Before attending university, I was anxious about settling in and feeling isolated in a new environment. I hope that sharing my experience of support is reassuring.
The Step Ahead Programme
Before joining the University I was given the opportunity to attend the Step Ahead Programme. I would encourage anyone eligible to attend, it made me feel much more confident in the lead up to moving to uni. It was an opportunity to meet fellow students; some of which I’m still good friends with today, and to become more familiar with the campus. I heard about the support services available at the University. We also got to attend fun events like a quiz, pizza night and bingo.
Step Ahead Induction Programme
Student Buddy system
Another opportunity I took part in was the Student Buddy System, available for anyone who belongs to the Student Communities. This was a great opportunity to speak to a current student at the University. They were able to answer any questions I had about the course and all aspects of uni life. My student buddy was able to reassure me and provide me with so much advice which came in very useful.
Mental health and wellbeing support
The University offers a lot of support with mental health struggles including Open Door and Talk Campus. During my first week at uni I found all of the new experiences quite overwhelming. But all of the staff that I spoke to were so friendly. I was able to have a meeting with my supervisor, a member of staff who supports you throughout the year, during my first week. I also met with one of my workshop leaders to express some worries I had. I came away feeling much more comfortable with attending the sessions. With this in mind, I would definitely advise speaking to the members of staff if you have any kind of issue. They will always try their best to accommodate you and make sure that you are comfortable.
Academic support
Studying a subject at degree level can be a big jump from what you may have experienced at Sixth Form, but there is so much academic support available. Studying English, my lecturers always offered extra support with office hours and there are lectures dedicated to practical things like referencing and how to navigate the library.
General support
There are always people willing to help with any smaller issues you may have whilst at uni. These small things can feel overwhelming, so it’s always nice to know that people are there to look out for you. An example of this was when I got locked out of my room at 3am and initially panicked. I then remembered there’s a 24 hour support for these kind of situations. The staff were so friendly and helped me to get back into the building quickly. I also received a phone call from a second-year student at my college checking up on how I had settled into uni and reminding me of the support services available. This made me feel even more supported.
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