Create a directory for your workspace in workspaces
cd to the new directory
run: svn checkout file:///home/studproj/255/s255g009/repository
creates a repository directory in your workspace
cd to repository

before you start work: svn update (updates with other people's changes since last update)
before you commit work to the repository: svn update (so you don't clobber other people's stuff) - if there's a conflict you need to resolve it before you can commit
to commit: svn commit