Fresher's Guide
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[1] FRESHER’S GUIDE ROSE BRUFORD COLLEGE STUDENT UNION 2011
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Transcript of Fresher's Guide
[1]
FRESHER’S GUIDEROSE BRUFORD COLLEGE STUDENT UNION
2011
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About the SU
BECKY THOMPSON
SEAN HAMMOND
PHILATHERTON
JADEKELLY
RAHPETHERBRIDGE
JONMARTIN
President2nd year Stage Manager
Vice President2nd year Actor
Finance Officer2nd year Scenic Artist
Entertainments Officer2nd year Stage Manager
Entertainments Officer2nd year Stage Manager
International Student Officer3rd year Lighting Designer
CAZCADDICK
CLARKWILKINSON
SOPHIENAISBIT
CHARLIEHAIN
CHLOEFRENCH
TOMLEWER
Welfare Officer2nd year Stage Manager
LGBT Officer2nd year Stage Manager
Green Officer2nd year Scenic Artist
Charities Officer2nd year Lighting Designer
Sports & Societies Officer2nd year Stage Manager
Secretary2nd year Stage Manager
The Student Union are here to help you make the most of your time at Rose Bruford. Whether it be a small problem with how the college is run or a massive event that’s going on, we’re your people!
We are here as a link between you, the student body, and the college. Not only do we sort out problems, we also put on some great events like those going on in fresher’s week.
Our office is LH3, which is under the small staircase in Lamorbey House. We have an open door policy so you’re always welcome to come and talk to us. You can also email us at [email protected].
Hello! We’d like to welcome you to Rose Bruford!We hope you enjoy your time here. We have compiled this pack for you to help you make the most of your first year here and have included several things that we believe will help you get settled into college life as quickly as possible!
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Moving away can be nervewracking but hopefully we can make it as stress free as possible for you! You will move into halls the weekend before fresher’s week, on the 17th or 18th September. The SU will be at both Avery Hill and Queen Mary’s to help you move in!
Halls information
Avery Hill
Avery Hill halls are about 30 mins walk away from college. There is a small Co Op between Avery Hill and college which is handy if you need some shopping on the way to or back from college, or there is a big Sainsburys in Eltham on the high street (286 bus). There’s no wireless so remember to bring an ethernet cable!
Facilities at Avery Hill:- Village Shop - food and stationery, not at brilliant prices but OK. Run by Greenwich SU.- Launderette - washing (£2) and tumble drying (£1). Exact change only.- Gym - find out more about this at Greenwich’s freshers fair.- The Dome - next to the shop and launderette, it has a cafe and postbox in it among other things.- Reception - pay your rent/sort out problems here. Open 9-5 Monday-Friday. - Cash Point - next to the launderette.- GP Surgery - we advise signing up as soon as you can as it takes a couple of days to process.
Queen Mary’s
Queen Mary’s halls are slightly further from college but are on the 286 bus route. There’s a big Morrisons between Queen Mary’s and college and Sidcup high street is not too far away. Unfortunately we don’t have very much information about Queen Mary’s facilities but rest assured we’ll be there to help you move in and if you have any questions in the meantime contact Jo Davies who will be happy to help you. [email protected]
Your welfare
During your time at Rose Bruford, you are entitled to the best experience as a university student, which
should include your classes, your social events and your accommodation. Nobody wants to live in a
mouldy room, go to a class where the teacher does not understand your academic needs, or to suffer with
tension among your classmates.
If you are having any problems, there are plenty of people to talk to, you have a wide range of people that
understand what you need to get out of your university life here at Rose Bruford, whether you want to talk
to somebody on a student level or somebody as high up as our very own principal. You should never feel
alone, the SU are interested in YOU. Feel free to come to our office or email [email protected]
any time.
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During your first two weeks at college you’ll get your Bruford ID card. You’ll
need this to gain access to college and should carry it with you at all times. It’s also how you pay for printing and photocopying. It will come with credit already on it but you can top it up any
time at the desk in the Learning Resources Centre (LRC). Cards cost £10 to replace so make sure you look after them!
College information
During your first week of term, you’ll be given a mountain of paperwork including information about your course, registration details and the Student Handbook. Believe it or not, this is all really useful stuff and you may be asked or have to refer to it, so keep it in a folder.
Other paperwork to keep organised is your correspondence with UCAS and Student Finance. Remember you’re going to get a hefty bill from Student Finance in three years time, so try and keep track of how much you owe them.
If you’re living in halls or rented accommodation keep your contracts and make sure you know what you’ve signed. You’re paying a lot to live there so know your rights as a tennant. For more information, look at www.accommodationforstudents.com or www.adviceguide.org.uk.
There are many staff who you may never meet in you first year, but often send out emails, so it’s good to know who’s who.
Michael Earley - PrincipalJean Bibbey - Principal’s PAAndrew Walker - Vice PrincipalPhil Wigley - Director of Professional
DevelopmentOlivia Wong - Head of FinanceEmilio Romero - Head of PerformanceNick Hunt - Head of Design,
Management and Technical ArtsPaul Fryer - Head of Graduate and Professional StudiesSam Naylor - Director of ProductionsSimon Hopper - Learning Support Tutor
Ros Platton - Disabilities AdvisorShirley Butcher - ReceptionMarc Wilson - ICT ConsultantFrank Trew - Librarian
Dave Kerry - “Workshop Dave”Jo Davies - Student Advisor/Counsellor/AccomodationRupert Dannreuther - Marketing
The main form of communication in college is email. Your inbox will fill up quickly, sometimes with stuff that isn’t even relavent to you, and can only hold a certain number of messages. As important information from tutors, the SU and fellow students will be sent by email, make sure you check your emails regularly and delete what isn’t relavent. That way you can be sure not to miss out on any information.
Important paperwork
International students
“As the SU’s International Student Officer I am here to help those who are from outside the United Kingdom. There will be a meet and greet for international students on Thursday, September 23, 2011 in room 1 Lamorbey House (time will be confirmed). If you have any questions before you start college feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected] I will try to respond as quickly as I can. If I can't answer your question directly I can point you in the right direction as to who can. When term starts I am usually around college frequently, If you have a question or just need someone to talk to don't be shy come on up and say Hi.”
- Jonathan D Martin
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Going out in Sidcup
Wetherspoons (The Tailor’s Chalk) – Sidcup High StreetCatch the 286 from halls or a 15 minute walk from collegeA student friendly pub that serves good food and drink.
The Metro Bar – Station RoadWedged in between Somerfield and Sidcup StationMetro stays open until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights, but you’ll need ID to get in and last admission is 11pm. It serves food during the day and Tuesdays and Thursdays are Karaoke night!
The Black Horse – Halfway StreetThe closest pub to college, turn right out of Burnt Oak Lane and walk about 100 yards up the roadGood for a drink and cheap food (although you may have to wait for food - don’t get caught out and go there when you’re in a bit of hurry!)
The local area
Further afield
BexleyheathCatch a 132 near the BP garage by Avery Hill hallsA much bigger town than Sidcup, Bexleyheath has an ASDA for all your shopping needs, a TKMAX if you need a bargain and a Cineworld – go on a Tuesday to get a cheap £4 student ticket with an NUS Extra Card. Bexleyheath also has a Wetherspoons.
GreenwichCatch the 286 from hallsMake sure you go on a Saturday or Sunday for the indoor and outdoor markets – totally hectic but completely awesome. Take plenty of cash and you’ll get some really unique buys. If it’s a bit of culture you’re after, then you can check out the Maritime Museum for free. And for later, Greenwich has plenty of restaurants and the Up the Creek Comedy Club! www.up-the-creek.com
BluewaterCatch the Train to Greenhithe, then Bluewater shuttle bus (about 45 mins)If it’s a shopping centre you’re after look no further. Bluewater has every single high street store you can think of! Visit www.bluewater.co.uk for more details. Don’t go to Bluewater if you’re trying to save though, you will inevitably want to buy things!
The VenueCatch the 321 from Sidcup high street to New Cross. You can get home on the N21.The Venue is one of London’s biggest nightclubs and it’s right on our doorstep (well, sort of) as it’s only a 30 minute bus journey away, or you can catch a train if you’re closer to the station. With 7 different bars across 3 floors it has something for everyone. On Fridays students can get in for £1 before midnight. www.thevenuelondon.com
Although not massive, it does have a McDonald’s (NUS cardholders get a free
cheeseburger or McFlurry!), Pizza Express, Pizza Hut, Boots, Superdrug, Blockbuster and most banks. A random mix, but handy for bits and
bobs.
Sidcup high street
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Local travel
The good news is that bus routes in and around Sidcup are quite good and buses generally run on time. As a first year living in halls, the bus you’ll most commonly be using is the 286, which runs between Queen Mary’s Hospital and Greenwich Cutty Sark. It stops just outside both Avery Hill halls and Queen Mary’s halls, and its nearest stop to college is outside the Black Horse pub on Halfway Street, less than 5 minutes walk from college. It runs about every 10-12 minutes.
It’s also easy to get into both Sidcup and Eltham. The 286 goes to Sidcup station and town centre and Eltham high street, which is a good area for food shopping with Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Iceland and Poundland.
If you’re paying with cash a bus journey, no matter how short, will set you back £2.20 so as mentioned in our money saving tips it’s really worth getting an Oyster card. With Oyster a journey anywhere on the bus costs £1.30.
For more information about local bus routes look at the bus leaflet also in this pack.
Travel information
Getting into London
The nearest station to college and Queen Mary’s is Sidcup, and the nearest to Avery Hill is New Eltham. Trains for London leave both stations about every 15 minutes to half hour. They call at London Bridge, Waterloo East, Cannon Street and Charing Cross.
Prices will vary depending on what time you travel and if you have an Oyster card. However, we suggest that you DO NOT travel before 9:30am and between 4:30-6:30pm as these are not only the busiest times but they are also the most expensive, costing you sometimes twice as much.
16-25 RAILCARD
Ask any student and they’ll tell you how valuable a Young Persons Railcard is. They cost around £28 but will save you 1/3 on ALL train travel. Check out 16-25railcard.co.uk. If you open a student account with Natwest you’ll get a railcard free!
Travel in London
The easiest way to get around London is the tube. Although at first it can seem daunting, the tube is actually very simple. You can get straight on the tube at Charing Cross and Cannon Street, so it’s easy to continue your journey across London from Sidcup.
For more information have a look at the tube map also in this pack.
If you’re planning to travel home for the weekend, a reading week etc, and you’re travelling by train, book in advance and you can often save a lot. A great website for this is www.thetrainline.com
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10 money saving tips
1. Make a budget, and stick to it. Keeping track of your money is always a good idea, and if you know at least roughly how much you’re spending you won’t have a nasty surprise when you check your account and find you only have £20 to last you four weeks!
2. Buy food with friends and cook together. This has loads of benefits. Not only can it cost less but results in less waste and also less washing up!
3. When you go food shopping, make a list. If you don’t you’ll probably end up impulse buying and wasting money. Ordering online is a good idea, particularly if you can get together with your flatmates and order in one go.
4. Wherever possible, walk, don’t get the bus. It might only seem like this is saving you a couple of quid but it does add up.
5. Get a young person’s railcard. Railcards give you up to a third off all national train services. They cost around £28 and last for a year.
6. Get an NUS extra card. This will give you a discount in loads of shops, restaurants and days out. To see the current offers go to www.nus.org.uk/en/NUS-Extra/Discounts/. NUS cards cost £11 and we’ll be selling them at fresher’s fair and also from our office in Lamorbey House.
7. Get loyalty cards. These are usually free and if you’re going to be shopping in the same place a lot the savings mount up.
8. Get an Oyster card. These make travelling into and around London much easier. They cost around £10 but don’t have to be renewed and save on trains, buses, the tube and the DLR.
9. Ask for discounts. If you don’t ask you don’t get! Loads of places offer an NUS discount and most West End theatres offer cheap tickets for students with NUS cards or often just your Bruford ID card.
10. Discount Days. There are pubs, clubs, restaurants etc that do student nights or cheaper days. Look out for them!
Financial advice and tips
Other ideas
If you have an old phone lying around go to www.envirofone.com. As long as it switches on and has a working charger, they will pay you for it and recycle it in an
environmentally friendly way.
Another great website to check out is www.studentbeans.com. It’s free to sign up and they offer loads of discounts at restaurants, shops and the cinema, as well as lots of free stuff!
If you’re ever worried about money, come and see us in our office and we will do our best to help you out. Remember, we’re here to help, whether it’s with issues inside or outside of college.
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We’ll be posting more info including exactly what’ll be going on when and where and prices soon!
