All you need to know to survive at UniS! (Halls Of Residence At The University Of Surrey)

Member Name: midgy

Product:	Halls Of Residence At The University Of Surrey
Date:	19/07/01 (489 review reads)
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Advantages: On a campus , has a placement year, great place to learn and have fun

Disadvantages: Has very wet weather, Expensive area to live

As a student at UniS i thought it to be my duty to tell you all I have encounted through my first year.

ACCOMMODATION - The first question to ask yourself is where do you want to live? I left home and headed for halls, my brother stayed at home and my friend stayed in private accommodation. What shall I do you cry....well here are some pointers:

IN HALLS: You can have cheap (council flat look alike) to more expensive modern house accommodation. Of course this will all depend on your finances. If your like me with very little cash you'll opt for the latter. I was put into 'Surrey court' level four in a flat called 'Wey'.

First impressions of halls were not so hot when I arrived to unload my gear. Far too many stairs and virtually at the top of the hill! I looked around the floor and was amazed when I saw that 14 other people were to live with me on the same floor! For all its worth it didn't look the most hospitable place, but looks can be deceiving can't they?

When it came to evenings and special occasions (birthdays and such things) the place would become a rowdy hoard of alcoholics all wanting to have there say. Shocking really! It was like having a big extended family. It was great, especially getting up at 10 to 9 (literally) and strolling into lectures that were only a 2 minute walk!

The Union, the local superstore and many other bars and clubs were very accessible on campus to all the halls accommodation ranging from Twyford court area to University court area.

Problems were going into town as it was a good 15 minute walk, but many found using the local taxi service to combat this little problem. Vacating at holidays is an awful nuisance but it will depend on the halls as to when and if you have to. I had to at Christmas but not at Easter. Awkward aren't they?

STAYING AT HOME: You could use your loan to help save up for a car (as long as the distance you travel
isn't to far!). You don't have to pay for food and rent ( although travel will be an alternative expenditure). I'm sure you'll study better at home and it will be a cheaper lifestyle.

My brother stays with his friends at home as going out at UniS can be very challenging. He is combating that by staying at friends when going clubbing, but making friends at Uni is much slower when you're not their 24 hours a day. Thats to be expected I suppose.

The bad point he complains about most is the journey time because it takes him about an hour to travel in to uni each day.

PRIVATE ACCOMODATION: It is more expensive than halls in rent and because you pay separately for bills (electricity etc.). This may be specific to the area (it is very expensive to buy and rent property in Guildford).

You can be closer to the town pubs and clubs (this is good when the pubs are doing cheap prices at £1.09 a bottle and such likes. The student Uni facilities may be difficult to get to as you'll most probably have to walk up the hill to university campus. I guess its good exercise!

I would definitely recommend private accommodation after the first year. That way you can share with people you know and get along well with. It is always a mistake to share with strangers! I'm now living in private accommodation with two blokes and another female. Its great because I know them well after spending much of my free time with them at Halls.

Watch out for deposit costs! Ours was £250 each. The length of the tenancy is likely to be longer and hence you'll be spending more than at Halls. Also keep check of all health worries such gas fires they are one of the biggest killers of students.

SHOPPING: We all need to eat and as you'll find at UniS the shops aren't exactly the cheapest.

For veg, music and books visit the main student union on a Monday where there are some great offers. Keep to own
brand supermarket goods they are generally just as good.

Second hand textbooks will be advertised on your department notice board and are well worth it! Although you will get coupons off for books at the student book shop. Keep them for the essential books and don't buy text books you can easily access at the library its a waste of the little finance you'll have during Uni!

In town you could spend your entire budget very easily as all products are pretty expensive so try and avoid its temptation at all costs!

PUBS AND CLUBS: At the freshers fair join the pub crawl organisation they give out discounts to the local club in town on students night and everyone new will be there!

Visit the pubs in town for special days, cheaper drinks on Monday etc. and to use the vouchers for buy one get one free from the freshers fair (I'll be keeping my eyes open for them!).

The union has reduced its prices after lots of protests but still remains one of the most expensive union bars. Some drinks are cheaper but not all so be careful!

Events at the union are not to be missed from bands, fetish nights and foam parties to good old cheesy music. There was even a kind of stock exchange night on drinks where the prices rose with popularity, it generally meant drinks like whisky were 50p and bacardi breezers rose to over £3.50! The best point is when the market crashers. Anyone buying drinks at the bar then gets them free and it was on my round (he he)!

IMPORTANT TIPS: To get free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests and wigs (can you believe it!) fill in a HC1 form you can get one from the social security office, NHS hospitals, and some dentisits, opticians and doctors have them. Its very highly recommended especially as students always end up ill when they first get their (I did).

Stay well away from credit cards and get a good student bank deal.

You must go the the freshers fai
r. This is where you sign up for clubs ang get lots of vouchers off alcohol and meals etc. to help you through Uni.

If in problems finacially talk to your tutor or visit the student finance advisory section found in the building Wey, Surrey court. They will be able to help you out I asure you.

I have many other ideas to share and will update this with more useful information as time goes on.
In all HAVE FUN and enjoy UniS like I am!!

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