Joining in September (2016)- general questions

[Mr_Nicoll]

Alrighty chaps!

Just a few questions about south-tyneside. Have done some basic, and detailed, research on stuff. Wanted to hear from any people who have actually been there, done that and got the all so appealing t-shirt, and if you're lucky, the mug!

• Accommodation at Dr Wintebottom halls. I've opted for Non-catered, en-suite room. What can I expect? (Bed: Single/Double, Desk size, communal areas- utilities at hand e.g. iron/ironing board, cooker, lounge e.t.c?)
• What to expect on the 1st day? (Already read the 'anxieties and mum' thread and '1st sea phase').
• Any tips and tricks for saving and/or getting the most out of stuff (e.g. NUS cards? Bus-pass or something like that?)

Any other advice is greatly appreciated, and I'm oh so very excited for my start in September... it's a while to go, but it's better to be prepared than to be unprepared. Or something inspiration like that.

[alistairuk]

http://www.officercadet.com/content.php/132-preparing-for-college

[Mr_Nicoll]

Cheers alistairuk, will have a gander later tomorrow!

[JSTORM]

If they tell you there's no room left in self catered run for the hills. The other blocks are reminisce of a young offenders institute... F block isn't too bad but you're paying through the nose for average accommodation at best when compared with the local universities / colleges.

The food is god aweful, don't be tempted to eat the Sodexo food under any circumstances (food poisoning twice in 6 months).

Can't really comment on first day deck, engine we pretty much just sat in a lecture theatre.

Tips:
Get amazon prime student - free prime membership for 6 months ish and then half price for the whole course.
Get your Northumbria ID sorted out as had STC ID rejected as a form of student ID from a few places for discount plus it lets you into the uni bar in town.
Work from now till September and buy a car. South Shields is a pretty dire place.
Ask your company if they'll refund you if you buy a student rail card. Saves them money so mine did and I now get money off trains for 3 years.
If you can get the SF grant then get it. Free money!

[Mr_Nicoll]

Work from now till September and buy a car. South Shields is a pretty dire place.

Made my day that.

Aye, loan/grant and save like hell is what I'm doing just the now. From the HNC course I'm doing now (Up t'North in Scotlandshire) from a 4/5k loan... barely 1k or so has been spent. What in the world!?!?!?

[Dotc0m]

If you aren't bringing a car there are accessible amenities nearby the college within a relatively short walk. Pubs, gyms, shops, seafront, metro to newcastle etc.

[Mr_Nicoll]

If you aren't bringing a car there are accessible amenities nearby the college within a relatively short walk. Pubs, gyms, shops, seafront, metro to newcastle etc.

I'm presently aware of those options. Metro is fairly local from what I can gather, there's a ASDA a 5-10min walk from the college, being South-Shields/Newcastle Pubs are fairly common . With having "a years service" down there a good few years back, I'm sure some of the friends I have down there will be able to help me out as best they can.

Cheers!

[jacob44]

Asda's more of a 20 minute walk plus. Metro is about 5 minutes away.

[old woman of the sea]

Congratulations on getting a place. Who is your sponsor?

[Mr_Nicoll]

Congratulations on getting a place. Who is your sponsor?

I've bagged myself a place with Pritchard-Gordon Tankers!

[Matt247]

Will they employ you afterwards?

[Mr_Nicoll]

Will they employ you afterwards?

Yes Sir!

Company aim is after successful completion of the 3-years (HNC Nautical Studies) as well as orals and additional examinations that entail with the cadetship, they look to employ you as a 3rd Officer.

[Maritimer]

buy a car. South Shields is a pretty dire place.

Looks like I might be off to Shields. Hadn't planned on bringing my car as I reckoned public transport would suffice (plus the insurance company's computer will likely say 'no'). What's cycle parking like at the college?

[JSTORM]

Looks like I might be off to Shields. Hadn't planned on bringing my car as I reckoned public transport would suffice (plus the insurance company's computer will likely say 'no'). What's cycle parking like at the college?

F block you can stick your bike inside locked to the stairs. Actual college bike places are cheap plastic / thin metal. Police told us on our first day not to bring a bike you can't afford to loose...

[Maritimer]

F block you can stick your bike inside locked to the stairs. Actual college bike places are cheap plastic / thin metal. Police told us on our first day not to bring a bike you can't afford to loose...

Cheers! Bike was only a fiver but I might not bring it if the college can't even be bothered to provide proper Sheffield stands