Student Advice

[Cesaria]

If you're in halls - don't be a twat and trash the place... just don't cos they'll fine you something brutal (think my friends got hit with £100 each for deciding to move the Coke machine so another friend opened his door to be greeted with it blocking the way - they trashed the flooring dragging it through the place). We had catered halls so didn't have to deal with the food and cooking issues - apart from the inedible shite they served (but hey we got to live in a castle which distracted us from the crap food).

Our student union sold off second hand set course texts - get there fast because they'll all go and they were cheap (this was a bit pre-the absolute explosion of the internet though).

One big big thing if you have to live out for second year... CHECK THE GAS SAFETY CERTIFICATE... CHECK IT AGAIN. It's the one thing I'm utterly obsessional over in rented houses as we were lax about ours, and it was only spotted as a fluke that the boiler flue was blocked and if it hadn't been found when it was - we were a couple of days away from a nice carbon monoxide poisoning death (I already had the flu-symptoms). Student houses are often shit holes with arsehole landlords - you've got to have your wits about you. We were incredibly lucky.

Don't go nuts at freshers fair - are you really going to go to any of the Single Malt Whiskey society socials (yes we had one of these - and a Hot Curry Society) - but don't be a hermit either. Check what you're allowed in your rooms in terms of electrical equipment (then take the rest of the stuff and hide it - toasters were banned in ours but we'd have gone nuts without it). If you're in halls - one of the best gifts I got was a kettle from someone who'd just graduated and knew it would be appreciated. I know the TV licencing thing is shit - but it was one heck of a way to make friends having the only one on a corridor when Neighbours was on... unfortunately the mass visitation for the Australian Grand Prix was less appreciated at stupid o' clock in the morning (but the reason I ended up being hooked on formula 1).

Take some basics like Lemsips, Stepsils, paracetamol etc - you're going to get freshers flu at some point (or swine flu at the moment) and when you do you really won't feel like going to trek to Boots. You're also going to end up hungover as fuck at various points - so may as well have stuff to hand for when you wake up feeling like you're going to die.

Friend went to Sheffield and loved it, it's not that far away from where we are and it seems like an OK city from when I've been there. Personally I went to Durham, got to live in the Castle (getting stuff delivered and telling them that yes, the postal address is really the castle and yes it IS a castle was highly amusing)... but the best advice really is enjoy it, don't sweat the small stuff - don't go completely mental and be an annoying twat, but first year generally isn't the most vital year in the world and the social thing is a big big part of the whole thing.

I'd agree with the no MMOs dealie - thank god FFXI wasn't around when I was at uni... I got jack shit work done anyway when my then boyfriend installed Civ2 on my "honest this is for work purposes can I have it mum" PC.

[kuronosan]

It will vary. Most Unis have halls for students to use in their first year, prices can vary if they have multiple halls of residence according to how new they are and the facilities they include. Some halls may have an on suite bathroom and shower, others may just be a bed.

Most Unis in the UK will boot you out after first year to make room for the new intake so you're better off looking at real-estate sites to check renting costs since you'll spend every year after first renting.

Uni sites and brochures usually list the costs of their Halls of Residence, if you can't find any send them an email asking.

Edit: Wolverhampton Uni Accomodations link/info Accommodation

I'd only be there for four weeks. My closest family lives about 3 hours away in the Ipswich area.

[Not not Mattaru]

If you are in the dorms, don't be an only child, even if you are one. In other words, be respectful but don't get walked over.

Manage your time.

Like what you study.

Ask your mom or dad what to cook....honestly by the time I was a Junior/Senior I had little time for cooking so whatever is cheap and fast.