Do Something Good!
Student Switch Off
The Student Switch Off campaign is an inter-residence energy saving competition. To encourage energy-conscious behaviour, the residence saving the most energy will be rewarded with a big party in the summer.
Individual prizes are given out throughout the year to students signed up and posting energy saving action-shots to the Facebook group 'University of Sheffield Student Switch Off'. Prizes include Ben and Jerry's ice cream, NUS Extra cards, energy saving gadgets, club tickets and more!
Last year 761 students from University of Sheffield signed up to the campaign and pledged to use their energy carefully in residences – that's 17% of all residents! Energy consumption in halls reduced by 3.5% compared to previous years! This prevented 30 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere in just 3 months and is equivalent to the energy needed to:
- Power an energy saving light bulb for 411 years
- Make 1,700,000 cups of tea
- Fly from London to Manchester 648 times!
For the most up to date data and stats please visit the Student Switch Off website.
To sign up to the campaign, do your bit in residences and find out about other Student Switch Off events please join the Facebook group or email list.
The Student Switch Off is a national campaign running in 40 Universities this academic year.
Snap It Off
If you ever see lights on around campus that you'd like to get switched off, this is the place to go www.snapitoff.nus.org.uk/latest/
During Term-Time
Sheffield is of course a brilliant place to get out and about under your own steam. It's a very green city, and walking/cycling is a great way to explore your new home.
Information & Maps
Check out the transport section of the University's environmental webpages for public transport information, walking maps and info, and a comprehensive Google Map of the hundreds of cycle parking spaces on campus.
Bike Sales
Be in the know - at the beginning of each semester the University usually holds a sale of around 50 refurbished bikes, at bargain prices (£30 at previous sales). There are always more people queuing than bikes, so keep your eyes peeled for info and get there early!
During the Holidays - Top Tips!
Book Public Transport in Advance
Prices are much better if you can get advance tickets, normally up to one week before. For trains, National Rail has a 'Cheapest Fare Finder' which can give great savings if you're flexible with times. For coaches, National Express and MegaBus usually stay cheap until a week in advance too - so get booking!
Avoid Short Haul/UK Flights!
Short-haul flights emit at least three times as much carbon as the same journey by train, possibly more (as the science of high-altitude emissions is still relatively unknown). Then there's the hassle of more and more security checks, and the often forgotten expensive travel to and from the airport. Stay grounded if you can!
Car Share with Friends
Save on petrol costs and have a more sociable journey by car-sharing. Ask around to see if friends/friends of friends are going in the same direction. And why not register on the University-wide Car-Sharing Scheme?
For Foreign Overland Travel
Check out the Man in Seat 61's excellent page on overland travel. Many people think that always going overland is a better travel experience all-round- make the journey part of the holiday!
And Finally...
Do walk/cycle/unicycle home if live close enough!
