Hello from our VP Welfare & Representation, Steph Johnson

Salutations!

Welcome to the first of (hopefully) many blogs which will contain my musings on all things RUSU, some wonderful welfare-y tips and advice and updates on what I have been doing for students studying in Reading.

I’m writing this sat in my office after a very long day of Freshers’ Fayre Take Two: Attack of the Sporto’s. And my goodness I am fried! Over this past week the other four officers and I have been out and about meeting and greeting as many of the charming new students as we can get our hands on, while saying a cheery “Welcome back!” to all of our returning students. I cannot stress enough how glad I am to have you all back on campus (despite the fact that I feel like I am about to die – the dreaded Freshers’ Flu has struck)! It was mighty lonely when you were away!

I spent a good deal of my summer (when not having a great time playing at festivals on my weekends off) planning a lot of very exciting things for the coming year. Now when I say exciting things, normally I would mean exciting as in the type of thing that RUSU/welfare keenos like myself would find exciting, but genuinely I think there are some things coming up that will excite (or at least help) the masses.

Let’s kick off with my fave - the Student Safety Net smartphone application. Now hold on to your socks because what you are about to read is pretty special!

We at RUSU care about your safety, so we have signed up to trial a new smartphone app launched by the NUS which allows students to interact with each other, the Students’ Union and the NUS about all things safety (this includes personal safety when out and about and securing your home). If being able to sleep soundly in your bed at night, safe in the knowledge that you will be alerted to any nasty business going down in your area isn’t enough we have added a cheeky little incentive for Reading students to get them downloading and using this app. On the 30^th November we will select one lucky person from those that have downloaded the app to win…

*drum roll*

A FREE WEEKEND IN PARIS including travel, accommodation and breakfast!!!!

Now that you have got off of the floor and returned to your seat, I’ll let you know how to get in on this. Simply search ‘Student Safety Net’ in your app store and click download, or click on this link to the iTunes store. It is free and simple. So go. Now. Do it!

While we are on an international theme, I think I’ll bring up another shiny new project that has been launched this term. Together with members of staff from both the University and the Union I have been working on a fabulous new three-pronged project which aims to aid the exchanging of cultures on our campus. 

Connect Project

From the University’s side of things comes the ‘Connect Project.’ One aspect of this project will be a number of social events at which UK and international students get together to learn about and experience different cultures and meet new friends from across the globe (for more information visit the Reading University website). 

The Buddy Project

From the Union comes ‘The Buddy Project’ which aims to partner up new international students with current home and international students in order to provide the ‘student experience’ side of advice – things like where to go for a budget shopping trip, the best places to go/eat out, things to do and places to visit in and around Reading. 

Day trips

Finally – day trips. We want to show off the area, what there is to do here and what Brits enjoy. So – Thorpe Park, Kew Gardens, Reading FC and London Irish rugby will play host to a huge group of visiting students. If you are interested in any of these – either taking part or volunteering – do get in touch!

Well, I think that is just about enough excitement for one blog. Make sure you check out my ‘Welfare Wednesdays’ blogs every Wednesday straight from my laptop to your screen for more news on what I have been kicking about doing! (Yes I realise this has not been released on a Wednesday, but hey – give me a break! We've just had Freshers’ Week for goodness’ sake!).

With oodles and oodles of Welfare love (the safest kind don’t you know!),

Steph x

Ben's guide for students

Morning all,

Skipping all the pleasantries because I’m sure you are all beautifully bronzed after holidays in sunny places, relaxed after too many mornings spent lying in bed with an episode or two of Homes Under The Hammer and all excited to get back to being students.

Image by meophammanilow via FlickrRound about this sort of times, things just keep appearing everywhere saying things like “Remember this” or “oh, fill in this form.” Lots of this stuff is directed at freshers’ in particular. The most common of this literature being a 'Things to bring' list that first years would receive stretching perhaps 3-4 A4 sides going from the most blissfully dull such as “Bring pens to write with” to the slightly more practical “Bring a TV aerial if you’re planning on catching up with Jeremy Kyle on the days where getting out of bed seems like an awful lot of effort.”

However hopefully I’m going to provide a slightly fresh bit of advice that is more relevant to you all. Firstly by offering a few hi-coos, what-nots and pointers for 2nd and 3rd years (as well as freshers), and secondly by suggesting things that others may overlook!


First Years

Image via Wikipedia

If you are anything like I was, you’ll arrive with enough bags for a family of six, full of things you may never us. Quite why your mum thought you would need 200 dividers for your first term, or why she’s decided you will definitely need 30 pencils when you’re studying an English course or perhaps that its absolutely fundamental you take a few hundred spare staples just in case you need to staple A LOT, is beyond you!

Here are a few tips for getting by in your first year…

• Technically, I can't tell you to keep your door open (fire hazards and that), but make the effort to get out there, meet people and interact! People won't make the effort if you sit behind a closed door.
• Alcohol can lead to an array of amusing incidents however not only is it best to enjoy it responsibly, but also avoid drinking too much on your first night evenings. People just in general love to remind you of that time “You woz hammered.” Perhaps it’s a good idea to make sure it wasn’t on your first night that you woke up outside shirtless, with one shoe, covered in permanent marker…
• If you have a place in halls have a wander around and introduce yourself to people - knock on doors and have a chat. Don’t be embarrassed, everyone is in the same boat as you.

Second Years

• Make sure you enjoy yourself. Don’t take this to mean “yeah don’t do any studying or anything” Obviously make time for study and that, it’s important you get good grades, and aren’t completely lost in June when you’re sitting at a desk in sports park writing an exam answer you have completely made up.
• Get involved with plenty of things that will be good for your CV! Employers take very little interest in that time you beat your housemate at Fifa, or the time you watched Gilmore girls for 5 hours straight. Sit on committees and join societies. Employers want sociable people who will represent a company well and be a good team member.
• Finally on a very similar note, spread your wings a little bit, go out of your comfort zone and try things you haven’t yet tried. Once you move into a house with all your best pals from first year it can become increasingly easy to get isolated, go out and try new things like sports, societies or media!

Third Years

                          via Wikipedia
• Right you lot have got to take things more serious than you ‘ave done, you’re all getting on a bit and starting to settle down. If you need to let your hair down get it out of the way early. Have some fun at the beginning of the term then knuckle down, I bloomin’ love Christmas and would have been gutted to miss out on any clowning around that takes place in December because you haven’t been up to speed on your dissertation etc.
• Surround yourself with people who are pro-active, fun but also hard-working. These sorta’ people are the key to being motivated.
• Choose your nights that will be your chilled out/going out evenings. DON’T CHOOSE a night out where you’ve got a horribly early start to the next day where you’ll be getting up for a lecture in your finest baggy hoody, Ugg boots and those comfy old school Nike grey tracksuit bottoms that you’ve had since you were 15.

Your time at uni goes ever so quickly so make the most of it, a lot of this stuff seems basic but it can genuinely make a difference if you try it.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon, campus is all kinds of quiet at the mo.


Attempted Urban cool guy handshake

Ben

Hello from your VP Academic Affairs - Alex Slater

From everyone within RUSU I would like to give you a massive warm welcome. I'm your VP Academic Affairs, so responsible for making sure that all your concerns are heard within your courses and what-not.
Another concern of ours as a team is making sure that you have the best possible time during freshers week, involving everything with your new halls and the experiences you have during the day. Make sure you keep an eye out because I know that it has become our own personal missions to make sure that we talk to as many of you as physically possible, getting to know you, and more importantly, you getting to know what we have on offer for you.

So, now we have the introductions out the way, lets move onto business... 4 DAYS until all you lovely new students first make an appearance as part of the University of Reading, or if you are a returning student we are SOO excited about having you back (more than you can imagine...campus has been a ghost town). 


Here are some of the projects your sabbatical team have prepared for you:


COURSE REPS! We have made them nice and new with a couple of changes within the ways in which they are run. They are smoother, better looking, and most importantly...WILL HELP YOU GET A JOB WHEN YOU DO (eventually) LEAVE UNI!

RUSU Registration! Don't forget to register on our website so that you can buy your union tickets from the comfort of your rooms (this may not seem like much now with the sun shinning, however on those cold, winter days when it is pouring with rain you will be grateful). This also gives you the chance to get involved in everything that we do. Easy as pie to do, however, we left a card in your hall rooms/ your JCR gave you one just to make it that bit easier.

Well that's all I am going to tell you about for now, simply to make sure that you don't get bored. Keep an eye out for us night and day (as we will be somewhere) and we hope to talk to you all.

Lots of love

Alex Slater

The best cooking resources for students

For some of you, your time at university will be the first time you've had to fully cater for yourself. While it's tempting to live on microwave meals, toast and beans, it's often cheaper and healthier to cook your own food from scratch.

We've already shared the best best quick, cheap and nutritional meals to cook as a student, as suggested by our current students. Now, we'd like to share with you our favourite resources to get you started.

iPhone apps

Good Food
There are several Good Food apps, ranging from One Pot recipes to suggestions for Cooking with Friends. The Quick Recipes app is great for whipping something up when you're short on time. They're £1.99 per app - considerably cheaper than your average cook book.


Epicurious
The Epicurious App is another worthy download (and it's free!). It's got recipes for all skills, including an 'I can barely cook' section, filled with 8,435 recipes, and a section for those who are more advanced. The downside is that it's American, so you'll have to deal with cups, pounds and pints.

Oh, and you can add the ingredients to the shopping list section, complete with tick boxes. Handy.


Android apps


AllRecipes.com Dinner Spinner
The AllRecipes.com Dinner Spinner app lets you find the perfect recipe with just a couple of taps. You choose the course, the main ingredient and how long you have, and it'll give you your options. You can also shake the phone for a random option. It's free too.


Big Oven
Big Oven is packed full of 170,000 recipes. The great thing about this app, is the 'Use Up Leftovers' section. Usefule for Thursday nights when the only things you've got left in your fridge are an egg, some sad looking spinach and some leftover chicken from yesterday's dinner.

Epicurious
We've already mentioned this one in the iPhone app section, but it's also available for Android devices.


Useful Websites

BBC Good Food
We've talked about the iPhone app, but the Good Food website is definitely worth adding to your bookmarks. It's got something for everyone, and the food articles are always interesting.


Jamie Oliver
If you prefer your recipes a little more 'throw in a bit of this and a bit of that', then Jamie's website is probably for you. It's all fairly simple to cook, and there's a section on budget meals that's made for students really. Be aware though, that his 20-minute meals rarely take that long - unless you have someone else preparing everything for you and washing up afterwards.


Delia Smith
You can't learn how to cook without a little help from Delia. Her website caters for those with little time (the under 30 minutes section) and even has a coupon section so you can save money on your weekly shop.

That's just a few online resources for cooking. Where do you go for cooking tips? Do you have an app or cook book you'd recommend? Or any top tips? Let us know in the comments!

Top Ten Welfare Tips

Image by Images_of_Money via FlickrLeaving home for the first time? Are you ready for what will quite possibly be, the best fortnight of your life so far? Check out our tips on how to make the most of it safely…


1. Budget
Prioritise what is a 'need' and what really is only a 'want'. The last thing you want to do is miss out due to insufficient funds. Not cool. Have a look at our 'Managing your money' advice.

2. Be prepared
Buying all your essentials, books (Blackwell have a reserve online, collect in store facility) and of course fancy dress, before you get here means you have more time to spend meeting people, getting involved and settling in to your new surroundings.

Image via Wikipedia

3. Lock up your belongings
Doors, windows and bikes are the most obvious hazards. Halls are safe places but are very open, especially during Fresher’s Week. Only take out what is necessary and keep everything else out of sight. Don’t become a statistic!

4. Eating is not cheating
Alcohol can play an important part in which direction your night takes. If booze becomes the focal point, you could find your good time takes a turn for the worse. Make sure you eat before going out and drink plenty of water or you'll regret it in the morning.

5. Keep safe at night
Don't walk home alone, whether it’s from the library or 3sixty, stick with your friends. Use taxis, ideally with a group of friends to share the cost (see point 1 – Budget!). Whilst walking try not to use your headphones or mobile phone as these can decrease your awareness.

Image by Arizona Parrot via Flickr6. Remember your 5 a day
You can’t live off takeaways forever! Why not pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables from our Fresh Produce Market on Mondays in 3sixty.

7. Look after you
Your JCR, the Students' Union Advice Team and your VP Welfare and Representation are all here to help. You only need to ask.


Image by -bartimaeus- via Flickr8. Get your beauty sleep
A well-rested mind and body means you won’t miss out on anything.

9. Have fun, play safe
Nobody has a body to die for! Safe sex is always better. Free condoms are available from the Students' Union Hub and through your JCR.

10. Challenge yourself and try something new
With over 130 sports clubs and societies, 3 student media groups, campaigns, events and a whole host of volunteering opportunities, you will never have a better chance to get involved! Have a look around our website to discover the many new adventures you can embark on.

What are your top welfare tips?

Hello from our VP Democracy & Campaigns - Ben Haines

Alright pals,

Hope everyone is hunky dory and having all sorts of tomfoolery and fun on their summer break! This is my first attempt at a blog post and unfortunately for anyone reading it I have a habit of writing a lot like the way in which I talk - which most of the time involves a mixture of eloquent speech and fractured abuse of the English language.

Firstly all you lovely A'level lot who have got into UoR…

*just going to take a brief pause here to say usually I ain't got an awful lot of time for abbreviations and synonyms they make things ever so confusing but in this case I reckon it’ll save a bit of time (UoR meaning University of Reading)*

… like I was saying all you A'level bunch who got into UoR congratulations! This University is not only world-renowned, forward-thinking, home to some of the best academics in the world, easy on the eyes and steeped in history but also a really friendly and fun place to be. Apologies for the slightly cheesy digression but anyway I shall look forward to meeting lots of you soon!

The rest of you good looking Reading bunch who are coming back to Reading in a few weeks time after the summer break, get yourselves all rested up and that ready for Freshers' Fortnight followed by many late nights working hard perhaps indulging in an occasional trip down to the Students' Union on a Wednesday or Saturday evening!

What I've been up to so far

Just thought I’d get you up to speed on what I’ve been doing with my time since having been made Vice President of this swanky student union. After having been wooed like a wide eyed child with the idea of having my own office with a white board, I’ve managed to get settled down and have been spending a lot of time scratching my head and working out the best way for students to give their officer team (myself, Steph, Alex, Jack and Karl) feedback. We’ve come up with something called ‘Student Officer Scrutiny’ which we hope will be a little event for any student to come and find out what their team has been doing to represent and support them! Think of it as like a spiced up version of Mastermind, but with you lot asking the questions instead of a silver fox like John Humphreys.

Secondly, I’ve had myself a little look at my manifesto that I got elected on. The first thing I'll be tackling is a big old vote on whether Reading University Students' Union wants to remain affiliated with the National Union of Students. Right, I realise all these long words and the idea of voting looks all confusing and is enough to make you all awash and agog due to information overload…HOWEVER…in theory this is all very simple. You the students will have a straight forward yes or no choice. The National Union of Students brings a lot of Students' Unions around the country together, they provide training, resources and really good deals for us students…but…we do have to pay to be affiliated to them. What you lot have to decide is whether you believe the money which we pay is worth the benefits we get back. Don’t be fooled by my long winded explanation kids this is genuinely exciting stuff you’ll be hearing lots more about this soon.

Get in contact!

Very aware I’ve been yammering on for quite a concerted period of time now, and am probably at risk of boring people which would just be a bloomin' disaster so I shall leave you to carry on just living out your lives.

See you all soon! Oh yeah give me a little follow on Twitter @RUSU_VPDC or find me on Facebook or alternatively send me a little email or summat. Will be more than happy to answer any questions!

Much Love

*informal handshake combined with reassuring smile*

Ben. 

Five ways to save and make money in your first year of uni

Image by epSos.de via FlickrOne of the biggest fears students tend to have when leaving for university, is how they'll cope with money. For many, it's the first time they've had full financial independence. It doesn't need to be scary though. A little forward thinking can help you avoid dipping into your overdraft, while enjoying a social life and varied diet!

Here are five ways to save money and make money while at university.


NUS Extra card
The NUS Extra card is packed full of deals for you to save money in all areas of life. It costs just £11, and the average student saves £500 with theirs. For example, you can:

• Save 10% off toiletries at Superdrug
• Save 10% on your sports gear at JJB sports
• Get 40% off a haircut at Nicky Clarke 
• Get half price driving lessons with the AA
• 11% off a 16-25 Railcard. Talking of which...

16-25 Railcard
If you're going to travel anywhere this year, whether it's a trip home or a day trip to London, a 16-25 railcard will save you a lot of money. You'll usually save around a third on your ticket, unless you go at peak time. Book ahead on sites like TheTrainLine, and you'll save even more with their early booking rates! You'll usually make your money back on the railcard purchase within just a couple of journeys.


Get together!
The best way to save money is a bit of teamwork. It's far cheaper to cook a meal between five people, than to cook for just one. You'll save money on food, electricity and washing up, plus enjoy a nice meal together with your housemates.


Work for the union
If you're looking to earn while you learn, the union has a number of roles available. You could help behind the bar, work in the catering department, drive the safety bus or help out at the Freshers' Fayre among other roles. Shifts are flexible, so you can fit it around your studies. Have a look at our student job vacancies to see what we're currently looking for.


Quidco - Cashback
Quidco is a great service that lets you earn a small amount of cashback every time you buy something from one of their participating stores. You can use your NUS card alongside the Quidco cashback scheme when you buy in store. So, in theory, you can could buy a laptop in Comet, where you'll get 5% off, and then an additional 2.5% cashback. It might not sound like a lot, but it'll stack up throughout the year.

How do you save and make money at university?