Free informative literature from all sorts of places is what you come to expect within your first few weeks of college. Societies, clubs, fast-food restaurants, even banks have give-aways to tempt you to their particular service. Free books are not something that you might put at the top of your list but there is one which you should perhaps consider.
The County Roscommon Youth Service (CRYS) and Ossory Youth have produced a very helpful resource for those of you who are heading off to college this autumn. It is a booklet called Flying the Coop - 2000. It has been compiled in response to the number of students calling in to the CYRS with difficulties encountered trying to establish a "home away from home" for the first time. Leaving home and starting college in a different town or city is an exciting prospect. However, it can also be a fairly daunting experience, so it pays to have as much information as possible, to help you circumnavigate the pitfalls. The advice covered in this booklet is very comprehensive and is aimed at people who are staying in Ireland and those heading to a British university. The kind of advice which is offered covers vital issues, which will help to ensure that you get as much out of college as possible.
The section on housing - potentially one of the most stressful aspects of relocating for college - is particularly useful. As well as the information on the areas in which to look for your new pad, the booklet also advises on a range of aspects, including tenants' rights, what to consider when you are trying to decide between different types of accommodation, and the best options to explore should you have a disability. There is an excellent section which details the costs of college life. As well as the obvious ones like rent and food there are also electricity, heating, transport, books and phone bills to consider. Included, too, are helpful reminders - about money for deposits for electricity and gas or remembering to get an itemised phone bill, if necessary.
There are extremely useful listings of contact phone numbers - Youth Information Centres, Threshold housing advice centres, and various welfare, counselling and information centres. To help reassure parents, as well as safeguard yourself, there is good advice on health care and safety. Check out the section on healthy eating which answers all your questions on how to ensure a healthy balanced diet. Look at the information on medical cards - maybe you could qualify for one.
There are useful tips on staying safe in college - on walking or cycling to college and on clubbing. This section is well worth reading and acting upon. Wearing reflective clothing when cycling or ensuring you have company walking anywhere at night, is common sense. You have probably never had to consider mundane things like insurance before. The booklet, however, highlights a few measures which will help ensure your valuables remain in your possession. Listed, too, are the companies which specialise in insurance policies for students.
One of the most popular sources of information, today, is the Internet. Unsurprisingly then, Flying the Coop includes a list of useful website addresses, which will lead you to information not readily available in the booklet.
This little booklet is free, regularly updated, and well worth the effort to obtain a copy.
Copies of Flying the Coop 2000 are available from your nearest Youth Information Centre (check the list at www.youthinformation.ie) or by contacting Roscommon Youth Information Centre, Castle Street, Roscommon. Tel: 0903 25395. The booklet is free but for postal copies there is a charge of £1 to cover postage and packaging.
