Category: ResiLife

by Sophie Saunder, Residential Experience Coordinator

I’ve just recently started my new role at the University of Bristol, working as a Residential Experience Coordinator in Residential Life. It’s mine and my colleagues’ job to make sure that you have a great time in halls and that your JCRs are working as well as they can be! November the 3rd is Stress Awareness Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of stress, and ways to combat it. In this blog, I’ll tell you a little bit about my background and ways you can manage stress and overwhelm. 

Before I came to UoB I worked at Bath Mind, a local mental health charity that works to support the mental health and wellbeing of people living in Bath and North East Somerset. Prior to that, I studied German, Spanish and European Studies at the University of Bath so I’ve been in the wonderful South West for a while now!  

At Bath Mind, I worked on a student mental health project called the Mentally Healthy Universities program, a project that provided preventative mental health training for students in the form of online workshops. Throughout this process, I learned a lot about various tools and techniques that can support your mental wellbeing on a daily basis.  

One important topic that came up often in the workshops was stress. One way that we would imagine stress in the workshops is to imagine that all of your stresses collect into a ‘stress container’. Student life can throw a wide range of stresses at you, filling up the stress container: potentially living away from home for the first time, making friends, starting a new course, exams, essays and socialising can all add to stress levels. Sometimes, the stress container can overflow which can lead to overwhelm, burnout and low mood.  

It’s useful to think about ways to empty or relieve your stress container. For Stress Awareness Day and beyond, the ResiLife team have put together a self-care package for you to use on the awareness day and beyond to empty your stress container.   (more…)

by Alessio, Chief Resident

If you are coming from another city or another country, your years at the University of Bristol can become an opportunity to know the city, its traditions and its community: an experience which will remain in your heart and memory for the rest of your life. Let yourself be conquered by the vibrant atmosphere of this city! Bristol is an incredible blend of Georgian architecture, harbour traditions and street art. 

Read on for the six essential things to visit in order to live an authentic experience in Bristol.  (more…)

by Usman, Chief Resident

Mental and physical wellbeing is one of the key factors that enables us to overcome difficulties and challenges and to be successful, it is of vital importance that we take our wellbeing seriously. It enables us to grow and take charge of our routine, our mind and body, all at the same time. Wellbeing refers to being comfortable, health and happy. The fives ways of wellbeing include connect, keep learning, be active, give, take notice. It is now more than ever easy to practice these ways of wellbeing in daily life.   (more…)

by Kal, Senior Resident

Newfound freedom, new flatmates, and a new city. It may seem a bit overwhelming to figure out what to do first so here’s a quick guide on what there is to do in Bristol. 

Let’s start with some daytime activities 

First, for those who have never been to Bristol before some buildings are a must-see around the city from the Wills memorial building to the We Are Curious disco ball sculpture in millennium square. Download an architecture trail of all the buildings to visit. 

If architecture isn’t your cup of tea, then maybe you’ll prefer coffee with many independent cafés and bakeries in Bristol you are sure to find one you like. Some suggestions: Playground coffee house, Papadeli or Pinkmans.   (more…)

by Abhishek, Chief Resident

From creating a sense of home and comfort in a new space to working out a washing-up and cleaning rota, moving into student accommodation for the very first time is no easy feat.

Here’s a low down on how you can not only survive but thrive while living with fellow flatmates at university.

Be considerate at mealtimes

Communal student areas tend to become the busiest and most cluttered during mealtimes, particularly in the evenings when everyone looks to prepare and tuck into a home cooked dinner with fellow flatmates. It’s at this point of the day that students are hoping to relax and unwind following a busy class schedule. In order to live harmoniously with others, it’s crucial that students are courteous of each other during these points in the day as it’s during this time that students look to socialise and enjoy the company they keep.

Be respectful of those around during this time by not outstretching or being too noisy during mealtimes. While we want everyone to relax in their new home, putting your feet up on a table can be unpleasant for others trying to enjoy their meal or drinks in the communal living spaces, as too is shouting or singing whilst others are looking to initiate conversation. Leaving litter around or not cleaning up after themselves is another area students should be aware of if they want to get on and live harmoniously with those around them. It’s important to remember that if you keep the communal spaces clean and tidy, others will follow suit. Create rotas for cleaning, cooking etc. so that workload is shared evenly!

Assign responsibility to tasks early on

There are many essential responsibilities that come with sharing student accommodation with others. For example, the purchasing of washing up liquid, the hoovering of the communal carpets and the wiping down of shared surface areas. Instead of waiting for someone to find the urge to do this early on, it’s best to allocate these responsibilities to individuals who are sharing the space at the beginning of term. Not only will this ensure that essential responsibilities are split fairly amongst the group, it will also instil a sense of camaraderie among them and prevent any arguments or clashes occurring from things not getting done.

Spend quality time together

While inevitably, schedules will clash with fellow students during your first term at university, by organising weekly meetups and social get-togethers with flat mates, you’ll create a sense of community in the shared space with those you live with. These don’t need to be massive nights out but just something everyone can partake in once a week to ensure weekly bonding time in the living spaces. Activities such as movie nights, pizza making or card games, are a great way to get everyone together. Making the effort to socialise in a positive environment will not only ensure you make new friends but will also make it easier to discuss and delegate important tasks and responsibilities with fellow flat mates. You only get 1st year at uni once in your lifetime, so make the most out of it!

For tips on how to live harmoniously with your flat mates, look out for your kitchen meetings!

by Jeongeun Park, Senior Resident

Starting university is a huge transition for all new students. It is a new adventure full of exciting opportunities as well as enormous challenges. Building a support network is vital in adjusting to university life. Making friends sounds easy, however, in reality, it can be daunting and requires active effort and skills. It is completely normal to feel anxious to leave behind close friends and make new ones. Here are four simple but essential tips that you can take to make this process fun and less stressful.  

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 Rhiannon Roberts, Residential Life Advisor

April 2021, spring is truly underway, flowers in bloom and the city becoming greener and more colourful.

Covid-19 had ripped through our world and given us some of the toughest challenges in our lifetime. As restrictions begin to ease and vaccinations are light at the end of the tunnel we began to hold some optimism for the rest of 2021.

ResiLife, as a service like all others had many challenges to overcome. To maintain supporting our students through this tough time whilst keeping those most at risk safe and well, and protecting our NHS. We too, like others felt the frustrations of screens and lack of contact. (more…)