Gimi guide to living!

It's your life, do it your way, but doing these things might make it easier...

Stay safe

• If drinking, know your limits.  Drink what you want to, not what others think should.
• Never leave your drinks, to avoid spiking, and don't accept them from strangers unless you've seen them poured.
• Don't get into unlicensed cabs or strange cars, especially alone.
• If you go home separately, let your mates know you're okay.
• Walking home alone at night?  Keep your keys in your hand, or carry a rape alarm, just in case.  Sit near others, or the driver, on public transport.
• Don't wave your mobile around in public, unless you want it stolen.
• Never give your personal details out online.
• If you decide to meet someone from a chatroom, do so in a public place.  Tell people where you're going, and take a friend if you can.
• When you go out, especially in the evening, make sure someone knows where you are, just in case. 

For more advice try www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife

Life admin

Things like: paying utility bills, council tax, bank accounts, pay slips, certificates... that's life admin.

Here are some ways to make it easier;

• Get a big-ish box, and keep it somewhere safe but accessible.
• Get some cardboard folders and label them 'Bank', 'Tenancy', 'Bills', 'Important Documents' and keep them together in the box.
• When bills, statements, TV licences and so on arrive, pay them if necessary, and put them in the right folder.
• Keep your; passport, national insurance card, driving licence, record of vaccinations and any other official documents, including any certificates for qualifications, in there too.

This way, everything you need for sorting life admin is always in the same place, and you'll never freak out about where your passport is on the night before the plane leaves.

Travel

It's great!  If you don't know what you want to do, or you don't feel ready for more study yet, try a gap year before you carry on.  Go and work abroad, volunteer in Africa, plan a great holiday, or just walk the Earth.  Don't be daunted, lots of people do it http://www.gapyear.com/ is a very good place to start.

Spare time?

Got some free time?  Try writing things down when you think of something that you would like do.  That way, if ever you get bored with what you're doing, you can look at your list and do something that you have been meaning/wanting to do for ages.

Here are some suggestions:

• You can join sports clubs and societies.  You'll find some ideas here http://www.do-it.org.uk/
• Volunteering - organisations are always looking for willing helpers.  Go to the volunteering page for more info.  Time Bank is an inspirational volunteering programme to help you make a difference http://www.timebank.org.uk/
• Learn to cook - it's the best bit of knowledge you'll ever have, and will help you be healthy, impress people, and feel good.
• Duke of Edinburgh's Award - a scheme offering activities and adventures, combined with helping your community.  Apart from having a good time, you will have achieved something that will always look good on your CV, because it shows that you can commit yourself http://www.theaward.org/

Day to day living links

Directgov (the UK government online) is full of really useful information to help you run your life the best way possible http://www.direct.gov.uk/  Any service that the Government provides can be found here, from libraries to income support, along with advice and information.  If you want to know how to get on with life in Britain, start here.

North Yorkshire County Council http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/ or phone on 01609 780780 for info about your local area and services, such as recycling, council tax or rubbish collection.   Also see http://www.york.gov.uk/ and http://www.oneplacenorthyorks.com/ for more local info.

Citizens Advice Bureau http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/  Free, independent advice on money, law and other matters.  There are over 3,400 CAB offices in the UK, you can find your local office here.