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Help with Student Life
Tips for New Students (and their parents)
here
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Help with Student Life
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We have put together a few ideas, gleaned from other parents/guardians and
students. Whilst much of the information may be common sense, we hope
that these may act as a reference point. It is not intended to be a definitive
list.
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Most University Student Unions will have a welfare section who will give
advice specific to your university –e.g. they may offer contract checking
services for housing, a police student liaison officer and support services for
student health.
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Do visit your Student Union as they are there to help you.
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Do register with your student health service.
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Do open a student bank account.
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We suggest (from our hard learnt experience) you take out a comprehensive
insurance policy e.g. Endsleigh
https://www.endsleigh.co.uk/personal/home-insurance/student-contentsinsurance/ which specialise in student issues. Make sure that you select a
company with experience of providing cover for people in shared
accommodation. Your Student Union may also suggest that you register your
valuables on https://www.immobilise.com/index.php
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Insurance for Students
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It is a sad fact that your possessions will be at risk from theft, loss or damage
whilst you are at university. It is important, therefore, that you arrange
adequate insurance before you depart.
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Prized possessions do get stolen and unfortunately professional burglars
sometimes empty entire rooms. It is easy to underestimate the value of the
possessions you have at university. It is important that you add up the cost of
all the things you intend to take – Laptop computer, IPad, IPod, DVDs, CDs,
camera, clothes, jewellery etc. – you will be surprised by how much it would
cost to replace them.
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It is sometimes an assumption that parents’ home insurance can be extended
to provide equivalent cover - it is rarely adequate for your needs as many
policies do not cover theft where there has been no forcible entry.
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One insurance company said that over 30% of their claims are for “walk in”
incidents. It is essential that you research insurance policies that will cover
you while at university.
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Insurance for Students
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Go online to research different insurance companies. Here are a few to start you off:www.cover4students.com and www.endsleigh.co.uk
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www.endsleigh.co.uk Protection starts from approx £9.99 per month. You can be
covered in halls of residence or off campus accommodation. They can provide cover
where thieves walk into unlocked rooms.
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Make sure that you can be covered in halls or off campus accommodation.Your
university may already have a certain level of insurance paid for you if you live in
halls of residence but you must check this with your student union.
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Make sure that they can provide cover where thieves walk into unlocked rooms.
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Look at optional laptop and other valuables cover anywhere in the UK and 30 days
worldwide - not just in your room (It is worth thinking about computer locks - type
‘Kensington lock ‘ into your search engine – sadly even these do not offer total security
but they might deter a thief - in- a- hurry).
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Insurance for Students
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European Health Insurance card: The European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to access state-provided
healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA)countries
and Switzerland at a reduced cost or sometimes free of
charge. Remember to check your EHIC is still valid before
you travel. Applying for the card is free and it's valid for up
to five years. The EHIC is NOT an alternative to travel
insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare
or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts,
repatriation to the UK or lost or stolen property. Check
details : www.dh.gov.uk/travellers
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Work Experience and Beyond
University
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It is extremely important to gain work experience from Year 1
of university.
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Attend as many careers fairs as possible that are run by the
university.
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Get involved in ‘LinkedIn’.
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What stuff to take to Halls
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How much to take?
No doubt you have got a lot of stuff in your bedroom. How much are you
going to take with you? Unless you have seen the hall you are going to move
into, you won't know how big the room will be. You can only take what will fit
in your car!
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What to Take?
Firstly, you need to separate what you're going to take into two categories;
what you really need and what you would like to take.
What you really need
First, you need to find out what your Hall of Residence provides. If there is
nothing but four walls, a bed, desk and chair, the following list may be a
good guide:
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The Basics
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(It will be helpful to pack items in something that will double up as under
bed storage)
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Bedding
 1 or 2 pillows
 Quilt
 2 sets of bed covers
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Clothes
 Lots of them to avoid washing too often
 Lots of socks as they go missing from laundry
 DJ/tuxedo/posh frock and posh shoes for formal dinners
 Party/Night Club wear
 Sports Equipment
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The Basics
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Wash Stuff
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Toothbrush and toothpaste/ plastic holder with suction pads to stick to
sink wall
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Soap/shower gel / Shampoo/ toilet paper
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Flip Flops (useful for the shower)
Kitchen Stuff
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Cheap cutlery
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2 dinner plates and 2 bowls
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2 mugs /2 pint glasses
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Anti-bacterial wipes
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2 saucepans - 1 large and 1 medium/small
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1 frying pan - preferably non stick
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1 large oven tray (useful for chips)
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1 wooden spoon
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The Basics
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1 colander
1 chopping board
1 sharp knife
Washing up liquid and sponge wash-ups
Tupperware style boxes – name them
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TIP: tea towel and oven glove - take these and make sure you keep them safe.
Otherwise these will become communal and get ruined really quickly.
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Work Stuff
 Backpack or bag of some sort
 Folders and dividers for work
 Well-stocked pencil case: scissors, hole punch, ruler, rubber, pencil
sharpener, stapler, Pritt stick, Blu- tack, biros highlighters
 Calculator, even if you are doing English
 Laptop/Computer/IPad
 Passport photos
 NI number
 List of inoculations
 Stamps
 Sewing kit
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Stuff That Would Be Nice To Have
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These items include an I-Pod docking station, TV, Playstation/Wii and
other electrical goods. All of these things are expensive, and most are
heavy and large. Make sure you get insurance for the expensive items.
1) TV - It helps fill those boring moments, not that you will have many. If
you have a TV in your room in halls, you will need a licence, and yes
they do come and check from time to time. If you have a TV with no
licence you can be fined £1,000. Check at www.tvlicensing.co.uk
2) Playstation- X Box - Wii
Fun, but you should have better things to be doing with your time. It will
get people into your room (if you want this to happen!) especially with
good multiplayer games.
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3) Computer/Laptop/IPad
This will be extremely useful for you to have:Play DVD’s/ listen to music
Internet access
To complete work
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Stuff That Would Be Nice To Have
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Laptop vs. Desktop.
If you are going to get a laptop, you do not have to buy the best one
there is - as long as it has DVD and a CD writer you should be fine.
You can then take the laptop into college and to the library should
you need to.
*Tip: If you are going to get a laptop, make sure you get a security
chain to lock it to your radiator to stop it getting stolen, and
definitely get it insured.
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Other Stuff
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The rest of what you take is optional, but here is a list of things you will
probably need:
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Alarm clock
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Watch
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Radio
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Desk lamp
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Sports equipment – lots of opportunity to play sport at uni
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Washing liquid /tablets
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Bin Bags
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Laundry bag
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Sleeping bag
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Towels
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Finally, maybe don't bother with..
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Expensive Bikes - Bikes can be a good idea, but it is best to buy a cheap
one. Bikes are top of the "likely to get nicked" list. (However, think about
deals you might get from supermarkets or local papers which sell bikes
for around £60-£80.)
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Ironing Board - The hall should have one plus they will take up a lot of
space in your car! (Although Ikea sell ‘mini’ ironing boards for about £10
which will hang on the back of doors.)
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Clothes Airer – You will have driers for washing, and there should be
airers available too. If not, get one when you arrive if you really need one.
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Toaster – It will set off the smoke alarm in your room. Use the one in the
kitchen! Also, some Halls do not allow certain electrical goods so make
sure you check what you can take with you.
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Bean Bags/Blow-Up Chairs - You probably won't have enough room and
many Halls require that bean bags are fire retardant.
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Other Stuff
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Photos/Posters. (Beware, if these leave marks on your walls, you
may be charged at the end of the year.)
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First Aid Kit - plasters, aspirin, antiseptic cream, cotton wool,
diarolyte sachets.
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Mobile phone and charger - necessity for phoning home.
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Tin Foil - use it to cover grill pans before putting chips etc on. This
way the foil catches all the oil and you don't have to wash the pan
up!
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Umbrella
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Washing Up Liquid
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Clothes Hangers
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Pin board
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Ruck sack or wheelie
suitcase
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A few tips to protect your money
(housing)
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Get advice about your contract BEFORE you sign it from your Student
Union or University Advice Centre.
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Make sure you know which deposit scheme the landlord is using to
protect your money. You should be given this information no later than
two weeks after paying your deposit.
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Do not pay a deposit until you have signed the contract.
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Think twice about paying a ‘holding deposit’. If you choose not to take
the property you could lose the money.
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Take photographs and write to the landlord if there are any damages
when you move in. Keep copies of all letters you send. If you do not,
you could find yourself paying for someone else’s damage. (Being a
landlord of a property is a business and they will try to make money
from you so cover your back at all times, and there should be no need
for you to get caught in any disputes.)
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Look after the property and pay the rent on time to avoid any
unnecessary deductions at the end of your agreement.
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Utility bills
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If they are not included in your rent, these can cost you anything from £15 - £20
per month depending on how many people you share with and whether the
property has double-glazing.
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If utility bills are included in your rent, find out if the landlord has a clause in the
contract to increase payments if the bills go up. Read your contract carefully,
some agreements state they will only cover your utility bills up to a certain level,
if you go over this you may find yourself paying out more than you expected.
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Some utility tips
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Speak with the current tenants and find out what they are paying.
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Do not put your name on the bills until you move in or you could end up paying
for what the landlord may use over the summer if they are doing work.
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Take meter readings when you move in and make sure you give them to the utility
companies or you could end up paying for someone else as well.
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Put everyone’s name on the bills so you have joint responsibility.
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Consider setting up a utility account that everyone pays into each month – it is
much easier than having to chase people for money when the bills come in.
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Personal safety
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Never walk home alone after dark. Walk home in a group of three or more,
share a taxi or catch the Night bus if available.
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Avoid using cash points when on your own or late at night and use indoor
cash points if possible.
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When using cash points, put your money and cards safely away before
leaving the machine.
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If you are out late at night, make sure you get a licensed taxi or get
somebody you trust to take you home. Check with your Student Union they
may have a number to phone if you find yourself without cash but need a cab.
(you will of course have to pay this back later!)
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*For additional personal safety tips go to the Suzy Lamplugh web pages.
http://www.suzylamplugh.org/
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We hope the above works well as a starting point. If you have additional
suggestions or have found this useful – please let us know. We would like to
thank everyone who has made suggestions and acknowledge the help we
received from Leeds, Bristol and York Student Union staff and web pages.