The information below is IT-specific advice to help you settle in as quickly as possible. The Tutorial and Admissions Office will advise you on the broader aspects of preparing to study at Downing.

Your passwords

You will collect your University Information Services (UIS) credentials (username and password) as part of the online student registration process before arriving at Downing.

These give you access to your University e-mail account (Hermes) and to Raven, the University authentication system, which is used to control access to various online resources.

More information is on the UIS website.

When completing the registration process you will be asked whether you wish to be included in the University e-mail directory. Please indicate that you do wish to be included in this directory, otherwise you will not receive important e-mails from Downing.

Other preparations

  • If you need an ethernet cable to connect to the College wired network, you can collect one from the Porters' Lodge during Freshers' weekend.
  • It is a good idea to give your computer a spring clean before coming. Get rid of any applications or files that you don't need. Make sure that you are not running any applications that are not under your complete control.
  • If you have, or use, any file-sharing applications please ensure that you are only sharing materials that you have a legal right to share.
  • Make sure that you have all of the CD/DVDs that came with your computer and any software that you want to use, as well as copies of all of the relevant licences and installation codes. If you ever need to re-format your computer, you will need all of these items.
  • Give some thought to how you are going to back up your work and any other files or data that are important to you.
  • Give some thought to how you are going to protect your computer from viruses and other online nasties. The University provides access to anti-virus software for all students but you may choose to stick with the software that you already have.
  • Make sure that you have details of all hardware warranties and any support contracts.
  • If you are buying a new computer, we would strongly suggest purchasing a hardware warranty that will cover you for your time here if that is possible.