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Keep it scrimpy
Laura.

Fresher’s flu!

Everyone gets fresher’s flu on some level, I haven't (or haven’t yet) had it full whack but I have had it in a very mild form. Basically you get fresher's flu because after freshers and the first few weeks of uni you are so busy all the time and there has been so much change, you will be mega tired and your immune system just can’t cope. To make it worse with so many other people around it spreads, so just as you get rid of one BOOM! It’s back. Any good fresher should turn up with a well stocked ‘drugs bag’ containing a few basics for freshers flu and beyond!

Plasters should be carried by all. They always come in handy, after one your housemates has sliced their finger open into tonight's tea or you have blisters after that big night out.

 It's always good to keep those vitamin C levels up during freshers week so invest in some vitamin tablets. (even if the scientists say they don't work)

Throat sweets will be your savior during a really dull 2 hour lecture where your throat feels like it is ripping itself apart. Pop them in your bag and take them with you.

 These little beauties are amazing, sometimes all you need is that warm drink before bed and now they don't taste like crap. Well they still do but the blackcurrant taste helps a little.

 Flu tablet, get extra strength, you will need them. For me they were the only things that worked, if you can try to get caffeine free ones for at night or it can be really hard getting to sleep and it's hard enough sleeping in a bed that isn't yours.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen. The staple of any drugs bag. They can be used for anything.

 Vaporub works miracles over night. My dad sent me this up in my first week. It really is good stuff. you don't have to get branded though, it's all the same.

If you are feeling really groggy try putting a bit in a bowl of hot water and inhaling the vapours, it should clear the sinus'

This is good stuff, I'm not sure on the price I've had this tube forever, a little goes a very long way. It contains local anesthetic so whack it on a cut or blister for instant relief.

I would recommend stocking up on these BEFORE you come to uni. All boots does in September is whack their prices up so poor ill freshers have to pay more. Just buy a little bit every now and again or just do what I did and raid your parents stashes.

Thanks guys!

Keep it scrimpy,
Laura.

Education education education! (Finding the right course)

This is a follow up post from 'Home Sweet Home'

For some people going to uni isn’t about finding a place that is ‘home’ it’s about the course.

Applying for Uni starts way before you filling the dreaded UCAS form (seriously you will hate it by the end). Really it starts when you first start your A levels (or other form or further education after GCSE). This is the time you should be thinking about what course you want to do. Having a chat with your school/collage carer’s adviser is always a good idea. There are several things you should consider here:

1. What you are good at

                  You need to get good grades in your chosen subject. It’s that simple, if I agree with that or not is a different matter.

2. What you are passionate about

                  You are going to have to study your chosen subject for a minimum of three years, if you don’t enjoy it you wont be motivated to turn up to any lectures.

3. What is realistic

                  This kind of encompasses the two above, but be realistic about your choices, if you want to do veterinary or medicine, have you got the relevant experience? Those are possibly the two most competitive courses out there, for both you have to take an admissions test (check the UCAS website for more info on this). Have you got what it takes to stand out from the crowd?

4. What you want to do after Uni? 

                   Make sure that you are taking the right course for what you want to do after uni. Doing a degree in Maths is not going to help if you want to go into wildlife conservation.

But what if I want to study more that one subject?

            Studying a combination of subjects is very common. I have a friend over in Keele studying joint honours of Biology and Psychology. There are endless combinations of subjects you can study check it out UCAS.

            There are two different ways you can study two subjects-

                        Joint- This is where you two chosen subjects are studied in equal weight. This option is great if you really cant decide between two subjects.At the end of it you come out with a joint honors degree so, Subject X and Subject Y.

                        Major/Minor- This is where one of your subjects is more weighted than the other. This option would be good if you preferred one subject over the other. At the ends of it you come out with a degree that says Subject X with Subject Y

Check UCAS for up to date details on which combinations are available where.

Feel free to comment with any questions you have and I will try to answer to all of them.

 Keep it scrimpy
            Laura.

Links:

UCAS info on Admissions tests - http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/choosingcourses/admissions/

UCAS Course search

http://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/coursesearch/

My blog post ' Home sweet home' - http://thescrimpystudent.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/home-sweet-home.html

The grand tour!

So I thought I best give you all a tour of my beautiful room I call home. I like to show it off, I’m bloody paying enough for it!

Most of the rooms here in Bangor are en suite, the only ones that aren't are the ones not on the main accommodation campus , they are old and smell funny. So here I am in my en suite room, basic with bed desk and wardrobe and then in the shower room toilet, sink and small/tiny shower. As basic as it is I like to think I have made it feel like home

First up we have my sweet little bed. There is a big draw hidden under the bed where i keep 'spares' so towels pajamas , bras , and bedding and a few other things I couldn't find a home for. Behind my bed is a horrible curtain! I hate it with a passion but the uni wont let me change it so I suppose I will have to learn to love it. On my window you can just about see my duck collection. I collect rubber ducks... don't judge me. My washing basket resides at the bottom of my bed and I love how on this photo you can see my little alcohol stash.

My desk area is very rarely this tidy. Lecture notes very quickly swamp me. My two shelves are put to good use, one I set aside as a Harry Potter themed shelf the other has my books a DVDs on (I don't have a TV licence) My notice board should be probably be put to better use, right now it has a few assignments and post it notes on and all my receipts for when I sort my budget at the end of the week.

Finally my bathroom, well shower room. It's a good size and does it's job. The shower curtain isn't really long enough and you have to be very careful not to flood your room. Seriously, a girl a few floors above me flooded her whole room the other day. There is a huge mirror above the sink which is great. It's a really easy room to keep clean. With there being so little floor space I don't tend to mop up, I just use bathroom wipes and give the floor a quick wipe.

So that's my beautiful room. How did you make your room feel like home? 

Keep it scrimpy,
Laura

Home sweet home.

Note this post is about finding a place that feels good. A post about find the right course for you is on its way.

When picking a university not only is it important to pick one where the course is right for you but it is arguably more important to pick a university that feels good. Remember you have to live there for at least three years. The only way to do this is to physically visit the place; there is no way of me telling you what is right and what is wrong on this one. You need to go, you need to decide.

Parents can be a tough one on this one (a whole post about parents to come along later). They do want what is best for you. My mum took me down to Plymouth Uni, she loved the place, so did I, but…It was just so far away, I couldn’t realistically see myself living there .But she didn’t quite get my view point and kept pushing me to Plymouth.  My Dad always stayed on the fence on this one and I really appreciated that, he just wanted me to go where I felt was going to be best.

There are several things I recommend for finding that special place.

University prospectus-Get ALL of the prospectus’, they are free, who can resist free things? (Number one lesson of being a student, if it’s free you take it). On a more serious note, do take time to look through them, your college or 6^th form with usually have some copies. This should give you an idea of the kind of places you like or don’t.

Open days- The first one you go to you will get a basic idea of how you feel about the pace, take your parents along and focus on the university itself, course and accommodation. If you like the place, try and get to a second. However this time try and focus your attention on the city, the social aspect, check out some shops, try a few pubs. Ask yourself, could you picture yourself living here? Do you feel safe? Does it feel like home?

Casual visits- If your university is close enough try and pop down for a visit. Getting the train down (or up) can give you a good idea of the cost of coming home. These non organised visits will give you a chance to see the city on an average day, rather than a day where the uni is pointing out the best bits and pushing the crap under the rug. Again use this opportunity to test out shops, take some friends with you and get their opinion of the place.

 Students- Remember you have to live there. It will be your home. Don’t let anyone else push you.

 Parents- This is just as scary for you as it is for your child. Try not to stress them out too much. Let them find their own way. Try not to push to one place too much.

Keep it scrimpy,
Laura.

Please remain seated and keep your arms and legs in at all times.

Hello!

            Welcome to Scrimpy Student, my new baby blog. Here in this wonderful world of students I hope to share with you some hints and tips to save those oh so precious pennies and generally get you through your time at uni.

            Firstly I had better introduce myself. I am Laura, a first year Geography BSc student at Bangor University.   

(That's me over there!)

            I am from the Staffordshire Cheshire boarder area. I love my dog to bits and miss her so so much now I'm here. I’m a missive Harry Potter fan.

            I like saving money, I love shopping! I love good quality food. And the best bit? I can still have it all on my student budget. Stay tuned to find out how.

Keep it Scrimpy!

 Laura.