If you're about to go off to college for the first time and feel in need of a little help and advice, you'd be well advised to get your hands on a copy of Flying the Coop 1998 - a Guide for Further Education Students Leaving Home. It may not contain absolutely everything you may feel you want to know about leaving home for the first time, but it's certainly packed with information. There's some good advice on how to find accommodation and on choosing which type of accommodation you're going to opt for; it examines the pros and cons of campus accommodation, hostels, digs, house- and flatsharing and bedsits.
There's some good advice too, about what to look out for once you arrive to view a house or digs. Does the neighbourhood appear safe, for example? Is there regular transport? The guide also examines the cost of going to college and advises on staying healthy and safe in college. Some of the advice may sound a bit like stating the obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people fail to act up on it. Do you and your friends, for example, always wear helmets when cycling? Do you always have good front and rear lights on your bicycles and wear reflectors at night?
There's some interesting stuff on healthy and affordable eating, how to behave when you're clubbing - being responsible when drinking and looking out for your friends, for example - and looking after your personal belongings. The section on going to college in Britain includes information on third-level tuition fees, which were introduced this year, and tells you how to apply for financial support. The guidebook includes lists of useful phone numbers and a summary of third-level colleges.
If you are a little worried about going to college for the first time, relax. The good news is that most people are in the same boat. They may look incredibly cool and sophisticated, but underneath they're just as shy as you are.
Flying the Coop 1998 is produced by the County Roscommon Youth Service and is available free of charge from all youth information centres.
