With most having spent their first year in student accommodation – usually in halls or shared flats provided for students by the university – it is exciting to think about year two, when you finally have the freedom to choose where you want to live and with whom.

This means no more having to put up with chaotic flatmates, filthy bathrooms and loud arguments, and, as opposed to sharing a living space with five people you don’t know, or don’t get on with, you now have the option to search for a place in the part of town you want to stay in and with the people you want to live with.

University is one time in your life where you really get to discover who you are and what your likes and dislikes are. Aside from learning a profession, it gives you a sense of what to expect in the real world and lets you fend for yourself without someone there to do your washing and place hot meals in front of you every day.

Moving into your first real home away from home is, therefore, a big deal. Your parents no longer have the authority to dictate whether your room is messy or not and you, perhaps for the first time, have the option to decorate as you see fit.

Most relish the time when they go out to buy their own essentials. Indeed, purchasing that first set of saucepans or a piece of new furniture is symbolic and serves to represent your new found freedom and the start of a new chapter in your life. No longer do you have to use someone else’s saucepan to boil your pasta – you now have your own!

Looking the part is, of course, equally important when going back to university. All of your belongings act as a representation of your character and clothes are no exception. And, who can forget about all those cool gadgets, like audio systems and televisions that are absolute ‘essentials’. Turning up at university with the latest MP3 player or having friends around to your new abode – especially when Champions League is on – is a sure-fire way to build your popularity, especially if you just happen to own the largest flat screen television in your class!

Although the first year of university can be an intimidating time, by the time you reach the second year, not only are you experienced in living away from home, but going back to university can actually be very exciting, not least because you finally get to live in your own, chosen space.

Disclaimer: Matthew Pressman writes for a wide variety of commercial clients. This article is intended for information purposes only and readers should seek additional information before taking any actions based on its content.

Today, there are millions of charities across the globe; each having been set up to help those in need. Consequently there is now a huge range of services on offer for people who are affected by such things as natural disasters, abuse or terminal illness.

And, without such aid, many simply could not cope. Finding out you have a terminal illness like cancer, for example, can radically change your life. Whilst some are able to deal with the fact they have an incurable disease, many are devastated by the news and can be left feeling alone and scared. Therefore, the role a volunteer plays in helping people get to grips with cancer is vital.

Cancer volunteering is also a great way to do something beneficial for society; not only do you get to feel good about the fact you have helped someone out – probably a lot more than you realise – but it can be lots of fun too, with the opportunity of meeting new people and experiencing new things.

Fundraising is a fundamental part of volunteering for a cancer charity. The funds raised are imperative for contributing to research and development into the different areas of cancer, including treatment and patient care. They are also important for delivering a wealth of information on the topics of cancer to people who have been directly or indirectly affected. There are many activities that can be organised to raise funds, and there is no limit to the creativity you can apply. In fact, the more interesting or unusual the idea, the better!

However, fundraising is not the only element to volunteering. For example, you could help to educate people about the issues involved with cancer and so encourage others in the community to become involved in fundraising activities.

Alternatively, it is possible to utilise the professional skills you have, such as hairdressing, giving manicures or complementary therapies, by volunteering at support centres. These types of initiatives are great since they offer cancer patients and those who have been affected by cancer to go and interact with one another, as well as giving them the opportunity to receive information about their illness and talk to others about how they are coping.

Volunteering through the company you work for is another possibility, with many organisations working with charities to encourage and involve their staff in helping people affected by cancer.

Cancer volunteering is thus a great way to not only help others, but also to give something back to the community. And, in return for the time you spend, you can gain satisfaction in the knowledge that you are really helping others who need it the most.

Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.