With all the events that fill the Freshers’ timetable, as well as all the new people you’ll be meeting and that nice wedge of cash in your bank account we know that indulging in drinking is high on many people’s agenda.
We realise that drinking excessively during Freshers is fairly inevitable - so pace yourself. You might think you can hold your own when downing the shots, but it is a myth that hugging the toilet all night is a good way to look.
To ease the effects, try and eat a good meal before drinking and try and alternate your alcoholic drinks with water or a soft drink.
For more advice take a look at our alcohol advice page
You won’t need to buy every book from your reading list – it will cost you a small fortune.
Talk to tutors, who will help prioritise your purchases and, unless you are specifically told you need a certain edition, an older version will still be just as sufficient for key information. Buying books online and second-hand will be a fraction of the cost.
The Library and Learning Resource Centre at your campus also has thousands of books, so what’s the point in buying them when they might be there waiting for you to come take them out!
One of the main features of student life is you’ll never have to pay full price for anything.
Trust us when we say - milk it for all it’s worth!!
Freshers’ Fayre is the prime time for getting hold of freebies and finding out where you can get discounts locally so make sure you get down to yours and make the most of it. Find out when your campus’ Freshers’ Fayre is here.
With so many people from so many environments coming together to have a good time, it is no wonder ‘freshers’ flu’ is rife throughout the first term. Register with a doctor and, if you are under 25, pick up an HC1 form from your SU campus office to claim financial support for prescriptions and medical costs.
Your Students’ Union is your first port of call for your entertainment needs!
Every year we provide students with a jam-packed schedule of events. For the most up to date information on what’s going on in your SU, keep an eye out on Events!
Don’t forget to pick up a copy of your Freshers’ Entertainments Timetable from your SU
It’s the biggest night in the Freshers’ calendar - and with good reason!
Check out all the details by looking at the events page
We offer our students great opportunities to get involved on many levels that will shape the Union to serve you best. From the day to day running right up to the big decisions for change. Whether you want join our different campaigns carried out throughout the year or instigate your own, the SU can support you be it an individual or whole campus movement. We encourage and offer opportunities to volunteer, through elected positions on the SU Council, becoming a Freshers’ Helper, joining the Entertainments Committee and working in the community, while also supporting several charities during the year through a range of fundraising events that students can be a part of.
Want to help out but aren’t sure where you’ll fit in - come and speak to your campus officer
The morning after the night before is never easy – especially when there’s a 9am lecture to get to. Recent studies at the University of Newcastle have shown bacon sandwiches to be a scientifically-proven cure – wash it down with an aspirin and a glass of juice to boost energy levels, and you’re good to go!
Better still, drinking a pint of water before you go to bed will help prevent dehydration as you sleep/pass out.
Everyone understands that being at university is a great opportunity to have fun, but being seriously ill is anything but fun. Drinking responsibly is key to having a fun and safe night! So keep that in mind…
Students own more expensive consumer goods per head than the rest of the population, according to the Home Office, and one in three becomes the victim of a crime each year.
Our suggestion of taking out contents insurance may cause a yawn, but in a new environment you need to be on your guard.
Check with your parents!
Many students belongings are covered under their parents home insurance so double check before you take out a policy of your own.
There are specialist student insurance companies out there that can help - they’re bound to be at Freshers’ Fayre or you can pop into your SU office and we’ll give you some contact details.
In the meantime, lock doors and windows when you leave your room and keep anything valuable that could get pinched or damaged out of sight.
Many students pay some of their way through university with a part-time job, working either at weekends, evenings or holidays.
Bars and restaurants are an excellent place to start looking, as well as local shops and supermarkets. There are also opportunities on campus for work; the SU Bar in Farnham employs student staff and the University run a Student Ambassador scheme (watch out during Freshers Fair)
We also have an award-winning Careers Service here at UCA who are more than willing to help you out with finding work, be it part-time, work placements or your career long-term. Visit them here.
Ok, so we know we’re stretching it a bit to suggest that you keep your rooms spick’n’span! However, the University do regularly inspect Halls of Residence and Private Landlords have the ability to deduct money from your deposit to cover any cleaning costs after you leave. But most importantly, we don’t like to think of our lovely students living in squalor!
They may have badgers for eyebrows and patches on their elbows, but without them you can’t pass your course units, which, after all, is your raison d’etre!
They aren’t just there to teach and judge your academic ability, they can offer help, guidance and support on other issues, so make sure you listen to their advice. They have after all, guided thousands of students through the course before you. Make use of the support that’s there for you. You will meet all these important folk during the initiation of your course!
The UCA Hoody - a UCA student wardrobe staple.
You can buy your hoody at Freshers’ Fayre, they’re available in grey, red and purple, sizes S, M, L ans XL.
For £11 you can buy an NUS Extra card which will get you an untold numbers of student discounts in shops, cinemas, online and a host of other venues for the next three or four years.
You can order yours now at the NUS Website and it will be sent to your SU campus office for you to collect! You’ll need to upload a picture of yourself for the card. It’s great value for money and highly recommended!
Almost all student bank accounts offer a free overdraft facility, so how do you know which is the best?
Focus on the banks that offer the longest zero per cent facility. Opt for a tiered overdraft which staggers the amount you are paid over the years. Never go above your agreed limit without prior consent from the bank. Charges and interest can be crippling and could send your account out of control. Exceeding your limit could also damage your credit status, which could become a problem if you seek credit in the future. It’s easy to think that your money is in limitless supply when you’re at Uni, however you should keep an eye on your finances.
Find yourself in financial difficulty - SPEAK TO SOMEONE
Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. The University offers a great Money Doctors service with advisers to help you manage your money.
Pasta is so dependable and usually a staple of a students diet! It’s affordable, filling, speedy, easy and tasty!
Don’t be tempted to live on takeaway (no matter how many discount vouchers you manage to snaffle from the Freshers’ Fayre!) you’ll soon notice the impact it has on your general wellbeing, not to mention your waistline!
For all the fun of uni, it can be pretty daunting and hard to adjust to life away from home. Some people seriously consider quitting.
There’s no shame in it, student life just isn’t for some people, but use the services of your Student Union, and seek advice from tutors, parents and friends before making your decision.
For more information pick up the ‘Thinking of Leaving’ leaflet from your SU campus office, or pop in and have a chat with us.
Because UCA is divided into five small campuses there is a great sense of community about the place. As such, we’re a friendly bunch that take care of each other. It’s also important to respect the local communities in which we live, which includes being as quiet as we can when stumbling home in the wee small hours!
We have one request:
If you’re doing it, do it safely!
STIs are thriving amongst under 25s in the UK so make sure you protect yourself. Take a look at our Sexual Health page for more.
Find out if your residence has a TV licence and who is responsible for paying it. If your property does not have a licence and you are found to be watching TV without one you can be taken to court. You are responsible, not your landlord.
Joining clubs and societies is a great way to make new friends outside of your house or course. Clubs and societies can offer a host of new experiences from football to a new enthusiasm for black and white film.
Click on the Clubs section on the navigation bar above to see our extensive list of clubs and societies that you can join!
Nothing of interest? Start your own! Clubs and Societies are created and run by students and funded, in part, by the Students’ Union. If you have an idea - pop in and see us.
Your body is a temple, so look after it.
The student diet isn’t renowned for its health benefits, but vitamin tablets will help fight off illness and are an excellent hangover cure if ever you need one.
Having said that, stick to a balanced diet and eat your 5-a-day and you’ll be fine.
We can’t think of anybody who doesn’t have a Facebook account! It’s probably the easiest way to keep in touch with friends and family and also the best way to find out what’s going on! Become a fan of us at facebook.com/ucasu
This website has only been in existence for a few months now and we’re wondering what the hell we did without it! Register on the site to get access to lots of features made especially for you! You can even personalise it so you get the most out of it.
Membership payments are now done online for all our Clubs and Societies. This makes it much easier to see what’s going on!
Not freshers related but you try and come up with something relevant beginning with X….
The most important thing to remember is that the Students’ Union are here for YOU. If you have any questions or queries, problems or issues, or just want to chat - pop by and say hello - we’re here to help.
You are about to embark on three years of partying and studying, so you’ll need to cram in a few power naps to keep you going.
The lecture theatre is not the best place to catch on on your 40 winks so make sure you grab them when you can. The main reason you’re here is to learn. The main reason we’re here is to help you have fun whilst doing so!
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