Consult sites such as thestudentroom. com and use social media to find students who have lived there. Put the name of the university and hall in a search engine and you might find reviews on web pages or university newspapers. The Tab student newspaper, for example, gives a gloomy picture of “Manchester’s shittest halls”
Use Google maps and Street View to get the full picture of the area
– but the students pictured in them look happy enough. That’s one of the university accommodation enigmas – very often the oldest, most run-down and cheapest halls are where you find the party. University rooms are expensive, often more costly than rents in the private sector – though you do get bills included, and usually a warden service and good security. Expect to pay anywhere from £70 to £140 a week, or approaching £300 if you go for a luxury pad. Catered halls where you get two or three meals a day are going out of fashion and not all universities now offer them. If you are a fussy eater, a late riser or likely to be involved in a lot of sport or societies that conflict with mealtimes then you run the risk of missing out and having to buy your own food.
Student accommodation
case study
Curtis Smith, 22 university of bath
BA in Business Administration
“I was lucky to secure accommodation on campus in my first year. It was the cheapest option: a large house with one shared kitchen and 10 other students. It sounds a lot to share a kitchen but it was very big and as we all had different schedules we didn’t all cook at once. I met so many people from many walks of life, had some fantastic nights out, made some of my best university friends and still live with some today. If you’re a clean person you’ll have to pick your battles wisely. Set some agreed group rules and come up with funny punishments! Whether you get your first choice or not, the room and building really won’t matter – you’ll have a fantastic time and meet loads of new people whichever style of accommodation you get.”
case study
Emily Johnston, 21 PRODIGY LIVING
university of Newcastle
On the plus side, it’s nice to have meals put in front of you and not to have to clear up afterwards. Of course, the cheapest option is to continue to live at home if you have a university nearby. That’s what William Reckitt has done to keep down his student debt. The BSc economics student at Hull University Business School commutes from his parents’ home 12 miles away. “It does make social life a bit more difficult but there’s nothing to stop you going out. You just have to plan it a bit more. I’ve made lots of friends and joined a sports team. Friends will always offer me their floor after a night out,” he says. Students use their rooms differently nowadays says Chris Paget, the estates director at the University of Hull.
Today’s students are digital natives and they require different things from their accommodation. People like to have four foot beds, for example. They spend a lot of time sitting on the bed working and socialising with their phones and laptops. We have wi-fi throughout so they can go from the their rooms to the kitchen and still pick up their messages. The room is a living, learning, research environment and important to new students so we offer a guarantee of a place to Clearing applicants as well,” he says. If you are about to turn down a room because you have to share a bathroom then think again. Karen Burke, the chair of the Association for Student Residential Accommodation (Asra) says sharing a shower and toilet with people other than your
Today’s students are digital natives, so reliable wi-fi is key
BA in Modern Languages & Business Studies
“Sitting in the comfort of your family home, it’s easy to want an en suite bathroom in luxury accommodation. These were my feelings before starting at Newcastle. I had applied quite late and got a hall I hadn’t chosen, Richardson Road. I was initially very upset because it didn’t look very nice from the pictures. I was very nervous as I had never really been away from home before but soon there was nowhere else I would have chosen to be. I loved the social aspect of living in Richardson Road, there was never time to feel homesick. The décor left a lot to be desired and was quite daunting when I arrived but after a couple of days, and with posters up on the wall, none of it seemed to matter. Things I would ask before booking a hall are: what’s its reputation? Is it tailored towards a certain course or age? How secure are the halls? Is it an easy commute to university and the town?” THE INDEPENDENT student
31
Student accommodation
parents may sound “gross” from the comfort of the family home – but you’ll probably be happy to share later on when you move into private rented accommodation. “Sharing a bathroom is quite a social thing, it gets people out of their rooms and talking. Great relationships and even marriages have been started by sharing a bathroom,” says Burke, also the accommodation services manager at Sheffield Hallam University. Make sure you will be living with other first year students at the same university, says Siân Harvey, Nottingham Trent University’s team leader at the student accommodation services. “We offer an accommodation guarantee to all our first year undergraduates, including those coming to us through Clearing so we can keep them together. “We get students coming to us saying they have seen a really good deal with a private provider. They need to check
case study
THE INDEPENDENT student
case study
Cameron Sutherland
Anna Nicholas,21
university of the west of england
university of hertfordshire
BA in Journalism & Public relations
BA in International Business
“I remember standing in the doorway before I left for university, thinking yet again: ‘Have I got everything?’ It’s normally half way to your destination when you feel that sudden pang shoot through you as you realise those lucky socks and that Woody toy with your name scrawled into the sole of its shoe have been left to fend for themselves. First things first, your shoes will be ruined in Freshers week. So pack a can of water and stain repellent shoe spray in order to keep them looking glorious. But mainly, don’t worry. You’ll quickly realise it’s not about what you’ve brought with you but what you gain once you’re there. In my first year I shared a flat with three others in Unite Students accommodation which was perfect. I had an en-suite room with a four foot bed that lifted up for extra storage and all the bills were included. Looking back from a shared house in the private sector, that en suite bathroom was a god-send!” 32
that they will be with other NTU first year students because there are two universities in Nottingham,” Harvey says. “Our advice would be to check the contracts carefully and check who they’ll be sharing with as private providers attract second and third years and students from other universities and colleges.” If you make a mistake, don’t worry, a fair amount of swapping rooms happens in the first few weeks though choices are more limited. The most common reason for students wanting to move is because they don’t get on with housemates. The next is financial – the realisation that they have over-stretched their budgets. Sometimes it’s possible to change to a cheaper room but there is no guarantee and you may incur higher travel costs. So if you want enough in the bank to enjoy university life to the full, work out your budget before you book. Then the fun begins.
“Location was a big factor for me in the first year. I chose de Havilland Hall because it was just two minutes from the business school. Some of my friends stayed on the other campus 20 minutes away. A lot of the time they didn’t come to lectures because they thought it was too far. As an 18-year-old leaving home for the first time having an en suite bathroom was a huge factor for me. I didn’t want to share a toilet and bathroom with random strangers. Later on, in my first year abroad at San Jose State University in California, I shared a room with another student to keep costs down and there were shared bathrooms. In fact, it was fine.I would choose the same accommodation again, a shared flat with or without en suite. The only bad part was two boys in the flat who were extremely messy. One didn’t have his own cutlery and crockery and left ours dirty in his room or piled up going mouldy in the kitchen. One day we had no mugs to drink out of and found 15 in his room!”
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Soft skills
F
BY LUCY HODGES
Employability
Play sport? Think about how you enabled your team to do better
soft skills and your self-confidence, work ethic and attitude,” he says. You can’t teach such skills.Young people learn them by experience and by having their eyes opened. “These are life skills,” says Dave Sherlock-Jones, general manager of the students’ union at the RoyalVeterinary College, University of London. “I would advise students to join several societies when they go to university. If you like sport, join a sports team. It is always worth taking a risk, so do something you are not entirely comfortable with. “Throw yourself into drama. Challenge yourself a bit, otherwise you end up doing what you know already.” There are different ways of developing soft skills: you can follow Siobhan’s example and sign up for employmentfocused initiatives at university or you can join societies and clubs and take part in volunteering. “Grades will get you on a long list for a job if you are lucky but what gets you an interview is what you are like and who you are,” says David Goodhew, headmaster of Latymer Upper School in London. “Anything that gives you the opportunity to develop initiative is good. Rowing, for example, will teach you time management and self-discipline – and, of course, rowers don’t know the meaning of pain. Legal firms who need their recruits to work all night might like that.”
Increasingly universities are developing sophisticated ways to help students develop their soft skills with an eye to getting them ahead in the job market. Greenwich is one. Coventry is another: its Advantage scheme offers a suite of courses to enable students to gain workrelated skills. The University of Leicester has a new career development service that takes students on a career journey via its new website. “You need to explore who you are and become familiar with the words that employers use and how they test for skills,” says Bob Athwal, Leicester’s director of student experience. “Once you understand the skills you need, you need to acquire them and hone them. Then you can start to think about the industries you might want to work in.” The University of East Anglia (UEA) goes to great lengths to encourage students to undertake extracurricular activities. “It’s about maximizing the richness of their time at university,” says head of careers James Goodwin. “They will have fun doing them and will learn a lot.” UEA is launching an award whereby students are given credit for their activities and at the end receive a certificate. The message to students is: get involved from day one to set yourselves up for a job on graduation. THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE
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rom her first day studying accountancy and finance at the University of Greenwich, Siobhan Shum was aware that she needed to acquire what are known as soft skills. “I was encouraged to think about developing my CV and gaining work experience, so I made use of the employability office in the business school and joined the passport scheme which gives you points for extra-curricular activities,” Shum says. Not content with that, she undertook a placement with the NHS at the end of her second year and signed up for a mentoring scheme with Barclays in her final year. “I would definitely advise students to think about employability from day one,” she says. It worked for Shum: she has just landed a plum job with Barclays and believes that is down to the self confidence she developed at university. Soft skills such as communicating well, presenting yourself confidently in interviews and in public speaking, getting along with others in teams, managing your time, being adaptable and being able to make decisions and solve problems are considered essential nowadays by employers. It is vital for graduates to stand out from the crowd, according to the entrepreneur and former Dragons’ Den investor James Caan who is heading a new campaign led by McDonald’s UK to emphasize the importance of acquiring soft skills. “When you interview graduates they tend to be a bit much the same,” says Caan, who has neither A-levels nor a degree but got where he is by the use of soft skills. “They all have 2:1s. The people who stand out forme are thosewho can talk aboutwhat they have done and what they can do.” For Caan it is important that potential employees are good time keepers and can communicate well both orally and in writing. Rather than standing in a huddle at networking events, they should be confident enough to circulate and talk to people from different backgrounds. In addition, employers want to hire team-players. “If they played sports, I would like to know how they added value and enabled their team to do better,” he says. A lot of people have soft skills in them, Caan believes. But they simply can’t articulate them. In other words, they are not aware of the importance and value of them. “There is a direct correlation between your understanding of the importance of
Dear Constance
financial aspects of university life. I am a single working parent with four children, and I am unable to support him as much as I would like to. We received the 16-19 Bursary Fund while he was taking his A-levels. He has a good work ethic, having worked (and saved) over the past two summers. I am concerned that he is not financially equipped for the next three years and I cannot subsidise him. Are there any schemes in place to help? Many thanks, Sarah via email
constance watson
Your university worries, solved
Dear Sarah,
There’s no shortage of issues that arise when considering – and going up to – university. We’ve tackled the common ones so that you don’t need to pack a parent to sort out your problems for you living
Dear Constance,
I’m excited about starting university but apprehensive about going into halls. I didn’t get into the halls that I originally applied for, and the accommodation that I’ve been given is in a flat-share with five other students, none of whom I’ve ever met. I haven’t seen the flat so I am completely ignorant as to the setup. Worse still is it’s self-catered and I cannot cook to save my life. I’m starting to wonder if I should just pack my mum and take her with me. Do you have any better solutions? Joe via email
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Dear Joe,
The good news is that you do not have to lock your mother in a suitcase. Your distress is natural – university is an enormous adjustment to even the most independent of young adults. Most halls of residence have welcome packs that will talk you through the everyday banalities of living in halls (heating, security, what to do in case of emergency etc), so do get hold of this. And keep in mind communal living can be great fun. There are always topics of contention, such as cleanliness, getting on with each other, privacy, and food, so it’s important to establish some ground rules – and it’s important everyone sticks to them. When it comes to sharing kitchen space and bathrooms, you can’t go wrong if you maintain standards that you would
like to live in, providing that you have a hygienic and considerate attitude to living (and your flatmates weren’t brought up in a pigsty). Remember that your flatmates won’t necessarily be your best friends (of the eclectic group of six I lived with, only one has become a lifelong pal), but it’s important to establish a civilised way to coexist. It is also perfectly normal to feel homesick occasionally. The hyper-social life of Freshers’ week (often considered a honeymoon period) is then followed by the reality of buckling down to your books, alongside a new regime that can feel like a culture shock. The combination of these factors can make you feel isolated. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have the best time ever and you’ll find that you integrate smoothly into university life. Try to remain optimistic and remember that adjustment takes time, so it’s completely normal to have moments of crises, regret and worry. Finance
Dear Constance,
My eldest son, aged 18, is starting university this September on a full-time undergraduate course. He is the first member of our family to go to university so I don’t know what to expect or how to prepare him, particularly for the
It is perfectly normal to feel homesick occasionally
University finances are an anxiety-inducing for parents and students alike. With fees of £9,000 per year, plus living expenses, the average student now leaves university £44,035 in debt. However, in spite of the large fees, there are schemes in place to financially assist students from all backgrounds. Full-time students are entitled to a standard financial package, which consists of a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan for living costs (you will need to submit information on your annual household income) – both need to be paid back. Your son is starting at the right time: July’s Budget announced that maintenance grants for lower income families will be cancelled in September 2016. For now, families on income support or housing benefits may be eligible for a special support grant which is not paid back. If you think that this may apply to your son, there is an application form available on the Student Finance website. There is then the added bore of repaying this monstrous sum. In fact, it couldn’t be easier – instalments are deducted from your paycheck once your earnings exceed £21,000 per year, but even then only £27 per month is extracted, rising as your salary increases. It is worth checking with the university what scholarships and bursaries are available, although early applications for these are recommended. All of this information can seem daunting, but help is at hand. If your son has questions regarding finance, he can call the National Union of Students (0845 5210 262) or Student Finance England (0300 100 0607). Alternatively, Student Finance England has an online calculator that estiTHE INDEPENDENT student
37
Dear Constance
Course swapping
Dear Constance,
I have accepted a place at Leeds to read English literature and history of art. I did this because I desperately want to study English literature and my grades weren’t high enough for single honours. However, I am now in a blind panic. We received our summer holiday reading list and I found Gombrich so boring that I fell asleep while trying to read it. Berger reduced me to tears. I can’t talk to my parents as they’ll say this is typical of me. But I am beyond certain that I do not want to study history of art and I’d like to study English literature instead. I am also concerned about where an English literature degree will get me – I can’t help but think that many contemporaries will also obtain good degrees from respectable universities. Please help before I start vandalising paintings (and any advice on careers would be gratefully received too). Flora, via email
Dear Flora,
If you’re as passionate about English literature as you are distressed about history of art, I see no reason for you not to graduate with first class (single) honours. It seems there are two issues: firstly, the dilemma about your course; secondly your concerns about the future. A good starting point is always to arrange a meeting with your academic tutor. Whilst they may not be able to help directly, they will know the support systems in place and can point you in the right direction. Almost all universities allow students to change modules or courses, and in the case of joint honours, you may be able to drop history of art and continue with English literature. Beware, though, if courses are oversubscribed you may have to be placed on a waiting list. If it isn’t possible to drop history of art and move forward with English literature, you can go through Clearing, which is when students in your position can fill empty places in universities that they did not apply to in their Ucas application. The Ucas website has an extremely useful step-by-step guide to Clearing (or see page 11). Your anxiety about what to do after graduation is actually constructive 38
THE INDEPENDENT student
– it’s better to confront your fears than to ignore them. Start by carrying out some idle research online. All universities have careers fairs and careers advice centres, with advisors who can help you with job research, interview technique, CV writing or applications for postgraduate study courses. Make use of these services sooner rather than later and you’ll have a plan by the time you finish. Good luck, and try not to panic.
It’s always Mental Health Dear Constance, better to am a twin and we are about to start confront Iseparate universities (I’m going to Kent your fears and my sister to Nottingham). We have never been away from each other – the than to ignore them longest we have spent apart is 72 hours.
I’m excited to start university but I’m really distraught because my sister has suffered from anxiety and depression for the past three years. She knows what to do if she’s having a bad spell when she’s at home, but obviously these mechanisms won’t be in place in Nottingham. I am scared about what could happen if I’m not there and she suffers from a bout of poor mental health. Please advise. Jessie via email
Dear Jessie,
It is natural to worry about friends and family as they embark on their university careers and there is more reason for concern if they suffer from an illness of any kind. Mental health issues among university students are more commonplace than you might imagine. The NUS found that 20 per cent of students suffer from a mental health problem – so your sister is not alone, and moreover, there are lots of support networks in place. The majority of universities have their own (free) counselling centres with qualified counsellors and psychotherapists. Find out from their website how to book an appointment. You can also obtain a referral from your GP to a local NHS health centre or a GP’s surgery that can help with more general health concerns. It’s very important
that students sign up with a GP as soon as they start term, in case of any health crises. The other brilliant service invaluable to any students who are suffering from stress or anxiety is Nightline, a student-led telephone support service (and a registered charity). There are different Nightlines servicing different areas, but the London branch (0207 631 0101; listening@nightline.org.uk) will give you the phone number for the service in your area. Meanwhile, Nightline welcomes student volunteers – which might be something you could consider once you have a handle on your academic workload. Managing workload
Dear Constance,
I’m 19 and I’m about to start university in London following an extended gap year that involved some work but mostly travel. I had the time of my life and coming back has been something of a culture shock for me. Having been free for so long, the idea of sticking to deadlines and timetables is making me feel claustrophobic. The distractions of London aren’t likely to help either! I thoroughly enjoyed sixth form, but it feels like a long time ago, and I’m worried that the disciplines of academia have become so alien to me that there’s no way back. Dean, via email
Dear Dean,
A lot of first year students will be experiencing the same problem. As with communal living, it is simply a matter of adjustment. Some students feel liberated with their new freedoms, and others feel constricted and uncertain. However, university does provide structure and most institutions have brilliant support systems in place to help students engage with the academic disciplines. Speaking to your academic tutor and expressing your concerns is always a safe point of action. Also, bear in mind there will also be courses or workshops available to help you master essay writing, the library and essay submission procedure, so that you are confident with the vari-
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mates how much funding you are eligible for: gov.uk/student-finance-calculator (students from England only).
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Dear Constance
ous obligatory processes that will help you on your path to success. Most universities have peer-to-peer mentoring schemes, so you can ask your academic tutor if this is a possibility. Another constructive solution is to make a timetable – and stick to it. Allow yourself time to enjoy the distractions of your town or city, but factor this into your timetable so that you don’t feel guilty when you do. This will help you balance academia and fun, both of which are needed for you to have the best possible few years. sexual health
Dear Constance,
I’m writing on behalf of a friend, who has always been one to throw herself into things, and made no exception over Freshers’ week, when she threw herself into the arms of an attractive fellow fresher. This short-lived but exciting romance seems to have had rather
frightening results. She is complaining of some grim-sounding symptoms in the nether regions, and has become completely obsessed by researching these on the internet (which has produced some unpleasant findings). I can’t claim to have seen these symptoms, but apparently it is causing serious levels of physical and psychological discomfort. What should she do? On behalf of a friend, via email
Dear On Behalf of a Friend,
What a good friend you are! I’m no medical professional, but it unfortunately sounds as if your friend may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD). She’s not the first to do so, and she won’t be the last. In fact, it happened to a friend of mine too! It was recently reported that 23 per cent of students admitted to contracting a sexually transmitted disease in
essentials National Union of Students 0845 5210 262 nus.org.uk Student Finance England 0300 100 0607; sfengland.slc.co.uk Student Awards Agency Scotland saas.gov.uk Student Finance Wales studentfinancewales.co.uk Student Finance Ireland studentfinance.ie Student finance Calculator (students from England only) gov.uk/studentfinance-calculator The Student Room Online community thestudentroom.co.uk Talk to Frank Confidential drugs advice talktofrank.com Nightline London: 0207 631 0101 listening@nightline.org.uk
their first year of university alone – and that’s those who admitted to it. Most STDs can be treated with a course of antibiotics, but it’s important that your friend gets medical help directly. Some STDs, such as chlamydia, don’t have any symptoms and can cause infertility or internal scarring. Condoms are the most effective way to prevent both STDs and unwanted pregnancy, and they are available for free at your local GU clinic. The NHS also have a brilliant ‘find free condoms’ location search service which will give you your local clinic opening hours and address. Student Advice centres generally have free condom services too. Also, a word to the wise – try to avoid looking up symptoms on the internet. My mother once managed to convince herself that she had testicular cancer. It is always better to seek help from a medical professional. Good luck! THE INDEPENDENT student
41
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Recipes for success
and quickly simmered or microwaved with tomato puree and dried oregano for a speedy tomato base sauce, if required. Good storecupboard combinations include mozzarella, fried onions, frozen peas and ham; cheese (any hard cheese will do), tomatoes, tuna, spring onion, capers and olives. Just let your imagination go wild. 500g strong plain flour 1 tsp fine sea salt 7g sachet of dried yeast A pinch of sugar 2 tbsp olive oil (optional, but this makes the dough more pliable) 250ml barely warm water
words and pictures By kate rowe
Food for thought Learn a couple of basic cooking techniques, and the world’s your oyster: making fresh, good food is healthy, economical, and can win you friends – and maybe even a love interest...
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s if you don’t have enough fresh and unfamiliar experiences to deal with over the coming months – new people, new courses, new interests and new home – it may well be that forays into the kitchen to cook are beyond your current realm of experience too. Trust me, however, when I tell you that cooking for yourself is the easiest way to make your future digs feel like home. Whilst there are many demands on your time at college, cooking for yourself and friends is always beneficial. Not only will you eat healthily and economically, but there is therapy in the process of preparing and cooking good food, too. Cooking for one, or for a group, needn’t be a baptism of fire. Each of these technique-based recipes can be easily scaled
up or down depending on the number of people around your table. Practice the techniques before you depart to ensure you eat well for less, and wow new friends. Pantry Pizzas
Skill acquired: making basic bread dough. Makes two large pizzas, four flatbreads or one white loaf. The best way to cement new friendships is to break bread together. If you’ve made the bread yourself, then BOOM! Instant halls hero or house heroine. Use a simple dough as a crisp base for whatever you have knocking about in the fridge, freezer or cupboards; making them astoundingly thrifty and creative every time you feel the stomach rumble and the budget pinch. Use tinned tomatoes blitzed
There is therapy in the process of preparing good food
1. Preheat the oven to 250C, Fan 230C, Gas 9. 2. Mix flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Tip in dried yeast, sugar, oil and 200ml of the water. You want a smooth, slightly sticky dough, so mix by hand then add small amounts of the remaining water, if needed. Remember that a slightly wet dough bakes better than a dry one. Knead for 5-10 minutes on a floured surface, until it forms a smooth, cohesive ball. This is a great stress reliever. 3. Leave to prove, or rise, in a large bowl covered with a clean tea towel. It will take about an hour in a warm place to double in size. 4. Turn out, and knock the air out of the dough with your fist. You need only half of this dough for one large 30cm pizza, so cut in half and reserve the remainder unless you’re entertaining. (Leftover pizza dough, rolled into small balls and stored in airtight bags, freezes brilliantly for an easy individual-sized meal on another day. Making dough balls to be served with garlic butter are another great way to use up dough, too.) 5. Roll out as thinly as possible, as the dough will rise in the oven. Transfer to a preheated baking sheet and scatter with your chosen toppings. Bake in the centre of the oven for 10-12 minutes. Alternatively, at step 4, shape and tuck the whole quantity of dough into a floured, 1kg loaf tin, dust with flour and bake at 200C, Fan 180C, Gas 6 for 30-35 mins or until the base of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. To accompany the kebabs below, divide and stretch half the dough out with your fingers to form four flatbreads. Dry fry in a non-stick pan over a medium heat for 5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. THE INDEPENDENT student
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Recipes for success
Lamb Kebabs, Burgers or Meatballs
Skill acquired: stretching quality ingredients. Serves four, plus spare kebabs for the freezer. Meat commands a high price tag, buy the best you can afford and cook it into as many servings as possible. The cost of fast food adds up quickly if you indulge regularly, and it’s rarely good for you. For a DIY takeaway that cuts the bills and the fat content, this simple recipe can made into kebabs, burgers or meatballs, so you feel like you’ve had a night out, but without the the MSG hangover. Keep your energy for the other kind. 1 large onion 1 small bunch of parsley 1 can anchovy fillets in oil 1kg lamb mince (supermarkets often sell 500g packs) Zest of 1 lemon, grated 2 tsp Turkish red pepper flakes (often labelled as “Pul biber”) 2 tsp ground coriander 2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp black pepper ½ tsp grated nutmeg ½ tsp salt Oil, to grease 1. Grate the onions and squeeze out most of the liquid through a sieve. Place in a large bowl. Finely chop, then add, the parsley, anchovies, and a little of their oil for flavour. 2. Mix in the meat, zest, spices and salt until thoroughly combined. Shape around flat skewers, ensuring wooden skewers have been pre-soaked in water for an hour to avoid burning. (Metal skewers require no treatment.)Whether you choose to make kebabs, patties or meatballs, in order to help keep their shape during cooking, cover and chill for at least an hour or overnight. 3. Heat a frying pan, griddle or barbecue greased with a little oil. Cook the kebabs until seared on all sides, and cooked through to your liking. Eat immediately with flatbreads (see above), chopped salad and yoghurt. Alternatively, brown the lamb in a large pan, then add two cans of chopped tomatoes, a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste, and some chopped carrots, celery and mushrooms, as well as some seasoning. Let the pot simmer on the hob for two hours for a batch of economical and
intensely savoury, but refreshingly different, pasta ragu. Mater or Pater’s Macaroni Cheese
Skill acquired: making a classic sauce. Serves four. Macaroni cheese is comfort food that can be elevated to elegant dining. Add your own twist, à la the current trend for pimped Mac’n’Cheese, with crisped bacon, a few chunks of smoked haddock or keep it veggie with caramelised onions. 400g macaroni or short pasta 50g butter 50g plain flour 900ml whole milk Grating of nutmeg ½ tsp English mustard powder Large pinch of sea salt 150g mature cheddar, coarsely grated 1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water. 2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan, and stir in the flour. Cook out the raw flour, stirring all the time, for a couple of minutes. (This gives you a “roux”, or
Like all great chefs, work on your own signature dish
thickener, to be made into a sauce with the addition of liquid like chicken stock, or milk in this instance.) 3. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until the sauce is smooth. (This is basic white sauce. From here you can add a plethora of flavourings to accompany a host of dishes. Think peppercorn sauce for steak, parsley sauce for fish or béchamel for lasagne.) 4. Stir for a few minutes until the sauce reduces slightly and thickens, then add nutmeg and mustard, and stir in 125g of the cheese until completely melted. Remove from the heat. 5. Preheat the grill. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under running water. 6. Grease a large baking dish with butter, then combine the pasta and cheese sauce and pour in the mixture. 7. Scatter over twhe remaining 25g of cheese and a good grind of pepper, and grill for about 10 minutes until bubbling and golden. A word to the wise
1. Practise before you leave the safety net of home. Get advice from any half-decent cook who wanders into the kitchen. 2. Cupboards: stock up on tins or jars of beans, anchovies, olives, sundried tomatoes, artichokes, tuna, fruit and vegetables. These provide the foundations of a good meal. You may even be able to cheekily prevail upon someone else’s household budget if you shop before you go away. 3. bbcgoodfood.com is a valuable source of recipes, whatever your level of culinary expertise. 4. Batch cook large quantities in a pan. Then use the freezer for more than simply chilling vodka. Defrost thoroughly before eating. 5. Scout out international and local grocers when you arrive in your new neighbourhood. Often an Aladdin’s cave of cheap fruit and vegetables, they may stock ingredients you’ll want to explore. Supplement with large supermarket runs (or online deliveries) irregularly. 6. Assemble a small scale spice kit to stave off tastebud tedium and avoid repetitive meal syndrome. 7. Eat before you shop. You’ll buy more if you’re hungry, and be less discerning withyourbudget.Armfuls of special offer biscuits won’t feed you for a week. 8. Kitchen alchemy will impress house mates and love interests too. Pick your favourite recipe and make it your own signature dish like all great chefs. THE INDEPENDENT student
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Final say
David Taylor SPECIAL PROJEC TS EDITOR
‘Prepare for hard work and hangovers, dissertations and Domino’s Pizza’
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In fact, you’ll probably learn more about yourself in your first year away from the family home than you ever thought possible. From judiciously juggling your last pennies in the student union bar, to learning to rustle up a feast fit for a king – or at least a tomato pasta dish for your new best uni friends – it’s not just the degree at the end that counts. The life skills you pick up along the way are just as important as that coveted piece of paper on graduation day. Many would argue even more so. Though obviously you should really aim TOM JOY; BENGOULTER.COM IN ASSOCIATION WITH TILTED FRAME
ongratulations! Choosing to dedicate at least three years of your life to higher education is one of the best decisons you’ll ever make. As the ever ebullient Rafa Benítez would no doubt add: “FACT”. From the full power revellery of Freshers’ week to that all-important graduation ceremony, the next few years of your precious life are going to flash by in a whirlwind of lectures and lager, hard work and hangovers, dissertations and Domino’s Pizza. And soul searching. Lots of soul searching.
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT
The next few years will be a whirlwind of lectures and lager
to pass your course with flying colours. Or your old bedroom at your parents’ house may well be sublet before you return – not so triumphantly – three years from now. A decent grade will keep you ahead of the opposition in that all-important hunt for that first post-uni position. And don’t forget that today’s course mates are tomorrow’s job competitors – anything that can give you the edge over them should be embraced. I’m not suggesting you treat your whole time at uni as some twisted Big Brother-esque scenario where scoring points over your ‘pals’ is your raison d’être. Just be aware that over the next three years you have a fantastic educational opportunity which should be grasped with both hands. Today’s degree costs and the amount of students opting to head off to university have both rapidly risen over the years. Many years ago when I started my own degree, just securing a place on a course put you pretty much in pole position in the job market. But to be fair, these were the days when One Direction’s parents were still in short pants, Apple made beige computers for rich geeks devoid of any social skills and geek chic was just a figment of their feverish minds. It’s still an achievement to secure a spot on your dream course. And, if you don’t get the A-level grades you were hoping for, it’s not the end of the world. You could use Clearing, go down the retake route or even try a pre-uni gap year. Sometimes your Plan B can be even more rewarding that your Plan A. Embrace the change, go with the flow, and throw yourself into whatever you do. You probably don’t need reminding that it’s good to let your hair down and have fun – at least once in a while. It’s your perogative. After all, you’ve spent all of your school days working up to this. Celebrate your success. Join some societies – and not just the ones whose sole aim seems to be to down the most shots while dressed head-to-toe in dayglo. Try to use your holidays wisely, as any work experience will stand you in good stead on that CV, as well as hopefully making some dent in your ever-increasing debts. And a word to the wise: unlike my cohort, preparing for post-uni life before the final term of your final year can help launch your career. Good luck