Preparing for Essex

The countdown is on! Only a month until a new year begins.... There were so many things on my mind this time last year, and I was checking all over the Essex website to see if I'd gotten everything right. I've collected some of the main sources of information below:  

·         Most importantly, the fresher’s page. Pretty much everything you need to know is linked from here! http://www.essex.ac.uk/freshers/Overview.aspx

·         There is also a page specifically for international students that links to many important topics like information on visa applications (also check out the previous post on this blog), police registration, health care, registering at uni, travelling to Essex from the airport etc: http://www.essex.ac.uk/ish/

·         If you have specific questions, or you can’t find the answers to your questions, there is a live chat run by the International office where you can leave a question and they will get back to you with the answer: http://us5.chatzy.com/44653413941966

Or, you can post on /message the appropriate university facebook page, of which there are many!

o   University of Essex: https://www.facebook.com/essexuniIO?ref=hl

o   Essex Freshers: https://www.facebook.com/essexuniIO?ref=hl#!/UoEFreshers

o   International Office: https://www.facebook.com/essexuniIO?ref=hl

o   Student Support: https://www.facebook.com/essexuniIO?ref=hl#!/UoEStudentSupport

o   Students’ Union: https://www.facebook.com/essexuniIO?ref=hl#!/essexunistudentsunion

There is also a separate page for each department and each uni residence – if you haven’t already, be sure to like both of yours!

Also, there are some country pages/ alumni pages from certain countries, so it’s worth a search to see if there is anything for your country – you could get in touch with fellow students who are coming or alumni who have been to Essex!

And there are facebook pages for many of the SU societies and sports clubs – are you interested in joining one? Take a look at the list of societies currently running: http://www.essexstudent.com/activities/societies/ http://www.essexstudent.com/activities/sport_clubs/

·         Are you travelling from overseas and wondering whether to pack your bedding, or how you'll get all you need for your kitchen?

o   There is a Tesco supermarket really close to the university. Because there are so many students around, it is fully stocked with bedding, kitchen ware and pretty much anything you could need to set up your new room. Take a look at the website to get an idea of prices and what they've got: http://www.tesco.com/storeLocator/default.asp?bID=2310

o   Something important to think about though -Tesco closes at 4:00pm on Sundays. So if you arrive later on Sunday, you won't be able to get bedding for the night! Every other day they are open all night (except on Saturdays when they close at midnight) Another option is to order everything in advance and have it waiting for you in your room when you arrive! Check out this great service: http://www.click2campus.com/

Hope these sites help you out as you get ready for the year ahead!