Ale & Cider Festival, Martins Jerked Meat!

So, the plan was just a casual drink until we realised that the Ale & Cider society had a festival going on in the students union. Obviously how could we turn it down? For £10 at the entrance you get your entry, a free pint glass and 5 tickets for drinks of your choice. Which was amazing because they had everything! Mead, Wine, Ale, Cider and luckily for me an Ale that was more like a larger, I need the fizz. It was such a good experience, a huge change from the usual drinking scene with glammed up girls and scouting boys. It was just a very chilled out atmosphere, with a folk band on stage and everyone just having a good time, drinking and laughing. Amazing way to spend a Thursday night. 

Glasses to fit

I love Gok Wan and I love his new range over at Specsavers. The big, thick frames have avoided the 'nerd' glasses cliche. Which I absolutely hate. If you don't need glasses but just think it's a nice accessories then fair enough. Get some cute glasses and style them. But if your going to just be completely blatant and wear them without lenses. Well you look dumb. If you really want to look good in glasses or just hate the idea of contact lenses and want to look good. Then the key is getting the right shape, thickness of frame and design.

I had to call the police today.

Yesterday, there was a small incident. A confused old lady came to the house asking for her husband. She seemed lost and wasn't responding to my questions. I didn't want to leave her on her own but didn't want to make her feel threatened by following her as she was very frail. I decided I needed help and couldn't find the local police number so rang 999. I'd hate for anyone to be in a position where they didn't know how to help someone or the procedure needed. So here's what you need to say in an emergency. 

Firstly you need to decide if it's an emergency or just needs attention. In case of emergency you obviously will need to call 999. Otherwise you'll need 101. You can call 101 to contact your local police to report less urgent crimes or disorderly behaviour (Wales & England) such as:

• Stolen car
• Damaged property
• Drug use or dealing
• General enquiry 
• To give information

This is the number I should have called today, I saw an advert on TV but couldn't remember the number exactly. So put it in your phone so you can't forget. 

If your out at sea.

When you ring 999 you will be asked "Emergency, which service do you require? Fire, Police or Ambulance?" You should try to stay calm and state which service you need. Then give your address, the sooner you state your location the faster help will come. You may be asked to give your number incase the line is lost, emergency services can ring you back. Then you will be asked a series of questions about the problem, patient, their age, if they're breathing and how many people are involved.

If your call isn't urgent you will be transferred to a Nurse advisor who may give you steps to stabilise the patient. This ranges from assessing the situation, recommending seeing a GP or sending an ambulance. In the case that you need an ambulance the nurse will give you guidance until they arrive.

To help staff get to you as quickly as possible have someone waiting to meet the ambulance and show them the way. If there aren't enough people around shine a torch, turn car lights on or wave your arms.

A great tip for students new to an area or just anybody. Save a nominated person, your parents or other half's phone number and contact details in your phone but rename it ICE. This is a quick way for someone to check your phone and send for help if they didn't know you or if you've got nicknames in your phone book. It stands for In Case of Emergency.

Moving out to uni? My top 10 tips.

You've just spent the best summer ever, going crazy, partying and having a laugh. There's nothing left to do now until you move out, so you literally did nothing this summer. But for the next 2 weeks, university life is on your mind. What will it be like? Will I make friends? Can I cook or will I starve? What are my house mates like and are they batshit crazy? Oh crap, this is happening.

So just for you, I've made a top 10 tips list. I hope it helps and you have nothing to worry about apart from passing your degree. Oh and congratulations! Time to say goodbye to luxury and hello to freedom.

From highschool to uni.

1. The fresher 15. The first and the biggest. In my book anyway. Freshers 15 is 15lbs of dreaded weight gain. For most starting uni its free from parents which means drinking and take aways. But if you plan on taking up this diet, look forward to spots and sluggish horrible tubby aches. Make sure you drink lots of water during the day, 8 glasses and get as close to your 5 a day as possible.
2. Call your mum. She's probably missing you like crazy and having empty nest syndrome. Plus if your absolutely shit with finances, it's much nicer to ask when you've actually rang for a chat in the past. Than just 'Mum, I need money.'
3. Don't shy away in your room. If you feel like your not making friends, get out there. Get to freshers. Start off with your house mates, course mates you've met, next onto societies. Societies are awesome for feeling part of a group quickly and just for general interests you may have. They'll take you on nights out, competitions and trips. Its fun, sign up.
4. Stock up on tinned foods and cup of soups. When you've been partying/studying all week and forgotten to go shopping. Shops have shut and whats in your fridge has gone off, tins are always there. Soup, tuna, fruit the lot.
5. Set a budget. Before you go away, work out how much financing you've got. Give yourself a weekly allowance and stick as close to it as you can. Don't forget about phone bills, toiletries, travel and emergencies. Theres loads of apps you can get to help.
6. Experiment. I dont mean go on a massive drug binge. I mean things you've never done before, places you've never been. If you haven't done a festival book one with room mates. Travelling is a lot cheaper for students, so do it while you can. BUNAC is good for travels to the US.
7. Sign up with your local GP as soon as possible. You'll get freshers flew and you will feel horrible and if you need to go to the DR's you'll need to be signed up.
8. Buy a rail card. You'll get 30% off. If your far from home it pays for itself very quickly, 1 year is £28. If you travel last minute it will save lots of money but its even cheaper to book in advance, my favourite website is thetrainline
9. Get student insurance. Most likely you'll be going to halls, that doesn't mean your insured. Painfully my house mates found out the hard way. December last year, when we were all home, ground floor flats got broken into. Luckily they skipped my room, but PS3's were gone, XBOX'S, printers and pc's. Go to: Endsleigh
10. Remember your not poor. No matter how little money you have it doesn't mean you can't go out. If its a night out, buy as much cheap drink before you go and buy very little at the club, or go to the union £1.80/pint; 

My main lecture building, Cardiff opticians.

Avoid public transport if possible, just walk. 
Check for student discounts e.g cinema. 

If your friends are going to Mcdonalds, use your student card to get free fries from their meal. Aquarium? Buy an after 3pm ticket its usually half price, plus your student discount. 

Save money buy volunteering they usually offer a free lunch. 

Get free tea, coffee and toothpaste samples online. 

If your eating out, take extra sauce sachets like pepper and ketchup for home. It may sound very cheap/tacky, but your a student now. 

I hope this has helped you and if you enjoyed my tips and would like some more, leave a comment. If you have any questions I'm happy to answer. Good luck this year and remember to lock your door, even if your going for a wee!