Reposting early info due to popular demand

A lot of people have requested that we repost the original postings that we had in this blog, as they are now so far buried down that they are easily missed.  It seems a sensible thing to do, given the wealth of useful information that they contain.  In light of that please find below the very first post that got this blog started over 3 years ago!

The information it contains is still very relevant to today's student market, so it's worthwhile spending a few minutes carefully reading and digesting the information that it contains.

When to start looking for your student house 

So you made it through your first term at university, and now you and your new found friends have to start thinking about where to live for the next few years. It's an important decision and, as with lots of things in life, it pays to do some research and to get organised. Good student accommodation is getting snapped up earlier and earlier with every passing year, and it is not uncommon for the very best flats and houses to be booked before Christmas for the following year.

Typical Student House Living area

Where to find student lets

1. Use a reputable letting agency 
2. Check websites like gumtree 
3. Enquire with the university accommodation office

If you are looking to move away from halls of residence, the first thing is to use a reputable letting agency that is well known and well regarded in your city. A good agent will only offer accommodation that meets a certain standard, and will act as a buffer between you and the landlord. It's in their interest to help resolve any issues that either side might have. They will look after your deposit in a government approved scheme and be a point of contact for you if any problems arise.

What part of the city should you look for a student house?

You now need to decide which part of the city you and your friends want to live in. This will be your base for the next few years, and so ideally you want somewhere that is handy for the university but also close to the student union, the bars and clubs that you prefer, or the sports centre or clubs that you regularly attend. Good local supermarkets and shops are also a bonus as reducing any travel with heavy shopping bags is essential. If you want everything on the list, make sure you start looking early. 

Example of a 6 bedroom student house in Bristol
Example of a 1 bedroom student flat in Bristol

Writing Essays and Data Wrangling

Probably the one thing that you can't avoid at university is writing essays.  It's important to be able to overcome what can seem like a daunting task at the start, and taking the process one small step at a time can really help.

Firstly, try not putting the inevitable off, as the closer the deadline, the worse the finished product will be.  Starting the job sooner, and working in small increments, is far better.

By far the most important thing to do when doing any sort of work with a computer is BACK EVERYTHING UP OFTEN.  There is an old saying that data does not exist, unless it exists in two separate places, and it's probably the most important thing to remember when dealing with any digital content.  If you only have one copy and you have a hard disc failure or your laptop is stolen, then all that work no longer exists and all that effort has been wasted.  Make a copy (preferably more than one!) and store it physically somewhere else.  If it's a document then store it in the cloud somewhere as well.

It's one of those issues that you never forget if it's happened to you ever, so take my advice and remember to do it the easy way rather than the hard way!

Great tips for students

I was browsing some student related websites and came across this page that is a great set of useful life hacks aimed primarily at students.  I thought it only right to share them with you.....enjoy:

http://www.savethestudent.org/extra-guides/57-tricks-life-hacks.html

If you found that useful then you might want to consider setting up your own student blog.  It can be a useful place to vent any issues you have and over time you'll build up a steady following of like minded people.  blogger.com is as good a place as any to start.

Starting Your University Life

Freshers week can be a daunting time for many, living away from home for the first time.  Being surrounded by strangers in a strange town can be potentially upsetting, but there are many ways to cope with this.

Remember that theses strangers will be people you know very well over the next few months, so your sense of isolation shouldn't last too long.  Even making one friend can break the ice as you will then meet their friends and the whole thing will snowball.

Of course you won't find that you get on with everyone, and it's important to quickly work out whose company you will enjoy.  In universities like Bristol, people mostly live in halls in the first year and then live more independently in student flats and houses for the remainder of their time at university.  Increasingly the most desirable student accommodation is snapped up for the following year by the end of December of the previous academic year, so that only gives you a window of a few months to find a like minded group of friends to rent with for the next year.

How will the 2015 election effect students

Now that the dust has settled and we are into the first conservative government majority since 1992, a lot of students are asking how it will effect them.

The main concerns on the various student forums are to do with tuition fees, and if they will rise.  That seems to be almost inevitable in the current climate.

Given the current distaste for increased public borrowing, a dwindling tax base as our population ages overall and the face that government now has to rob Peter to pay Paul, the chances that student fees will remain static over the next 5 years is a remote one.

One way of dealing with this is making sure that you budget correctly, and we have dealt with that in an earlier post.  Finding accommodation where various costs are included, like heating, is another way of making sure that you don't get any nasty financial surprises.

Some Images of Student Accommodation Then And Now

Student accommodation has come a long way in the last 20 years, and nowadays what students take for granted would have seemed like a luxury hotel to your parents generation.

Click on the link below to see how they fared at university:

www.thedebrief.co.uk

Now compare that to some pictures of what decent student accommodation looks like today:

And if you want to know where these photos came from then click on this link below:

www.bristol-student-accommodation.co.uk/

Importance of maintenance

Living on your own for the first time can be a rude awakening for anyone.  Things that parents used to do for you are suddenly your responsibility.  In such instances it pays to know a bit of basic DIY to avoid having to make expensive call outs to tradesmen for things which you could easily fix yourself.

An easy example of this is to buy a plunger to clear slow flowing or blocked drains.  A plumber would charge you a call put fee before spending 30 seconds clearing your sink in the same way....result is you find that you've spent £95 on something that a £3 plunger could have been sorted on your own.

In our luxury student accommodation at 4 St. Pauls Road we take care of maintenance for all our student flats ourselves, thus taking this burden away from our students.  For further details please visit www.bristol-student-accommodation.co.uk  or www.4stpaulsroad.co.uk 

Residents Parking around Bristol University

A new academic year and new things to deal with for many students.  A few years ago Bristol became one of the few cities in the UK to have an elected mayor, who has very real powers.

The mayor has been elected as an independent, hoping to tackle issues that effect the city but which have been too politically toxic for the big parties to address.  One such problem is that Bristol is one of the cities in the country with the worst traffic congestion.  Dealing with that issue has probably been the most visible example of the mayor wielding his powers.

As a result, many areas around the university now have residents parking schemes, in an attempt to limit commuters coming into the city on a daily basis.  This also has an impact on students wanting to bring their cars with them to Bristol university.  To apply for a permit the car needs to be registered to the relevant address in Bristol, so students whose cars are registered at their parents residential address won't get a permit.  There is also an upper limit of permits per houshold, with each permit costing more than the first in an attempt to discourage multiple car ownership in households.

All these things need thinking about if you are planning on bringing your car to university in Bristol this year.   For more detailed information head to www.bristol.gov.uk/page/transport-and-streets/residents-parking-schemes

Making a Bit of Extra Money

Everyone knows how hard it is to live on a student grant, so the majority of students now need some sort of extra finance to help them through their university years.  Whilst the traditional tried and tested method of a few shifts at the local pub or club is still the preferred route for many to take, nowadays there are other ways of making a bit of money on the side.

At universities with medical schools attached there are often clinical trials which require willing (human) guinea pigs.  These often pay good money, but obviously you personally have to weigh up if you want to take the risk with your own body becoming a test laboratory for some unproven pharmaceuticals.

For the more artistic amongst you, uploading videos to youtube can be a useful steady stream of income.  If you can make the right content that finds an audience, then you can take a share of the ad revenue that is generated from clicks on your content, and a successful video can get a lot of clicks.

These are just a couple of ideas to hopefully get you thinking outside the box when it comes to finding the cash for the next rent cheque.

Student Finance

Keeping control of your money is one of the hardest things that you face whilst at university.  You've initially got the hurdle of applying to the students loan company which provided funding to students across the UK on behalf of the Government.  Then you need to budget wisely to make this money last.

Many students find it necessary to undertake part time work to help fund their studies.  Even if you only do a couple of shifts each week behind the bar at the local pub, it can really help you stay afloat financially.  You can treat this money as your recreational spending fund and keep it ring fenced from your main account.

Keep track of the monthly spending and tot it up regularly to find out where your money really is going.  Over a few months you can quite often see a pattern and highlight where any overspend is happening.

Leaving university with a debt is now the norm rather than the exception.  The key is keeping that debt as low as possible so it isn't a huge burden once you leave the sheltered space of university and venture out into the real world of full time work and increased commitments.

Residents Parking In Bristol

As you may be aware, Bristol is one of the few cities in the UK with an independent elected Mayor.  George Ferguson does not hold just a ceremonial position however....in his hands is concentrated all the power that used to be held by the elected parties on the council.

This 'enlightened despot' position allows him to push through some schemes which he thinks are beneficial to the city, but which would be electoral poison to the established parties.  One such thing is residents parking permits across the whole central part of the city.

the scheme has been slightly scaled back in its initial implementation, but make no mistake...if you live within one of the 18 proposed areas then residents parking is coming to a street near you in the near future.

To find out more about how it might effect your household, go onto the council residents parking website section.

A useful website I've found...

Now its that time of year again when you're either returning to university or, far more dauntingly, starting out in your first year.  Either way, you may well have a lot of questions or issues that are bothering you.

A useful website for such matters is www.thestudentroom.co.uk Many universities have a dedicated forum on there, and even if yours doesn't, then the general forums can offer helpful advice or just be a place for you to let off steam.

Anyway, whether your coming back or arriving for the first time, have a great first term of the new academic year.

Some useful student links

I thought it would be useful to post some links up which you might find useful in your time at university.


General student websites                                  www.student123.com  
                                                                    www.studentuk.com  
                                                                    www.ucas.co.uk

well respected student letting agency in Bristol.    www.yourabode.co.uk

An example of some well received 
modern student accommodation.                    www.bristol-student-accommodation.co.uk

Student financial advice                                   www.studentmoneynet.co.uk

An Innovative Scheme is piloted in Bristol to Reduce Student Waste

A growing problem in student communities is how best to dispose of unwanted items at the end of the academic year. That once essential printer is now another box to cram into the car home and that bike that you bought dirt cheap from your friend is not going to fit in the roofbox whatever way you push it.
Recently in Bristol a scheme to encourage students to donate items for reuse to a local children’s charity has been very successful, diverting 1.2 tonnes of waste from landfill and raising £5,000 for CLIC Sargent. The scheme involved the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England, and resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in residents’ complaints about student waste.

Special bags where left at student houses in areas of the city with high concentrations of student properties, and these bags where filled with unwanted items and collected by the charity, in partnership with the local refuse collection company May Gurney. 

Being a good neighbour

Life as a student is radically different from being at home.  Never underestimate how different life will be once you've fled the nest and washing doesn't magically reappear clean and ironed back in you room, and the rubbish bin needs emptying by you rather than somebody else.

Once you're in your own place it's important to be a responsible member of the community.  In city based universities such as Bristol, students live in suburban areas alongside families with young children and professionals who have to get up each day for work.  This means that late night noise should be kept inside and with windows closed.

Also students seem to find rubbish and recycling hard to understand.  Lots of cities run fortnightly rubbish collection with weekly recycling collections.  These are normally sorted into food waste, plastics (not black plastic currently in many areas), cardboard and paper. Check on your local government website for a printable calendar of these dates.  In Bristol this is the link

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/recycling-and-waste

Make sure that the bins are out on the pavement the night before, and collected back onto your property once the collection has taken place.  Most councils won't take extra bags left next to bins so please make sure you recycle as much as possible to ensure that your bin doesn't overflow. 

Paying Bills in a Student House

Once you've sorted out your accommodation, you need to decide whose responsible for paying each bill.  While it might seem egalitarian to say that you are all responsible for all bills, in reality the utility companies always want someone's name on the bill, so it make sense to divide this responsibility up between you i.e. one of you pays the phone bill, one the gas bill etc.

As a student you are exempt from paying council tax, although try and avoid living with part time students or non students as they are not exempt and that means that the whole property is liable for this bill.

A lot of people nowadays don't have a landline as their mobile suffices, but bear in mind that most broadband providers require you to have a landline, although cable and satellite companies often produce a bundle that covers, phone, TV and broadband.

Finally remember to get a TV licence, although you only need one per house even if you have multiple TV's.

Student Travel & Car Ownership

When at university, it's important to work out how you're going to be able to enjoy all the opportunities that you can whilst you're studying.  In cities like Bristol and London the universities are situated right in the heart of the city, so finding student accommodation nearby can give you access to all the action without any of the hassle of trying to get there each day.

Bristol is currently rolling out a residents parking scheme, which is limiting parking to those who live around the university, and making sure that those who live elsewhere in the city have to use public transport to get in each day.

For an example of some modern student accommadation that is located in a prime location  in Bristol between the students union building and the main campus, follow this link:

www.bristol-student-accommodation.co.uk

How to choose a student flat

Facilities

Over the last decade the standard of student accommodation has risen dramatically. If you are paying a premium rate for your house or flat then you should expect a premium standard of accommodation. The top end of the market will have bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, larger than standard single sized beds, well appointed kitchens with washing machines and microwaves, and communal living spaces with comfy sofas. 

Typical kitchen in a shared student house

Bills

Windows should be double glazed for warmth and the houses should be well insulated with a modern well maintained boiler. Some landlords may even offer heating and hot water as part of the rent, allowing you to not have to worry about theses things as they're already factored into your budget. Ideally your new student house should have access to some outside space, so you're not cooped up all day inside when the sun makes a rare appearance!

Location 

Finding a place to live can be a daunting prospect. If you are unsure about any of this then the most important thing that you can do is ask some of the older students for advice. They already know the city and know the good places to live, and they will help you decide where is right for you. For example, in a student city like Bristol, most university students prefer to be in the Clifton, Cotham or Redland areas as these parts are near the university but also near all the bars, clubs and shops on Whiteladies Road and the Triangle. It's knowledge like this that can make the difference between university being the time of your life, or it being just an education.

If you are looking for a student house in Bristol check out these student flats Bristol  

Shared Student Flats Where and When to Look?

When to start looking for your student house 

So you made it through your first term at university, and now you and your new found friends have to start thinking about where to live for the next few years. It's an important decision and, as with lots of things in life, it pays to do some research and to get organised. Good student accommodation is getting snapped up earlier and earlier with every passing year, and it is not uncommon for the very best flats and houses to be booked before Christmas for the following year.

Typical Student House Living area

Where to find student lets

1. Use a reputable letting agency 
2. Check websites like gumtree 
3. Enquire with the university accommodation office

If you are looking to move away from halls of residence, the first thing is to use a reputable letting agency that is well known and well regarded in your city. A good agent will only offer accommodation that meets a certain standard, and will act as a buffer between you and the landlord. It's in their interest to help resolve any issues that either side might have. They will look after your deposit in a government approved scheme and be a point of contact for you if any problems arise.

What part of the city should you look for a student house?

You now need to decide which part of the city you and your friends want to live in. This will be your base for the next few years, and so ideally you want somewhere that is handy for the university but also close to the student union, the bars and clubs that you prefer, or the sports centre or clubs that you regularly attend. Good local supermarkets and shops are also a bonus as reducing any travel with heavy shopping bags is essential. If you want everything on the list, make sure you start looking early. 

Example of a 6 bedroom student house in Bristol
Example of a 1 bedroom student flat in Bristol