A is for assignments...
Despite the rumours, you will have to do some work when you come to university and assignments are the usual standard. The best way to deal with them is to get them out of the way as soon as possible. This may sound all well and good in theory but in practice, it may not be this simple. B is for books...
Get your reading list in the first week, place a huge order with the book shop and then decide you never really wanted to study biology anyway! C is for clubs and societies...
 | | Netball |
If you like to stand out from the crowd then the sports and societies really are for you. Sign up for the year and you're legible for team kit. It usually takes a couple of months to come through but by Christmas you can pretty much guarantee the wannabe rugby players and netball girls will be sporting the most fashionable of designs each and every Wednesday (and most other days too if the football lads are involved). D is for deadline...
Try not to miss them as it makes life a lot easier. The process is simple; do the work and hand it in to student services before the deadline. Some lectures are a bit crafty and may change the standard time so make sure you double check. It's also handy to know that student services closes slightly earlier on a Friday so don't get caught out. E is for end of year exams...
Exams are a stressful time for all students but getting good grades makes it all worth while. Having to do re-sits only adds to the pressure so it's best to bite the bullet and stay in once or twice with your head in the books. Make sure you go to revision lectures as well because they can be the difference between a pass and a fail. F is for fees...
 | | Money |
University fees are the bane of any student's life. The future isn't looking good either and things are only going to get worse. For more information on student fees check out the University of Derby's website. F is also for footballers...
It's a well known fact that the University of Derby Football Team are a bit like Marmite; You either love them or you hate them. I guess it's up to you how you play it! G is for graduation...
It may seem a long way off but time flies when you're having fun and three years disappears remarkably quickly when you're at uni in Derby. Enjoy it while it lasts but don't miss too many lectures or you may well regret it when you're left behind doing re-sits and your friends have all got high-powered jobs earning them loads of wonger! H is for halls...
 | | Student's bedroom on City Campus |
Halls are a hub for freshers as they are common ground and provide the perfect place to find your new best mate. Facilities are basic and all are self-catering so make sure you take a few cooking lessons before you move in. Living off beans and rice may be the cheapest option, it gets a bit repetitive after a while; my advice is to try and hook-up with a wannabe chef. Watch out for the fire alarms though, as they are very sensitive and cause chaos when they go off in the middle of the night! H is also for hardship fund...
Every year, the Government provides funds to universities to enable them to assist undergraduate and postgraduate students who are in financial difficulty. The rules and regulations associated with receiving the fund are complicated and students have to go a long way to prove their financial position. More information is available from student services. I is for ID card...
You may have to spend ten hours queuing up for your ill fated student ID card but its well worth it in the end. Free drinks, high street discounts and reduced entry to bars and clubs in town are just some of the perks associated with having a student card. J is for just the one then...
 | | Mmm...beer. |
All good nights out start with the fatal saying: "Ok but just the one though." Thing is, it never works out that way and one generally tends to turn into ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen... K is for Kedleston Road campus...
Kedie Road is pretty much where it all happens and I can guarantee you will be there most days if you're studying at the University. The Atrium is always bursting with students rushing to and from their lectures and it's a great place to meet up afterwards for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. L is for lecture...
Nine o'clock lectures on a Thursday morning after a heavy night at Spank are pretty much pointless. You'll either; end up falling asleep, fail to turn up at all or you'll turn up, write at the speed of sound for sixty minutes and then realise you're still drunk from the night before and your spidery hand writing is completely illegible, making the whole exercise a complete waste of time. Whatever happens, its important to remember that lectures are important so don't get into too many bad habits early on. Your third year is much easier if you pay attention from day one. M is for May Ball...
The highlight of every student's year and a chance to dig out your best party outfit and impress that special someone you've been eyeing up all year. Previous headlining acts have included Ian Brown, Girls Aloud, Mylo, GLC, Chicane and Jools Holland so be prepared for a heavy night. | 
