There are many aspects to managing money at university, but here are three tips that spring to mind!
Make a budget
Creating and sticking to a budget is hard work, and can be quite a learning curve. However, I found it to be the best method to help me stay on top of my finances. Expenses can quickly add up, so keeping to a budget helps you from overspending on things you don’t really need.
Part-time work
An extra source of income can never hurt, especially at university, where social events are so common...
Students: people who are notoriously bad with money, spending it all on nights out and takeaways, with no regard for the essentials like rent, bills, and ACTUAL food.
I’m a third year music student at the University of Nottingham, and I must admit that even I have fallen into believing this stereotype. Whilst I have friends that seem to struggle a little with budgeting, I also know many students that are smashing it. Here are my top five tips on how to manage your money well at uni (and still have room for that legendary Chinese takeaway down the road).
1.Work out the essentials
Sit down with a pen and paper, and write down everything you MUST pay each month. Things like rent, bills, phone contracts, subscriptions – all the things that will be coming out of your bank account each month that could easily go unnoticed if you’re not aware of them. So, work out how much money you have coming in each...
By National Association of Disability Practitioners in Support
• Do you have any needs that make studying more difficult for you?
• Have you had some extra assistance in school?
• Not had help at school, but feel you may need it studying at a higher level away from home?
What can I do to help myself now?
Telephone, email, or visit the disability support office for your college or university.
You may never have heard about NADP, the National Association of Disability Practitioners – in fact, doing a Google Search for NADP brings up a host of interesting options such as a complex biochemical protein, the National Anti-Doping Panel, Novel and Dangerous Pathogens, and something to do with teeth! But we are actually a professional organisation, with members working with disabled students across post-16 education....
September is coming and we all know what that means – the famously frantic freshers’ weeks are upon us! It might be your first time away from home or perhaps you’re just concerned about getting organised, or how you’re going to afford the weekly food bill.
Every year, AbilityNet helps thousands of students with a range of disabilities to get the most from their time at university, and we know that preparation is key. That’s why we’ve put together a list of apps that we think might help you prepare for the start of term…
1.Organisation – ‘Swipes’ – this handy app is essentially a funky to do list – it allows you to ‘swipe’ tasks to the right to complete them or to the left to remind you later. It’s a nice way of prioritising the things you can do right away and things you can put off until you’re ready. Make your way through your daily tasks, and even get a nice satisfying fanfare at the end.
I will never forget the day I finished my final A level exam. FREEDOM. The summer that followed was one of the happiest times of my life. No worries. No revision. No pressure. But all good things come to an end, and before the summer was up it was results day. I still get just a little bit sick thinking about it. It was many years ago now but in many ways, it feels like yesterday. It's like a slow-motion rollercoaster. There is nothing you can do to alter or change those results.
So much pressure is placed on those few results. I can remember thinking that my whole life could be made or broken by them. University and thence my career both relied on them. I remember opening the envelope. Heart pounding as my eyes settled on the marks. I could see a D and an N. N...
Are you a student with a disability or impairment? Or a parent? Or someone working with disabled students in higher education? Would you like specialist advice and expert information on how best to support your/their studies? AbilityNet can help.
AbilityNet helps people of any age and with any disability to use technology, to achieve their goals at home, at work, and in education. We provide specialist advice services, and publish free information resources on our website.
University is a time of independence, new experiences, and new challenges. It’s exciting, but for some these new challenges may be on top of challenges faced every day, challenges that place additional burden that might affect your ability to study.
If you have a disability that affects your ability to study, such as a learning difference like dyslexia or ADHD, you may be eligible for additional support with your studies. This support might be equipment, human support or may be financial help with the additional costs associated with your disability.
This blog will help you understand some of the support options available to you.
Financial support
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a UK Government grant which provides personalised support to disabled students in Higher Education. This is funding you don’t have to pay back and can include specialised hardware or software, or support from specialist staff, to make your learning activities as...
It’s really important to remember that studying at university isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ experience. As well as finding the right course, take some time to work out what kind of experience you want out of the next few years, so you don’t get swept up with what your friends are doing, or go for the first option that comes your way.
For example, do you want to study in a city or campus-based provider? If you need to work to support yourself during your studies, what are the employment opportunities like?
If possible, do this before results day – research viable alternatives just in case. If you get the grades, then great, but if you don’t, be prepared! Would you go to Glastonbury without your wellies?
Look at courses, entry criteria, the university environment, facilities, the social scene, bursaries, and...
We know you may be anxious waiting for your exam results, and have lots of questions, but try and stay calm – there is plenty you can do to prepare!
You may achieve better results than expected, but if things haven’t gone as you hoped, universities will be able to help you through Clearing.
Our top tips are:
Get ready – even if you’re feeling confident, do some contingency planning by making a list of possible alternative courses and universities. This will be easy to check against the Clearing listings when they are published.
Don’t go on holiday! If you do need to go through Clearing, being near a phone and computer is...
So, you’ve decided that a music degree is right for you, and you've submitted your application. You’re now probably thinking about the next step, your audition… The word alone can be enough to make your heart beat and palms sweat! But don’t worry – here are five ways to impress the assessor, and ace your audition.
1. Learn the material
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse – this is your time to shine, so make sure you’re prepared.
2. Don’t be late
Think of the audition as a job interview. Arriving early shows you’re committed and gives a good first impression.
3. Relax
Although you might feel under pressure, your assessor is as keen for...