First of all, I don't think I'll bother commenting on the election fiasco. The rest of the world's media has done that brilliantly and precisely (even though I still don't think my vote helped things particularly).
This week's post will be a very honest, open view on student life from the perspective of someone who doesn't go out every week or even every three weeks. I prefer a quieter night in. Last week I mentioned meeting up with friends and going for a drink at Bar One, the bar on the Vale. That was definitely what I would call is 'my territory'. Personally, I see massive clubs like Gatecrasher and so on (see, I haven't even got a wealth of experience there to mention a few more) to be places I'd go to for occasions. Perhaps that sounded a little bitter but there's a reason for this. I've mentioned in previous posts about the atmosphere in university halls. You have to be prepared for interrupted sleep on nights that are frequent to begin with then they die down and happen only twice a week then they creep up again and so on.
I have to be blunt: I don't necessarily feel a part of the community of Tennis Court. I haven't met many people yet who don't have the, shall we say, typical student mentality of work vs play. I'm working on that. I am, though, counting down the days (two months!) until I'm in my second year house and I know I won't have to worry about the kitchen being an utter disgrace. My flat failed our recent flat inspection twice. It was spotless after the second inspection because the boys realised what they were living in. When I was the last one to leave, at Easter, I'd tidied the kitchen up nicely so I'd have something nice and fresh to come back to. I then polished it up a bit when I returned. Then it got messy. It stayed messy for two weeks. This morning I decided that just wasn't acceptable any more and I cleaned up. Luckily, the boys appreciate when this happens and I buttered them up even more with some freshly baked cupcakes so hopefully the kitchen will stay at least in an acceptable state.
In a small aside - I'm loving Doctor Who right now. Apart from the episode that was on tonight. That was slightly naff. Not quite as genius as Steven Moffat's weeping angels. Watching Confidential (which is arguably my favourite of the two parts - main then behind the scenes) I began to see how the true story linked in with the writer's idea. It kind of made sense. I'm not a history buff, though, so it took a few facts and a history lesson from one of the residents for me to understand a snippet. It's a good series, though. Ok maybe that wasn't such a small aside. And I could discuss the matter further.
Adding to my waiting game, I'm also looking forward to transforming my crowded room into a whole house. The person I'm living with - my boyfriend - may not be staying with me over summer because he'd like to spend some time at home so I'll have the house to myself for however long I stay there for (I'm thinking of getting work experience here while I have a few months spare). That means I can really move in and organise my stuff. I can buy a book shelf and make a mini library corner and a desk to put my old PC on and a little exercise corner next to the TV and a work corner in my room with all my folders. Ooh, exciting! And a shoe corner. Can't forget the shoes.
The Northern Society have been on hiatus to figure a few things out and we're back to the drawing board. Hopefully there will be more interesting news to come, with that. I urge all potential freshers to look out for us at Freshers Fair.
Showing posts with label tennis court. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tennis court. Show all posts
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Week 11: Countdown to Christmas
This week has been busy!
On Monday, I had a performance assessment worth however many percent of that module. Fifty, maybe. I should really have paid more attention to the percentage, perhaps. That said, regardless of each assessment's percentage, I've worked at my fullest. There's dedication! (Don't listen to people who say: "It's only first year") For anyone who wants to study Drama at Birmingham, this paragraph may be of use to you. For anyone who isn't, perhaps you may want to skip. The performances were hosted in George Cadbury Hall, which has its own auditorium (and BBC HD cinema), fully equipped with ninety-six lights and a small audience area. The stage area can be small, large or massive. I'm not entirely sure how many people are studying this module but in any case there was a Monday group and a Thursday group. Within each group were smaller groups of three or four students. We were given about three weeks in which to rehearse a segment of script - that we could cut and mix around as we wish - and then perform it in front of the three module mistresses and the other Drama single honours students. The Thursdays were invited to the Monday performances and vice versa, though that was optional and some of us wanted a day for sleeping after such intense rehearsals. Each performance was limited in time: groups of three were expected to prepare a piece 8-10 minutes long and larger groups of four could extend to 12 minutes. Marks were taken off for shorter or longer pieces outside the time limit as they did not stick to the brief (though I must say I don't remember any pieces that didn't fit the time limit). Unfortunately, I was talking to one of my group members and she said, "You know what non-drama folk say about drama students? Its true, isn't it? We do just do really hippy-ish stuff in practical classes." Take heed! If anyone wants to know more about the practical exam for first year, do ask me. I may even be able to give light on the practical exam for second and third years, having made friends in those years.
Tuesday was the Winter Ball for all halls of residence. Each halls booked their own events room at hotels, botanical gardens, football grounds and other events locations which was followed by a 'secret' (*cough* Bambu *cough*) after party where all winter ballers joined for one massive partay. I only stayed until 10pm because I fancied some epic sleep but my flatmates arrived back at staggered times, the latest being about 3am. She had a good time. Everyone dressed up in their best attire (black tie: boys in suits, girls in cocktail dresses) and was served up a beautiful three course Christmas dinner. This wasn't free, mind. Tennis Courts' Ball was priced at £20, with £5 extra for anyone who wanted to go to the after party. From what I know, Elgar, Aitken and Maple's Joint Ball was £30 and Jarratt's was £10. For TC, the new RA (TeCRA: those who rule over Tennis Courts and get the admin done for us, as well as organising events and sorting out issues) was announced and each baton was handed over. There were cheers, there were woops and there were tears. Tears of joy.
Before the ball, I had plenty to do. I had a presentation to give on Wednesday so had scheduled Tuesday morning to write it up, having done the research over the weekend. Unfortunately I had forgotten that Wednesday was also the day of PTPC, which requires a group meeting beforehand to prepare a presentation on the week's topic and questions. I wasn't the allocated presenter so that wasn't too bad, but I did have to take half an hour out of my time to discuss the question and topic. Handy tip: don't delete past coursework, it may come in handy. At 12pm, I was sat in Joe's Bar at the Guild, waiting for my group members and churning out what looked like an introduction for my presentation, on my laptop. After the meeting, I sped off to the main library to find a neat little study area in the quiet section on the third floor. It was at that moment that I figured that I wasn't only just against time in terms of 'must-be-back-at-the-flat-at-3-30-pm-to-wash-my-hair' but the study holes didn't have plugs so I was also against my laptop's battery life. I couldn't really go back to the flat and work there because I'd get slack and go on Facebook. The double pressure and lack of internet access produced 1200 words in an hour. Pretty good going, don't you think? When I got back to the flat and washed my hair, I polished it and managed to get it to about 1400 words, which is two sides of A4, single spaced, size 10 text. The presentation, though, was to be read out. Again, a ten minute time limit was set. When I read it aloud to myself, it was about nine minutes nine seconds.
I have to admit, I haven't really done many of the typical student things that you hear of before actually moving to University but I did add one to the list on Wednesday: going to a lecture having had no sleep. Whilst I say I left the ball at about 10pm to get some sleep, it didn't actually happen. This was partly due to me going out of my room to greet that flatmates as they came back, hearing each of their hilarious stories, and returning back to my room only to exit again half an hour later to repeat the process. I'm sure I laid down to sleep at about 4.30am, with a looming alarm of 7.30am and the aim to leave the flat at 9am. Perhaps I did get some sleep but I didn't feel it. I do remember having a dream. It really was a very strange night. I don't advise going to a lecture or seminar with no sleep under your belt. Especially if there's an hour walk preceding it.
Friday was the last day of term. This meant that TC (and all the other halls) began to empty. The arrival of the parents, as seen in reading week back in the day, was another sight and cars were filled up with ridiculous amounts of 'stuff'. I don't know what they took home. I'm only taking clothes, books and my laptop, essentially. As I only had an hour long lecture at 9am on Friday, I planned to do some food shopping, have some lunch in my flat then go to Birmingham to attempt to finish off some Christmas shopping. I arrived at the university train station at about 1pm and the queue was actually long enough to extend outside the station. Albeit, the machines are only just inside, but still it was long. Handy tip: don't leave on Friday, leave it until Saturday morning when its still busy but the traffic isn't as bad. Oh but I did return to Birmingham at about the same time the following day and the ticket machines were out of order so the two cashiers had to process them. My theory, as with the washing machines and tumble driers, is that they were too full of money. This does stop them working! It has been proven with a washing machine or two. Another handy tip: if a washing machine isn't working, first ask maintenance to check it isn't full of cash before they order a new one.
I've bought my train ticket home for Wednesday so this is my week: Monday, Christmas Dinner with Oliver; Tuesday, clean the flat, pack my bags, read through my books to see that they're useful for the three essays I've been set; Wednesday, finish packing my bags if I didn't on Tuesday, go hooome!
On Monday, I had a performance assessment worth however many percent of that module. Fifty, maybe. I should really have paid more attention to the percentage, perhaps. That said, regardless of each assessment's percentage, I've worked at my fullest. There's dedication! (Don't listen to people who say: "It's only first year") For anyone who wants to study Drama at Birmingham, this paragraph may be of use to you. For anyone who isn't, perhaps you may want to skip. The performances were hosted in George Cadbury Hall, which has its own auditorium (and BBC HD cinema), fully equipped with ninety-six lights and a small audience area. The stage area can be small, large or massive. I'm not entirely sure how many people are studying this module but in any case there was a Monday group and a Thursday group. Within each group were smaller groups of three or four students. We were given about three weeks in which to rehearse a segment of script - that we could cut and mix around as we wish - and then perform it in front of the three module mistresses and the other Drama single honours students. The Thursdays were invited to the Monday performances and vice versa, though that was optional and some of us wanted a day for sleeping after such intense rehearsals. Each performance was limited in time: groups of three were expected to prepare a piece 8-10 minutes long and larger groups of four could extend to 12 minutes. Marks were taken off for shorter or longer pieces outside the time limit as they did not stick to the brief (though I must say I don't remember any pieces that didn't fit the time limit). Unfortunately, I was talking to one of my group members and she said, "You know what non-drama folk say about drama students? Its true, isn't it? We do just do really hippy-ish stuff in practical classes." Take heed! If anyone wants to know more about the practical exam for first year, do ask me. I may even be able to give light on the practical exam for second and third years, having made friends in those years.
Tuesday was the Winter Ball for all halls of residence. Each halls booked their own events room at hotels, botanical gardens, football grounds and other events locations which was followed by a 'secret' (*cough* Bambu *cough*) after party where all winter ballers joined for one massive partay. I only stayed until 10pm because I fancied some epic sleep but my flatmates arrived back at staggered times, the latest being about 3am. She had a good time. Everyone dressed up in their best attire (black tie: boys in suits, girls in cocktail dresses) and was served up a beautiful three course Christmas dinner. This wasn't free, mind. Tennis Courts' Ball was priced at £20, with £5 extra for anyone who wanted to go to the after party. From what I know, Elgar, Aitken and Maple's Joint Ball was £30 and Jarratt's was £10. For TC, the new RA (TeCRA: those who rule over Tennis Courts and get the admin done for us, as well as organising events and sorting out issues) was announced and each baton was handed over. There were cheers, there were woops and there were tears. Tears of joy.
Before the ball, I had plenty to do. I had a presentation to give on Wednesday so had scheduled Tuesday morning to write it up, having done the research over the weekend. Unfortunately I had forgotten that Wednesday was also the day of PTPC, which requires a group meeting beforehand to prepare a presentation on the week's topic and questions. I wasn't the allocated presenter so that wasn't too bad, but I did have to take half an hour out of my time to discuss the question and topic. Handy tip: don't delete past coursework, it may come in handy. At 12pm, I was sat in Joe's Bar at the Guild, waiting for my group members and churning out what looked like an introduction for my presentation, on my laptop. After the meeting, I sped off to the main library to find a neat little study area in the quiet section on the third floor. It was at that moment that I figured that I wasn't only just against time in terms of 'must-be-back-at-the-flat-at-3-30-pm-to-wash-my-hair' but the study holes didn't have plugs so I was also against my laptop's battery life. I couldn't really go back to the flat and work there because I'd get slack and go on Facebook. The double pressure and lack of internet access produced 1200 words in an hour. Pretty good going, don't you think? When I got back to the flat and washed my hair, I polished it and managed to get it to about 1400 words, which is two sides of A4, single spaced, size 10 text. The presentation, though, was to be read out. Again, a ten minute time limit was set. When I read it aloud to myself, it was about nine minutes nine seconds.
I have to admit, I haven't really done many of the typical student things that you hear of before actually moving to University but I did add one to the list on Wednesday: going to a lecture having had no sleep. Whilst I say I left the ball at about 10pm to get some sleep, it didn't actually happen. This was partly due to me going out of my room to greet that flatmates as they came back, hearing each of their hilarious stories, and returning back to my room only to exit again half an hour later to repeat the process. I'm sure I laid down to sleep at about 4.30am, with a looming alarm of 7.30am and the aim to leave the flat at 9am. Perhaps I did get some sleep but I didn't feel it. I do remember having a dream. It really was a very strange night. I don't advise going to a lecture or seminar with no sleep under your belt. Especially if there's an hour walk preceding it.
Friday was the last day of term. This meant that TC (and all the other halls) began to empty. The arrival of the parents, as seen in reading week back in the day, was another sight and cars were filled up with ridiculous amounts of 'stuff'. I don't know what they took home. I'm only taking clothes, books and my laptop, essentially. As I only had an hour long lecture at 9am on Friday, I planned to do some food shopping, have some lunch in my flat then go to Birmingham to attempt to finish off some Christmas shopping. I arrived at the university train station at about 1pm and the queue was actually long enough to extend outside the station. Albeit, the machines are only just inside, but still it was long. Handy tip: don't leave on Friday, leave it until Saturday morning when its still busy but the traffic isn't as bad. Oh but I did return to Birmingham at about the same time the following day and the ticket machines were out of order so the two cashiers had to process them. My theory, as with the washing machines and tumble driers, is that they were too full of money. This does stop them working! It has been proven with a washing machine or two. Another handy tip: if a washing machine isn't working, first ask maintenance to check it isn't full of cash before they order a new one.
I've bought my train ticket home for Wednesday so this is my week: Monday, Christmas Dinner with Oliver; Tuesday, clean the flat, pack my bags, read through my books to see that they're useful for the three essays I've been set; Wednesday, finish packing my bags if I didn't on Tuesday, go hooome!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and have a lovely 2010!
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Week 0: Moving and Settling In
Hello random readers! I may as well introduce myself considering this is the first post. There is a section somewhere on here with a few facts about myself but I can write more in here. I'm Vici Royle, I'm a Drama and Theatre Arts student at the University of Birmingham. I'm living a self catered flat Tennis Court (Centre Court, to be exact), which is part of the Vale student village. My family home is in Doncaster, near Sheffield, and I appear to be one of the very few northerners at the Uni. We're a rare breed. What else? As well as being clearly interested in theatre - acting, backstage stuff, theory and everything else to do with it - I like watching (not playing) ice hockey and I'm an utter Harry Potter nerd. In this here blog I'll be pretty much keeping track of what's going on in my life and how it feels to be a student living away from home (though my flat feels like a second home already) and facing up to proper adulthood.
And so onto the post! The week before moving to university was a bit hectic. I was sent a reading and equipment list which meant I had to buy two books (the complete works of William Shakespeare and a drama anthology) and some steel capped boots (the Drama course isn't just about acting, it also includes backstage work which includes building the set, props etc which requires safety equipment). I had a mini panic when I looked at the reading list because there were so many on the list. There were two must-haves, aforementioned, six 'essential reading' and a few more on general reading. I was advised that I didn't have to buy all of them and should just buy the must-haves and exploit the 2million+ volume library on campus. To buy all the essential and must-haves would've set me back over £100 so I was happy not to hand over so much money especially as being a student means this horrible thing called budgeting enters your life, which I will develop on later.
It took me two hours to drive to the university and I was still an hour early (I was allocated a time slot to move in). The atmosphere was incredible when I arrived. There was music blaring out of the TeCRA (Tennis Court Residents Association) office, a marquee to collect keys and Freshers Fest (I'll explain later) tickets as well as the internet CD and insurance. I'm in Block 21 which meant that I couldn't escape the blaring music (TeCRA office is just downstairs) but that didn't matter at all because it added to the excitement of moving in. Naturally I let my Mother sort out the kitchen stuff while I set up my PC and put my books away. The internet was very easy to set up and took only ten minutes and a restart. There were three options: free, £70 and expensive. I chose the free package and it's really good. I haven't yet tried to watch anything on the iPlayer or 4OD so that could be a good measure to see how awesome the internet is but I'm sure that won't be an issue at all.
My flatmates (there are six of us in my flat) arrived at staggered times with one arriving a day late because he couldn't make the allocated move in day, which wasn't a problem at all (though he did have to arrive before 8.30 to get his keys whereas my move in time was 12.30 - 13.30). There was a welcome meeting the whole of Tennis Court at 2.30pm so we had enough time to organise the important things in our rooms and the kitchen, to remember names and sit around in the lounge to chat. We all agree that we were really lucky with flatmates because we already feel like we've known each other for ages and act like a family. If there are any problems (cleaning, for example) then there's never an argument because we all understand that we have to look out for each other and make sure we're all happy to live together. We get along really well, too, so that helps. There are already a few in-jokes and lots of funny stories.
The girls and I made a few friends on the way to the welcome meeting who, we found out, were living in the block right next to us, so we've seen them alot all week. We actually class one of them as the extra flatmate because he spends so much time in our flat. It was really easy to make friends with random people here because most people are very social and like to knock on random doors to say hello and get to know everyone. Danny, one of my flatmates, has a mission to get to know the name of everyone in centre court by the end of the year. He's already off to a flying start.
After we all settled in on Sunday, we went down to Bar One at the Hub in the Vale for a drink. Unfortunately the frivolities were cut short when there was a fire alarm and we were all evacuated. We all went back to the flat to play a few card games and make the most of the first night, regardless.
Monday was the start of the Freshers Fest. This is a university organised festival that includes nights out almost every day of the week (not compulsory) as well as vouchers for one free admission at the cinema, one free game of bowling and one free comedy night at Jongleurs. There were various levels of the pack depending on what the individual wants to get involved in. I bought the Silver Package which included all the nights in FF as well as Calvin Harris for next Friday and the Freshers Ball, which was last night. The Gold Package also includes N-Dubz. The prices ranged from cheap to expensive. The most expensive (gold) was £65 plus postage/booking fee and the cheapest was just a Freshers Ball ticket at £20 plus postage/booking fee. There's also a comedy night with an actor from The Inbetweeners for £7. You could buy individual tickets for Calvin Harris, N-Dubz and the Freshers Ball if you so wished to. That was mainly for people who missed out on buying them online before arriving at University.
Wednesday wasn't a particularly nice start, for me, because I had to wake up at 7am after a late night to make sure I was down at the Selly Oak campus for 10am, it being a 45 minute walk away. The reason for this was an introduction lecture to the course. There was a Facebook group already set up for the people doing Drama at Birmingham so I posted a notice to say that anyone who wanted to walk down together should meet in the Centre Court courtyard. About ten people turned up, a few from other halls but mostly TC. We had a lovely walk down to the Selly Oak campus, together, chatting breeze on the way. After the introduction to all the staff and the basic structure of the course, we were given the name of our Personal Tutor and had a meeting with them where we were given our timetable. We had to work out which slots were ours because there were various groups. I have Thursday off, which is nice. I doubt I'll actually have it off compeltely though because I've been advised that for every hour of contact (a lecture, a seminar etc) I have to do five hours of reading. I have about eight hours, at a guess, of contact, per week.
This morning my student finance information arrived in the post (which was delivered directly to my flat) so I could embrace the lovely task of budgeting. I chose to organise a weekly budget. I'm getting the full tuition fee loan, which I won't see because it is paid directly to the University, the full maintenance loan (income assessed) and a non-repayable grant which means I'll be surviving on £80 a week, which is very comfortable. As well as that funding, I'll be getting two bursaries from the University which are paid in two installments in January and May, I believe. I'll comment on them when I get them because they're irrelevant at the moment. With the budget I'll be able to do a limited weekly shop, save some money for laundry (£2.20 for a wash, £1 for the dryer), have a few notes for entertainment and perhaps save some money for summer or birthdays/Christmas.
And with that I'm off to make myself some dinner and hang out with the flatmates who have arrived back from wherever they escaped to. I should be updating this blog once a week with the happenings of Birmingham so do come back every Saturday or Sunday to see what's going on in Flat 135.
And so onto the post! The week before moving to university was a bit hectic. I was sent a reading and equipment list which meant I had to buy two books (the complete works of William Shakespeare and a drama anthology) and some steel capped boots (the Drama course isn't just about acting, it also includes backstage work which includes building the set, props etc which requires safety equipment). I had a mini panic when I looked at the reading list because there were so many on the list. There were two must-haves, aforementioned, six 'essential reading' and a few more on general reading. I was advised that I didn't have to buy all of them and should just buy the must-haves and exploit the 2million+ volume library on campus. To buy all the essential and must-haves would've set me back over £100 so I was happy not to hand over so much money especially as being a student means this horrible thing called budgeting enters your life, which I will develop on later.
It took me two hours to drive to the university and I was still an hour early (I was allocated a time slot to move in). The atmosphere was incredible when I arrived. There was music blaring out of the TeCRA (Tennis Court Residents Association) office, a marquee to collect keys and Freshers Fest (I'll explain later) tickets as well as the internet CD and insurance. I'm in Block 21 which meant that I couldn't escape the blaring music (TeCRA office is just downstairs) but that didn't matter at all because it added to the excitement of moving in. Naturally I let my Mother sort out the kitchen stuff while I set up my PC and put my books away. The internet was very easy to set up and took only ten minutes and a restart. There were three options: free, £70 and expensive. I chose the free package and it's really good. I haven't yet tried to watch anything on the iPlayer or 4OD so that could be a good measure to see how awesome the internet is but I'm sure that won't be an issue at all.
My flatmates (there are six of us in my flat) arrived at staggered times with one arriving a day late because he couldn't make the allocated move in day, which wasn't a problem at all (though he did have to arrive before 8.30 to get his keys whereas my move in time was 12.30 - 13.30). There was a welcome meeting the whole of Tennis Court at 2.30pm so we had enough time to organise the important things in our rooms and the kitchen, to remember names and sit around in the lounge to chat. We all agree that we were really lucky with flatmates because we already feel like we've known each other for ages and act like a family. If there are any problems (cleaning, for example) then there's never an argument because we all understand that we have to look out for each other and make sure we're all happy to live together. We get along really well, too, so that helps. There are already a few in-jokes and lots of funny stories.
The girls and I made a few friends on the way to the welcome meeting who, we found out, were living in the block right next to us, so we've seen them alot all week. We actually class one of them as the extra flatmate because he spends so much time in our flat. It was really easy to make friends with random people here because most people are very social and like to knock on random doors to say hello and get to know everyone. Danny, one of my flatmates, has a mission to get to know the name of everyone in centre court by the end of the year. He's already off to a flying start.
After we all settled in on Sunday, we went down to Bar One at the Hub in the Vale for a drink. Unfortunately the frivolities were cut short when there was a fire alarm and we were all evacuated. We all went back to the flat to play a few card games and make the most of the first night, regardless.
Monday was the start of the Freshers Fest. This is a university organised festival that includes nights out almost every day of the week (not compulsory) as well as vouchers for one free admission at the cinema, one free game of bowling and one free comedy night at Jongleurs. There were various levels of the pack depending on what the individual wants to get involved in. I bought the Silver Package which included all the nights in FF as well as Calvin Harris for next Friday and the Freshers Ball, which was last night. The Gold Package also includes N-Dubz. The prices ranged from cheap to expensive. The most expensive (gold) was £65 plus postage/booking fee and the cheapest was just a Freshers Ball ticket at £20 plus postage/booking fee. There's also a comedy night with an actor from The Inbetweeners for £7. You could buy individual tickets for Calvin Harris, N-Dubz and the Freshers Ball if you so wished to. That was mainly for people who missed out on buying them online before arriving at University.
Wednesday wasn't a particularly nice start, for me, because I had to wake up at 7am after a late night to make sure I was down at the Selly Oak campus for 10am, it being a 45 minute walk away. The reason for this was an introduction lecture to the course. There was a Facebook group already set up for the people doing Drama at Birmingham so I posted a notice to say that anyone who wanted to walk down together should meet in the Centre Court courtyard. About ten people turned up, a few from other halls but mostly TC. We had a lovely walk down to the Selly Oak campus, together, chatting breeze on the way. After the introduction to all the staff and the basic structure of the course, we were given the name of our Personal Tutor and had a meeting with them where we were given our timetable. We had to work out which slots were ours because there were various groups. I have Thursday off, which is nice. I doubt I'll actually have it off compeltely though because I've been advised that for every hour of contact (a lecture, a seminar etc) I have to do five hours of reading. I have about eight hours, at a guess, of contact, per week.
This morning my student finance information arrived in the post (which was delivered directly to my flat) so I could embrace the lovely task of budgeting. I chose to organise a weekly budget. I'm getting the full tuition fee loan, which I won't see because it is paid directly to the University, the full maintenance loan (income assessed) and a non-repayable grant which means I'll be surviving on £80 a week, which is very comfortable. As well as that funding, I'll be getting two bursaries from the University which are paid in two installments in January and May, I believe. I'll comment on them when I get them because they're irrelevant at the moment. With the budget I'll be able to do a limited weekly shop, save some money for laundry (£2.20 for a wash, £1 for the dryer), have a few notes for entertainment and perhaps save some money for summer or birthdays/Christmas.
And with that I'm off to make myself some dinner and hang out with the flatmates who have arrived back from wherever they escaped to. I should be updating this blog once a week with the happenings of Birmingham so do come back every Saturday or Sunday to see what's going on in Flat 135.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Name: Vici Royle