You’ve found your way from your halls to Wills Memorial Building for your Welcome ceremony and now you think you have plenty of time before heading to the next event in your calendar. But even though you were at your School Office yesterday, you realise you went straight there from your hall and now have absolutely no idea how to get back there from Wills!
Have you left enough time? Is anyone else going there? Do you have time for a sandwich?? (the most important question!)
No need to panic – we’ve got you covered.
There are four helpdesks located in key areas about campus with friendly student helpers on hand to point you in the right direction. You’ll find them at:
Hawthorns
Beacon House
Priory Road
Richmond Building (SU)
You’ll see them highlighted on your campus map which you can download, if you’ve lost yours in the excitement of the move, and opening times are listed below.
Hi! I’m Rosa, Student Activities Officer in the University’s Law School. My role is unique at Bristol; I’m here to provide Law students and societies more support throughout your time with us. I’m the main point of contact for our growing number of student societies and also work as part of our Employability team to deliver a range of exciting and informative careers events. Make sure you look out for our weekly employability bulletin too – there’s a lot going on this term so be sure not to miss out!
Rosa outside the Wills Memorial Building
We’ve been very busy in the Law School getting ready for your arrival in Welcome Week. You are in for a treat – Law is based in (arguably) the best building on campus, so you’ll get that Hogwarts experience you’ve always dreamed of.
Law students in the Wills Memorial Building
Strike a pose!
Law School staff have been taking the new academic year seriously at a recent photo shoot enabling them to get new professional head shots. This will help you identify who is who on our website – there’s a lot of us!
Words of wisdom
Feeling a bit nervous? Not sure what to expect? Our new Director of Employability, Dr Roseanne Russell and Director of Recruitment, Dr Judy Laing shared some words of wisdom below to help you feel welcome:
Roseanne Russell
Roseanne says: ‘Welcome to Bristol! Welcome Week should be one of the best weeks of your university life so make the most of it. Throw yourself into all the activities on offer, take time to explore our fantastic extra-curricular provision, and most of all remember that everyone else is feeling as nervous and excited as you.’
‘The best bit of my Welcome Week was meeting students who remain my closest friends over twenty years later. As Director of Employability I am looking forward to working with you over the next few years as you pursue your passions and begin thinking about your career aspirations.’
Dr Judy Laing
Judy says: ‘I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to all our new and returning students in the law school this year. For those of you who are joining us for the first time, I very much hope that you enjoy your time here and make the most of all the fantastic opportunities that are available to you. It can be overwhelming when you first arrive with so much going on and lots to remember.’
‘Don’t forget that you are not alone. We’ve got 400 new first year undergraduate law students joining us and there are plenty of staff and students around to support you, if you need it.’
Who said study spaces needed to be boring?
If you’re a postgraduate student, keep reading… We recently opened a new study space for you with fancy (and very bright!) new sofas and handy study spaces. The room is located on the fifth floor of Wills Memorial Building in room 5.69. Have a wander up during Welcome Week and see it for yourself.
The best things in life are free… Our undergraduate and postgraduate teams have been busy stuffing your welcome packs, which include lots of important information such as your programme guide, welcome week timetable and employability brochure – but perhaps most importantly they contain free pens and jelly beans! 😊
You’ll receive your pack during student registration in Welcome Week. Make sure you keep hold of these documents as they will come in handy during your first few weeks and let you know where you should go if you have any questions (you’ll have lots of questions, don’t worry).
Practice makes perfect You will see much more of this room during the academic year – this is our Moot Court which you will use for honing your mooting, debating and negotiation skills. Here are some photos of some of our recent graduates making good use of it!
And finally, a note from our Head of School, Professor Ken Oliphant:
‘I’m hugely excited to be starting a new academic year as Head of School and looking forward to meeting you all on your arrival in Bristol, as well as welcoming returning students as they come back. Here you will be inspired and challenged to be the very best you can be. Enjoy!’
From all of us at the Law School. We look forward to meeting you very soon…
Over 150 staff members in our nine libraries are busy preparing for the arrival of the new students and looking forward to showing off their extensive resources, inspiring spaces and specialist services making all libraries accessible to everyone.
Boosting those brain cells doesn’t just mean work, work, work though. Jez Conolly, Head of Student Engagement at Library Services is keen to provide plenty of opportunities for students to relax and refresh so that precious time you commit to studying is even more effective.
‘We want to encourage users of our libraries to include regular breaks in their study patterns. Working constantly without breaks isn’t great for your productivity: when you’re tired and stressed, it can be hard to take information in or do your best work. So it’s really important to get into the habit of stepping away from the study desk and taking some time out.’
Arts and Social Sciences library’s dedicated relaxation space
‘You’ll find a relaxation space on the first floor of the Arts and Social Sciences Library where you can ‘unplug’ for a while, plus in the Wills Library,we now have a ‘Library of Possibilities’ space with soft seating and a collection of more contemplative non-academic reading matter. This year we’re introducing new ‘take a break’ cards which will enable you to indicate to others when you’re on a break and when you will return to your desk. At especially busy and stressful times in the year we provide a range of enjoyable mindfulness activities designed to help you rebalance and relieve some of the revision pressure.’
Wills Memorial Library: Library of PossibilitiesWills Library, University of Bristol
The Library support team including, Jez Stein and Mary Lockwood, are also beavering away preparing for your arrival.
Library support information at the Arts and Social Sciences Library
Library services and spaces are designed so that they’re accessible and inclusive wherever possible. There are study spaces available to suit your preferred learning style, featuring social learning spaces, collaborative group study rooms, low-distraction and silent study areas.
If you’re a part-time student, studying outside of Bristol, have a disability, dyslexia, or caring responsibilities, the Library Support team aim to provide a range of services to make sure the library is accessible to everyone. We can work with you to discuss any specific needs or requirements you might have in terms of study space or access to resources. Please feel free to arrange an appointment time or just drop in during office hours.
Library support is based in the Arts & Social Sciences Library.
Email: library-support@bristol.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 117 928 8502
Textphone users can call via typetalk: 18001 0017 928 8502
Bristol Students’ Union (SU) represents students, provides advice and guidance and put on a whole range of events for students to socialise and try new things.
The Richmond Building, home to Bristol SU
We caught up with some of the Communications and Engagement team to find out how they’re preparing for Welcome Week 2018.
Jess working on the Welcome Guide
Jess Augarde is the SU’s Multimedia Designer and you’ll be seeing loads of her work around during Welcome Week.
‘I worked with a local illustrator to get the creative look for Welcome Week 2018 together and then spent a lot of time cutting out images in illustrator to make the cool graphics you’ll have seen on our social media already and will see when you get to Bristol. I loved working on the Welcome Guide and loved seeing a video from our printers of the guide rolling off the presses!
When it comes to Welcome Week, I love heading out to the events with my camera and always get some great photos, particularly at the Welcome Fair.’
Nicola Haydon
Nicola Haydon, Communications Executive, works on the SU’s campaigns and content.
‘This year we’re collaborating with different societies on the films we’re screening each evening in the Balloon Bar, including a double bill organised by the Chinese Society. I love the Welcome
Fair, it’s a really nice atmosphere. It’s great to see what current students are doing and to see new students get excited about everything they can get involved with.
My advice for new students is to make the most of all the events. There really is something for everyone, whatever you’re interested in and it’s a great introduction to all the societies and activities available at Bristol.
We’re welcoming some big names to Bristol for our headline Club Tropicana event with Nick Grimshaw and Mistajam as well as plenty of local DJs to give you a flavour of Bristol’s night life.’ There are limited tickets available so snap yours up here!’
Bristol SU arrange a packed schedule of Welcome Week events; from club nights to plant potting, there’s something for everyone! Take a look at what’s on and get your tickets now.
And what about after Welcome Week? Your SU needs you!
Election nominations open during Welcome Week and they’re looking for first year course reps, JCR reps and NUS delegates. Find out more about these roles and how to stand for election at bristolsu.org.uk/elections.
For more information about the Students’ Union, visit bristolsu.org.uk.
The Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, is hosting the next Global Parliament of Mayors meeting in Bristol and you can be part of it too.
City Hall
This is a great opportunity for you to gain exclusive access to the Parliamentary Forum and meet city leaders from around the world.
Apply to become a student ambassador and:
Act as a host for your assigned global Mayor;
Help them with queries and escort them to seminars;
Meet other student ambassadors and influence the debate.
You will also be invited to attend the closing ceremony where you will receive an official Certificate of Excellence and Leadership and have an opportunity to be photographed with your Mayor.
When is it?
The summit is held between 21-23 October and this year’s theme is Empowering Cities as Drivers of Change. The discussions are wide ranging from migration, health and climate change to urban security.
I’m a seasoned Bristolian, so despite the fact that I have only just finished my first year at Bristol, I have a lot of Bristol experience to share with you to make sure you get the best experience in Bristol as you possibly can.
A little background on me
I just finished my first year studying Philosophy but I’m changing my degree and now I’m going into my first year studying Religion and Theology.
I’ve lived in Bristol for 19 years and am still not tired of it.
Today I’m going to share with you my Welcome Week experience.
Thekla
University and clubbing are synonymous with each other, this might mean that you have to go out of your comfort zone but that’s okay! Hundreds of other people will be doing exactly the same thing. Last year, I mainly went to venues like Thekla and The Lanes. However, there’s loads of information online regarding the theme of each night so make sure that you have a look! I didn’t go out loads, and I still met some great friends.
Not a drinker?
I went to loads of events last year that don’t involve drink. For example, I went on a coffee shop crawl where instead of drinking beer, you drink coffee! There’s also loads of amazing food in Bristol, as a vegan I never struggle to find options which is obviously a plus. If you are unsure about what you can do, check out the SU’s guide to alternative and non-drinking events.
My welcome week peak (the good kind):
For me, as a Bristolian, the welcome ceremony was very special. I never thought that I would get into a Russell Group uni. In fact, I went to a below average secondary school/ sixth form combined and had my prom at the Marriot at the bottom of Park Street so, to be at this grand ceremony at the top of the big hill was very symbolic for me. I had to climb and fight to get into Bristol, just like you will need to climb and fight from getting to the bottom of Park Street to the top!
What I would change?
People always say that Welcome Week is your chance to really get involved, and that was a scary prospect for me. I suffer with a few different mental health difficulties so being a social butterfly is not second nature for me. But, your first week does not discriminate, there will be many other anxious people there and there will many people who want to say hello to you.
My one piece of advice is to be the person you want to be friends with. Also, don’t stress about making friends, it will happen but to be honest, the friends you make in Welcome Week might not be your uni-long best friends. So just relax and have a great week!
You’ve got six sets of Wilkinson’s basics coasters…but no shower gel. A suitcase of fancy dress options and only one extension cord. Moving into halls is an exciting time, so if you’re starting to think about what you need to bring to University, don’t worry about forgetting something important – we’ve got you covered.
Here’s our list of things to pack:
The essentials
Registration guide and Welcome Week timetable so you know where you’re going
Keep cup – you can get a discount at each of our Source cafés every time you use a reusable mug
Water bottle – keep hydrated in style and help save the planet by saying no to single-use plastics
Towel
Clothes
Bedding – you’d be surprised how many people forget a duvet cover or pillow case!
Toiletries
Kitchen equipment – if you’re in self-catered accommodation you should bring a plate, bowl, cutlery, and pots and pans. It can be worth waiting until you arrive to see what your housemates have brought before buying smaller items like vegetable peelers or cheese graters; that way you’ll end up only with what you need.
There are plenty of shops nearby where you can pick up anything else that you need – including The Basket, found on the ground floor of the Students’ Union. You can also order moving-in packs for the kitchen, bathroom, or cleaning supplies.
Why not get a plant or poster to brighten up your room and make it your own? Share a photo of your space with us using #FindYourBristol and let us know the one thing that you’re not leaving home without.
Congratulations on getting your place at the University of Bristol! We’re really looking forward to welcoming you and hope you are excited about becoming part of our community.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing advice from staff and students here at Bristol to help you prepare for life as a university student and get excited about our beautiful and unique city.
Share your first Bristol experiences with us using #FindYourBristol and give us a follow to stay up-to-date with Uni news, student stories and all the most entertaining and enlightening events. We’re on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
