Hull – better by degrees

This month thousands of 'freshers' will get their first taste of living in Hull, and thousands more university students will return after a summer away. Hull in print welcomes students old and new with a few tips to help them settle in...

"It is often said that your university experience will be the best three years of your life.
However, settling in at university can be extremely daunting at first and there are complications to deal with, such as getting to grips with your course, your new city and surroundings, and even the accents of the new people you are living with.
But, by the end of three years at the University of Hull, most students agree that they have had an amazing experience.
The university and its students' union endeavour to make the student experience as enjoyable and rewarding as possible.
There are a number of ways for students to get involved in activities at the university.
Currently, the students' union has about 90 societies and 50 sports teams that are free to join.
There are also lots of opportunities to take part in voluntary work.
Students can join the Student Advice Centre, gain broadcasting experience with Jamradio, write for the union magazine Hullfire, or join HUSSO – the Hull University Social Services Organisation – which is a student community action group geared to helping local Hull people such as elderly, the housebound, and children and adults with special needs.
The university also provides support for students when they need it most.
There are services that provide counselling, various kinds of help for disabled students and careers advice.
Students are never left with no-one to turn to.
Much of the appeal of studying at the University of Hull lies for many students beyond the campus.
Many of the clubs and bars in the city centre host a student night at least once a week.
Areas such as Newland Avenue, Cottingham Road and Princes Avenue also have plenty of good restaurants and bars that are welcoming and appealing to students.
It is also been recently noted that living costs in Hull are relatively low compared to other university towns and cities, so students here get far better value for their money!
Hull's size is also an advantage. It's not too big to feel lost in or too small to feel claustrophobic.
There is also always something exciting going on and there are good places to explore and new to things to do."

Written by Warwick Norris (pictured left), the vice president of Hull University Students Union and a law graduate.

Fight for freedom

University students are arriving in Hull at a very special time in the city's history.
It is exactly 200 years ago since Hull's most famous son, William Wilberforce MP (pictured), played a crucial role in banning the transatlantic slave trade by successfully guiding his abolitionist bill through Parliament.
Hull City Council is working with Anti-Slavery International to highlight the fact that modern forms of slavery still exist around the world, and to campaign to bring them to an end.
The council is also working with the university to promote an anti-slavery petition, which all new students will be invited to sign.
"This is an important year to be proud of the determination and success that Wilberforce and the other abolitionists had in bringing the transatlantic slave trade to a halt," says Barry Winn, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Hull.