It is that time of year again when thousands of eager young things fly the parental nest and take their first steps into the world of university.

Traditionally, this has been an anxious time for many, unsure how to find their feet in strange towns or how they will cope with life away from home.

Luckily for today's youngsters, the internet age has meant more help is at hand than ever before.

Not only can they keep in touch cheaply and easily with friends and family via e-mail, but new student sites are springing up all over the web offering help and advice on everything from renting accommodation to nights out.

For the shrewd undergraduate, there is also a host of freebies to be picked up via these sites with big-name companies giving away everything from computers to supermarket vouchers.

Most university student unions have their own website offering advice and listings - although with a fraction of the money to spend, these sites are often less glitzy than their commercial competitors.

Benedict Brook, communications officer for the University of Sussex Student Union, said: "There are an awful lot of websites out there aimed at students, many of them focused on the social aspect.

"There is a real variation. On the one hand you have commercial websites, some of which are all adverts and no content, and on the other hand you have things like the national site being set up now by the NUS.

"We are designing a new website, USSU.net, which will be a central point for Sussex students giving information and reviews of events going on in town as well as information about welfare and university services."

An example of the commercial sites is the magazine-style Bigbluespot.com. It has 1.2 million internet-compatible PCs to give away to any student in the UK who asks for one.

All the recipient has to do is stump up an £85 deposit, which will be returned after 30 months.

The site appeals directly to students' wallets with other offers including a "win your tuition fees" competition and free flights.

Another lively site is redmole. co.uk, which offers help and freebies with a humorous touch.

It offers the chance to send a "molegram" message and weekly opinion polls on subjects such as whether vegetarians who eat fish are annoying.

Cujo.co.uk is more serious in tone and concentrates on helping students out with essentials such as finding somewhere to live.

Simply enter your accommodation requirements and wait to have them matched up with houses, flats and houseshares in the town of your choice.

Other features include discount offers on music, books, alcohol, games and travel deals.

Students.com takes a more international perspective, with links to American student sites.

Smartstudents.com is basically a portal linking students with a lot of opportunities to buy things as well as some health and educational sites.

One of the best student sites comes with one of the best student stories.

Studentuncovered.com was created by four Nottingham Trent University students as a project to fill some spare time.

In January it was bought for £10 million and made its creators rich men at an average age of 22.

The site is smart, comprehensive and includes a guide to Brighton but flashy graphics mean it is a little slower than most.

Although it successfully picks on most student concerns, it seems unlikely its founders are wondering how to pay for a pint at the university bar.

www.bigbluespot.com
www.redmole.co.uk
www.cujo.co.uk
www.students.com
www.smartstudents.com
www.studentuncovered.com