Newcastle Upon Tyne plays home to more than 50,000 students every year, between Northumbria University and Newcastle University, and it should hardly come as a surprise, the city was ranked the top destination in the UK by Student Hut. Thanks to its well-connected transport system, vibrant nightlife, despite what is often, shall we say, ‘mild weather’, and incredible variety of shops, Newcastle fought off stiff competition from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester, and Leeds.

Asides from the evident positives regarding lifestyle, one of the main reasons Newcastle has established itself as such a popular destination for 18-year-olds fleeing the nest after A-Level results is an undeniable value for money. Few cities throughout the country could boast that their taxis services charge less than £10 to travel the lengths and breadths of the metropolis, while rent prices often come in at half the price of that in the capital.

Even the most affluent among us struggle to turn a good old British bargain, and let’s be realistic, it is highly unlikely, as a student, your bank balance will resemble that of dot com millionaires. That said, finding the little life hacks that get you through will go along way in making your university journey not only enjoyable, but that little bit more comfortable. Here, with Northumbria University, who offer a variety of university courses, we run through the best ways to take advantage of student discounts.

Unidays

There are a whole host of apps out there that make your student life easier, and some actually relate to studying! Unidays, however, is much like your student card, yet it’s a digital version. From clothes to travel, your new virtual pal has it all. Fortunately, this app is actually available to college and sixth form students as well as undergraduates, so prior to heading off, download the app and get to grips with everything it has to offer. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Apple Shop deals, especially if you are interested in investing in a new MacBook Pro, to assist in the competition of assignments, or to watch Netflix.

Food and drink

Your university student card will grant you access to discounts at a copious number of bars and eateries, including a free burger when you buy any meal at McDonalds. However, don’t be fooled into thinking you have to spend your days chomping down on takeaway burgers — that’s for the walk home after a night on the town. Holy Hobo, located on the cusp of the city centre and student area, Jesmond, offers utterly mouthwatering cocktails at almost half the price when you’ve got a valid student card, while scrumptious tapas dishes come served with a significantly diminished bill — everything tastes better when it’s cheaper! A stones throw away you will find The Hancock, which, similarly, when presented with a proof of education, will knock 10 per cent of your bill, just for being a student.

Eating out all the time will certainly be enough to destruct the bank balance and wither away the student loan, so we would highly recommend making it an occasional treat. Unfortunately, student discount isn’t offered at the major supermarkets, however, Grainger Market, nestled deep in the city centre, boasts a variety of butchers and fruits shops who all cut prices for students — ensuring that your diet doesn’t have to be solely Pot Noodles and Rustlers Burgers.

Getting the day in

As a first-year student, you’ll be glad to hear that you aren’t in university every hour of the day. Of course, there will be intensive periods of study throughout the year and deadlines will sometimes creep up on you like a poorly disguised pantomime act, however, in order to enjoy the experience of university, you need to partake in more than just reading. As the age old saying goes, ‘a healthy body is a healthy mind’, and there is no better way to keep yourself focused than to indulge in some exercise. Most gyms throughout the city will offer student discounts, including Sport Central, which, for students often throws up annual deals, helping you save the pennies and shred the pounds.

Entertainment

It isn’t only one-off purchases that your student card unlocks — it gives you access to a wide range of subscription services. Spotify and Amazon Prime are just two examples of entertainment services which offer annual discounts with a student email address. Often coming away to university can result in you spending a lot of time with very little to do, particularly if your flat mates are in class, or away home for the weekend, therefore tucking into a meaty series can be a perfect way of combatting the boredom. Likewise, you will probably never listen to more music in your life, when exercising, revising, and walking from a to b, so a Spotify membership for £4.99 will never be a bad idea!

From pints to pizzas, haircuts to honey roast hams, your student status goes a long way in throwing up opportunities to save, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled!

It’s not easy to ensure that every student comes to school or college properly equipped for lessons or exams.

Some may simply have woken up late and left home in a rush. Some might benefit from being better organised while others need to learn to be a bit more responsible.

What we do know, however, is that time is often wasted at the start of lessons while some students try to borrow what they need to benefit from their lesson.

All it needs is for a few students to forget a pen, ruler, pencil, etc, and what was supposed to be a well planned, interesting lesson can become unproductive if some students are ready and able to work while others are not.

But now there’s a simple, effective and low cost way of solving the problem  ….it’s the “STUDENT ESSENTIALS” set. 

Consisting of, three quality black ink pens, two full length HB pencils, a 15 cm ruler, pencil sharpener, eraser, all contained in a clear   “exam friendly” PVC wallet with a zip slider….   From just 85p each, ex vat, it’s a simple and effective way of improving productivity and helping students succeed in their lessons and exams. …not to mention making life easier for teaching staff.

Staff might like to keep “Student Essentials” sets in the school or department office and then sell or give to students when the need arises.

More details at: www.signposteducational.co.uk/student-packs/

Contact them on: Tel:  020 7515 1797 or email: signpost@talk21.com

Your orders are usually delivered within 1-3 working days.

Signpost Educational Ltd   PO Box 999   London  E14 6SH 

PS.  “Student Essentials” sets are also  useful to hand out to students before their exams.

The long summer break can take its toll on those returning to school, college and university, and more often than not, the first months back in classes can be an important period for developing a grasp of new topic areas. If you or your children are not quite back in the learning zone yet, it could be a great idea to prepare for the new term with a vitamin to help boost and support your studies and performance.

The vitamin aisle can be an overwhelming place though, with few people knowing exactly what supplement they need. With some industry–led advice from health supplements supplier, Pharma Nord, here we look at some of the best options when it comes to choosing a supplement to support your studies.

Vitamin B complex

The vitamin B complex refers to all eight different B vitamins, which all play unique roles in supporting healthy bodily functions. While most people can consume enough vitamin B in their diet, some choose to take it in a capsule form, and it is especially beneficial in the run–up to an exam or adjusting back into studies. Products that contain the vitamin B complex should contain some of each of the following variations, which are useful for people studying:

• Vitamin B–1: Promotes the healthy growth of organs including the brain.
• Vitamin B–6: Supports the creation of new red blood cells, as well as helping to keep the immune system strong–often students return to the learning environment with a whole host of new germs picked up from things like holidays.
• Vitamin B–12: Helps to prevent pernicious anemia, which can result in a lack of energy, fatigue and dizziness, which hinder concentration abilities.

Bacopa Monnieri

Widely available in wholefood stores, Bacopa Monnieri is a plant that can be taken in capsule form, and it has been historically used in tradition Indian medicine. Its main benefits are the alleviation of anxiety, memory improvement and improving focus. It is used as a herbal remedy for conditions such as attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and even Alzheimer’s disease. It is understood to have a possible effect on stimulating the chemicals in the brain that are responsible for thinking, learning and memory function.

Valerian root

This herbal capsule can help to lessen the typical anxieties which can be heightened in the run up to a new term, with new challenges and new topics to process. Valerian usage dates back to both ancient Greek and traditional Chinese medicine, and it has also been suggested to remedy sleep disturbance. Getting plenty of rest is essential for supporting general health, and for students this is key to feeling refreshed on that all–important first day back. Often, Valerian is combined with passionflower in its capsule form, which adds to the calming effect and enhances the benefits from the herb.

Omega–3 fish oil capsules

While this one has a very distinctive taste, taking it on a regular basis might prove beneficial for your studies. Portions of oily fish such as mackerel and tuna are rich in omega–3 fatty acids, so for some people an omega–3 tablet isn’t necessary if their diet is already rich in fish oil. However, there are a string of impressive benefits which have been associated with consuming it, especially for aiding education studies. It has been found to have possible effects on the attention span of children, helping them to focus when taken regularly. Learning in early life is extremely important and taking an omega–3 supplement could promote positive behaviors.

L-Theanine

This amino acid has been associated with improving concentration, reducing feelings of stress and enhancing relaxation. Various research has shown that l-theanine had positive effects on mood in people, and while it can be taken in capsule form, it is also available in black tea and bay–bolete mushrooms. Be aware that some capsules of this vitamin include caffeine, which does not always have the same effect.

Sources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324856.php

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-761/bacopa

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-valerian-plus-tablets-60041045?skuid=041045

https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/anxiety/related/vitamins-for-anxiety/#gref

Way back in the  twentieth century when I was “cutting my teeth”  in the teaching profession in London’s “east end” (no Canary Wharf, no Dockland’s Light Railway and no one bedroom appartments costing in excess of half a million pounds in those days !) I managed to acquire the nickname “Mr. Detention.”

How did this come about you may ask?  Well to be brutally honest, it was mainly because my classroom control was “not of the highest order”……. and that’s a typical educational  euphemism for “a load of rubbish.”

Pupils (we didn’t call them students in those days !) would frequently turn up late, in dribs and drabs, especially if they had had PE in the previous lesson.  When they did eventually all turn up quite a few of them realised that they had forgotten to bring a pen, ruler, pencil, etc.  More wasted time, more disruption, more minor chaos, while I dispatched one of the reliable kids up to the second floor to Ms. Patel’s class to borrow pens, pencils, rulers etc so I could at last get on with the lesson.

Almost fifteen minutes had “gone down the pan” before the lesson could start. Multiply that by about 80 lessons and it’s not difficult to see how much time had been wasted over the course of a year.

Combine that with my poor classroom control and it’s easy to see why so many pupils behaved badly and weren’t really bothered about learning.  The result being that I used to dish out detentions like they were going out of fashion, hence the name Mr. Detention.

Fortunately for suceeding generations of pupils I took my leave of the profession after 22 years service. If only I had known then what I know now; that’s there’s a product called the “Student Essentials set,” which, while it wouldn’t have turned me into an award winning teacher, might at least have made life easier for pupils who had the misfortune to go to my lessons!

What is the “Student Essentials set” and how can it make teachers’ lives easier?

It comprises three good quality ballpens with black ink, two HB pencils, a 15 cm ruler, an eraser, and a pencil sharpener, all packed in an “exam friendly” clear PVC wallet with a zip slider, size 158 x 220 mm.  All a student needs for most lessons.

If the school office or school shop, or perhaps each department  could hold stock to sell or give away at the start of the day it  could make life easier for many students.  After all, for about a pound each, it’s a convenient way to help students and at the same time cut out wasted time at the start of lessons.

Prices:  85p  (400+)      88p  (200+)     90p   (1-199)  ex vat

The   “Student Essentials set”  can be obtained from Signpost Educational Ltd  who can be contacted at:  signpost@talk21.com   or 020 7515-1797. 

Signpost Educational Ltd.,  PO Box 999  London, E14 6SH 

  https://signposteducational.co.uk/student-packs/

 Your order will usually be delivered within 1-3 days from receipt of your order.

It’s not easy to ensure that every student comes to school or college properly equipped for lessons or exams.

Some may simply have woken up late and left home in a rush. Some might benefit from being better organised while others need to learn to be a bit more responsible.

What we do know, however, is that time is often wasted at the start of lessons while some students try to borrow what they need to benefit from their lesson.

All it needs is for a few students to forget a pen, ruler, pencil, etc, and what was supposed to be a well planned, interesting lesson can become unproductive if some students are ready and able to work while others are not.

But now there’s a simple, effective and low cost way of solving the problem  ….it’s the “STUDENT ESSENTIALS” set. 

Consisting of, three quality black ink pens, two full length HB pencils, a 15 cm ruler, pencil sharpener, eraser, all contained in a clear   “exam friendly” PVC wallet with a zip slider….   From just 85p each, ex vat, it’s a simple and effective way of improving productivity and helping students succeed in their lessons and exams. …not to mention making life easier for teaching staff.

Staff might like to keep “Student Essentials” sets in the school or department office and then sell or give to students when the need arises.

More details at: www.signposteducational.co.uk/student-packs/

Contact them on: Tel:  020 7515 1797 or email: signpost@talk21.com

Your orders are usually delivered within 1-3 working days.

Signpost Educational Ltd   PO Box 999   London  E14 6SH 

PS.  “Student Essentials” sets are also  useful to hand out to students before their exams.