Top Ten Tips Before You Leave Home

Top Ten Tips

For action before you leave home

1. Address and Travelling

You now have your new address and post code for your accommodation in Sunderland so have let all relevant people know, (It’s on the accommodation contract). In the address file above there is a route planner to help you plan your route.

Are you bringing your own car with you and want to book a Car Parking permit?

If you are travelling from abroad and require an airport pick up, you need to fill in an arrival pick up form obtainable by emailing: [email protected] or ring 0191 5153562

Cycle Storage: Take the opportunity if you “need” one, to pick up a free Cycle lock on arrival into accommodation (when you book your bike into the cycle storage).

2. Pre-enrolment Guide

Make sure you complete the identified 4 steps https://mysunderland.ac.uk/enrol :

Step 1 - Change your password

Step 2 - Upload your photograph

Step 3 - Verify your personal details

Step 4 - Access important information

With your unconditional offer to study letter you should have received the

Pre-enrolment Guide along with your user name and temporary password.

Now you can access your student email account why not set up a group email of all your electronic contacts so that you can easily send it to everyone.

3. Register your computer: log onto https://selfcare.sunderland.ac.uk/ and then follow the onscreen instructions carefully.

4. TV Licence: If you intend watching TV in your room or other piece of equipment used to receive or record television programmes (such as DVD/video recorders, set

“S” Res Ser – Hall- Intake 2010 Pre-arrival Top Ten Tips 1 top boxes, or a PC with a broadcast card) you are required to have a TV licence. You can obtain a licence by logging onto www.tvlicensing.co.uk. There is a charge for the licences but you are able to claim a refund for any unused quarters (3 consecutive months). Please note televisions (TVs) are not provided by the University and aerial points are only available in bedrooms at Scotia Quay. In other accommodation there is an aerial point in the communal living space. You are advised to arrive and check the quality of the TV reception this then allows you to as a group of students sharing a lounge/ living room to look at the benefits of sharing the costs, so wait until you get to University to arrange this www. tvlicensing .co.uk . TV set top boxes are available for use at the Precinct and Panns Bank.

5. Personal Possessions Insurance: As part of your University accommodation booking, you have been provided student possessions insurance through Endsleigh Insurance. To check out your policy detail or to top up the cover. Lap top cover is already provided for you. www.endsleigh.co.uk/student-possessions.html

6. Sign up to facebook and start communicating with other residents coming to the University, there is an official site for each of the halls of residence, find the address links on the Residential Services web Pre Arrival information page.

7. Bookmark some helpful University pages for regular checking, keeping you up to date: www.sunderland.ac.uk/gateway This is your main reception and information point based in the Edinburgh building on Chester Road, City campus. Of particular interest is Gateway Events. www.sunderland.ac.uk/facilities/residentialservices check out What’s New and Living In pages www.sunderland.ac.uk/facilities/transporttravel for information on our free Campus Bus, Car Parking, Metro travel passes etc... https://my.sunderland.ac.uk/ you will use this page every day

http://microsites.sunderland.ac.uk/sls Student Learning Support

http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/studentlife/support/ Student support and Guidance

http://www.sunderlandsu.co.uk/ Your Student Union, check out the social scene

8. Checklist what to bring: Remember Sunderland has all the big shops and they will be open during the intake weekend. On arrival into your flat we have provided a basic starter cleaning pack for use in the communal areas: Black bags, recycling bag, hand soap, washing up liquid and sponge, toilet roll. Once you have used it, you and your fellow residents will need to purchase more.

9. What not to bring:  Large musical instruments (piano/ drums/guitar) for the obvious reason of noise disturbance to fellow residents and the hall community as a whole. Exception "Unless it is part of your course" and then there are practice rooms for your use within the school so there is no need to play in your bedroom.  Large electrical items: leave the 40” flat top TV screen at home. Space is limited , particularly in your bedroom  Electrical kitchen items all that you need is supplied for your use: toaster/cooker/microwave/ kettle/ fridge freezer/ vacuum cleaner/ iron with ironing board.  If you were hoping for your own fridge in your room, sorry it’s not allowed.

“S” Res Ser – Hall- Intake 2010 Pre-arrival Top Ten Tips 2 Why? - For a range of reasons: hygiene, electricity use, electricity safety standards, space availability. If you have a genuine reason for requiring a fridge in your room then before you set off, contact us to discuss this with us: [email protected]  Be advised that you can buy rice cookers in the UK.

10. Electricity: Note the electrical current in the UK is 230 volts. Any electrical items you do bring with you to Sunderland, require a current Portable Appliance Certificate (PAT) or if they are brand new they are ok to use for the 1st year without a PAT certificate.

“S” Res Ser – Hall- Intake 2010 Pre-arrival Top Ten Tips 3