Life Skills 101

Here are some documents to help get through life...

First some simple tips to keep food longer...

Cucumber - wrap in a paper towel it will keep twice as long especially in the fridge

Bananas Wrap the ends in cling wrap they will last longer, if you put them in the fridge they will go brown but still edible.

Bread - Slice the bread and put in to plastic bags then in the freezer, take out a couple of slices and microwave for 10-20 secs = bread fresh as new, if no microwave leave slices covered for 5 mins.

Purchase some small zip loc bags (box of 25 or so) put chips into bag once they have been opened and put zip loc bag of chips in freezer.

Store any unused food in zip loc bags and put in fridge or freezer

Also take a look at the Student Survival kit, if off to Uni or College

need more? Try the Student Compendium for a list of useful information

Recipies cook-book

Some simple recipies

Links to other life skills

 

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Avoiding Starvation

 

Basic shopping list:-
Carton Milk	2 litres
Tea	100 bags of
Coffee	1 Tin of your favourite
Sugar, salt, pepper, spices.	1 bag or small bottles
Cornflakes	or any preferred serial
Sliced Toast Loaf	If you have a toaster or grill
Butter or Margarine	1 Pack
Baked Beans, Spagetti or Spam	small tins of (4 pack)
6 Eggs	Range free
Jam or similar	small jar of or spread if you prefer
Tuna, Cheese etc.	small tins or small slab
Tomato, Onion or Cucumber	sandwich fillers
Milo or Olvaltine	To drink at night
Sauces	(Tomato, Salad Cream)
Apples, Oranges or Bananas	Any fruit
Frozen Potatoes (Mashed) Peas or Veggies	Need a microwave
Pasta	Which ever you like
Soft Drink or booze	whichever you prefer
Candles or a Torch	First aid kit
Diary	Small radio or speaker set
Alarm Clock or use your phone	TV if you can afford one
For Cooking
A microwave safe jug or dish	Buy a small set
Knife, fork and spoons (at least 4 of each)	Plates & Dishes
Frying pan	A  small non stick pan
Oil	Small bottle of oil or butter
Gas Lighter	Microwave

 

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Living in a dorm

Purchase a microwave you can always make a cup of tea in a microwave so buy this in preference to an electric kettle and pay the extra, you can the also heat up a snack.

Basic Menu

Breakfast:

Tea or coffee with bowl of Cornflakes or Slice of Toast

 

Lunch

A sandwich (Cheese, Tuna and salad)

 

Dinner as follows =

Beans on Toast

To prevent starvation you need to have some basic knowledge of food preparation, a loaf of bread, tub of butter and a small can of baked beans will help you master the art of cooking, toast the sliced bread under a grill and watch it all the time, remove when slightly brown, spread butter and open a small tin of baked beans, put into a microwave dish and warm for 30-40 seconds serve on top of the toast.

 

Scramble Eggs

Toast as above, beat two or three eggs in a microwave dish then remove the fork, and place dish in microwave for 1 - 2 minutes remove stir and complete the scramble usually a few more seconds till egg is firm but moist, serve on the toast.

 

Easy & Quick Recipes

Food student survival kit

• Pot Noodles - Or any cheap packet noodles, sometimes the cheaper ones taste even better.
• Tea bags / Coffee / Hot Chocolate / Sugar - If you have hot chocolate you'll be loved by EVERYONE.
• Toaster - Could you even live without toast?
• Baked Beans - Be prepared for the last few weeks before your next student loan installment.
• Chocolate & Biscuits
• Pasta / Rice
• Breakfast bars
• Herbs and spices - No good at cooking? It's fine, you'll still thank me for these when you're struggling to make beans on toast look appetising after making them for the 9th time that week.
• A Kettle - Unless you want to be making your tea with the saucepan, grab yourself a kettle deal quick.
• Ready meals - Especially ones you can freeze.
• Gift voucher for the nearest supermarket - Parents, this is a great way to ensure that $20 you wanted to lend them to make sure they're eating isn't spent on clothes. Though you can't make sure they don't spend it on alcohol.

 

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Studying Items

Download the Checklist pdf here

College or Uni study list

 

Make yourself a timetable, as soon as you get your unit outlines,

check when all your deadlines are due and your assessments, and PLAN AHEAD

• A USB stick - You'll be taking files to and from campus a lot, maybe one that you can pop onto a key ring might do the job to make sure you don't forget it.
• Post-It Notes
• Folders (at least 5)
• Notebooks
• Pens
• A Laptop - Take a look at what I thought was the best laptop for under $500, and also the best budget laptops of 2015 if you're after a new one!
• Paperclips
• Paper hole-puncher
• Stapler
• Dictaphone - This is basically a sound recorder. You can get one for as cheap as $20, and you'll be so grateful for it when it comes to revision time and you can't read your own notes. Make sure you get you lecturer's permission before recording though.
• Alarm clock - To stop that 'oh I forgot to put my phone on charge so the alarm never went off this morning' excuse for missing lectures.
• 20p pieces - For those awful washing machines that don't take normal change.
• Energy drinks
• Blutac
• Pins - In case you're not allowed to bluetac things to the walls.

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Living Away From home Survival list

A First Aid Kit - Accidents happen, it's best to be prepared. Make sure it includes plasters, Savlon or similar.
Paracetamol + Ibuprofen - You'll thank me after your first night out.
Cold + Flu Medicine - Especially horrible when you have lectures at the same time as Freshers week
Throat sweets - For the inevitable sore throat from a combination of the flu, and shouting on nights out.
Condoms
Toilet Paper, Paper Towels,
A pack of cards - Most of your drinking games will involve them, trust me. (See Scamper Card Game)
Face paint - You'll go on so many fancy dress nights out, it'd be worth investing in an outfit too.
Glow sticks, or torch
Emergency $20 back of the purse or wallet ($20)
Alcohol - If you're a friend / family member, giving little shot sized bottles of spirits is a great gift idea.
TV Foxtel or Netflix - While you're feeling like death the day after the night before, you'll want something to watch.
Disinfectant wipes, washing up liquid
Doorstop - Propping your door open when you first move in really helps with meeting people.

 

Homesick student survival kit

• Pictures from home - Popping one in a frame is a nice touch.
• Letters - From close family / friends, always get them hand-written.
• Phone top-up card - If they you have a pay as you go phone.
• Skype names of family members - This will take a bit of effort to sign them all up to Skype and show them how to work a web cam and microphone before-hand, but it'll be worth it!
• A book or teddy from childhood - You can stuff this in a drawer if you're embarrassed, but there'll come a time that you'll be grateful for it.
• Motivational pictures and quotes - Extra points if the quotes are hand-written from friends and family.
• Mini box of nice chocolates

Travel Kit

• Mini manicure set
• Eye mask
• Travel toothpaste / shampoo / conditioner - For those times you run out, or get the extra fancy hair products you wouldn't't normally be able to afford for the days you need a bit of a boost.
• Makeup wipes
• Face masks
• Multivitamins
• An airer for your clothes - You're not going to want to be known as the kid with damp, creased clothes. Buy one. Your Mum will be so proud.
• First Aid Kit (Purchase at any Chemist)
• Pain Killers (Asprin)
• Socks (Always carry a spare set)

Records

Personal Records Template

Medical Records template

Download records spreadsheet template
Passport	Needs to be at least 6 months ahead at all times (Do not let it expire)
Driving Licence	Current and apply for an International Drivers licence if travelling
NHS Number	Tax or Student number
Doctor's Address	Address in full, also find emergency numbers
Room or travel Insurance	Chech for acidental insurance and travel cover
Student Loan Documents	Keep a record all all reciepts or payments
Bus Pass and or Rail card	Applies also to rail or other transport passes
CV Resume Copies	Keep a good copy so that you can apply for several jobs
Passport Photos - about 6 or more	(For Your Student ID etc)
Certificate Of Registration	Keep a copy of all certificate (this includes Visas)
Exam Results	Keep an appropriate genuine copy for all results
Student Accommodation Documents	Ensure you have full address details

 

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General stuff

Calendar	book callendar A5 one week to 2 pages
Mini Sewing Kit	Include buttons and needles
Iron / Ironing Board	Impress people with how neatly dressed you are
Games Console	Even hand held to pass the time away
A Fan	Small USB or power fan about $15
A Heater	Ensure this meets safety requirements (safety off)
Toastie Maker	Handy when very hungry
Recipe Book	Essential
Playing Cards	See various card games or try Scamper Card Game
Umbrella	Or pocket ponch or mac
Onesie or PJ's	Something comfortable to wear at night
Hot Chocolate	A nice relaxing drink of choice
A Kindle - (or iPad)	To stay in touch with the world

 

 

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1. Use a budgeting tool Step one in reducing spending is to see what you're actually spending your money on. That way you know what changes you can make to stay on budget. Download a budgeting tool such as Money Smart to plan a budget according to your income and expenditure.

 

 

6. Buy second hand books Websites such as www.studentvip.com.au is a good way to buy and sell second-hand textbooks. It's advisable to start looking for your books a few weeks before the term starts as stocks are limited. Alternatively, if you have friends from the same course, you could ask them if they would like to share the textbook with you. This not only saves money but also enables you to have a study buddy

 

More Nice thoughts

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend.-- Albert Camus

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If I had a star for every time your smile has cheered me up, I'd be holding the night sky in the palm of my hand

 

A friend is someone who knows all there is to know about you, and loves you anyway.

 

I guarantee we'll have tough times and I guarantee that at some point one or both of us will want to get out of this but I also guarantee that if I don't ask you to be mine I'll regret it for the rest of my life because I know in my heart you're the only one for me.

 

The skies may fall,the stars may too,but in the end,I'll still love you

 

Don't know what I'd do without you don't know where I'd be your'e not just another boy..your'e everything to me

 

When I drop a tear into the ocean, the day I find it is the day I'll stop loving you

 

Everyone says you only fall in love once, but I don't agree, because everytime I hear your name I fall in love all over again

 

It hurts to breathe because everytime I do, I prove I can live without you

Sometimes I wonder if life is worth living then I see your smile and I know it is

 

 

Whenever I'm down, you always make me smile, Whenever I need someone to talk to, I know you'll talk for a while, Whenever I'm upset, I know you care cuz everytime I'm lonely, you always seem to be there.

 

I love your eyes and I love your smile; The way it makes me feel for just a little while, I love your style and all the things that you do...what can I say I guess that I love you.

 

If I could be an angel I'd make your every wish come true but I am only human, Just a girl who is loving you

 

*I* luv u alwayz these words r tru
*Sleep* is sweet when i dream of u

 

If he's the first thing you think of when you wake up, the only thing you think of when you're awake, and the last thing you think of before you go to bed then he's really something special.

 

Missing someone gets easier everyday, because even though its one day further from the last time you saw each other, it is one day closer to the next time you will

 

"There is no greater happiness than having you...
and no greater bliss than sharing this life with you.
If I had one breath to spare...If I had just one moment to live...
I would be spending it with you." 

 

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I've always wanted a world of my own were I can do whatever I want, where I could live alone,

but then I found you, now I want to have world shared by us two, a paradise shared with you...

 

 

I never know what the future brings; But I know you are here with me now and we'll make it through and I hope you are the one I share my life with.

 

   If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. I'll always be with you.

 

Some love one, some love two. I love one, and that is you.

 

If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.

 

If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever

 

 

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Page last updated 23rd April 2020

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