Your best option may well be your own mobile (or cell) phone - they are widely used in the UK and can be particularly convenient for students. If you are buying a new one or switching to a new network, check details of the competing packages carefully. What appears to be a cheap phone may come with an expensive monthly subscription and high charges for individual calls.

Typical mobile phone packages include:

• Pay-monthly plans: you sign up with a mobile phone network and agree to use the network's service for a minimum period, usually 12 months. You choose a fee structure from a range of choices and the network will bill you monthly for your calls and services
• Pre-paid plans: you sign up with a network and pay a minimum of 12 months' service in advance, at a cheaper rate than for monthly plans. If you use the phone more than the agreed amount, network will bill you monthly for the extra time/calls
• Pay-as-you-go plans: you buy credit (talking time) in advance, either directly from the network or in the form of vouchers. You use the phone until the credit runs out and then you buy more credit. No contracts or bills are involved.

You will soon discover that calling from a private phone is significantly cheaper than calling from a public phone. Calls from one part of the UK to another (inland calls) are cheapest from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 a.m. and between midnight on Friday and midnight on Sunday. International calls are also cheapest between these times. Even if you are using a private phone, you can buy pre-paid phonecards or account-based cards from a number of different companies that aim their services specifically at people who need to make frequent international calls. Compare cards carefully as rates differ and, in some cases, making international calls using one of these cards could work out cheaper than using the main telephone service provider.

You can operate public telephones in the UK by using coins, credit cards or pre-paid phonecards. Phonecards come in a range of values including £5, £10 and £20 and you can buy them from newsagents, post offices and supermarkets.

Before you dial, pick up the receiver and listen for a continuous high-pitched hum. This is the dialling tone. After dialling, if the number you want is available you will hear a repeated double ring. If it is busy, you will hear the engaged tone - a repeated single note - in which case you should replace the receiver and call again later. If a number is not in use at all, you will hear a recorded message stating that the number has not been recognised. When your money or card is about to run out, you will hear a series of rapid pips.

Internet usage is widespread in the UK and most students will be familiar with its use. The majority of colleges and universities provide free e-mail accounts for their students; check with your Students' Union. At many colleges and universities, rooms in halls of residence will have an internet connection provided at a set fee for the entire term or academic year.  

If you have your own computer, you may also choose to sign up directly with one of the UK's internet service providers (ISP). Several now offer free access; all you will pay is the phone company's charges for your connection time.  Broadband is becoming a popular choice for internet users in the UK, with costs having fallen dramatically in the last year or so.

If you do not have your own computer, sign up with one of the many web-based e-mail services available (Hotmail, Yahoo, Tiscali and so on) and then check your e-mail using online terminals at your institution, a public library or a friend's home. This option should cost you absolutely nothing. You will also find that most high streets have internet cafés, where you pay for use by the hour.  If you have your own laptop Wireless Hi Fi can be accessed for free in an increasing number of coffee shops and public places.

If you prefer to write letters home, or want to post presents to your friends and family, post offices are usually open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Saturday. You can also buy any stamps you need at newsagents, supermarkets and some other shops, and from special vending machines which are usually located near a post office.

• International operator – 155 (for help with placing a call)
• International directory enquiries – 118 505 (to find out a number)
• To phone someone overseas direct, dial 00, then the country code, followed by the number (usually omitting the 0 at the beginning of the number)
• Mobiles Online (information on various mobile phone networks) – www.mobiles.co.uk
• Royal Mail (postal service) – www.royalmail.com