Accessibility statement

Things to know this week - 4 December 2023: Five steps to managing your money

Posted on 4 December 2023

Welcome to your undergraduate student news summary of key things happening this week.

UoY community update

NEW: Guidance on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and translation tools
See our new guidance on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and translation tools for information about how you can use these tools well in your work, plus instances of unacceptable uses that could put you at risk of academic misconduct.

Sustainability winners
Last week, the UoY Sustainability Clinic won a Green Gown Award! The Sustainability Clinic brings together students, businesses and our local community to tackle pressing sustainability issues whilst developing students’ key skills.

Reminder: new provider for Virtual Desktop Service
If you need to use our Virtual Desktop Service (VDS), you should now access our VDS using the Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). Access to our old VDS provider, Parallels, will be removed on Friday (8 December).

Winter safety on campus
In difficult weather, please use paths that are clear and have been gritted. A comprehensive map of these routes can be found on the grounds maintenance web page.

1. Does it feel like a long time until your next loan instalment?

See our five steps to managing your money for help with budgeting, saving and sources of funding. Sign up for Blackbullion for free with your UoY email address to access loads of resources and advice, including their blog post on best tips for how to make money as a student. And don’t forget, if you are struggling, take a look at our cost of living support for students and reach out to the specialist trained advisers in the Student Hub - they want to help.

2. Apply for campus accommodation this week

Campus accommodation applications for 2024/25 will open on Thursday (7 December) for returning students. Applications from students who fall into one of the following priority groups are encouraged (though rooms are not guaranteed):

  • students with additional requirements that cannot be supported off campus
  • students who have had their care leaver/estranged status confirmed by the Independent Student team
  • students returning from a work placement in the UK or study/work placement abroad, or planning such a placement in 2024/25

If you do not fall into one of these categories, we advise looking into private sector accommodation as soon as possible. Visit campus accommodation for returning students for further details.

3. First years: Identify your strengths in order to make a plan

Our award-winning York Strengths Development Sessions enable you to reflect on your personal strengths and get feedback from a trained observer so you can consider your future and take advantage of opportunities at York. If you’re in your first year, check to see if there is a session planned with your department and, if not, book an open York Strengths Development Session on 11 or 13 December. 

Thinking about applying for a Masters or PhD? Come to our Postgraduate Cafe tomorrow (5 December) to chat to current Masters and PhD students about what it’s like.

4. Do you want to learn a language at York?

Want to study a language as part of your course? Or maybe in addition to your course? The Languages at York team want to know your interests, preferences and concerns around language learning in order to shape what we offer. Complete the Language Learning Student Survey to let us know! Questions? Contact Eloisa.MonteolivaGarcia@york.ac.uk.

5. Success at York: Seeing the lessons in what you experience

Research suggests that searching for learning opportunities within our experiences is key when dealing with the ups and downs of student life. When you are feeling challenged, do you focus on what you can learn about yourself and how to do things differently? Check the Success at York Toolkit for videos, podcasts and activities to help develop optimism.

Offers, competitions and paid opportunities

Log on to Handshake, our careers platform, for jobs and opportunities.

Student news

Things to know this week is produced and distributed by the University's Internal Communications Team. Please email any feedback to university-internal-comms@york.ac.uk.