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8 best online tools to stop you from being distracted

While the typical student’s attention span is reported to be between 10 to 15 minutes long, some students may tell you otherwise – especially in an age where digital communications is everywhere.

So if you’re having trouble keeping focused, we’ve come up with tools that will help you keep focused:

1. Self-Control (Mac). If you find yourself frequenting the same time-wasting websites again and again, here’s an attention-saving tool for Mac users. Create a list of websites you want to blacklist, and the app will block them so you can’t access them while you’re meant to be studying. Best of all? It’s free!

2. Focus (Mac). Similar to Self-Control, Focus lets you block certain websites – but instead of getting an error message after trying to visit a blocked site, it shows an inspirational quote in the browser. You also have the option to add your own quote, plus the ability to distract applications such as Apple Mail and Skype.

3. Zero Willpower (iOS). So you’ve found a way to block distractions on your Mac computer, but what about for your iOS mobile devices? Zero Willpower to the rescue, where you can turn on content blockers and even set timers.

4. StayFocusd (Chrome). As one of the world’s most popular browsers, StayFocusd is a must have extension for Chrome users. What’s particularly great about this is the fact you can aggregate timers – so you can set a maximum time period for a number of websites at once.

5. Brain.fm (Web). If the idea of working in silence doesn’t appeal to you, maybe you need to try listening to a soundtrack. All you have to do is tell Brain.fm what you want to achieve (eg meditation, focus) and it creates your own personalised soundtrack.

6. Focus Lock (Android). Just when you thought it was all about iOS users, along comes a saviour for the Android aficionados. Just like Zero Willpower, Focus Lock lets Android users block apps within a certain timeframe to let you get on with the more important priorities.

7. Cold Turkey (Windows). For all you Windows-lovers out there, Cold Turkey gives you the option to block particular sites and applications – and for the truly distracted, you can even be locked out of your own computer for a set amount of time.

8. RescueTime (Android, Linux, Mac, Windows). For a universal solution to help tackle time wasters, try RescueTime. Not only does it block distracting websites, it tracks which applications and sites you visit – giving you a detailed breakdown of how and where you spend your time.

So the next time you have an important essay or exam period coming up, try using these online tools to help combat your attention sp-

8 of the strangest things to happen during a university lecture

At university, you probably think you’ve seen it all – from random attires to people's sometimes weird eating habits, there's nothing you haven't seen already.

But surprises usually happen in the last place you’d expect – so join us as we celebrate and squirm through some of the strangest occurrences ever to take place during a university lecture:

1. “There was one guy who always fell asleep during a lecture, but had an alarm on his watch that would buzz him awake five minutes before the end. Our lecturer got so fed up with his behaviour that he took our class out for cocktails, so when the guy woke up not only was he alone, he’d also missed a great happy hour with our lecturer.”

2. “A girl once hid her pet rat in her scarf. It was both cute and creepy.”

3. “We were in class when someone dressed as a snowman burst in gasping for breath, grabs a test from the lecturer, then writes their answers in a rush. Turns out some guy went out the night before for a Christmas party, but had overslept and with no time to get changed took a chance and did their test still in fancy dress.”

4. “It was the end of class and as we were handing in our assignments, I noticed one girl look quite pale and take her time walking to the desk to give her essay to our lecturer. She had accidentally stapled her paper to her hand, and nearly passed out during the lecture due to freaking out for a good hour.”

5. “One girl was always listening to music during the lecture, and with our lecturer fed up of having to tell her off by talking louder to get her attention, he just mouthed stuff to her instead. The whole class cottoned on and we all mouthed to one another, and even when she took her earphones out and talked normally, she began to panic thinking she couldn’t hear us and quickly ran to A&E!”

6. “Someone brought their hamster to class – in a Happy Meal box. Don’t worry, it was alive.”

7. “Our lecturer dimmed the lights once while we did a test, then when we finished and the lights went back on, he suddenly went from having a full beard to being clean-shaven. Even changed his shirt.”

8. “We heard a really creepy baby’s cry in the middle of class that got louder and louder. The lecturer apologised, he said he had just had a baby and saved his son’s cry as his ringtone.”

What’s the strangest thing you’ve experienced in the middle of a lecture? Pop over to our Facebook page and let us know – bonus points if you share pictures too!

Things to do on Easter weekend 2018 in your university hometown

As Easter has come early this year, this means your holidays have also come early. While many students might be heading home during this break, this is the perfect time to enjoy your university hometown – with less students around, there’s less competition or queueing into the best places!

But if you’re stuck for ideas on checking out your local city, then help is at hand. The team here at Student Roost has rounded up a variety of different activities across the UK’s Student Roost locations:

Liverpool. From 23rd March to 2nd April, the Feast of Fire will be taking place at St George’s. Good Friday (March 30) will be hosting the Kazimier Fire Garden, where St John’s Gardens comes to life in the form of an electrifying production. From the family-friendly to the late sessions, take your pick of the different events by booking your ticket here.

Newcastle. If you’re a fan of the Great British Bake Off, then this is the event for you. Combine Easter sweets with being a master baker, and join the Easter Bake Off workshop at Blackfriars Restaurant on 31st March – for more information, visit this link.

Birmingham. For you songbirds out there, get yourself over to The Night Owl in Digbeth. It’s a free karaoke and after party that’s happening on Thursday 29th March – find out more here.

York. Less of a night owl and more of an early bird? Then a day out with the York Easter Festival 2018 is probably more up your street. Keep your diary free for Monday 2nd April where from 10am to 5pm there will be activities a’plenty to keep you amused this Easter Monday!

Glasgow. For big kids looking for fun, then the Glasgow Green Easter Festival is coming to town. Enjoy hot food, prize winning stalls, games and more – best of all, it’s free entry for adults!

Do you know of any other events happening in your city? Tell us on our Facebook page today so other students don’t miss out!

5 of the most common university myths debunked

When you prepare for university, you never know what to expect – which can be both exciting and terrifying. So how do you know what’s true, and what’s highly exaggerated?

Because university is a great experience and we don’t want you to be scared off, we’ve investigated the top university myths and found out the real deal:

1. Every night is a party. While it’s true that every night there’s some type of social gathering going on, it doesn’t mean you have to attend. Don’t feel pressured by others to be a party animal, everyone has their own schedule - and if taking some downtime to Netflix-binge is an integral part of your schedule then it helps to stick to it.

2. You’ll put on so much weight in your first year. If you’re thinking that university is all about takeaways and microwave meals, then think again – some people relish the chance to be experimental in the kitchen and create their own dishes. That said, there’s nothing wrong with the occasional Deliveroo (within moderation).

3. You need to have loads of money to get through uni. Two words: student discount. If you’re smart with your money, it can really go a long way. Make sure to sign up for an NUS card where you can find great deals on entertainment, food, beauty and more (and you can never go wrong with bargain shopping at Poundland).

4. You can only get a job with the degree you’re studying. That’s strictly not true – take a look at most graduate job opportunities and you’ll notice many employers do not specify the degree needed. Additionally several degrees including transferable skills, while there’s also conversion courses available if people want to pursue law or even psychology.

5. You don’t need to pass your first year. Though you only need 40% to pass, you still need to work towards getting that 40%. With university being a whole new way of learning, you’ll have to get used to new concepts such as independent research. Plus, would you really be satisfied with just a 40% when you could’ve scored a much higher mark?

Are there any other university myths you know of? Let us know what’s real – and what’s not - on our Facebook page today!

11 excuses used by university students to miss a lecture

You’ve prepared everything the night before, and you’re going to turn up nice and early for your class. Except the universe has other plans and suddenly your washing machine has exploded / your toilet’s blocked / your room’s been hit by a meteor and you’re going to have to miss your lecture.

OK, so maybe the last one was a bit of an exaggeration, but when it comes to excuses, university lecturers have heard them all – and luckily for you, we’re sharing them with you:

1. “My key snapped in my front door and I got locked in.” Interesting spin on the classic “I got locked out of my house” line.

2. “I put my shoes on but it was only when I left the house I realised they were mismatched.” Because naturally, you have to be fashion-conscious in order to study.

3. “I went to leave the house but halfway down the street my cat was following me so I had to take her home.” What’s more surprising about this excuse is the fact they’re allowed pets in their student accommodation!

4. “My snooze button jammed so my alarm didn’t go off.” Despite how advanced technology is, there’s always some fault at large.

5. “I got lost trying to find the lecture hall but couldn’t find it so went home.” If that’s what’s holding you back from getting your degree wait until you get a job!

6. “My bus didn’t arrive on time and the next wasn’t due for almost an hour.” Public transport can be so fickle at times.

7. “I got my days mixed up – I thought the lecture was for tomorrow!” Nice try, but next time? Try harder.

8. “I’m already way ahead of my classmates, so I could afford to give this a miss.” Not sure if this is brave of just…stupid.

9. “I think I’m coming down with freshers’ flu.” Or maybe last night’s antics caught up with you sooner than you had hoped for.

10. “I was going to be really late but that would have been too embarrassing so I decided not to turn up at all.” That’s…not even a legitimate excuse.

11. “I heard noises in my house last night and thought it was a ghost but I was too scared to go to sleep and ended up being too tired to attend class.” Just when you think you’ve heard them all, there’s one excuse that tops them all.

These have definitely given us a laugh here at Student Roost, but we strongly advise not to use these excuses for yourself – you may end up getting caught out!

#student roost #studentaccommodation #studentproblems #studentroost #student #studentlife

6 common arguments and how to resolve them

Moving into student accommodation signals two very exciting changes: one, independence as you move away from home and two, the chance to make new friends.

However, making friends is one thing while living with them is another – so to avoid making enemies instead, we’ve come up with a list of the most common student arguments and how to work them out:

1. Keeping it clean. While no one expects student accommodation to look absolutely spotless, no one expects to live in a dump either. In terms of mess, the kitchen is the most likely culprit – with food-covered plates going unwashed for days. A simple way to resolve this is to wash your plates up after you’ve eaten, or test out a kitchen rota.

2. Noise levels. Different study schedules mean different sleeping patterns, and for every morning person there’s always a night owl. So to avoid conflicting sleeping times (as well as conflicts) set down some ground rules such as no noise from midnight until 7am, as well as being mindful in communal areas and keeping the TV on a low volume.

3. Plus one. Someone’s got their partner / friend bunking over for a few nights, and that’s tolerable. But suddenly a few nights has extended into a few weeks, and they’ve overstayed their welcome. It can feel as though they’re invading your personal space, so to claim that back, explain to them that there should be a limit of at least three visits a week, and during times of exams no visits should be allowed.

4. Shower hog. There’s three minute showers, then there’s what feels like spa days as you wait for your turn for the bathroom. If a few of you all need to get ready at around the same time, set allocated slots so people can get ready in plenty of time.

5. Fridge thieves. You just bought a pint of milk for tomorrow’s breakfast but as soon as you go to drink it…it’s gone. Make sure you label your food and drink, and claim individual fridge and storage space so everyone knows whose is whose.

6. Party animals. Going out can be quite an expensive hobby, so having the occasional house party can be a great way of keeping costs down. Only problem is, it’s not the best way to keep noise levels down – if this happens on a regular basis talk to them about taking it in turns to host. And when they do party, make sure they know what time they need to keep the noise down – so the party can still keep going and you can still get your beauty sleep.

Have you had any of these experiences? Tell us how it worked out – or not – on our Facebook page today!

#studentroost #student roost #student life #student problem

The weirdest student requests revealed

With going to university being the first time many young people have moved away from home, it can be quite a shock to find that simple comforts – such as en-suite bathrooms – are not included as standard in their university accommodation.

But while some people might forgive this small oversight, spare a thought for the accommodation agents receiving requests ranging from the downright ridiculous to the, well, genuinely baffling:

1. Can you remove the kitchen from my studio so my rent will be cheaper? It’s one thing being a student and saving money – but it’s something else entirely when your accommodation has to be completely renovated just so you can save a few pennies!

2. Can I bring my pet rat from Argentina? Unfortunately many student accommodation providers prohibit pets, but at least this student had the courtesy to ask.

3. Is there enough space in the room for my grand piano? This might not be a good idea if you’re living in shared accommodation - the issue isn’t really the space, but more about how bad/loud the piano playing might be.

4. I need a room filled with mirrors so I can dance. What’s interesting isn’t so much the request, but the reason.

5. Do you know if my flight to Leeds will land at my halls or the airport? If the student really had to ask this question, perhaps going to university isn’t the right educational choice for them right now.

6. I don’t need a flat with a washing machine, I’ve got one in the back of my Nissan Micra. Some students plan for now, and some students plan for the future – the jury’s out for if this student has any plans at all!

While we can’t promise you a mirror-filled room, we can however guarantee quality student accommodation. From Edinburgh to Birmingham, check out our range of locations today!

#student #student life #student roost

6 best part-time jobs for university students

Your student loan has come, and your funds have…well, gone. But before you start panicking about having to ask the bank account of mum and dad, there’s an alternative: getting a part-time job.

Depending on your schedule, it is possible to fit employment around your studies. Getting a part-time job means you’ll also meet new people – and getting paid to do so! Just make sure you don’t spend your pay packet all in one go:

1. Barista. Many students survive on coffee on a daily basis, so that already gives them prior experience to becoming a barista. If you’re a morning person then the hours will certainly suit you, with many cafes closing late in the afternoon allowing you free time to go out in the evening.

2. Bartender. Not an early riser? For night owls, working in a bar may be best suited to your sleeping pattern. And if you’re a social butterfly, this is the perfect setting to meet new people – and you can even go on a night out straight after you’ve finished work!

3. Office/admin. If you’re venturing into an office job upon graduation, get those skills sooner rather than later. By preparing for office life early on, you can learn the tricks of the trade – helping you beat other graduates to your dream job thanks to your experience.

4. Retail. Are your customer service skills second to none? Put them to use in the world of retail (and if you’re lucky, you’ll get store discounts too).

5. Cleaner. If you enjoy cleaning your room, why not get paid to clean for a living? The locations vary greatly, from cleaning an office to someone’s house. Plus you can work shorter shifts compared to other jobs, giving you more flexibility.

6. Student ambassador. Is there a brand you’re extremely passionate about? For those looking to get into PR, this one’s for you. Several businesses will happily pay you to represent them, so if there’s a brand you’re happy to shout about from the rooftops, get in touch to see if they need you as their next student ambassador.

We hope we’ve given you some inspiration on how to supplement your student lifestyle! And remember, if you’re smart enough with your job choice, the skills you learn in that industry could even go towards your dream job once you’ve graduated.

#student #studentlife #studentaccommodation #studentproblems #studentroost

John’s favourite Edinburgh pubs- Issue #1

Banshee’s Labyrinth

This is easily my favourite bar in Edinburgh. It advertises itself as a heavy metal bar, but don’t be put off- it never has music loud or scary enough to deter anyone from having fun. When fully opened up, it has 3 bars, a room to play pool in, a dancefloor, 2 separate seating areas and a cinema! That’s right, through the back is a full cinema room. Every night they play 3 movies, and if you ask a couple of days in advance they will put on any movie you want, provided they can get their hands on it. The drinks prices are also distinctly reasonable, and a member’s card is available to make it even cheaper. When I’m there, if I’m not at the cinema I like going through to the bat bar at the very back corner, its dead cosy and a little creepy, with a fire flickering away on the TV helping add to the ambiance. Plus it’s always open until 3am, meaning if you want to stay out and have drinks without going to a club there is somewhere a bit more relaxed.

Usher & co

One of the best places in Edinburgh for craft beer. Be warned before you go in, you won’t find traditional beers at all- no Tennents, Stella or carling anywhere! What you will find is a wide selection of unique beers, including a handful brewed on site and there for a limited time. This can prove dangerous if you find a beer you really love, and end up going there every 2 days and having 3 or 4 pints. That totally happened to a friend, and not me. Swear. The bar staff are always friendly and very knowledgeable, which helps if you are a newcomer to the craft beer scene and unsure of even what you are asking about, let alone about the different tastes and styles of beer. It curates a jazz vibe with relaxed music playing and frequent jazz or swing nights, and the low-ish ceilings certainly help with the aesthetic. There are always people inside, and is a very popular bar with students, I’m assuming the fact that it is right round the corner from Teviot (and our Lady Nicolson Court property) probably helps. There are also the standard range of spirits available, but it is a bar mostly focused to those who love beer. The only negative is that the beers there aren’t the cheapest, so if you are close to payday and looking for a cheap couple of pints it might be worth looking elsewhere.

Caley Picture House

The word “spoons” might as well rhyme with student, with what tends to be the cheapest pints available found in these pubs. Also, fun little piece of trivia, every Wetherspoons carpet is unique. The Caley Picture house used to be a cinema a long, long time ago and they have kept little nods to the heritage of the building throughout- there are many old movie posters in an art deco styling on the stairs, and the design of the pub itself is a very art deco vibe, and with having to go up 2 flights of stairs to get to the bar, and the seats being on 3 levels it adds a sense of size and grandeur to what could otherwise be a bland, tawdry Wetherspoons pub (for examples, visit the Alexander Graham Bell on George street.) My general rule of thumb for any Wetherspoons is to avoid their cocktails- for the price you pay for them you get barely any alcohol, and what tastes like 150% of your daily intake of sugar with each glass, but that’s just a preference thing. During the week it tends to be just busy enough to have a relaxed atmosphere without feeling dead, and at the weekend it’s very, very lively. Friday and Saturday nights it tends to be filled out, but since its only round the corner from like 100 other pubs if dead lively isn’t your scene there is always another pub nearby.

#edinburgh

Take our quiz to find out what type of student housemate you really are

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7 reasons living at university is better than living at home

There’s no place like home – until you go to university, that is. With a wide variety of student accommodation available, it can be exciting moving into a new building and meeting new people. But for many students, the best part is gaining independence (which means relying on your alarm to wake you up instead of your parents).

So what else can you look forward to? Here are just some of the benefits to living at university:

1. Clean up when YOU want to. No more complaining about cleaning up after yourself – it’s your room, you’ll clean when you want! Provided that there’s no cleaning roster put up already by your roommates, of course.

2. Stay up/out for as long as you want. Who needs a curfew when you live at university? That’s right, as an independent adult you can stay up and go out whenever you want to (and in case your parents ask where you’ve been, it’s probably best to tell them you’ve been doing some late night studying at the library).

3. Bring whoever you want back. How else are you expected to make new friends if you can’t bring them back to yours? A logical argument that would otherwise be flawed if still living with your parents.

4. Commuting to university is cheaper. Travel costs can easily add up, which is why many students will choose their accommodation based on how near it is to their university. Depending on the student accommodation locations, you could practically roll out of bed (but we would strongly advise against that, for health and safety reasons).

5. Stay up-to-date with the latest gossip. With so many different circles of friends to keep up with, there’s lots to learn both academically and personally. Hey, university is a learning experience, right?

6. Experiment with new trends. A great benefit of keeping up with the latest gossip means you can be one of the first to try new experiences – whether it’s changing your wardrobe or taking up a new hobby!

7. Decorate your room, your way. Are your parents not too keen on your taste in interior design? No problem! Feel free to express yourself with posters and lighting however you want (just be sure to check in your contract about decorating on walls as blu-tac is quite often a no-no).

Thinking about living in student accommodation? Let Student Roost help with any questions you may have – get in touch to find out more today!

#student studentroost studentaccommodation uni life studentlife studentproblems

Tips for choosing your student accommodation

Choosing your student accommodation property can be a nerve-wracking process. From ensuite to studio and apartment accommodation, there's so much choice on the market.

Many housing options are released to the market between November and January. Properties are usually provided on a first come, first served basis. This only strengthens the case to start your research early, browse the options and try to narrow down your choices, before making a final decision about your future home.

It’s essential to cover as many bases as possible with your research, but where do you look for your next property?

Browse online

Online resources are available for most types of student accommodation. Whether you’re looking for shared or private accommodation, start your search online. This will enable you to cover a wide search of the city in a shorter space of time, perhaps navigating to areas that you hadn’t previously considered. It’s the perfect way to double-check the distance between your ideal property and your university campus. Looking online also allows you to read reviews and testimonials of previous residents, supporting your property making decision.

University Housing Days

In the first year of term, it’s not uncommon for universities to run a ‘housing day’. These events tend to be well attended by local services, for example, police, letting agents and landlord accreditation schemes from the local council, and property management companies like Student Roost.

The event can be an excellent opportunity to browse the range of options available to you as a student, and to get an idea of how you go about booking your ideal property.

Student Unions and University Housing Services

Many universities will be able to provide a housing service, as well as recommendations for letting agents and landlords. Housing services may vary dramatically between universities, however student websites can be used to get a good idea of how good your Housing Service is reputed to be. Your universities’ Student Union may also be able to help with offering advice and recommendations about where other students from the university are living.

At Student Roost we provide accommodation for students in prominent locations of key cities across the UK. Our team of staff are on hand to offer advice and information but importantly, to support your transition to living with Student Roost. All properties are available to view and book on our website. If you’re struggling with your choice, contact our property teams for assistance.

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5 clever ways to get free food

When you first get to university, it’s easy to overspend on the essentials (smart speakers, drones, the usual) – so by the time you get to the absolute must-have items, you realise you’ve left no money for the most important necessity of all: food.

But before you worry about asking the bank of mum and dad for funds, there’s a better way – five in fact. Get your hands on some free grub the legal way, with a little help from Student Roost:

1. Birthday bonanza. You’ve probably seen the pranks on YouTube, where someone takes their partner out for dinner and the waiters surprise them with a birthday song and cake – but the surprise is, it’s not even their birthday! We don’t recommend you prank the staff, but we do highly encourage you to find out the birthdays of all your friends (as well as your friends’ friends).

2. Mystery diners. You’ve heard of mystery shoppers, but have you heard of mystery diners? Just as mystery shoppers are paid to report on their shopping experiences, as a mystery diner you’ll get paid simply for reporting on your culinary adventure!

3. Restaurant / supermarket openings. Ever walked down the high street only to be stopped by waiters or baristas handing out free food samples? Take advantage of these offers and visit their opening days. Who knows, you might enjoy a new cuisine!

4. Putting the app into appetite. Depending on your mobile network, you could be entitled to some free food. The likes of O2 and Three offer their customers some great freebies for using their Priority and Wuntu apps, where you could get anything from a free coffee to even free pizza.

5. Take part in an eating contest. If you’re a fan of Man vs Food, then this one’s for you. Several restaurants often host eating competitions where if you can finish certain challenges, you get the food for free! So you could get free food AND the title of winner - not bad for someone looking to get a free meal!

All this talk of free food has our stomachs rumbling! Have you got any tricks of the trade? Let us in on your secrets by sharing on our Facebook page – bon appétit!

for more information don’t forget to check out our Student Roost website:

https://www.studentroost.co.uk/

#student #studentroost #studentaccommodation #uni life #studentlife #studentproblems

8 of the strangest things to happen during a university lecture...