Ok so apologies for being a bit M.I.A but being in a long distance relationship means when I do finally get to see him I tend to enter a little bubble and everything else gets neglected!
BUT! Back to my student special and this is my final post regarding the segment. Basically I just wanted to end with a few reflections, confessions and hopefully a bit of advice!
Well i've gabbed on about money, savings etc but I just wanted to mention a few incidents that tend to crop up during your time at university, obviously not all applicable so please don't thing am suggesting or generalisng everyones expereince.
1) Money crisis- I know i've already discussed this but some times there is the odd occasion when you've overspent and something economical comes along and you're completely out of pocket. Here's what you can do (please note not all options maybe applicable and I DO NOT ADVICE GETTING INTO MORE DEBT) - Bank, if you already have a overdraft you can sometimes get an extended one
- Bank of mum and dad
- Go without, sacrafice nights out and luxuroius but never food!
- University, some if not all are equiped to give out emergency funds.
2) Falling out with a Flatmate- Not everyone will get on all of the time, it's just not realistic, especially when 5 people have been thrown together randomly the odds are at least two are going to clash. If you're in the middle and the arguement is between others try and avoid getting involved unless you strongly agree with one over the other, but if you prefer to avoid the aggro I'd highly recommend you just remain out of it and tell them to resolve it. If you are the one who is having an issue with another flat mate, then try to resolve the problem as clamly as possible the worst thing is to over-react and blow the situation out of proportion. Don't get others involve, too many cooks spoil the broth and too many in an arguement cause a war. If the situation is far too serious or drastic to resolve alone, contact your student services most are able to help in these circumstances, don't forget they've been doing it for years and have probably heard it all before.
On a side not I just want to confess, what began as a good laugh and fab time soon turned into the worst time of my life. In second year I hastily moved in with some people that turned into (well not to turn too nasty) but utter disasters. The situation I ended up with was a house infested with mice because people wouldn't clean or even bother throwing away rubbish, debt collectors chasing me and threatening me with legal action because same people wouldn't pay their share of the bill and a house that stank toppled with some serious uni work.
That said i'd just like to stress the importance of choosing who you move with in second year wisely. Most uni courses tend to step up a good notch in second year and the last thing you want is to come home from a long library sesh to a filthy house and rude housemates.
3) Issue with Course-mates- Sometimes during your course you maybe asked to work as a group, majority of the time this is fine, you're all on the course chances are you can work together maybe not get on but certainly figure out away of being compatible. That said sometimes you do get the odd one, that person who wants to sail threw by doing as little as possible. The best way to handle this is to try and be as hospitable as possible and try to accomodate them, e.g. if they keep saying they can't do a certain time suggest an alternative. Ultimately, though if they continue to avoid the work and well take the piss contact your lecturer asap, you want the issue resolved asap so you can get on with your work.
4) Health Issue- Wether this be of the embarrasing nature or just a general upset, don't ignore it. You can discuss anything with a uni rep, and you should sign up to a local doctors and if a probles persits go see them!
5) Stuggling- Uni life is hard no matter what the stereotypes say; mounting work load, money worries and social issues can all make life difficult but you are not alone! Talk to your friends chances are they're feeling the same way and talking out your problems can really make you feel better. As previously mentioned the Uni is set up to offer advice and help. Sometimes a trip home or to a friends, just to get away for a little bit can really help make you feel better.
6) Homesickness- So you're in a situation that has took you away from home, introduced you to a whole new way of life and really thrown you in the deep end. And you drowning, DON"T PANIC! this is a perfectly normal feeling. My best advice is to try and stick it out, going home will only re-enforce your home-safety net but if you find a way of handling it the better you'll feel. However if you are really not feeling it, you might need to ask yourself if Uni is really right for you, hard as it maybe it is not for everyone. Don't think any less of yourself, you maybe able to work something out with the uni so that you can travel from home and still attend or otherwise help you work something else out.
That's all I can think of but I hope it was of some use! Any other queries or if you have any further advice please let me know!
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