According to one of the many handbooks I have been given in the last week, I needed some special clothes. Special in the sense that they aren't things I'd normally buy-trousers and a "bright coloured anorak". I'm not quite sure why people seem to think that its implausible to do muddy and knee scuffing things in a skirt, I've managed thus far in my life (personally I think grazed knees are rather fetching). But such it is, and so I spent half the night hunting for a very very cheap pair, since I don't intend to spend much on something I wouldn't voluntarily wear.*
Thanks to the joys of camping shops I now own a fluorescent pink anorak. I defy anyone not to find me in that thing.
*No really I hate trousers that much. How the rest of you women are comfortable in something that attempts to bisect your bum is beyond me. "Figure hugging" jeans are imo one step away from speculum. And blokes. Why? Seriously, why? You have all those (frankly ludicrous looking) attachments, why on earth do you insist on trying to shove the things in trousers. Looks painful.
Showing posts with label student finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label student finance. Show all posts
Saturday, 25 September 2010
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Planning
The university have put the module descriptions and timetables online (eventually) and being a chronic lister, planner type I have been reading over them endlessly.
Being as the degree I'll be doing is two subjects I have 2 basic choices in how I go about this. Option 1, which I think I'm going with for year 1 at the least, is 50/50. Option 2 is 75/25. * There are advantages and disadvantages of both, as best I can tell (though I'm sure come induction they'll tell me a few more), and as long as you have the appropriate modules you can change from 50/50 to 75/25 and vice versa. So at the moment I'm thinking the best approach is to go with the 50/50 and if at the end of the year I really really want to do more of one I can, and otherwise I stay 50/50.
The main disadvantage is that starting with 50/50 means obviously less modules taken in each subject so my options in year 2 and 3 are in both a bit limited (more so in Zoology it has to be said), its not impossible but it does mean that I am unlikely to get to play with bugs. However, the module that interests me most of all is in the third year and has no pre-requisites (oh yes I've read that far ahead!). The second disadvantage is that because Zoology has three mandatory modules (one of which is chemistry-oh how I have cried) I only get to pick one optional one-which is going to be either Ecology or Human Biology. And is probably likely to be the former.
The advantage conversely is that by having my second subject as joint to start with rather than a minor I get to do some interesting modules, the two mandatory modules (that would take up my whole minor selection) are okay sounding, but not quite as interesting as some of the others sound. And at least this way I'm giving both subjects a fair chance.
The other thing I have found out, that I hadn't even considered might happen (how dense am I?!) is that one of my classes is in the evening. I assumed, very naively it seems, that the evening slots were predominantly for people doing part time studies. Luckily the mother unit is willing to have the small shouty person overnight, but I'd be stuffed if she wasn't (especially since I haven't got a childcare grant, because I haven't got a fee loan for this year...a rant of epic proportions).
Third thing that I've realised is that even with car sharing I am going to be spending about 60£ a month on travel (I've never so wanted so wanted someone to be in the same place as me at the same time so much as I do now!). If I wasn't getting lifts it'd be over 100£. Eek!
*There is also option 3 which is essentially 37.5/37.5/25, but I don't think that would work very well for my subjects (plus I can't imagine an appropriate third). I can imagine it working very well if you were doing say English/History/Education.
Being as the degree I'll be doing is two subjects I have 2 basic choices in how I go about this. Option 1, which I think I'm going with for year 1 at the least, is 50/50. Option 2 is 75/25. * There are advantages and disadvantages of both, as best I can tell (though I'm sure come induction they'll tell me a few more), and as long as you have the appropriate modules you can change from 50/50 to 75/25 and vice versa. So at the moment I'm thinking the best approach is to go with the 50/50 and if at the end of the year I really really want to do more of one I can, and otherwise I stay 50/50.
The main disadvantage is that starting with 50/50 means obviously less modules taken in each subject so my options in year 2 and 3 are in both a bit limited (more so in Zoology it has to be said), its not impossible but it does mean that I am unlikely to get to play with bugs. However, the module that interests me most of all is in the third year and has no pre-requisites (oh yes I've read that far ahead!). The second disadvantage is that because Zoology has three mandatory modules (one of which is chemistry-oh how I have cried) I only get to pick one optional one-which is going to be either Ecology or Human Biology. And is probably likely to be the former.
The advantage conversely is that by having my second subject as joint to start with rather than a minor I get to do some interesting modules, the two mandatory modules (that would take up my whole minor selection) are okay sounding, but not quite as interesting as some of the others sound. And at least this way I'm giving both subjects a fair chance.
The other thing I have found out, that I hadn't even considered might happen (how dense am I?!) is that one of my classes is in the evening. I assumed, very naively it seems, that the evening slots were predominantly for people doing part time studies. Luckily the mother unit is willing to have the small shouty person overnight, but I'd be stuffed if she wasn't (especially since I haven't got a childcare grant, because I haven't got a fee loan for this year...a rant of epic proportions).
Third thing that I've realised is that even with car sharing I am going to be spending about 60£ a month on travel (I've never so wanted so wanted someone to be in the same place as me at the same time so much as I do now!). If I wasn't getting lifts it'd be over 100£. Eek!
*There is also option 3 which is essentially 37.5/37.5/25, but I don't think that would work very well for my subjects (plus I can't imagine an appropriate third). I can imagine it working very well if you were doing say English/History/Education.
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Macbeth (or some notes on Student Finance England)
Good thing of today-received notification of having passed Access course, which I kinda figured I had, but it is nice to have it on paper (at least until the certificate turns up).
Less good thing of today-another missive from Student Finance England. Or as I have taken to thinking of them, my estranged not terribly romantic frigid date. Said missive asks for information which they have asked for and received three times already. I am divided between just sending it, and phoning to ask why the buggery they haven't got a photocopier or a scanner.
The primary thing I have learned since just after Christmas when I applied for finance is that if Student Finance Glasgow office and Darlington Office were a couple they would be in counselling. They are totally and completely incapable of communicating with one another. And I'm fairly sure Darlington cheated on Glasgow, since every time I have spoken to the Glasgow call centre whomever I talk to appears to have got out of the wrong side of life, let alone bed.
If you're likely to have any need for Student Finance England (I have no experience of the other student finance services but it would astound me if they are significantly better) here are my tips:
- Keep every single solitary letter that they send you or any financial supporters (parents/spouse etc).
- Scan or photocopy any forms you have to sign and send back.
- Keep handy, and with several copies, lest they misplace them the following: bank statements, payslips, mortgage statements, rent books, council tax schedules, home insurance schedules, life insurance schedules, payslips, P45s, P60s, birth certificates of you and and children, marriage/civil partnerships certificates, divorce paperwork, change of name paperwork, full blood count (okay they haven't asked for that yet, but there's still time before September).
- Befriend your local post office and make sure you get a certificate of postage for everything you send to them, and if you can afford it send anything vulnerable (actual birth certificates, final acceptance forms) by signed for.
- Equally have read receipts on any emails you send to them.
- If you phone them take note of the name of the person you speak to. If you have a fancy phone that you know how to use properly record the calls if you are able. You should let them know if you do record, but they record calls so its no big issue really.
- Invest in a punch-bag, take up running, or attach a chain to your bedfellow of choice so you can more easily drag them to bed. You will need something to get rid of the residual anger from any communication with SFE.
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