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The Cost Of BEING A YORK STUDENT IN 2022/23

IMAGE: ALL SHOULD EAT KATIE PRESTON interviews Vice Chancellor CHARLIE JEFFERY about the financial issue affecting students.

“I think working really hard from our own channels, working with the Students’ Union and with the Student Media to make sure that people know that support is available.”

Charlie Jeffery reiterated the accessibility of the University’s schemes, and how students shouldn’t be embarrassed to access support:

“There’s no shame. We came through COVID-19, which is a once in a century challenge. We’ve not seen a cost of living crisis quite like this for fifty years so it’s almost an apocalyptic challenge and I don’t think anybody should feel like they’ll be judged for getting support.

“There’s different areas, which assuming we get it right, should connect to provide a pretty much seamless package of support.”

Finally, the Vice Chancellor promised to fight for students not only on campus, but on a government level:

“The issue for the moment is that it is the start of term and bank accounts are as full as they are going to be, so the second half of term is where we will see some of these issues really bite, so we are going to have to keep pushing with the government to get that recognition. I’m going to keep nagging them. I’m going to keep working through the Russell Group and University’s UK.

“I’ve written with the YUSU colleagues and Pierrick and Hannah to the Education Secretary and Higher Education Minister making precisely that point and we’ll see what they say. I think if enough people say it and keep saying it we might get them to move.”

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HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

Bursaries and Hardship Funding: The University can offer financial support to those who need it, both in terms of criteria-based bursaries and emergency funding. A short-term Emergency Loan can be given (depending on other conditions being met) to pay for food, utility bills, or travel to your site of study in the face of unexpected & unforeseen short-term financial hardship. Alternatively, the University offers bursaries to students depending on their personal circumstances. Information on all of this can be found at york.ac.uk/students/finance/.

Student Discount Sites: To help with the general cost of living as a student, many shops and sites offer discounts to those studying at university. Many of these will be heavily advertised to you as soon as you go to buy something, but some will only be available by signing up to different student discount sites, so make sure to have a look around!

College Support Networks: Your college support team is one of your first points of contact when you are facing an issue at university, such as money difficulties, even if you don’t live on campus. Their teams can signpost you to resources that can specifically help you, as well as providing support if you’re struggling with any aspect of university life. Check your colleges’ page on the university website for contact details.

Activities Access Grant: If you are struggling to participate in societies or sports clubs due to financial issues, YUSU can help! The Activities Access Grant gives students who face certain barriers funding to take part in sports clubs, societies, media groups, college sports teams or volunteering projects. Students can receive up to £160 to help with memberships and participation costs.

Period Products: The University has provisions in place to help with period poverty. Pads and tampons are available across campus through an initiative funded by YUSU, the GSA, and the University. Colleges can also provide period products to their members (whether they are living on or off campus!)

Nightline: If financial issues are affecting your mental health and you need someone to talk to, the University offers several services to help. Nightline is a confidential listening service run by students who will let you talk about what is on your mind. You can phone them on 01904 323735 between 8pm-8am, email 24/7 at listening@york.nightline.ac.uk, or chat to someone between 8pm-8am on their website at yorknightline.org.uk.

Part-Time Work: If you ARE able to fit a part-time job into your student life, there are plenty of great opportunities for students! You can apply to be a Student Ambassador to earn money whilst promoting the University to potential students, or get a job working in one of the eight campus venues (this year 92% of venue employees were students). Alternatively there are many places in York that recruit students for parttime retail, hospitality and other jobs, so make sure to look around if you’re able to healthily have a job alongside your other commitments!

LIFESTYLE

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BY KATIE PRESTON (she/her)

ATTENDING UNIVERSITY IN September 2020, the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was completely sober and always had been.

I’d worked part time in a local Conservative club since finishing sixth form, but my personal experiences with alcohol were non-existent. Having been to the local pub every Sunday since birth, I’ve seen my fair share of pub brawls and drunken rages and had never felt any need to start drinking myself.

Cut to the start of third year, with many drunken walks home and chaotic nights out with friends, and my sobriety has changed, alongside my frugality and bank account.

I never used to drink, even at home with my parents, and, despite going to the pub next door to my grandma’s house every week, I never drank alcohol before university. I wasn’t the type at school to be invited to parties either, so I wasn’t really exposed to alcohol outside of a family pub setting.

I have vivid memories of telling flatmates that I didn’t drink. The reason I usually used was due to a sensory issue with carbonated drinks which, to be fair to myself, is still something I suffer with.

But then I found a bottle of vodka, drank 3/4 of it straight by myself during a flat Marvel movie marathon, and got very angry when my flatmate didn’t like Antman.

The next day I didn’t have a hangover, something that I’m pleased to say I’ve never suffered with, but did get to experience my first throwing-up fit and a very confusing, still-drunk possible hallucination of a giant spider. Not my proudest moment.

My most drunk moment, however, came later. And, strangely, was nothing to do with the alcohol. If you know me well, you know that I cannot stomach orange juice, but this didn’t stop me downing two Sex on the Beach cocktails at the former Forest venue.

Cut to ten minutes later, I’m dramatically throwing up whilst my two flatmates binge-watched The Purge in the same room: a very confusing evening.

Coming to university as a sober person and leaving it as a social drinker is something that I’ve observed to be very common. However, I’ve also observed lots of people keeping their sobriety at university. Despite the many drinking events, it wasn’t the “drinking culture” of university that encouraged me to drink, it was being comfortable around my flatmates and friends. I didn’t go on pub crawls during Freshers’ Week and become engulfed in the atmosphere of drinking, I drank whilst in the comfort of my own room with people I knew.

And, whilst I’m happy that I did, I don’t drink very often today. I don’t have the money to go out and, during term time, I work a part-time job, so drinking hasn’t overtaken my life in any way. I might have a drink after a shift at work, or a can of Rekorderlig with my flatmate whilst we watch a movie, but I haven’t been out clubbing much or been drunk this entire summer.

This isn’t to encourage those who are sober to break their sobriety, rather than to do it in the right way. Have your first drink with someone you’re comfortable with and can trust, and do it in moderation at the start: drunken nights out can come later.

There is a drinking culture at university, that’s undeniable, but there’s also sobriety too. Many societies and student media outlets will do sober events, colleges will put on sober or drinking-optional events during Freshers’ Week, and many people I know have remained sober during their studies.

And trust me, whilst it’s not the same experience as being drunk, you CAN go clubbing sober. Believe me, I’ve done it.

LOSING MY SOBRIETY AT UNI

BY MARTI STELLING (she/her)

HAIRCARE IS IN, and so are high-end dupes.

If you are anything like me, a working student who spends an unhealthy amount of time on TikTok with access to multiple LookFantastic discount codes, you’ve heard every haircare tip under the sun.

Use an old t-shirt to dry your hair, only wash once a week, use a claw grip, get regular trims, don’t brush when it’s wet, yada yada yada….

One of the most difficult parts of perfecting your haircare routine is knowing which products will work for you. Despite what the packaging says, one size does not fit all.

In market research *ahem, spending money I don’t have* I tested a number of TikTok-viral haircare products, letting you know whether I think it’s worth saving or splurging.

Splurge: The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment (£15, 150ml)

If your pre-wash routine is in need of a pick-me-up, this treatment is an excellent investment. At the retail price of £15, it is definitely an investment, but is also totally worth it. As a chemical exfoliant, it gently removes product build up and flakes of skin.

Save: The Body Shop Ginger Shampoo (£12, 400ml)

Whilst this is still on the pricier side, you can save money by using The Body Shop’s refill station. I have used this shampoo for years and still haven’t found one that I liked more. Certified by the Vegan Society, this product is gentle enough to not irritate the scalp whilst still being effective enough to make your hair feel clean and fresh.

Save: Garnier Hair Food (£3.50, 390ml)

This little tub works threefold: it’s a hair mask, conditioner, and leave-in treatment. It comes in lots of different scents for various hair types and, at £3.50 for 390ml, this is a steal!

Splurge: Olaplex No.6 and 7 (No.6 £28, 100ml, No.7 £28, 30ml))

This wouldn’t be a ‘TikTok made me buy it’ post without mentioning Olaplex. I’ve tried the full range at the salon and at home and can honestly say that No.6 and No.7 are worth the money. Before purchasing, I had to take a deep breath, but I promise you, they are brilliant. While No.6 didn’t last as long, I have had No.7 for over two years and it is only just running out now!

Save: Elvive Dreamlengths Conditioner (£3.50, 400ml)

Say what you will about Elvive but, at £3.50, this conditioner is a huge win in my opinion! It smells amazing, leaves you hair silky soft, and you can pick it up anywhere.

To conclude, let Marti test these products first so you don’t have to!