Undertaking a course at University for teacher training, I realised I had been given student status.

When the ID card arrived in the post, a lightbulb switched on. STUDENT DISCOUNTS!

I ran to go get my NUS card as I knew that this was the most widely accepted form of student ID. Hohoho the days of photocopies and sellotape…

So I’m looking for the application on the NUS site… and er… £7 charge? NUS Extra for £10? The lightbulb popped. Oh you can still get a NUS ID card for free, but no discounts!

Hi, did you know we pay shed loads more than the students last year? Hey screw that fam, let's put ourselves into more debt! Yay!

What the hell happened?

I remember going on the student march, protesting against top up fees. I remember lazy students staying in bed and other people not really paying much attention. I remember a news helicopter flying overhead. We had quite a massive march – it was national, all the students who cared were there. Still, it wasn’t enough. And now, those people who didn’t pay attention are paying through the teeth to get through their education. It’s not like I want to gloat and say “oh well I told you so”. It actually makes me sad.

It’s just another example of general apathy – the attitude where people are just taking every swing that the man throws at them, and are doing nothing in return. The man smiles, he knows he’s won. Or has he? What will it take for the people to turn around and hit back?

In this bleak time, companies cut corners and the government pays the bankers, even though we all know it’s their fault for gambling with OUR money. Why are we footing the bill? Hang on, when did students have to PAY for discounts? They don’t HAVE any money! Or was this part of NUS’s long term plan to actually make profit? Hmmmm?