Student Days

Skills you need for a career in Youth ministry

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Youth ministry is an important field that requires a unique set of skills and abilities. Youth ministers work with young people to help them grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially, and to guide them through the challenges of adolescence. To be successful in this role, it is important to have a combination of personal and professional skills, including communication, leadership, empathy, and adaptability.

Here are some of the key skills you need to be a successful youth minister:

Communication Skills

Communication skills are essential for youth ministers. You must be able to listen actively, express yourself clearly and effectively, and build strong relationships with young people. You must also be able to communicate effectively with parents, volunteers, and other staff members, and to navigate the complexities of ministry.

To develop your communication skills, it is important to practise active listening, speaking clearly and concisely, and building rapport with others. You can also take a youth ministry degree or attend workshops on communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.

Leadership Skills

Youth ministers are also leaders, responsible for developing and leading programmes, events, and activities that meet the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of young people. To be a successful leader, you must be able to inspire and motivate others, delegate tasks effectively, and make sound decisions in complex situations.

To develop your leadership skills, it is important to practise delegation, decision-making, and problem-solving. You can also take courses or attend workshops on leadership, team building, and organisational management.

Empathy and Compassion

Empathy and compassion are essential qualities for youth ministers. You must be able to understand and connect with young people on a deep level, and to show compassion and understanding when they are struggling. You must also be able to build trust and rapport with young people, and to create a safe and welcoming environment where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings.

To develop your empathy and compassion, it is important to practise active listening, empathy, and understanding. You can also take courses or attend workshops on empathy, compassion, and counselling.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Youth ministry is a dynamic and ever-changing field, and youth ministers must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and needs. You must be able to think creatively and adapt your programmes and activities to meet the needs of young people, and to respond quickly and effectively to unexpected situations.

To develop your flexibility and adaptability, it is important to practise creativity, problem-solving, and flexibility. You can also take courses or attend workshops on creativity, innovation, and change management.

Organisational and Planning Skills

Youth ministers must also be skilled at organising and planning. You must be able to plan and coordinate events and activities, manage budgets, and work effectively with volunteers and other staff members. You must also be able to prioritise tasks and manage your time effectively, to ensure that your programmes and activities are successful and meet the needs of young people.

To develop your organisational and planning skills, it is important to practise time management, organisation, and budgeting. You can also take courses or attend workshops on project management, event planning, and financial management.

A Deep Understanding of Theology

Finally, youth ministers must have a deep understanding of theology and be able to articulate and defend their faith. You must be able to integrate theology into your ministry and to help young people develop a strong and meaningful relationship with God.

To develop your theological knowledge and understanding, it is important to read widely, study the Bible and Christian doctrine, and participate in theological discussions and debates. You can also take courses or attend workshops on theology, Christian apologetics, and evangelism.

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Christmas gift ideas for those on a budget

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This year, unlike any other, we want to have a Christmas to remember. 2021 has been a challenging year, and with the threat of the omicron variant spreading quickly, it’s important that we can spend some time with our loved ones before any potential lockdown restrictions are put in place in the New Year. But if you’re feeling the pinch this Christmas, as many of us are, fear not: you can still give loved ones great gifts without breaking the bank, and we’ve put together some amazing gift ideas in today’s article…

Book of promises

One of the cutest gift ideas we’ve seen in recent times is a ‘book of promises’ that allow you to make a number of promises to loved ones. It could be taking them out for a meal, cooking dinner, washing the car, or even going for a walk together. The best part is that it’s cheap to make and you can spread out your gift throughout the year – even a voucher for an hour-long FaceTime call will show loved ones you care about them, and it’ll only cost you a cute book and some fancy felt-tip pens to put together. Get creative, folks!

Artwork

Whether you have a picture of your loved ones printed onto a canvas or you consider alphabet art and have your mum’s initials put in a frame, there are lots of ways that you can use artwork to create a fancy Christmas gift. One of the best things about artwork is that it’s personal and will serve as a permanent reminder of you – even if it wasn’t you who created it. Shop around and find a piece that works for you.

A poem

If you want to put your English Language degree to the test, why not write your loved ones a poem or a song that they can display at home? Something so personal is sure to grab the attention of mum and dad and make them cry, and it’s a cute way to show them just how much you care. If you’re into music, putting down your thoughts for your partner into a song is another great idea – record a demo on a CD for them!

A night away

If your budget can’t stretch to a week in the sun but it can to a night away in the city, consider booking a hotel room and a restaurant and making it a night to remember. Whether you choose London and watch a West End show, or you head up North to a city like York, there are so many amazing places you need to explore in our country. Tick a couple off your bucket list and your loved one will be super grateful!

Do you have any other ideas? Let us know and check back soon for more.

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Is it even possible to become a professional footballer?

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It’s a pipedream for millions of lads around the world – honing your football skills and getting to play professionally for some of the most iconic teams like Manchester United and Real Madrid CF. But is the dream actually possible? According to one report, 180 of 1.5 million youth footballers in the UK are likely to make it all the way to the Premier League, but who’s to say you’re not one of those 180? Below, we’ve put together some tips to help you out… 

 

Be realistic

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Perhaps the most important piece of advice we can give you is to be realistic. Although it can be fun to fantasize about being a professional football player and making millions a month, the truth is that it’s a truly competitive industry and there’s no guarantee that you’ll make it. It’s important to accept that the odds are stacked against you, but also have some hope and passion that it’s something you could work towards whilst also bettering yourself in other ways. Playing football makes you fitter, helps you make friends, and hones skills like teamwork, communication, and dedication, which are useful in other career avenues as well. 

 

Have a backup plan

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Although you should keep your eye on the prize and stay focused on becoming a pro football player, it’s sensible to have a backup plan. For example, it would be unwise to drop out of school just because you’re offered opportunities to play on a local level – you should aim to complete your GCSEs and A-Levels so that, if your dream career doesn’t pan out, you have other options. For example, you could become a football journalist, a coach, or even a physiotherapist. There are lots of possibilities and opportunities; keep an open mind.

 

Give it your all

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Having said all of that, if you’re confident that you’re a cut above the rest and you’re tired of waiting for good things to happen to you, make it happen on your own. Develop a fitness and training regime that mimics that of a pro footballer like Marcus Rashford and consider joining the Alicante football academy where you’ll get to learn how to play alongside some of the world’s most respected names. Academies are great for putting on your CV, can build your confidence and techniques, and even allow you to play on a semi-professional team.

 

Networking is vital

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Finally, it’s important to stay committed to the game and network, network, network. Attend as many football trials as possible, take videos of your games to post on a YouTube channel, and make it your effort to be known locally and regionally. Say yes to every opportunity that comes your way and if you play your cards right, you might just get scouted for a regional team. Don’t go quiet – you need to be relentless, and good things should eventually happen. 

 

Whatever you decide to do, we wish you the best of luck in becoming a pro football player. 

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5 ideas for an afternoon out with your pals that won’t break the bank

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When you’re not busy studying for exams or sitting in a lecture theatre waiting for the day to end, the chances are that you’ll want to spend some time with your new uni pals. Though the best way to spend time together and save money is to start a study group or invite them round for dinner, we’ve rounded up a few fun activities that you can enjoy with your new friends that get you away from campus without breaking the bank…

Afternoon on the beach

If you’re lucky enough to be studying in a town that’s close to a beach, you could organise a fun afternoon together, watching the tide go out and having a couple of drinks together. You should always take a bag so you can collect any rubbish you’ve made, and if you’re feeling really environmentally conscious, you could turn your trip to the beach into a litter-picking exercise. It’s good fun and it helps you do your bit to save our oceans.

A round of golf

You don’t need to spend a fortune to play a round of golf. Although most clubs have expensive membership packages, they also offer one-off sessions for beginners, and you can even rent equipment. If you’re passionate about golfing and want to take it to the next level, visit Auchterlonies, one of the many golf shops in St Andrews Scotland that offer pre-owned equipment. You can have the very best golf clubs and accessories and save money to spend on memberships and transport.

A shopping trip

Got money left over in your bank account and your next student loan is due tomorrow? Why not organise a shopping trip with your pals, hitting the high street and taking advantage of your student discount card? The best way to have fun and shop without getting into debt is to set a clear budget and stick to it. Don’t buy things for the sake of it and consider making a list of things you actually do need.

Mystery tour

Got a friend with a car? All pitch in £10 for petrol and choose a random destination an hour away from your campus. You’ll all get to see a different part of the country and make some memories as you go. Whether you walk in the woods, get lost in the city centre, or spend some time at a seaside resort eating fish and chips and candyfloss, sometimes the best days out are the ones that aren’t really planned.

Visit a theme park

Most UK theme parks offer great discounts for students, including Thorpe Park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and Flamingo Land. Organise a trip to one of your favourites and challenge each other to try out the toughest rides and attractions. You’ll have lots of fun and someone will be there to hold your hand if things get too much for you!


Do you have any other ideas? Let us know and check back soon for more.

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4 methods to cut food waste that are simple and easy to follow

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In the United Kingdom alone, 8.4 million people are struggling to afford to eat. At the same time, 1.9 million tonnes of food is wasted by the food industry every year.

What’s even more shocking to know is that 250,000 tonnes of the food that goes to waste each year is still edible, enough for 650 million meals. That’s 10 meals for every citizen of the UK! Simply put, we waste far too much of our food, and something needs to be done to both help protect the environment and to save money.

Below, we’ve rounded up tips to help you get started.

 

Avoid special offers

Supermarkets and convenience stores price their products strategically and run promotions like buy-one-get-one-free to encourage us to fill our baskets and buy more than we need.

If you’re serious about cutting down on food waste, stop yourself from falling for these offers and only buy what’s on your shopping list. You’ll not only save money, but you’ll waste less food as you won’t be tempted by those unhealthy, sugary snacks like doughnuts and bread.

 

Have essentials delivered

If you find that you’re buying essentials like milk, bread, and butter in bulk and throwing most of it away due to short shelf-life, you might want to consider the possibility of having items delivered from local businesses, instead. Not only will the quality be much better than food from the supermarket, but you’ll be supporting your community and you can choose the frequency of your deliveries. For example, Kerr’s Dairy offers milk delivery in Aberdeen, so consumers can enjoy fresh, locally-produced milk, and only get the exact quantity they need.

 

Make friends with your freezer

Your freezer is your best friend. Rather than throwing away surplus food or leftovers when you cook a delicious meal, pop it in the freezer to use at a later date. Some foods like meat need to be stored with particular care – we recommend Googling before you freeze food to ensure it’s safe to sit for an extended period. You can also buy labels so you know what you freeze and when you freeze it. That way, you can go back and add leftovers to your meals.

 

Plan your meals

One of the reasons why many of us waste food nowadays is because of our hectic lifestyles, and our inability to properly plan ahead. It’s easy to think “ah, why not?” and order a takeaway after a stressful day at work, and though that’s fine, it could mean that minced beef in your fridge will go out of date and need to be thrown away. Plan your meals in advance – that way, you’ll know exactly what you need to buy from the supermarket, with less waste.

 

Which of these tips did you find the most useful? Let us know and share your own food waste stories in the comments below, and we’ll see you here soon for more anti-waste tips.

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5 Easy Peasy Tips to Keep Office Desk Areas Clean

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The ideal office desk should always be in tip-top condition, with a fresh and clear-desk approach to the working life. No clutter, little equipment, and ideally a paperless environment.

Reality is often a little different though, even if this is just applicable to the working day before everything is trimmed back to a clear-desk policy afterwards. At the very least there iss going to be some average dust and grime to deal not to mention the visual office ‘clutter’, some more obvious than others.

Therefore, let’s have a reality check, and look at some good practice of keeping things neat and tidy. And let’s have some real simple cleaning tips that can easily be carried out by an office worker just as much as an office cleaner. Just add these into your daily routine, and this is one headache that will soon go away.

So here are 5 tip cleaning tips for keeping on top of any office desk areas:

The Dreaded Stains

Watch out for stains and marks suddenly building up – two popular sources being spilt coffee mugs and pen ink. For surfaces like white desks these can stand out like a sore thumb unfortunately.

A little bit of elbow grease with a damp cloth or even moist tissue should easily do the trick.

The Paperless Dream

Very simple, but making a massive difference – simply tidying up any kind of paperwork and filing. Even just placing in neat piles if they’re not ready for ‘in’ or ‘out’ trays will help sharpen up the appearance of things.

And don’t forget pieces of stationery and pens, they can all nicely go in a drawer or even in an empty mug out of sight.

The Floor Problem

Don’t forget to look down, and although it’s a more involved job to get a vacuum cleaner out, just watch out for obvious items on the floor, for example crumbs and litter that have fallen down, and even mud and dirt accidentally trod in.

The practical time is right at the end of the day when you’re leaving, but the ideal one is actually right at the beginning as well before you spend the rest of the day treading dirt further into the floor covering.

The Rubbish Stuff

Making sure your bins are empty is an easy win, both to make the office look better but also stop any nasty smells emerging. All it takes is the waste from a meal or shopping spree to suddenly fill things up.

So, any excess items could be taken out to a larger bin elsewhere, or if you want to go further then fully empty and replace any liners in there as well.

The Wipe Out

This is a nice finish, and although an obvious one, the detail can be missed. Go for a good ol’ wipe around surfaces, even with just a quick duster or damp cloth, and ideally with a spray to get it even smelling better as well.

You can also go the extra mile and tackle the items you might not normally think of, for example around computer keyboards or monitors, and particularly the handset of the phone which can be a breeding ground for germs.

Clean Desk, Clean Mind

So with these 5 easy cleaning tips in a cleaner’s or office worker’s routine, you’ll soon start keeping on top of things. Not only will your workspace look fantastic for yourself, colleagues, and even clients, but you’ll find your own sanity and clear-mindedness will dramatically improve.

These help practically carry out simple cleaning routines that will have bags of benefits to your own personal peace of mind and clear thinking.

Easy Cleaners provide tips and trick on all types of office and general business cleaning.

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TEFL and TESOL

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Perhaps you might be familiar with using phrases like ‘do you speak English?’ to clear a language deadlock with someone whose native language is different from yours. With an estimated 1.5 billion total speakers around the world, the number of non-native English speakers surpasses its native speakers by almost a double. Its popularity index can be judged from the fact that the thought of using English to overcome a language barrier comes naturally to mind among the non-native English speakers. This is one of the top reasons why not only more and more people get enrolled in English learning courses, but also the demand for its professional teachers never shrinks as well.

TEFL and TESOL

If you are planning to become an English teacher, getting certifications like TEFL and TESOL can boost your career success. Confusing to most people, TEFL and TESOL are two of the most interchangeably used acronyms describing the two main categories of courses to become a certified English tutor. Although both TEFL and TESOL deal with teaching English to non-native English speakers, each caters its audience needs for a completely different practical setting.

TEFL

TEFL stands for ‘Teaching English as a Foreign Language’. TEFL courses are designed to help tutors with teaching English in countries where English itself is not the primary language but is taught in educational institutions as an academic subject just like any other subject such as mathematics and history.

Many non-native English countries around the world especially in Asia have English language Sbeing taught as a subject to their students. Starting from equipping their students with basic understanding of English like grammar, reading & writing to preparing them to get through immigration and admission processes in top universities in English speaking countries for higher education, demand for TEFL certified tutors in these countries is always high.

Getting a TEFL certification will greatly help you in relocating to any such country with a promising English teaching career. Even if moving abroad is not your plan because you yourself happen to be in a country with high demand for English teachers, you can still build a successful career by becoming TEFL certified and getting a much better job in some more reputable English teaching institute.

With a TEFL certification, you can get jobs like ESL, assistant teachers or experienced full-time teachers and administrative roles.

TESOL

TESOL stands for ‘Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages’. Getting a TESOL certification brings in two benefits. First, it can be used as an alternative to TEFL to build an English teaching career in non-native English speaking countries with high demand for English learning students. Second benefit which is also the primary objective of a TESOL certification is to unlock English teaching career potential in native English speaking countries.

It is no wonder that many people in underdeveloped countries see native English countries like the United States and England as land of opportunities both in terms of the quality of education and career success. This is the main reason why so many people with average level skills in English language travel to these destinations each year. This creates demand for English learners in native English speaking countries as well.

By having a TESOL certification, you can practice teaching English to students and professionals in native English speaking countries like these to help them overcome their shortcomings in English. TESOL certified instructors help their students to develop capabilities to practically use English for speaking, writing, reading and any other challenges in using English for day-to-day communication with native speakers.

Putting the finishing touch

As discussed in the beginning, the number of people interested in learning English as well as the number of people interested in becoming English teachers both remains in high demand. With more people getting into this profession, it is becoming highly competitive. Chances are that your prospective students will be skeptical of what special edge you can give to them.

To ease this out, wrapping your TEFL/TESOL certification with an accreditation from some reputable body like ACCRIN, ACCREDITAD or ACTDEC will act as a gem to your resume. Accreditation will assure your students that they can trust your level of competence in your field since you are being regulated by some external authority.

While you will find many accrediting bodies on the internet some of which will be nothing more than false claims, what makes us mention about ACCRIN, ACCREDITAD and ACTDEC here is that these three are completely independent, offer face-to-face, online and in-class courses, have a decade over industry experience, take timely feedbacks and also keep their affiliates up-to-date with the latest new developments in their subjects.

Conclusion

Whether you should go for TEFL or TESOL or both depends on what career choices you make and what options are available to you. Factors like the credibility of the organization offering you the course, its accreditation, whether the course is online or class-room oriented, what is the extent of the course and what benefits does it offer, what kind of student audience you will be more comfortable in dealing with and whether you are okay with moving abroad or not need to be thoroughly reviewed before making a decision.

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Great gift ideas for the smoker in your life

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As a student, you probably fall into one of two categories: you love to smoke, or you hate it.

Whatever your opinion, the chances are that you have a smoker in your life; it could be a friend, a family member, or even a lecturer that’s helping you achieve the grades you need.

Below, we’ve put together some great gift ideas for the smoker in your life…

 

Alternatives to cigarettes

Newsflash: in May 2020, menthol cigarettes will be banned in the UK and across the European Union.

That’s bad news if you’ve got a friend who prefers menthol over traditional tobacco.

If you’re looking for a great gift idea, consider menthol alternatives from companies such as Mentholyzer.

They’re safe, legal, and ensure consumers can get their menthol kick!

 

An ashtray

Time for an obvious one.

Live with someone who’s always flicking their ash onto the ground when you’re in the garden, and leaving pesky cigarette butts on the floor?

Buy them a new ashtray this Christmas, and they’ll never need to do it again.

There are so many to choose from, whether you choose a spinning variety to hide the ash, a games controller novelty ashtray or a portable ashtray that sits in the cup holder of a car. Yep, that really is a thing!

 

Toothpaste for smokers

If you’ve got a loved one who’s conscious of their stained teeth because of smoking, always moaning on about their yellow teeth, then why not treat them to some luxury smoker’s toothpaste or teeth whitening set for their next birthday?

A little disclaimer here: you should only buy someone toothpaste if they’ve mentioned it – you’d be pretty upset if someone gave you a box of tooth whitening paste if you thought you had decent teeth. Always be sensitive!

 

A novelty lighter

Whilst we’re on the subject of novelty gifts, you can’t go too far wrong with a novelty lighter to give to a smoker.

Not only is this a relatively inexpensive gift, but it’s a great way to show your friend or family member that you love them – they’ll remember you whenever they light up.

Indeed, you can even buy personalised lighters nowadays with photographs or initials.

 

New vape flavours

Got a mate who’s made the jump from standard cigarettes to vaping?

With so many flavours to choose from, why not stock up on some of their favourites and put them in a box?

There are thousands of vape flavours on the market, and some of the strangest include hot dogs, peanut butter, beer, and Red Bull. Get experimental and your friend will love you for it!

 

A quit smoking book

Finally, if you’re concerned about your friend’s health, consider buying them a quit smoking book.

Again: be cautious that you don’t upset or offend them; only buy them a self-help book if they’ve already mentioned that they want to quit.

They’ll be grateful you’ve taken the time to find them a useful resource, and they’ll be more likely to read it if it’s from a loved one.

 

Do you have any other gift ideas for smokers? Let us know and check back soon for more.

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How to make writing an essay easier

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As a student you will be tasked with writing numerous essays over the course of your degree. The first few that you write can be very daunting. There is so much to bear in mind. You must have the right academic tone and style, also grammar, spelling and punctuation must be spot on – after all, marks can be deducted for poor grammar.

Many students don’t realise this. How many marks? Well according to most universities up to 10 % of your essay mark can be influenced by poor grammar, spelling and punctuation. You don’t want to throw marks away needlessly. Of course, you will improve your academic writing over time, but you can accelerate the process by using the help of essay proofreading experts who will make sure your grammar and sentence structure are polished.

These are highly experienced academic editors who give you useful and helpful feedback on your essay. They highlight the errors you make so you can quickly improve your writing and start getting better marks sooner than learning by your own trial-and-error efforts.

Of course, you will have to pay for an essay or dissertation editing service. But it is worth the cost because of the years of experience and academic background of the editors.

Another way to improve your academic writing is by avoiding common mistakes such as using ‘researches’ as a plural of ‘research’. You should rather write ‘several research studies’ for example or ‘several pieces of research’. Another common mistake is to pad out your work to reach a word count. You add lots of filler words such as ‘in order to’ when ‘to’ will suffice or ‘to take in to account’ when ‘consider’ will do.

Or you can simply read your essay aloud and that will help you discern errors that you have made. This is simply because your brain processes the words differently when you read aloud compared to when you read and this helps unearth mistakes.

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7 reasons why you should live in a student house rather than halls

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Moving away from home and into student houses and halls is daunting.

You’ve got to worry about paying bills, doing your own washing and remembering to fill the fridge every week – and hope that none of your housemates will steal your favourite yoghurts!

If you’re yet to choose accommodation for this year just yet, don’t stop reading: below, we’ve put together some of the reasons why choosing a student house over university halls makes sense…

You’ll live in the heart of the city

Being able to choose where you live in the heart of the city will no doubt give you more of a sense of community, and allow you to make new friends and build relationships away from your campus.

When you choose student accommodation Newcastle, for example, you’ll be able to select an apartment or house close to the city centre where you’ll have access to amenities like cinemas, theatres, bars and clubs, and shopping centres like Eldon Square – which is not so good news if you’re a shopaholic trying not to spend all of your student loan!

It’s often more affordable

Though the price of student accommodation will naturally come as a shock to you, you might find that private rented accommodation is more affordable than living in student halls.

Sure, all of your bills are included in halls, but the university inflates the price to accommodate this.

By moving into your own house or apartment with friends, you can split bills and save money in the process, so shop around to find the best student accommodation your budget allows.

Choose who you live with

Living in halls with a bunch of strangers who’ve been thrown together for a whole year can be tough – especially if you’re not an outgoing person who can make new friends at the drop of a hat.

The truth is that student accommodation is so random – you never know who you’re going to be living with – and the chances are that there’ll be at least one person you don’t really get on with.

By moving into a student house, you’ll be able to choose friends from your course or friends you’ve made in halls, which will result in a much better atmosphere.

The last thing you want is to share a house with someone who blasts their music all hours of the evening – when renting a house, you’ll be more comfortable knowing who you’re living with.

It feels more homely

You can either choose to live in identical flats where every bedroom and communal area is the same, or rent a house and make a home with a group of friends.

Every house and flat is different, and though they’re not all offering five-star accommodation, you can very quickly make a house a home and relax and unwind more than you would if you were living in halls.

It’s natural to feel homesick as a student, but if you’re living in a hall with strict rules on things such as posters and decorations, it can feel like you’re trapped away from your loved ones.

By moving into private accommodation, you’ll likely be allowed to redecorate and add personal touches such as posters, paintings, and photographs of your friends and family, which is going to make you feel much more at home than in a student hall.

Of course, you should check with your landlord to ensure you’re allowed to redecorate before you get out the paintbrush – the last thing you want is to be fined or asked to repaint it back to white!

Choose where you live

Another major benefit of renting from a private landlord over living in student halls is that you will have more choice over where you can live.

More often than not, student halls are super close by to campuses, which is good when you’re running late and need to get to class in a hurry, but not so good when you want to relax away from university with friends.

What’s more, if you live on campus, then it can feel like you’re never getting a break from university life, and everything you do will involve sitting around your university’s facilities, whether that’s hanging out with your new friends in the library or going for a bite to eat in the student union.

Renting a house away from campus means you’ll be able to live close to shops, bars, and food outlets or even live closer to transport links such as train stations so you can visit your family.

What’s more, you might be able to find accommodation in a more affluent area with better facilities such as gyms, parks, and tourist attractions that you can explore on days off.

You have more freedom

Though student housing firms and private landlords will hand you a list of rules, terms, and conditions, they’re often more relaxed about what you get up to than university halls.

We’re not saying that you should throw a party every weekend or cause mayhem in your local neighbourhood, but you’re probably not going to get into trouble inviting a couple of friends over for drinks before a night out.

More often than not, university halls have strict rules that you must adhere to, whereas renting from a private landlord will give you more freedom to do what you want when you want to do it, which is why it’s more popular amongst students.

Having said that, though, you should make sure you follow the rules and regulations set out by your landlord from the moment you live in their properties.

The last thing you want to happen is to be kicked out of your accommodation mid-term for breaking the rules, or worse still be fined at the end of your tenancy for not looking after your living space.

Be sensible and be grown up about your new home – and you’ll have no problems during your tenancy.

Helps you budget

Finally, a quick word on budgeting.

As a student, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your student loan is free money, or that your parents will bail you out if you need an extra £100 for shopping.

But the truth is, student accommodation is designed to help you prepare for adult life – and a big part of adult life involves money, and budgeting accordingly.

When you move into a student house rather than halls, you’ll be responsible for payments for things like utilities, internet access, contents insurance, and a TV license – all ‘adult’ things.

It’s not easy to get to grips with money and ensure everyone is paying their fair share, but it’s a necessary evil and means that when you’re finished at university, you can move into a flat or apartment and live without having to rely on the bank of mum and dad – or get into debt.

Whatever you choose to do this year, we wish you the best of luck. Choose a house that is warm and helps you to relax and revise so you can achieve the best possible grades!

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