The second part of our handy list of useful web-related resources for students is here! In part 1 of our 20 useful sites we reviewed social networking sites, collaborative tools, general knowledge resources, news and deal sites.

This week’s picks covers all the things you need to keep you entertained during the impending Christmas holidays, not to mention getting you home and keeping the family happy.

Have fun!

Travel

The Trainline – http://www.thetrainline.com/
Trains are the de rigueur method of transport for most students, but turning up at the station on the day you need to get home is a really expensive way of getting around. Book in advance at The Trainline for far cheaper deals.

Megabus/train – http://uk.megabus.com/
Cheaper still is Megabus/train – there’s less choice, but if you don’t mind lengthening your journey by travelling on bus, or getting a train at stupid o’clock, then you could get from, say, London to Nottingham for less than fiver.

Highways Agency – http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic/traffic.aspx
Christmas is the traditionally the time for fun, frolicking, goodwill and, er, traffic. Whether you’re driving to see friends in another city or heading down to see the Aunt and Uncle on Christmas day, the Highways Agency’s traffic tool, which allows you to search individual stretches of motorway by junction and check the speed of cars moving between them, provides an invaluable resource for the festive season
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Media

BBC iPlayer - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/ and
4OD - http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od
There’s bound to be a deluge of awful comedy re-runs and serially naff films on the box this xmas, so when the TV turkeys are making you feel like fetching up your Christmas lunch you can always retire to the safety of your bedroom to catch up with that fascinating BBC4 documentary (BBC iPlayer) you missed, or the last series of The Inbetweeners (4OD). Better still, iPlayer’s radio function means you listen to England’s routing of Australia in the Ashes into the wee hours.

YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/
Same as above applies here, but factor in ‘80s footage of The Smiths performing on a kids TV programme and clips of a goofy kid miming along to pop hits and you might never leave your room again. That’s the Christmas spirit!
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Shopping

Amazon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/
My own personal love affair with Amazon stretches back for over a decade. In many ways they’re the perfect significant other – they almost always arrive on time, never let you down and give you your money back if things don’t work out. Oh, and they’re a cheap date. Smug students will already have ordered their Christmas presents, but get over there in good time to avoid the rush.

Asos – http://www.asos.com/default.aspx?r=2
The post-Christmas sales (which now seem to uncannily start before the 25th) can make even the most ardent rugby player shy away from the 500 person scrum in Topman. Far better to head over to cheap ‘n’ trendy alternative Asos, who only sell online, and have a extremely generous sale to clear out their Winter stock. Then just wait by the doorbell.
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Music

Spotify - http://www.spotify.com/uk/
In an age of grand overstatements, Spotify’s ‘World of Music’ tagline is happily no exaggeration. About 99% of the music you could possibly ever wish to listen to, and all for free? Yes please. And that doesn’t even mention all the endless Christmas playlist opportunities and chances to impress your mates with recommendations. Unfortunately, those of you who missed the early ferry to Valhalla will have to find a mate who still has invitations to give out. I’m open to offers…

Soundcloud - http://soundcloud.com/
For the 1% of music you can’t find on Spotify (too new or to bizarre) then Soundcloud usually does the trick. Find music uploaded by record labels and PR companies that’s not even out yet through a simple search function, and then share it with your mates and bask in the glory of your futuristic hipness. They even offer some free downloads.

All Music - http://www.allmusic.com/
While listening to the plethora of new music available on Spotify, you can read all about it at All Music, the ‘Ronseal’ of websites: it does exactly what it says on the tin. Spotify actually links in to All Music for their album overviews, but delve deeply into the website itself and come out rewarded with a level of knowledge on ‘Come On Eileen’ that you never thought possible.
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Student Sites

FreelanceStudents - http://www.freelancestudents.co.uk/
You can’t have the whole of Christmas off to eat and be merry, so keep up with the latest student jobs, internship opportunities and student advice through Freelance Students, the modern choice for the discerning gentleman(/woman).

InsideUni - http://insideuni.com/
When you’ve exhausted the knowledge base offered over at Freelance Students (hard to believe, we know), then try InsideUni, who add fashion, music and cooking advice into the mix. Yes, there’s a plethora of student websites, but Insideuni had a particular appeal, as it’s set-up by a student and all the articles are also written by students. One to watch!

Do you know other useful websites for students for any of the above categories? Please leave a comment and let us know!

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