The library is your first port of all to find books, journal articles and other useful resources for your coursework. It's also a great place to study.

The Library has over 50 staff who are happy to help. If you have a quick question, pop by the helpdesk in the foyer or contact them by live chat. Each School also has a dedicated information librarian who you can contact with more in depth questions about finding resources for your assignments.

Everything in the Library can be searched using the online catalogue which gives details of materials the Library has in print as well as the many other online information sources.

Group work areas are available and study rooms can be booked for working together. You’ll also find quiet and silent spaces for when you need some peace and quiet to get an assignment done. Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.

Get in touch on Twitter and check out HelloLibrary, the online guide for new students.

You'll find loads of IT facilities in the learning resource centres. Students have free access to the PC and Macs, on a first come first served basis. You can even hire out a laptop or camera, if you don't have one of your own.

Staff on the helpdesks can help you with accessing Solent's networks, how to connect your laptop to the wifi, where to find your course work, and how to use your student email account. Email them with any questions at lrc.help@solent.ac.uk

University work doesn’t just involve learning about your subject. It also means learning how to carry out research, develop an argument, write in an academic way and present your work to the standard your lecturers expect.

You may be thinking ‘how do I do all those things?’ Don’t panic – there’s tons of help and advice on our learning skills website, Succeed@Solent. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, just email succeed@solent.ac.uk and let the team know. They’re happy to add the information you need. And don’t forget to check out the study skills collection in the Library, on floor 0C.

Access Solent provides guidance and individual learning support to help students reach their academic potential. Specific support includes:

• Confidential advice and guidance with study problems.
• Individual academic support (eg, specialist study skills tutorials, mentoring, note taking and library support).
• Assistive technology available in the main learning resource centres and assistive technology centres.
• Guidance in using assistive software and short-term loan of equipment.
• Assistance with making applications for disabled students allowance.
• Screening and advice on obtaining diagnostic assessments.

To be eligible, you need to disclose one of the following:

• Specific learning difficulties (eg, dyslexia, dyspraxia).
• Mental health conditions.
• Long term or chronic medical conditions.
• Physical or sensory impairments.
• Autistic spectrum conditions (eg, Asperger syndrome)

Before your son/daughter arrives at Solent, there are a few things that need to be considered or done:

• Pre-registration. Your son/daughter should have received an email containing a user name and password to access and complete pre-registration online. This also allows them to activate their IT account and University email address, as well as upload a photo for campus cards. This should ideally be completed by 15 September.
• Welcome Week timetable. This can be found on Solent Online Learning (accessed using user name and password, as above). This individual Welcome Week timetable gives information on what they’ll be doing and where in their first week.
• Apply for accommodation. Students who have chosen Solent as their first choice university receive an email from our accommodation team which tells them how to apply online for accommodation in University residences. Find out more about applying for accommodation. 
• Tuition fees. Be aware of how much the tuition fees are for their course, and when and how to pay them. Find out more. 

All rooms in our student residences have a bed, chairs, desk, wardrobe and bookshelf space. When thinking about what to bring, it’s easy to pack everything but the kitchen sink, but it’s not always necessary!

See our list of essential items to bring 

You can always bring more when you visit, or send them back with some bits and bobs when they come home to visit you.

It’s also important to bring key documents and information such as:

• University acceptance letter,
• student loan documents,
• accommodation contract,
• National Insurance number,
• NHS health card, passport or driving licence,
• bank account details,
• insurance document, and
• TV Licence (if applicable).

This will help with finalising the registration process during Welcome Week.

Before starting university, it’s a good idea for your son/daughter to devise a budget plan. This will help them manage their finances during their studies. To help make a start, see our information on living costs in Southampton. 

Often, both parents and students will experience a mixture of emotions when it’s time to ‘fly the nest’. And while it’s an exciting new chapter in their life with lots of new experiences to be had, your son or daughter may also feel anxious or homesick, especially in the early stages.

It may take a while for them to settle in and adjust to their new environment, but this is completely normal and lots of new students will be feeling the same. Try to stay positive, offer encouragement and be there when they need you. Remind them that they’re not the only one feeling homesick - other students will be experiencing the same emotions.

Agree before your son/daughter comes to Solent how often you’ll keep in touch and by what means. Remember also, the first couple of weeks of university can be a bit of a whirlwind. Your son/daughter is likely to be caught up in getting to grips with their timetable, social activities, meeting new friends and exploring the city, so it’s good to try to be realistic about keeping in touch during Welcome Week.

Solent has lots of student support services. If you have concerns about your son or daughter, encourage them to contact our student support teams in the first instance.

Course support – Student Hub
The Student Hub can help with all course related enquiries including Council Tax exemption letters, confirmation of study letters, replacement campus cards, extenuating circumstance requests, results queries and general information and advice.

Students can visit any time - no appointments are necessary. Tel: 023 8201 5200   Email: student.hub@solent.ac.uk

Specialist advice and support – Students 1st Support
The Students 1^st Support team offer practical advice and support, as well as access to self-help materials, and a programme of wellbeing workshops and groups.  The can also organise referrals to our specialist advice and support services: Access Solent disability service, student funding advice, international support and advice, counselling and hypnotherapy and chaplaincy.

No appointments are necessary - students can pop in to speak to somebody in confidence, but can contact the team to arrange an appointment time, if preferred. Tel: 023 8201 3427   Email: students.1st@solent.ac.uk 

Accommodation support
University life provides the opportunity to be independent and for your son / daughter to stand on their own two feet, but equally we believe that help should never be far away, so a dedicated student residence management team is on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Rest assured that once your son or daughter arrives to study with us, they’ll be well looked after, and provided with all the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in their studies – and beyond.

Once our students graduate, the support we offer continues as they become Solent alumni. With three further years of careers advice, as well as up to 50% off tuition fees on postgraduate courses, we’re here to help as they take their next steps out into the world.

At Solent, we’re immensely proud of our students, and we look forward to welcoming your child to Southampton, where we’re certain they’ll make memories for life.