Acting as much as a blog as a press page. This section covers the press attention that the website have received as well, if you find something that I've missed, drop me an email: info@clearstudentdebt.co.uk
It appears that some of the news website have started to remove the articles, but as the locations of the articles change I ll try and update the links, so please bare with me.
14th October 2007 - 13.36: New website, wireless internet and a milky latte...
Ok so it all started with me wanting to save some money and make uni that little bit easier, but now I am in a full time job, I think these rules still apply.
So i would like to welcome my new website www.cdvds.co.uk where you can compare DVD prices as well as Books, Games, CDs and Games consoles. It's really been a labour of love, and one that I am very excited about.
Come by anytime, and ensure you get the best price for your text books!
Simon
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29th July 2007 - 17.59: Long overdue post, so much has happened...
Ok, so I haven't posted a blog since March, to which I apologise, however what with finishing my dissertation, writing another 3 assignments, preparing from exams, sorting out the move back home after uni and ensuring I get my flat deposit back. But now, in July, it is all over.
And so is ClearStudentDebt.co.uk - This project was originally started as a resource to protect fellow students and prospective students from being discouraged from attending university because of money worries or debt, in addition to providing tips on saving and making money.
My last year at uni has been really enjoyable, what with this project and meeting new people along the way for new projects and websites, it's just a crazy how quickly the time passes. But despite all of the website work and regular travelling from Newcastle to Brighton I remained focused and was awareded a First class degree for my efforts in addition to the First Choice Travel award for the Best Travel and Tourism Student, which was fantastic.
The following picture is me at my graduation ceremony earlier this week. Stelios from Easyjet and travel trade magazine Travel Weekly were there!
I've moved back to Brighton and I'm currently working for a Search Engine Optimisation company in the city, hoping that I will find the time to do a masters in marketing next year.
Thank you for all the emails, kind words of support and interviews - It's been an amazing experience, however I do not have the resources to continue. You can still contact me via email at simon@clearstudentdebt.co.uk
Peace, love and respect,
Simon
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8th March 2007 - 21.08: Research, Research, Research....
A long overdue blog entry, yet out of reading existing research and trying to formulate my own research strategy, based on the case study of Brighton it has been pretty busy, so I am sorry that I haven't dedicated a couple of hours to the blog.
University is different, and not very fun. Of course not that it explicitly should be, but you know what I mean. I guess people are just more serious about everything.... getting their work done and planning their job applications.
I joked with my lecturer that perhaps 3 months at uni, despite the stress of managing my dissertation, 2 new assignments and my directed reading isn't so bad when considering doing it all again. I can only be thankful that all the hard work is nearly over, but will i miss Uni when it's? I'm positive I will
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Conducting my research was an expensive affair, printing just over 200 questionnaires - however when it comes to work I believe that money isn't an object and if you can afford to spend a little extra on improving, or potentially improving the quality of your work then the initial outlay will pail in insignificance when you get your grade!
So what have I been doing outside of ClearStudentDebt? Well I was lucky enough to take 3 days in Amsterdam in February, a perfect time to chill out and reflect on the work I had to do - so a big thank you to Danni for sorting that out. Since then I have had my finger in a couple of pies and hope to have another couple of project launched in the next couple of months.
Money wise things are ok. I haven't had any overdraft changes in over 12 months now! My credit card feels neglected (good) and my uni fees are nearly all paid!
Looking forward to the summer - maybe that's what is getting me through..
Si
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8th January 2007 - 14.02: New year, exams and foxes classics.
So it's a new year.... and soon to be a new semester. This morning, my third day back in Newcastle, I had an exam on Corporate Strategy. It's a relatively interesting subject, but that aside from my core course, which is that of Travel and Tourism, but alas, as I am a student of the Business School I have to do such subjects. So enough of my moaning... aside from the weather, lack of cash and piles of paper and books that surround me things are very good.
This morning was also the time I handed in 2 or my assignments, which I had finished off over the christmas period, whist also finding time to attend the Fatboy Slim gig on new years day... shame about the weather, david guetta's mixing and the price of a can of lager... but that's me moaning again.
Christmas and new year was fantastic, really nice to chill out and get away from Uni and all it's associations.... out of sight out of mind and all that, but now it's time to really get my head down. Student loans are out today, so dont forget to budget, pay off and cut up your store cards, and put some credit on your mobile so you can call your grand parents.
I have attached a picture of our front room, i dont think the books will move for a far few months as this is the big push to graduation in July. Which makes me wonder... If i want a first, do I say that I want a first and continue to work towards it, even if it is unattainable? or do I simply be content with a 2:1...?
We'll have to see....
Si
Ps, The XBOX competition will be annouced shortly..... I have just be going through the entries, which we have had over 500!!!! some really good ones, and some... well, quite awful! Anyway, you'll be the first to know! |
19th December 2006 - 19.21: F is for Freezing.
Has it nearly been a month? and is Christmas on Monday? My how time has gone by, and has it been fun? well the current state of affairs regarding the workload is not at all fun, but why complain... we are all in the same boat. I guess I prefer assignment based modules than examinations, but still.... having 3 assignment hanging over you over the festive period is enough to drive anyone potty.
Time management has been the key this year, and indeed its been a steep learning curve after taking a year out last year to do my workplacement with International Tour Operator - TUI. I read last week that they have annouced job cuts of some 2000 staff.... but I guess they will keep the placement students on (cheap labour).
So, it's proving to be the coldest student christmas ever. I am in my flat, which is ill equipped with electric radiators and single glazed glass, shivering, with only the warmth of my laptop and the thought that Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Knightmares is on later so I can have a good laugh.
Finally with regards to revision and assignments, I have finally got myself sorted. I have repaid my library fines (£7), bought some second hand text books off amazon and printing out some Journals.... All set.
Merry Christmas one and all.
Si
- Ps. I would like to add some more to these blogs, so every now and again you might find general ramblings, but I aim to fill you in on my debt situation, things that are happening etc... so watch this space.
Currently listening to: Keane 'Bedshaped'
Student Debt Cleared so far (Apx)
Credit Card |
£45 |
Personal Loan |
£1700 |
Overdraft |
£250 |
Current Outstanding Debt:
New year's resolution, pay off the credit card once and for all !
Join me on this one.... Minimum payments might not be big, but they are NOT clever!
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28th November 2006 - 21.46: Green tea & Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Knightmares.
There has been a fantastic response to the taxdoctor.co.uk competition, where we are giving away an X-box 360! If you havent seen it yet, hurry! you have just over 30 days to think of an answer and get it over to us.
Furthermore I have been taking some time out to complete my assignments and seminar tasks, whilst trying to avoid library fines as a result of overdue books! I guess the panic will really set in over the next couple of weeks as my fellow students exhaust the library for the Christmas holidays, not of course to mention the hectic Christmas shopping - on dear.
But will student finances be forgotten about? will the new years hangover lead to a financial reflection? and how long until the baliffs come around?
who knows....
Si
- Ps. More developments with CSD soon -
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9th October 2006 - 09.57: Freezing, tired, Shreddies and green tea.
Can I just say how quickly this year is going by, it's as though I have been asleep for the whole of october, and now pushing deeper into November the panic is starting to set in. So I have one assignment due in next month, another 3 in January (as well as exams I might add) and the dissertation to start.....It's a lot to manage, and sometimes a bit overwhelming. I mean, do i spend time on my seminar work, do the suggested reading? start research on one of the many assignments, or do I simply bury my head in the sand and wish that I just did another load of G.C.S.E's!
I guess I can be safe in the knowledge that if a degree was easy then it wouldn't be worth having, but its just about self directed study and really focusing on what you can do and when you can do it by. ClearStudentDebt has been a welcomed break from the stresses of uni, I've enjoyed updating and writing new features for it, as well as sponsoring a Travel & Tourism management event for Northumbria University last week, so you could say that my course mates are also further benefitting from CSD .
Outside of the website, I have been writing a lot for the Student Newspaper, yeah ok I hear you say, that's small fry, but it's a good newspaper and they are really striving to develop it. Its a pleasure being on board, with one feature under my belt and a few month more due this December. I ll get them uploaded to the site as soon as I source a scanner.
As for Media attention, ClearStudentDebt received a feature in Newcastle's Crack magazine which was all good, so we are nearly 5 months in and things are still happening. I'm just looking for to one year on, that would be cool.
Anyway, I guess I better shoot into uni.... its going to be a busy day, and these books won't read themselves. Such a shame
Si
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25th October 2006 - 23.10: Dark, On a train (again) Laptop keeping my legs warm.
It appears that I write much of my blogs on a train of some sort, this one is no exception as a return to uni from a reading week, which as always didn't entail as much reading as I would have hoped, but the week is not yet over.
Total number of assignments equals 2, plus 1 dissertation and 2 group presentations, not to mention writing for the Northumbria Student Newspaper, researching and writing new features for the website and managing the forum..... wowzers I really have got my work cut out. But without work I would be lost - as to be honest I love it.
My first feature has now been published in Octobers edition of the Northumbria Student, and, editor permitting, I hope to see my November submission published as well. Those of you who have read my forum post will know that I have been having trouble locating a scanner, but as soon as I have some free time I ll scan and upload the newspaper article for you all.
And what else is happening with ClearStudentDebt, well apart from 'fly by nights' registering 'similar' domain names I have been busy sorting out a new competition for November as well as tweaking some free giveaways for this month. Also look out for a feature with ClearStudentDebt, coming to a street magazine near you.
sleep tight,
Si
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8th October 2006 - 21.36: Dark, On a train, tired.
Spent the weekend with my girlfriend in my hometown of Brighton. It was nice to get away from it all at Uni, having just submitted my dissertation proposal. The train ride is not too bad, and at only £20 return one really can't complain, except of course to the expensive Wifi, which I had to go without.
It hasn't all been a holiday though as the travelling is a great opportunity to actually sit down, read the newspaper from cover to cover and write some new material for the website, as well as tidying up ny coding I might have done in error at stupid o'clock in the morning.
Those of you who have read the forum will be aware that I was disgusted with the cost of scanning in high street photo shops, but a good tip off led me to the local library where I was able to get numerous Press Clippings for the website sorted. One of which you can see below, an extract from Web User Magazine highlighting ClearStudentDebt as one of the Best New Websites!
Si
If you would like to view the whole article, click here:
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25th September 2006 - 18.35: Dark, Damp, Screen Eyes.
More worrying about the big "D" but a brief meeting with my tutor soon sorted that out... for a short time at least. And so onto web development, as I hope you can see I have added in a few banners, images and top headers - and over the course of this week I will develop a few further sections.
As for the forum, I have posted a message asking for suggestions.. that not to say I am out of ideas, just that I would like students to have move on an input.
I ll keep the blog short and simple, letting you know of interesting stuff as it happens.
Si
Ps here is the poster!
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13th September 2006 - 09.33: Cloudy, wet..... looking ahead.
And so the Forum has been launched, users can post messages, chat or even sell any items they wish, I will also be using it to post updates and features. If you havent already found the forum, check it out here. Aside from that we have a competition running, courtesy of Absolute Press.. accessible from the homepage.
2 new features to upload tomorrow in between packing boxes of records, washing my clothes ensuring that I have all of the car hire documents.. Gonna be a shame to leave Brighton again, I have a love hate relatioship with it, but leaving it is always a tough one.
Just under 3 days and I have got my timetable for this semester, and it appears there is a lot of space...cue ClearStudentDebt doubling in size!
Si |
10th September 2006 - 09.10: Bright, early - 103 emails...
You just know its going to be a tough day when you are up on Sunday at 7.30am... why so early? not sure.. but when the sun is shining through your cream colour blind its hardly a easy way to nod off. Anyway, I've spent much of the morning sorting out my emails, spell checking content that I've uploaded as well as tidying up and testing some new coding in preparation for next week.
Not only will I be heading back to Uni this Friday (long drive up the M1, not looking forward to that) but I aim to pull everything together this week, the website has grown to some 60 pages and it just keeps going and going and need some much needed maintenance...
Anyway, I've avoided my inbox for long enough.
Si |
31th August 2006 - 21.27: Dark...tired.
Had another long day in Brighton today sorting out some stuff for the website and the upcoming freshers week. Lots of things are going on behind the scenes, so dont worry if you cant see any updates or changes - they are on the way!
Aside from taking abuse on the CSD Myspace account for not having a very flattering picture in the newspaper its been a really good week. I am in the process of getting to grips with YouTube as well as getting a van sorted for the big move up north - Not long to go now!
Si |
24th August 2006 - 18.27: Not bad.
And here it is.... Finally uploaded it - I'm thinking they widened the photo. If you would like to read the article click here: Web updates are in the pending tray, but you should see some new features shortly! |
24th August 2006 - 11.42am: Raining, again - So tired that I feel hungover
Just off out to get the Argus article scanned and loaded onto the website, seems a shame that I cant get copies of the radio interviews but I guess the days of cassettes and indeed recording the radio on a Sunday afternoon went out with the last craze of haircuts... Ok rant over. More features to be added this weekend, and as you will have noticed a few sections are getting slight makeovers.
Simon
Countdown to Uni: 33 day... I think. |
22nd August 2006 - 10.02am: Sunny, Stressed
Where have all the articles gone?
I guess it was only a matter of time before the news agencies had a spring clean, and moved around the Clear Student Debt press articles, but at least I have tracked a couple of them down. Anyway, drop me an email if you spot anything - maybe i ll be best buying some hard copies from now on.
So another weekend has pasted and we are already near mid week, I recently done an Interview for Brighton's Argus newspaper and a magazine called Dent.... as soon as the clippings are ready i ll upload them. Aside from that its been hectic as usually... but I'm enjoying every minute. I would say "i'm loving it", but one simply cant seem to escape the corporate connotations... oh well. On to breakfast i think. |
18th August 2006 - 10.20am: Still Cloudy, with Muesli... happy
The Guardian have also published an interview I did last week on their website, I was late getting the hard copy, but if anyone has a copy please drop me an email. You can check the interview here. (this will be repaired shortly)
Also did any of you see the Guardian Education supplement yesterday, it was fantastic. Ideal for prospective students who want to get into the mind set of university. I read it with fascination as this past year (working on placement) has kind of tore me away from university life and what its all about. Yes the obvious cliché will always exist, but its the students who really know where it's at.
Simon
PS. If the link doesn't work, then simply copy and base this into your brower:
http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/finance/story/0,,1844444,00.html
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18th August 2006 - 10.00am: Cloudy, Hungry, Apprehensive about returning to Uni next month.
I have finally managed to grab a few moments to catch up on the press attention that the site has received. Its been amazing looking back.. but still it all happened so fast. The site was never meant for all of this, if one person enjoyed the site and took something away from it then I would have felt like I had achieve something, but with all the attention and visits the site is getting its completely exceeded all of my expectations. A can only see the website growing and growing from here.
The above picture is taking from an Interview with the Sun, dated 16th August. You can view the article here:
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17th August 2006 - 10.38am: Sunny, fresh sea breeze...happy.
I was lucky enough to have an interview with Gordon Astley for BBC Southern Counties Radio (104.2fm) this morning. I really enjoy the Southern Counties shows, the music is really good and its a far cry from the watered down radio stations that are more focused on advertising that quality music or features. Gordon was really welcoming, and during the live show we discussed the reasons for starting the website as well as the current state of the graduate employment market considering both rising student debt and recent statistics that the market is saturated with graduates (with the prognosis that students must add value to their applications).
To listen to the show check out the BBC website here, and click on Southern Counties.
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15th August 2006 - 6.20am: Dark outside & tired.
This morning I was interviewed for BBC Radio 5's busness breakfast show regarding a report issued by Natwest suggesting that the average cost of a degree is set to rise to £33,000 for students starting this septemeber with an accumulated debt after graduation of around £20,000. Further evidence that students need practical advice in order to try to reduce their outgoings and go in some way to reduce the overall debt.
It was a 5am start in order to make it down for the show at 6am, but it was well worth it. I am counting down the days until i return to university.... but I am sure that there will be a lot more additions to the website before then!
Simon
As soon as I can source a clip from the interview i ll post it here.
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13th August 2006 - 8.21am: Raining, Dew on the grass...Sleepy.
Woke up at the crack of dawn to get to the newsagent to see if the Interview I had down earlier in the week had been published, and was pleasently surprise at the huge full colour picture - really wasnt expecting that! If you are having trouble reading the article, click here to enlarge, but remember to click back on your browser in order to return to the website.
For the electronic article, check the times website here:
Source: The Sunday Times 13th August. |
More news features will be added shortly including interviews with The Mirror, BBC South East Today TV, BBC Radio 4, The Journal, Mercury FM, Metro Radio and Metro newspaper.
Thanks, love & respect:
Thanks must be expressed to all of the people who have helped me out - sharing advice, support and organising press interviews as well as following the site. Love and respect must first go out to Danni for putting up with me on those countless evenings I spent and continue to spend building the site, as well as Graham at the Journa (Newcastle) for initially running the story, not to mention the countless press contacts and businesses who have made the last 4 months of my life so memorable, and aws you can see the site is continuing to expand. So thanks again.
Si
Info@clearstudentdebt.co.uk
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E-mail: Info@clearstudentdebt.co.uk