Modern UK college students need broadband Internet service, so if the school doesn’t provide it on-campus, or if the student lives off-campus, they’ll need to provide it for themselves. The problem with that is that there’s a great amount of choice, and most of those choices seem extremely expensive when one’s dealing with the typical student budget. Let’s look at some of the choices the student has to make.

How will I use my broadband Internet service?

Speed and quota are two of the most important aspects you’ll have to settle on. The more of them you need, the more you’ll have to pay. However, even the least expensive plans provide enough speed and quota to surf the Web, email, social network, and so forth. You’ll even have enough bandwidth to watch the occasional YouTube video.

However, if you plan to play many games, watch a lot of video, or download other large files, a basic plan isn’t going to cut it. Something else you’ll have to consider is sharing the connection. It’s a great way to offset the cost, but you’ll also have steeper bandwidth demands. In that scenario, an unlimited plan would likely be the best option.

Should I choose fixed cable/ADSL or mobile broadband?

If you have big bandwidth demands or plan to share, then you should probably rule out mobile broadband from the start. Premium mobile plans are expensive compared to fixed-line plans, and if you choose one with a quota, the overage fees can be backbreakers.

However, if a basic Internet plan makes sense for you, then a mobile broadband provides a lot of benefit. You can take it with you wherever you go, within reason, and have access to the service. This is useful for college students that tend to move around a lot or go home during breaks. Another advantage is that you don’t need a router or switch. If you have a desktop and a laptop, you simply plug the USB dongle into the machine you want to use.

Contract vs. No Contract

No-contract or pay-as-you-go plans are the perfect option for the student who needs maximum flexibility. The cost tends to be higher at start-up because you have setup fees and the cost of equipment, but once that’s taken care of, costs are comparable. The big benefit is that you simply drop the plan as soon as you no longer need it.

A contract doesn’t provide that luxury, but it does provide cost-savings, especially over the long-term. If you know you’ll need the service for two years, then you can save a good deal of money by locking yourself into a 24-month plan. The downside is that if circumstances change, you could find yourself facing a sizable early-exit fee.

Are free laptop and similar deals worthwhile?

Internet service providers recognize that buying a new laptop is a high priority for many UK college students. In order to take advantage of that need, many package free laptops with their services. In many cases, the service sells far below of the norm, and the monthly cost of the laptop doesn’t seem bad either.

However, in most cases, if you add up the total cost, you’ll find it’s considerably cheaper to buy the laptop yourself. Therefore, while it may be a viable option for students with no other choice, the best strategy is to save some money, and purchase the laptop independent of the student broadband plan.

If your New Years resolution is like most of the UK’s – to exercise more, learn something new, but not spend too much then the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead is just the right place to head too.

With their All Day Recreational Lift Pass for £29 adults and £23 juniors and 160m snow slope you get the perfect opportunity to get back in shape, do something different and take it at your own pace.

The cold season is the time to chill, and the all day pass offers just this. Have a meal or drink at the après snow bar or explore the Snow+Rock store witout worrying about the time. Passes are avaliable during the weekdays from 9 to 5 in January. And ifg you are a member is even cheaper!

£29 (£20.30 Members) for Adults

£23 (£16.10 Members) for Juniors

Visit The Snow Centre or call 0845 258 9000 to book your pass this January and enjoy a day on the snow for a fantastic price. Passes must be booked and taken before 31st January 2011.

*All Day Passes are subject to availability, Terms and Conditions apply.

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The Snow Centre, only 30 minutes outside London, boasts a BASI Centre of Excellence Status and is the most highly qualified snow sports school in the south of England. Skiers and snowboarders of all abilities are guaranteed to receive world class coaching from some of the best instructors this side of the Alps.

Guests purchasing a Recreational Lift Pass must be of a recreational standard, so they must be able to perform linked turns, control their speed, stop, and be able to use a button lift. Anyone who cannot meet these standards will not be allowed a lift pass. Waterproof clothing can be hired for £5.50. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Socks and gloves are compulsory.
For more information or to book, visit www.thesnowcentre.com or call 0845 258 900

With university fees set to increase under the current government there are real concerns from students and parents about how they will fund higher education and the resulting financial repercussions. Education does come at a cost but should not be dictated by finances, here’s our guide on how to minimise the costs.

Assess your situation

Whilst the threshold for annual tuition fees is set to rise to £9,000, there are also changes to grants – for households earning less than £25,000 maintenance grants will increase from £2,906 to £3,250, the threshold for partial grants will decrease from £50,020 to £42,000. Before you work out the calculations, speak to an advisor and find out exactly where you stand with regard to funding.

Defer your place

Waiting a year or two will not necessarily change the financial implications of going to university, but it does allow time to accumulate some savings that should help with the costs. Taking some time out can also pay dividends for applications and experience – if you’ve earmarked the industry you’re interested in try to get some hands on involvement, this should help affirm your decision and also bolster your CV.

Earn whilst you learn

Lots of students already go down this route and a part-time job can help raise essential living funds – whether you choose to take temporary contracts during the holidays or are lucky enough to land a regular evening job, some additional cash may be essential in meeting bills and fees.

Set a budget

Living away from home for the first time can be both exhilarating and expensive. The concept of establishing a weekly/monthly budget where most of the cash goes on household basics can be a bit of a shock, but establishing where cash is essential allows you to work out what you actually afford to splash on entertainment.

Avoid debt

Perhaps a little contradictory considering the inevitable hike in costs, but avoiding unnecessary credit cards debt and loans can go a long way in reducing overall debts come graduation. If this isn’t possible, make sure you shop around for best deals on rates, keep a handle on what you owe to whom and be aware of repayment obligations.