Student Success Guide - Plymouth College of Art

Student Success Guide

Your Student Success Guide has been created by the Student Hub team, to use alongside your Student Handbook, to give you a range of tips on how to not just survive your first year of university life, but to flourish. We hope you find it helpful. 04 06 08 09 12 14 16 18 22 24 25 26

Image: Hufton & Crow

The essentials Settling in Independent living Money matters Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) Becoming an independent learner Academic information Health and wellbeing What we expect Checklist – what to bring Things you won’t need Useful contacts

Student Survival Guide

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THE ESSENTIALS Student finance

• Contact the nearest surgery to your new home and register prior to arrival if possible. • Try to stock up on any medication before you leave home. • Have your usual remedies to hand, such as cold and flu relief.

If you haven’t already, make sure you apply for student finance online. Any delay could mean that you do not get your money in time for the start of term. Most students are entitled to a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their education plus a maintenance loan to help with rent and living costs. Some students from lowincome families are also entitled to grants.

Welcome Day Welcome Day is held on the Sunday before Freshers’ Festival. It’s a great chance to find your way around the college, meet other people from your programme of study, ask questions and have a lovely, free cream tea!

Accommodation You will have to organise your own accommodation – it’s a good idea to look around before deciding. There are lots of different options, from halls of residence and shared houses to studio apartments and flats. Different rental agencies charge different amounts for agency fees and deposits. For more information check out our Accommodation Guide. plymouthart. ac.uk/studying/accommodation/

Freshers’ Festival During Freshers’ Festival Plymouth College of Art gives you a massive welcome; there are events from club nights to discount days and a Freshers’ Ball to top things off. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, but don’t panic if you don’t find your best mates straightaway. Most people take a couple of months to settle into friendship groups, and throughout your university experience you will constantly meet new and interesting people. Freshers’ Festival is the best time to explore before your lectures start. Work out where your first academic session is held

Register with a doctor In terms of doctors – sign up and stock up! If you are moving away from home, you can register at most general practitioner surgeries in Plymouth by searching the NHS Choices website: www.nhs.uk/ Service-Search/GP/LocationSearch/4.


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beforehand so you don’t feel the potential embarrassment of walking in late.

can help put you at ease and feel more confident that you are ready to go.

• As well as academic events, there will be a Freshers’ Fair to attend. Don’t miss out – pick up all the free packs and discount vouchers.

• At the end of this guide there is a list of essential things that you might find useful to bring if you are moving away from home – like an alarm clock for the 9am starts and a desk lamp for the late nights!

• Freshers has a reputation as ‘party week’, but there are loads of other events and things to do besides drink alcohol, so try not to feel any peer pressure to party all the time. Freshers’ Festival is meant to be the best time of your life, so do what you enjoy; find the balance between having fun and being safe and well.

• Whether it’s stationary or bedding, don’t panic if you have forgotten something important – Plymouth is the South West’s second biggest city, so there are plenty of shops to be found; there is even a shop on site that stocks sketchbooks and other art supplies.

Network! Searching for Plymouth College of Art’s Freshers’ Festival group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ events/791651564289281/) will allow you to meet other prospective students and maybe even your new flat/house mates; you can share your worries and excitements with others. It also helps you to find out extra information about your programme of study, opportunities such as Welcome Day, the Peer Support Programme and essential details about Freshers’ Festival. Join the PCA:SU Facebook page (https:// www.facebook.com/PCA.Students.union) for all the updates on what’s going on.

• If the prospect of moving away from home to live independently is daunting, start practising basic skills like cooking, washing, cleaning and changing the bed. You’ll be surprised how many people can’t do these things. You aren’t alone if you’ve never boiled an egg! Learning the basics from friends and family, books or even the internet will go a long way to help you when you arrive. • Get thinking about budgeting and how much student finance you have coming in. Then you can decide how much you can afford to spend weekly or monthly and how much rent you can afford.

Everything else… If you are moving away from home, it’s never too early to start buying the things you’ll need and packing – try to make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to pick up anything you’ve forgotten. Being prepared


• If you are living at home, you’ll still need to prepare before starting university life, but you will probably feel less has physically changed compared to those who have moved away from home to study. 5

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SETTLING IN Whether you’re moving to Plymouth for the first time or travelling locally, the first journey can be a nerve-wracking experience, but fear not – the welcome is amazing!

Moving into halls

Plymouth College of Art campus

• Don’t worry about unpacking everything immediately; get door knocking! This is one of the best ways to introduce yourself and get to know the people living around you. • Make sure you have questions ready to break the ice, and bring things to share with others. You’ll be surprised at how many friends you make when you come bearing chocolate and a pack of cards! • If you don’t seem to get on with your flatmates, don’t worry! There will be lots of people to befriend in your halls/ house and on your programme of study.

One of the most important things when you arrive here is to get to know where everything is. You will get a map in your welcome pack – use it! Beyond the obvious – lecture rooms and base rooms – there are loads of other things to check out on-site. • The Gallery – is an art gallery with a vibrant, contemporary and provoking schedule of works. • The Print Lab - is a professional printing service offering competitive pricing and run by our team of competent technical staff. • Create Canteen – ideal for that morning breakfast, a quick coffee or lunch. • The Shop – located in the Library; pick up your sketchbooks, pens, pencils and lots of other essentials here.

Staying Local • If you live at home it’s especially important to get involved, introducing yourself to people on your programme of study, joining societies and staying on-site outside of your study hours. There are still lots of events for you, so you won’t miss out.

The surrounding area It’s good to venture out beyond Plymouth College of Art and its immediate surroundings to find out what the city has to offer. One of the first places most people discover is Jake’s Café – great for coffee, cheesy chips and late night burgers on the way home from a night out. There is also a well-stocked Co-Op within a stone’s throw. Other popular places to eat and drink are the Roundabout Pub – it’s pretty cheap and cheerful and the first place you can fall into when your day’s

Getting to know your new home Getting to know different aspects of your new home is important – you need to feel settled, as you’re going to be studying in Plymouth for several years. And who knows, you might like it so much you’ll want to stay even longer!


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lectures end – and The Caffeine Club, which serves food and drink 24 hours a day. A couple of minutes’ walk from the art college is Ebrington Street – this has metro supermarkets, barbers, beauty salons, hairdressers, a Spar, an army surplus store and our favourite – Bread and Roses, Plymouth’s only social enterprise pub. It runs as a community-focused hub and arts space for everyone to use, with a café and free wi-fi during the day and a wide range of live music and other events in the evening.

‘Independent’ quarter of the city sells fresh fish, fabrics, jewellery and knickknacks, and nearby is the renowned Ivor Dewdney pasty shop. • There are loads of places to eat – make sure you experience Buffet City, Sprouts, Rockets & Rascals, Veggie Perrins, Boston Tea Party, Positano and Rumpus Cosy. The Plymouth Dome and Lorenzos are also really popular. • Plymouth Hoe, with its stunning restored saltwater lido, offers fantastic views, places to relax, swim and sunbathe, as well as a great coastal walk. In fact Plymouth Sound is the second largest natural harbour in the world after Sydney. You’ll find the cobbled streets and independent shops and bars on The Barbican are great places to visit too, particularly when the sun is shining! There are lots of bars, clubs and restaurants and the waterfront café, Cap’n Jaspers, is famous for their Jasperizer Burgers. A mug of tea is only 60p (possibly the only place you will ever pay a 20p deposit for using a mug!) and they also serve half a yard of hot dog for under a fiver.

The City of Plymouth It can be easy to get caught up in the ‘student bubble’ when there are so many amenities right on your doorstep. You could quite happily spend your time here within a 30-second radius of the college, but it would be a shame to miss out on the other great places that the city has to offer. • In addition to the obvious – shops, clubs and cinemas – Plymouth has lots of unique places to visit. Plymouth Gin Distillery is a working gin factory that runs daily tours. Plymouth Aquarium is Europe’s largest and deepest aquarium. There is the Theatre Royal Plymouth, which houses national touring theatre, and the local Barbican Theatre, which runs workshops, comedy nights, theatre shows and much more. • In terms of culture and galleries, get started with Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery, Ocean Studios in the Royal William Yard, Plymouth Art’s Centre and Cinema, Karst, Peninsula Arts and Rumpus Cosy. • The quirky Pannier Market in the


Tip: Feeling daunted? Why not arrange a day trip into the city or the Royal William Yard with your flatmates or programme mates?

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INDEPENDENT LIVING

MONEY MATTERS

For many of you it may be the first time you have lived away from home. Be prepared to face some of the problems and issues that come with this new experience.

Everyone will develop their own way of managing their money, but here are a few tips to get you started.

• If you don’t know already, you will need to learn how to cook, clean and do your own washing. Be confident and just get started. Your white socks may come out pink but that’s all part of the learning curve. • Taking your washing home is fine at first, but if you don’t know how, you’re eventually going to have to get on and do it yourself. Washing machines are pretty self-explanatory, but if you’re stuck you’re not alone. There’ll probably be someone else hovering around wondering where to put their washing powder too … • Your university experience is the time to get your hands dirty. Sadly, the toilet will not clean itself, and in case you wondered, there is no mysterious man called Henry who will hoover your carpet! Make sure you stock up on cleaning products and sort out something with your flatmates that suits everyone. You’re not going to make friends by leaving your dirty pots and pans around the kitchen. Clean up after yourself!

• Work out a weekly budget and stick to it, but your loan has to last you the whole term (so don’t blow it all at the start!). • Your student card is your passport to great deals – take advantage of all your entitlements to make the most of the perks of being a student. • The thing you’ll probably spend most of your money on (after rent) is food and drink. There are ways to reduce the cost of your shopping: -- Shop around both in stores and online – you’ll be surprised how much the price of branded items varies from shop to shop; consider buying store brands to save money. -- Avoid shopping when hungry or thirsty – otherwise you can end up with a ton of stuff you really don’t need. -- Take advantage of supermarket loyalty cards to get rewarded for your purchases.

• It’s a good idea to stock up on all the food you need for a week on one visit to the shops – it saves time and money. It’s also a good idea to make a list of what you need, so you won’t forget essentials or be sidetracked into spending more money than you need to buy unnecessary but alluring offers.


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There are a few options for food shopping if you’re living centrally: Tip: Did you know you can still get free prescriptions even after you turn 19? Fill in a HC1 form to save money – you can order one online or pick one up from the Student Hub.

• Tesco and Sainsbury’s on Ebrington Street • Aldi on Greenbank Road • Iceland on Armada Way • Shop online and split the cost of delivery with your housemates.

Tip: Only take out the cash you can afford to spend on a night out. Why not share a taxi home with friends – it’s cheaper and safer.

Tip: Where you go will depend on where you live, but remember that the convenient option is not usually the cheapest option.

Note: We’ve talked about saving money, but Plymouth College of Art also offers you opportunities to make money. Becoming a Student Ambassador is a great place to start if you are looking to earn some extra cash and gain work experience – email [email protected] if you are interested in applying for the scheme.

Tip: You can save money by investing in discount cards like a 16–25 railcard for travel and a ‘NUS card’. Tip: Bringing your lunch is a great way to save money – food can be expensive in town, so it’s a good idea to prepare food in the morning. The Student’s Union has a fridge, microwave and kettle for your convenience.


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Hardship funds

What you’ll get

If you’re having financial trouble, talk to us in the Student Hub – you could get extra money from the college if you’re experiencing unexpected financial hardship or if you are:

The amount you can get is limited and is dependent on your financial situation. You usually won’t have to pay the money back, but in some cases you’ll get a loan that you have to repay. We’ll tell you if you are eligible.

• A student with children, especially single parents • A mature student with existing financial commitments • From a low-income family • Disabled • A student that was previously in care (a ‘care leaver’) • Homeless or living in a foyer


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DISABLED STUDENTS’ ALLOWANCE (DSA) If you have a learning difficulty, mental health condition or physical disability, and it is a health condition that is considered to be substantial and long-term, you can apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).

What ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ means

What you can get Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is paid on top of your other student finance. It helps pay the extra costs you may have because of your disability and doesn’t have to be repaid. How much you get depends on your individual needs, not your household income. DSA is not paid into your bank like a grant or loan – it is paid directly to the services and equipment providers you have an assessed need for – i.e. computer equipment, software, specialist study skills tutors, notetakers, enablers and/or mental health mentors. Contact the Learning and Disability Support Coordinator for more info (contacts at the back of this guide).

• ‘Substantial’ is more than minor or trivial – e.g. it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed • ‘Long-term’ means 12 months or more – e.g. a breathing condition that develops as a result of a lung infection There are special rules about recurrent, progressive or fluctuating conditions, for example, arthritis. Some conditions aren’t covered by the disability definition. These include addiction to non-prescribed drugs or alcohol.


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Mental health

Transferring your existing support

If you are currently receiving ongoing support for your mental health from your GP or from a statutory service like:

We have also found that some services have discharged students just before they go to university. In our experience this is not the best approach. The first term at university can be the most stressful, and it is often better to try to ensure any support that you’ve been receiving will continue, at least until you have settled into university life.

• • • •

A community mental health team The Early Intervention Service The Assertive Outreach Team A consultant psychologist or psychiatrist • The Crisis Assessment and Home Treatment Team • Your local hospital

We recommend that if you are in receipt of ongoing support that you ask for a referral to Plymouth. The service supporting you will know how to do this. Some services (like the Early Intervention Service, for instance) will be happy to provide you with support in two places – in Plymouth and at your current home address during holiday periods. You can discuss this possibility with your support service.

Then it is important that your support is properly transferred to Plymouth. In the past we have been aware of some services recommending that students simply ask their new General Practitioner in Plymouth to set up their support, once they get here. Unfortunately, this often means that there is a long delay between you arriving and your support being in place. It can take up to six weeks for your notes to be transferred, and only then will your new doctor be able to start the process of setting up your support.


If you are concerned about this issue, we are happy to work with you to help get your support in place in Plymouth.

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BECOMING AN INDEPENDENT LEARNER Staying on top of the workload is important, because ultimately this is why you are here. • Try to use the time in between your academic sessions for personal study or assignment preparation.

• Print out your timetable and keep a diary to note down other things that you need to remember to do (on your phone, laptop or a paper diary – whichever you prefer).

• Decide in advance when you will be studying and stick to it.

• Go to as many of your academic sessions as possible – having incomplete notes from missed lectures is not ideal when it comes to completing assignments.

• Don’t let problems mount up – sorting out concerns as you encounter them will make them more manageable.

Now you are studying at degree level you may find that you have less structured teaching time than in previous academic study. Actually in the first year of a degree at Plymouth College of Art our students spend around 16 hours per week in taught and supervised sessions but are also expected to spend a substantial amount of time outside of this in independent study.

No-one is going to force you to do your work, so during self-study you have to motivate yourself. Try to get into the routine of doing a certain amount of preparation for lectures, seminars and workshops. Keep a list of what you need to do for different modules – it’ll help you keep track of your work and it’s great to see where you’re making progress.

It’s tempting, in this scenario, to spend your free time indulging your love of BBC iPlayer, but fall into this trap and you may find your marks falling. The time you spend in lectures is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your education, so it’s important to embrace the joys of independent learning as early as you can. Think of university as a gym membership – you only get out of it what you put in.

• Note your plans for each week (essay deadlines and extracurricular activities) in your diary, so you know what your priorities are.


The main difference between school and university, besides many people’s new-found propensity for eating pot noodles for breakfast, is the importance of learning and working independently.

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Check your Plymouth College of Art email account regularly so you don’t miss important information. Address academic problems as soon as they arise so they don’t escalate. University lecturers don’t tend to sugar-coat things; feedback is normally direct and to the point. If you don’t understand the feedback you’ve been given, feel free to talk to your tutor about how you can improve. 15

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ACADEMIC INFORMATION Tutorials

Deadlines and extenuating circumstances

Tutorials play an important role in your educational experience and personal development. Throughout your degree you’ll have a series of regular tutorials with your personal tutor and other academic staff. Some of these will be directly related to project work and your academic progress; others will be of a more ‘pastoral’ nature where you will have a chance to discuss issues which may be affecting your learning experience or personal, social or emotional issues.

You’ll be set deadlines for handing in work for assessment – if you have not finished the work for a module, it’s important to still submit the work you have done. Work handed in after the deadline and without extenuating circumstances will be considered late and can only receive a maximum mark of 40% which is equivalent to a pass at a 3rd class degree. There may be times when, for personal reasons that are beyond your control, you are unable to hand in work on time or of your usual quality. If this is the case you must let your tutor know as soon as possible. If you wish to have extenuating circumstances (EC) considered, talk to your Programme Leader.

There will also be regular group tutorials, where you and your peers have the opportunity to discuss issues with your Programme staff. Your Programme Leader and team will discuss the tutorial process further during the induction period.

Award requirements

70% from your third year. Don’t make the mistake of thinking your first year doesn’t count. Work as hard as possible and experiment, as this is the best opportunity to learn from any mistakes.

To be eligible for a Bachelors (BA) Hons degree you must achieve a minimum of 360 credits. Year 1 – Level 4, 120 credits to pass Year 2 – Level 5, 120 credits to pass Year 3 – Level 6, 120 credits to pass

For students who are completing a topup year (e.g. students progressing from a Foundation Degree or students who have studied elsewhere), the degree classification will be based on a weighting of 100% of the aggregate mark from your top-up year.

You must pass each module with at least 40% awarded for the summative (final) assessment in order to pass the year. Your final degree is awarded based on 30% of your grades from your second year and

FIRST CLASS HONOURS (1)

SECOND CLASS HONOURS HIGHER DIVISION (2.1)

70.0% 60.0% - 69.9% and above

SECOND CLASS HONOURS LOWER DIVISION (2.2)

50.0% - 59.9% THIRD CLASS HONOURS (3)

40.0% - 49.9%

See the Student Handbook for detailed academic information. Student Survival Guide

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING Getting into a routine • Don’t skip meals – you may think it’s saving you time, but it’ll actually make you less productive. • When you have time to cook, make an extra portion or two and freeze them, so you’ve always got something easy and healthy available.

You might find that a routine during Freshers’ Festival is difficult to attain – you’ll probably be too busy having fun, meeting friends and enjoying your newfound freedom. However, it’s important to develop a routine for yourself when things have settled down, as no-one else is going to do it for you and there’ll be much less structure than you’re used to.

of beer is equivalent to appox. 3 units of alcohol. Alternating alcohol with soft drinks is definitely the way forward. • Stay with your friends – there’s safety in numbers.

Alcohol

Tip: It is important to eat both before and after drinking alcohol. It’ll help you feel much better the morning after!

While alcohol can seem to dominate students’ lives, it doesn’t have to be that way and certainly not all of the time. There are plenty of events that don’t centre on alcohol, which also usually makes it easier to build friendships.

Eating Food is fuel. Preparing meals and having plenty of healthy snacks handy will help you avoid eating crisps and chocolate. There are many useful food outlets around Plymouth College of Art. Make sure you get nutrition from a variety of foods (not just pasta!).

• If you do drink alcohol, be sensible – remember, 14 units for women and 21 units for men is the recommended limit. A 175ml glass of wine or a pint

Make time for household chores Consideration is the key to communal living. And it’ll probably help you concentrate if you’re living in a clean, tidy environment.

Get plenty of sleep • Make sure you get enough sleep, so you’re up and ready for those 9am starts!

• Plan a time to do laundry and do it at the same time every week – it’ll make it easier to make sure you have enough clothes for the week.

• Try to wake up at a set time each day – you will get into a pattern and get the most out of your day. Use an alarm clock.

Make time for socialising and exercise

• If you think they don’t work for you, be inventive – set multiple alarms, use high volumes, put it out of reach of your bed or even use a vibrating alarm under your pillow.

All work and no play … you know the rest! • Make sure you leave some time in your routine to have some fun – it will help you concentrate better when you’re studying, and it’s important to get a broad range of experiences from your university life.

Have regular, healthy meals Regular meals are important. They help maintain energy levels and encourage concentration during lectures.


Tip: If you are dropped off by your parents or guardians, consider asking them to take you for a big food shop before they go, so that you have enough food to last you throughout Freshers’ Festival.

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A documented side-effect for some new students is the loss or gain of 14 pounds in weight, known as ‘the Freshers’ 14’.

loneliness, there are people you can talk to, including the Student Hub, the Student’s Union and your tutors, amongst others. • Low levels of anxiety and stress are normal – don’t worry about worrying!

The lifestyle overhaul of starting university can be quite challenging, but being aware of the choices you’re making and the impact they may have on your health is important. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to avoid the dreaded Freshers’ 14!

Health You may find you come down with a bad cold at the start of term – this is called ‘Freshers’ flu’ but is usually nothing to worry about. Be prepared! There’s no perfect solution, but if you do catch it, having a supply of cold remedies, throat lozenges and tissues will help you get through.

Exercise With your new environment and lifestyle it’s easy to forget about exercise, but it can help you de-stress, as well as stay physically fit. There are plenty of options: • The Life Centre • The Gym Group • Go for a walk or run – it’s free!

Health tips: • Have a dental check-up and get any treatment done before you arrive. • Register with a local GP and a dentist on arrival. • Keep a number for next-of-kin in your mobile phone under NOK (Next Of Kin) or ICE (In Case of Emergency) so that others can find this too. • If you suffer with long-term conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, etc., make sure your neighbours in your Halls of Residence or flatmates know what your condition is – and where vital medication is kept.

Homesickness It’s equally important to be aware of mental wellbeing. Homesickness is very common for those moving away from home for the first time. • Talk to people – you’ll be amazed how many others are feeling the same. • Be aware of the services offered by the Plymouth College of Art. Whether it’s stress, homesickness or


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WHAT WE EXPECT

During your time with us you will be encouraged to be engaged, as an emerging or more established artist, in a range of contemporary arts practices. This is what we refer to as studentship – making and thinking. • Work to the best of your ability with passion.

Below are the key objectives surrounding Studentship at Plymouth College of Art. The aim is to create a supportive community that will guide your creativity and help you to succeed.

• Provide honest feedback to help future College developments.

As a Plymouth College of Art student you will… •

• Take responsibility for your own learning; explore a wide range of mediums, equipment and resources.

Attend sessions regularly and punctually with a respectful and professional attitude.

• Maintain positive lines of communication with College staff, including keeping current contact details up-to-date through Moodle.

• Take responsibility for finding out about course requirements, including deadlines, expected levels of attendance and engagement and academic regulations.

• If you pay fees or have a student loan for your studies, make yourself familiar with your financial commitment to the College.

• Share your knowledge and opinions; participate in the PCA culture of open communication and ask for help when you need it.

It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Student Handbook, as this contains more information about Studentship, what we expect from you and what you can expect from us. As soon as you have your Login to the Student Portal you will be able to access and download a copy. https:// sites.google.com/a/pca.ac.uk/students/ student-handbook

• Treat fellow students, staff members and the College environment with consideration and respect. • Be creative and enthusiastic; take part in new things and approach tasks with a positive mind-set. Join in!


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CHECKLIST – WHAT TO BRING

THINGS YOU WON’T NEED

Think carefully about the amount of stuff you take to university – avoid taking heaps of extra stuff ‘just in case’. You will probably only have a small room with very limited cupboard space, and you’ll probably be moving out again in June. One large suitcase of clothes, a couple of boxes and a bin liner of bedding is probably about the level to aim for.

A-level textbooks. You will not need ‘Introduction to Biology’. You can leave all your carefully written A level notes at home as well, because you won’t need them either. You may wish to buy some books before arrival; however, don’t feel pressured to buy loads of books just yet. And remember that second-hand books are just as good.

Your checklist might include:

• Book tokens. Many friends and relatives like giving you these. Ask for Amazon vouchers instead so that you can buy books cheaply or purchase other things that you may need. • A lovely matching set of rigid suitcases. If these don’t fit under your bed, then where are you going to store them? Squashy nylon holdalls, bin-liners and strong cardboard boxes are much better for taking stuff to university. • A car. Unless you have secured one of the few properties that offer parking spaces, then there will be nowhere to park it! Like many city centre campuses, Plymouth College of Art does not offer parking. Everywhere else will likely cost you a fortune in pound coins, day and night. • Pets. No, you cannot take your kitten, dog, budgie or hamster to Halls with you. Leave them at home as well. • Relatives and guardians. Once they’ve helped you in with your stuff and made small talk with your neighbours, it’s time for them to go home. Provide tissues. But make sure they go. They do not need to stay overnight anywhere ‘just in case you need us’. However, if they offer, do consider letting them take you out for a decent meal before they leave!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Family photos Alarm clock or clock radio Hot water bottle Your favourite mug Bedding Laundry items Clothes & shoes Bags & rucksacks Stationary Watch & jewellery Copy of prescription/s Toiletries (and makeup and sanitary items) Contraceptives Student planner/diary Calendar Passport & Driving licence (useful ID) National Insurance number, CV and references


• NHS medical card (if you have one) • Details of your health insurance (overseas students) • Insurance documents • Any information from your LEA, the SLC (Student Loans Company) or Student Finance Direct • Your unconditional offer from the university, relevant exam certificates or results slips • Any documents regarding your accommodation • Bank or building society details • Travel discount cards (16–25 Railcard etc.). Great for cheap travel home • Electrical items (laptop, chargers, mp3 players, extension leads, etc.) • First-aid box

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USEFUL CONTACTS Student Hub Enquiries T: +44 (0)1752 203423 E: [email protected] Learning Support and Disability Team T: +44 (0)1752 203424 (Ext 227) E: [email protected] Health and Wellbeing T: +44 (0)1752 203418 E: [email protected] Careers T: +44 (0)1752 203434 (Ext 227) E: [email protected] Counselling T: +44 (0)1752 203439 E: [email protected] Finance T: +44 (0)1752 203423 E: [email protected] Reception & Enquiries team T: +44 (0)1752 203434 E: [email protected] Learning Resource Centre – library, digital journals, magazines and DVDs T: +44 (0)1752 203413 E: [email protected] Equipment Resources Centre – for photography and media equipment T: +44 (0)1752 203401 E: [email protected] Students’ Union T: +44 (0)1752 203434 (Ext 337) E: [email protected] IT Helpdesk – support for IT queries, software and related resources T: +44 (0)1752 203434 (Ext 449) E: [email protected]


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