TODAY’S students face tons of challenges that their parent’s generation didn’t.

Not for them the life of two hours of lectures a week getting in the way of non-stop drinking and partying.

Modern students face huge student loans, expensive housing and costs and a challenging job market when it’s all over.

It’s really important that students get a fair deal. So here are a few tips for first-time students (and anxious parents).

• Use your student powers for free stuff. Get the NUS card and railcard – you’ll save a packet. There are loads of online sites for students offering tons of discounts. Watch out for non-Uni affiliated Facebook groups. I’ve had loads of reports about fraudulent ‘free’ deals on them.

• After living in overpriced (and pokey) student accommodation you’ll be itching to move into a house with your mates. But before you do, make sure you’re all listed on the contract and bills. You’re fully liable for the entire bill even if your friends move out and dodge the electricity bill – so make sure everyone coughs up each month. Go digital for the bills if you can to avoid letters with personal details going missing in communal hallways.

• Don’t get tempted by flashy giveaways with bank accounts. Go for the biggest free overdraft you can find. And don’t spend up to the limit! Check to find out what happens when you graduate – the interest rates can change.

• Don’t ever pay money upfront for anything, from viewing properties to buying a guitar online. You’ve got no way of getting the cashback if there’s a dispute. Once you have an agreement, pay by debit or credit card if you can.

• Watch out for fraudulent emails. There are lots of increasingly convincing frauds doing the rounds. As a general rule, never respond to anything asking you to confirm your private details or bank account.

• Do a few safety checks. Yes, we know this is boring, but a working smoke alarm (or one with a battery actually in it) is really important. Boilers should be serviced once a year so check with your landlord that this is happening. A lot of student accommodation is rubbish so as for a carbon monoxide detector (dead cheap), get some anti mould spray and if the house is damp, blag a cheap dehumidifier.

• Don’t overshare on social media. You’ll be building up your friends lists at Uni, but don’t give too many details away, like your date of birth, first school or any of the other things that could feasibly be used by banks or other organisations to identify you. Watch out for those rubbish online mini-quizzes or ‘what kind of superhero would you be’ things that do the rounds. In reality, they mine your data and sell it on. You could always lie, of course!

• Don’t panic if you get into money difficulties. There’s loads of help out there. Check out the National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA) who provide free, confidential advice. They can help you get a bit of perspective. The important thing is to admit it as soon as you need help and not panic and take out a payday loan that offers a short-term, high-interest way in too much deeper debt. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You won’t be the first student to get in to debt – and there are loads of solutions.

Get a complaint student debt or any other problem sorted with Resolver: www.resolver.co.uk - and let James know your stories and examples at yourstories@resolver.co.uk.