Category: Student life

Abdulelah’s placement with the Temple Quarter Programme Team

Posted on by emily-may.roberts

Over the last few months, Abdulelah has been on placement with the Temple Quarter Programme Team as part of the BSc Business and Management course working with the leads for Civic Engagement and Social Purpose.

The Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (TQEC) is the University’s new campus near Bristol Temple Meads Station. The main academic building at the campus will open in 2026, the TQ Research Hub will open in 2024 and the wider site is already home to the Barton Hill Micro-campus, Bristol Dental School and Engine Shed.

 

Abdulelah shares his experiences and reflects on his time on the placement so far.

 

Why did you choose this placement?

I first came across this placement before I became a student whilst I was taking my Kaplan Foundation Course. I was keen to gain work experience and this course stood out to me. From the module description and discussions with the unit leader, I thought this module would be a great opportunity to apply my academic knowledge in a workplace setting.

What have you been up to?

During the later parts of January and all of February, I’ve been developing the project idea of a business clinic for the local community.

I recently submitted and presented my proposal and have had regular meetings with Nick, who runs the Barton Hill Micro-campus, and the TQ leads for Civic Engagement, Jill and Tara, regarding this.

I also attended a tour of Bristol Temple Quarter provided by Bristol City Council. This tour helped me better imagine and visualise the possibilities of TQ beyond what has been highlighted in my reading.

What do you hope to get out of the placement?

From this placement, I hope to gain a firmer understanding of the inner workings of organisational efforts tailored to aiding the community. I have been on this placement for just short of four months and can assess that this goal is actively being achieved as I gain more experience engaging with the TQ work environment.

I am currently working on a business clinic proposal which has helped me understand how business cases are developed. By the end of this placement, I hope to continue using what I’ve learned in my course and apply it in real-world situations for the betterment of the community. I also hope that this will continue to enrich my learning experience and future work experience.

What skills have you developed throughout the placement?

During my time I have developed my communication, research, analytical and complex problem-solving skills. By proposing an idea of a business clinic, many factors needed to be considered, such as possible risks and consequences. By engaging with this I improved my complex problem-solving skills.

The most beneficial experience was presenting my idea, which required that I use all the aforementioned skills. For instance, to highlight the potential partnerships, I had to conduct research. To back up the reason for the partnership, I had to utilise complex problem-solving skills to highlight how the potential partners could fit in the umbrella of the business clinic.

How has this placement developed your future aspirations as a workplace professional?

During my time at Temple Quarter, I have identified more of my professional prospects, as I would like to work within the field of project management in the future. Specifically, I would like to work within the realm of community engagement and any sort of work in an organisation from a project management lens that caters to aiding and empowering the local community.

As an international student, this experience has helped me form a deeper connection with the city of Bristol by conducting research on the local area, the issues faced and speaking with businesses regarding their methods of operation. I feel this has enriched my experience at the University of Bristol.

Celebrating Southeast Asian Pride at SEADay 2024

Posted on by emily-may.roberts

Celebrating Southeast Asian Pride at SEADay 2024

By Mindy Liew

For the past three years, Southeast Asian societies in the University have come together to host SEA Day (Southeast Asia Day). Celebrating the region’s rich tapestry of history and culture. The annual food festival draws hundreds of students together to share in Southeast Asian pride.

This year’s celebration saw the joint effort of the Malaysian Cultural Society (MCS), the Malaysian-Singaporean Students’ Association (MSSA), the Brunei-Bristol Society (Brustol), the Vietnamese Society, and the Indonesian Students Association in Bristol and Bath (PPI).

Hosted in the grand Great Hall of Manor Hall, with the help of ResiLife, attendees were spoilt for choice with the range of national culinary treats on offer. From the sweetness of Singaporean soy milk grass jelly drink to the spice of Bruneian nasi katok, the room was set in a frenzy as everyone rushed to purchase their taste of home. Personally, my favourite was the various Malaysian desserts and snacks on offer, particularly the onde-onde (palm sugar glutinous rice balls).

Southeast Asian pride was at an all-time high as both attendees and event crew alike donned their best traditional wear, such as the sinuangga and cheongsam. Attendees were also treated to cultural performances throughout the evening. Jumpstarting the performance roster was the university’s Malay Martial Arts team, both young and experienced martial artists alike simulating sharp traditional combat. A live band performance featuring pop song classics brought out the romantics inherent in all Southeast Asians, quickly followed by a fun Indonesian game of gerobak dorong (wheelbarrow).

Of course, it wouldn’t be a roaring festival without the UoB Lion Dance Team. The red and yellow lion duo was once again a crowd favourite amidst the booming procession of traditional drum and cymbals. At the end of the night, the festival morphed into a concert as the crowd gathered before the stage for the final act – Beng and the Beats. The rock band’s setlist consisted of songs humorously dedicated to each country represented at SEA Day, one being ‘Style’ by Taylor Swift to commemorate her recent tour stop in Singapore. It was a sight to behold as the crowd collectively sang and danced along.

As the night ended on the band’s emotional serenade of ‘Yellow’, there was a renewed sense of community between us all. Being over 10,000 kilometres away from our home countries, many of us international students in Bristol were drawn to reflect on our connections to our culture. Encapsulating the essence of home, SEA Day served as a brilliant opportunity for us to reconnect with our roots amidst the hustle of student life in a new country.

Celebrating Chinese New Year

Posted on by emily-may.roberts

We caught up with Mindy Liew, an Undergraduate in Honours Law, about how she celebrates Chinese New Year in her home country, Malaysia, and how she plans to celebrate in Bristol this year.

Can you tell us about how you normally celebrate back home in Malaysia? 

I normally join my extended family for a reunion back in my grandparents’ town, having lots of traditional Chinese food (including yee sang where we toss salad collectively at a table as a sign of prosperity) throughout the week. The night of Chinese New Year’s Eve is spent watching national Chinese New Year performances on the television, catching up with family and watching fireworks. Subsequent days are spent visiting other relatives or visiting the shopping malls to admire the vibrant decorations.

What is your favourite part of celebrating or your favourite memory of celebrations? 

One of my favourite parts of celebrating Chinese New Year would definitely be the music! Aside from classic Chinese New Year songs, known by all, there is also a growing catalogue of new songs creatively themed around the year’s zodiac animal. In the Year of the Dragon, one of my favourite song titles so far has been ‘Long (a word play on the Chinese word for dragon 龙) Time No See’.

How will you celebrate this year in Bristol? 

Without fireworks and relatives to visit, I will be celebrating Chinese New Year this year primarily through food. I am starting Chinese New Year with a home-cooked reunion dinner with my flatmates, then another celebratory dinner with the Malaysian Cultural Society. I will also be attending local Chinese New Year celebrations hosted by Asian businesses, particularly to see lion dance performances!

Why are the celebrations special to you? 

Being so far away from home, the celebrations are an opportunity for me to celebrate my cultural background and reconnect with my roots. There is also an unmatched sense of community when celebrating with my friends abroad, and I feel a great sense of pride in continuing traditions passed down for generations. Most importantly, these celebrations give me the feeling of home.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fellow students or the University community?

In this prosperous year, I wish you and your family nothing but joy, health and wealth. May you shed the difficulties of the past year and enter the new year rejuvenated to achieve success in all you do.

Quiet Nights

Posted on by emily-may.roberts

You don’t have to drink to have a good time. While Bristol may be known for its nightlife, it’s not all that it has to offer. Check out our recommendations for a quiet evening out in Bristol.

Bristol has a great selection of entertainment bars and pubs. Notably, gameboard cafés and gaming pubs. Check out Chance and Counters or Playground Coffee and Bar for a cosy games night, or head to Kong’s on Kings street for some retro video games. If you like the club scene and a chance to smash your friends on the dance mat, you may want to swing by NQ64 for some music and classic video games.

If you’re more the active sort, Bristol has some great ways to get moving late into the evening. Check out BUMP, the roller disco rink in Redcliffe Wharf for a lively night out. There’s also plenty of bowling and entertainment places including, but not limited to, Lane 7, Roxy Lanes and The Lanes, all within walking distance of the centre. Why not get a group of friends together for a darts match or pool tournament?

But, if all you need is a dark room and something to watch, Bristol has you covered. With cinemas like the Everyman and the Watershed playing movies old and new, and live entertainment bars hosting comedy to magic nights (check out The White Bear and Smoke and Mirrors), you couldn’t possibly be get bored. Remember that theatres like the Hippodrome, Tobacco Factory and Bristol Improv Theatre are always showing something and have a good range of value seats for shows.

Alternatively, we have some recommendations from your follow students (and your student comms team) for a spook-tacular movie night in. Get your popcorn and snuggle in for a scary movie marathon this Halloween.

  • Coraline
  • Sinister
  • The Conjuring 1 – 3
  • Silent Hill 1 and 2
  • Scream (1 – 6)
  • Tumbbad
  • The Scary Movies
  • Insidious 1 – 5
  • The Shining
  • The Exorcist

 

 

7 marathons in 7 days

Posted on by Tyesha

In September, Politics and International Relations undergraduate student Lucca Froud undertook the marathon task (pun intended) of running from London to Paris, completing 7 marathons in 7 days.

We caught up with Lucca to find out how he got on.

  1. What motivated you to undertake this challenge?

I wanted to make people more aware of the impact the climate crisis is having on oceans, rivers, and wild fish.

“Our oceans are some of the most incredible and beautiful ecosystems, they are also pivotal in preventing climate change. Far bigger than any rainforest, the ocean is the greatest carbon sink on Earth storing 93% of all Carbon.”

2. Why did you choose WildFish?

Climate change is the most significant threat to humans and the natural world, and our waters are our biggest tool to prevent it. So, it was an easy decision to raise money for a charity that protects our fish and their waters. I specifically chose WildFish as I met the CEO Nick Measham and was struck by the charity’s passion and efficiency in actively holding the government to account in areas where it had failed to safeguard our waters.

3. How did you train/prepare? 

Research. Research. And more research. I read blogs, listened to podcasts, followed accounts on Strava and figured out what my weekly training mileage needed to be to run 7 marathons in 7 days. I started with 60km for the first week, then 75km for the second week, then back down to 60km for weeks 3 and 4.

I also told as many people as possible, by doing this there were lots of people holding me to account, which meant backing out would have been very embarrassing.

4. Did you have a running playlist, what was on it? 

I didn’t have a running playlist! It all just depended day-to-day what I felt like listening to. I listened to a lot of podcasts too.

5. If you had to pick a highlight from this experience, what would it be? 

My highlight was running the final 2km. I was with my girlfriend Shae who had been my support team on the trip, and we just kept looking at each other in disbelief that we were actually going to make it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Did everything go to plan? 

Nothing went to plan! We had problems every day. Our support bike broke at halfway on the first day, as a result, Shae had to take a lot of public transport which on some days was non-existent. We found it much more difficult to find food than we had anticipated and so on many days I was running on 20% of the calories I was supposed to. I remember one day the shops shut early so we had to go door-to-door asking people to refill my water bottles. I speak a bit of French but as you can imagine an Englishman trying to explain that he needs water because he’s running from London to Paris probably made a lot of people question my French skills or my sanity.

7. What’s next for you?

I am running the London Marathon next year to raise money for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. I also have an eye on a more local Bristol trail ultramarathon called the Greenman as I would love to compete in that race too!

Read more about Lucca’s decision-making and training processes in his interview with WildFish.

Perfect roast dinner – on a budget!

Posted on by emily-may.roberts

Veggie, vegan or meat-eater, we can all enjoy a classic Sunday roast. There are only four essential components of a roast, protein, roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy. Yorkshire puddings are another roast staple, but these may be harder to obtain for vegans unless you’re willing to go the extra mile and make them yourself.

Get the flat together, prepare your ingredients, and indulge in a British classic.

 

Protein

Your protein can be whatever you fancy, you want quick and easy? Sausages will do the trick. We especially recommend Richmond’s meat-free sausages for a tasty but conscientious choice. Any joint of meat works wonders when you season to your taste, just remember your staples, like salt and pepper! This easy roast chicken recipe is a great starter if you’re new to the world of roast dinners.

Meat-free alternatives are just as tasty an addition as any meat option. Check out Quorn’s Roast for the veggie route, found in the chilled aisle in Sainsbury’s, or head to Waitrose for a vegan nut roast that the whole flat can enjoy.

Roast potatoes

Everyone has their own ‘perfect’ roast potato recipe. A second place spud is unheard of. If you want low-maintenance roasties, you can always go the frozen route, just don’t let your British mates see. Making your own is just a few extra steps and really boosts your standing in the Sunday roast community. Any potato will do, but common favourites are Maris Pipers and King Edward potatoes.

For a nice simple spud, simply peel your potatoes, chop them into medium consistent chunks and cook in the oven at 180 degrees with some oil and salt until golden brown. These should go in for around an hour, or until they’re golden on the outside, and soft in the middle.

Adding additional seasoning will help to level up your potato game. Oregano, thyme, rosemary, black pepper and garlic are all classic ways to elevate your dish, but you can really use anything that you think will work

If you have the time and patience for it, there are several ways to boost your average roastie. Par-boiling your potatoes, pre-heating your oil and using fresh seasonings like garlic gloves are just a few examples. Have a look at this crispy roast potatoes recipe if you want to nail those crispy spuds.

 

Vegetables

There’s a whole world of vegetables to put on your roast. You can pretty much use any that you think of and cook them however you prefer. Boiled broccoli, peas, cabbage and carrots are cheap and easy veggies to include in your meal. You can also boil cauliflower, parsnips and Brussels sprouts for more variety. Roasting veg takes slightly longer but offers entirely different flavours, roasted carrots, parsnips and swede are tasty additions to any roast, just peel, chop and drizzle in oil, salt and pepper and roast for 45 minutes to an hour. You can even just pop them in next to your potatoes. For a sweet take on roasted veg, try adding a few teaspoons of honey drizzled over top before you pop them in the oven.

 

Yorkshire puddings

For the meat-eaters and veggies, Yorkshire puddings will be the easiest side dish to handle. Grab a frozen bag of Yorkshire puds from any supermarket and cook as the packet entails. Aunt Bessie’s are known to be tasty and veggie!

For vegans, you may want to skip the Yorkshires, making your own can be difficult and time-consuming, but if you’re willing and able to give it a go, here is a vegan Yorkshire pudding recipe to follow. You can skip the food processor for a hand whisk, but you will need a muffin tray for this one.

For those who want a traditional Yorkshire pudding, try this one.

 

Gravy

No roast is complete without gravy. Instant gravy is a great affordable option, with choices of beef, chicken or vegetable (usually) and there are vegan alternatives available in most supermarkets (Bisto onion gravy is a popular choice). But again, there are always ways to up your gravy game. A lot of people opt to put leftover meat/veg juices and flour. There are so many gravy options out there that we could never list them all, so check out this BBC Good Food list here.

 

The first few weeks of Uni are exciting and new, the flatmates you have now are going to be with you for a whole year (at least!), so make sure you take that time to get to know each other.

We’d love to see your first flat roast! DM us on Instagram or tag us in your dinner pics and we’ll shout out our favourites on @bristolunistudents.

Moving in weekend

Posted on by emily-may.roberts

Moving in weekend

Students at Wills Hall during moving-in day

 

Moving for the first time can be stressful. What do I bring? Who will my roommates be? How many forks will I need?

We’ve put together some advice as you prepare to settle into life at Bristol.

What do I bring?

Badock Hall.

Firstly, if you’re staying in halls, make sure you check to see what is already provided. You can find this out here – Bedroom essentials include your bedding (don’t forget the quilt and pillows), towels, laundry bag, hangers and extension leads if you need the plug space (no more than 13 amps load). If you have an ensuite, make sure to remember a bath/shower mat and some bathroom accessories (toothbrush holder, soap dispenser, as many toilet rolls as you can sneak out of the house, etc).

 

If you’re a Marlborough House resident, no need to worry about kitchen equipment as this will be provided! For everywhere else though, here are some things to remember. All residents should bring plates, bowls, mugs, cups, cutlery and a bottle/can opener. If you are a self-catered student, you should also bring frying pans, saucepans and other cooking accessories you may need. Don’t forget you are just one person, so no need to bring four of everything!

You also shouldn’t feel the need to rush to the Wilko sales this week, as this year the SU’s ‘Take a Plate’ campaign could save you some cash.  You can expect to find mugs, plates, bowls, glasses, pots, pans, cutlery, graters, baking utensils, oven trays, cafetieres, reusable cups, water bottles, food containers and peelers, all for free in these locations:

Student kitchen at Clifton Hill House

This is the start of a new campaign introduced to limit the amount of waste going into landfill and saving you a pretty penny.

Cleaning supplies are also a must have. Washing up liquid, sponges, cloths and tea towels (don’t forget to wash them regularly) are a good start! As these things are all used communally, you may want to wait till you arrive so you can share the costs with your roommates and avoid bringing duplicates.

 

Roommates

It can be pretty intimidating moving in with strangers, especially if you are also moving to a new city or area. Try to remember that you’re all in the same boat! Whether you are the type to kick start introductions, or prefer to let others do the talking, there’s room for all personalities here. Why not arrange a group activity for you and your new roommates? You could hunker down for a movie night, cook a meal together or check out a local café or park! A really simple thing to do is leave your door open as you move in, it lets people know you’re open to talk and introduce yourself.

If you do find yourself struggling to settle in, you can always talk to the people around you. You may find that one of your roommates is going through a similar situation and can help each other through it. You can also reach out to the University wellbeing services if you feel unable to turn to anyone else. This friendly team has loads of advice and resources to support you and there are some great tools to help you manage your own wellbeing as well.

 

 

 

Pride events for students and staff

Posted on by Dan Cragg

Bristol Panthers Pride 5-a-side

Saturday 24 June, 10:15 am – 4 pm, Imperial Sports Ground, West Town Lane, BS14 9EA

Bristol City Panthers FC (City’s affiliated LGBT+ team), is hosting a 5-a-side tournament for Pride

You make your own teams (max team size 8, each player signs up individually) or join individually to be matched with a team. Players of any experience, ability, sexuality, or gender identity are welcome!

Panthers players will be spread out among the teams to even things out. Bring shin pads, astro boots (no studs), sun cream, and plenty to drink! Here’s the booking link: https://www.trybooking.co.uk/41812

Film screening: Seahorse: The Dad Who Gave Birth

Wednesday 5 July, 4:30 pm, Biomedical Sciences Building

A film screening organised by the University LGBTQ+ Staff Network. Seahorse is a poignant film charting the path to parenthood for transgender man Freddy McConnell as he carries and delivers a child. Open to staff and students, book your free ticket now.

Tips on reducing your plastic waste

Posted on by yl22363

Swap disposable plastic bottles/coffee cups for re-usable

Café Nero, Costa, and Starbucks all have offers when you get your coffee in a re-usable cup, so instead of adding to the 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups that are thrown away each year (estimated by Costa), save money by taking your own!

Save yourself that £1.50 for a plastic bottle of water, and invest in a steel water bottle. It keeps your water cool throughout the day, and you can fill up at home, in your local coffee shop, or at one of the University’s water fountains around campus, for free! Find your nearest campus water fountain here.

 

Take your own bags to the shops

Did you know that bags for life use up to three times more plastic than single use carrier bags? They’re also sturdier, making them much more detrimental when getting into natural environments. Make sure you’re getting the most of your bags for life, remember to take them to the shops with you and avoid buying more than you need. Or, take your backpack with you to shop, or any other bags that you use in your day to day life to avoid the plastic option completely!

 

Say no to plastic cutlery when you order in

Plastic straws, forks spoons, are included in many fast food options, and many can’t be recycled. However, most places on Deliveroo or UberEats let you choose whether or not they include plastic cutlery. Whenever you’re able, make sure you’re saying no to these single-use plastic items.

 

Cling film can’t be recycled, but tinfoil can!

Clingfilm is made from polyvinylidene chloride (PVC) and does not degrade. Manufacturing PVC releases dioxins that is toxic to humans. Swap out cling film for tinfoil, which (once clean) can be recycled! Even better, use reusable lunch boxes or beeswax wraps. Either way, make sure you’re avoiding clingfilm wherever you can.

 

Ditch the glitter

Glitter is made from aluminium or plastic coated in paint or metal and it’s everywhere. You can find glitter in body lotions, bath bombs, eyeshadows, and generally all over the beauty industry. Glitter is made of microplastics and microplastics never dissipate. It wreaks havoc on biodiversity and marine life.

 

Did you know there’s no limit on how long it takes a product to break down when it’s labelled ‘biodegradable’? Or that some biodegradable material require specialist treatment in order to do so? That means even when products like glitter are labelled such, it doesn’t guarantee that the product is eco-friendly. By the time some biodegradable plastics have broken down, they’ve already caused harm to the environment.

Some eco-friendly glitter alternatives are coloured sand, salt, coloured rice, certain face paints, sugar, and crushed glass. Of course not all of these can be used cosmetically, but options like glass can work great for craft projects.

 

Controlling waste at the University

Did you know that less than 5% of the University’s overall waste ends up in landfill? This is because the University is committed to maximising reuse, recycling as much as possible, and reducing the amount of waste produced.

 See more on the University’s sustainability efforts here.

 

MHAW – Managing stress this exam season

Posted on by Dan Cragg

Mental health awareness week (MHAW) 15 – 21 May 2023

_________________________

Managing stress this exam season

By Sophia Crothall

Exams can often bring stress which can have an impact on both our mental and physical health, which is why it is extra important to take care of yourself, ensuring you’re happy and healthy too. Here are some ways in which you can do that:

Taking breaks

As much as you may want to finish your essay in one sitting, or feel the need to complete your exam as soon as possible, you need to take a break. Taking breaks helps to refresh your mind and allows you to come back to your work with a clear head and fresh perspective. So, put your laptop away and get yourself out there. Go for a walk, have something to eat, grab a drink or watch an episode of your favourite TV show. Just make sure you take time away from staring at a screen.

Eat healthily

Don’t just rely on ready meals or meal deals over the next few weeks. As they say, ‘healthy body, healthy mind’. Ensure you are having three good meals each day, especially a nutritious breakfast which will set you up for the day. Bring some snacks with you too such as blueberries which are great for the brain. If you have some time, create a meal plan for the week and then you will know each day what you are eating and what you need to prep.

Staying social

Keep your social life up this exam season. Surrounding yourself with your friends is essential for keeping the morale high. Whether that is seeing them in the evening for a drink at the pub, a daytime coffee or studying together, don’t isolate yourself. You could even impose a rule that you don’t talk about university and exams when you see each other. If you are a part of any clubs and societies that are still running events, push yourself to go to them and see others.

Exercise

Finally, get yourself out there and get active. Whether you love the gym or hate it, there is some form of exercise for everyone!

One of my favourite things to do is to go on a nice long walk. Bristol has so many open, green spaces which are essential for clearing the mind. Some of my favourites include The Downs, Harbourside, Ashton Court and the Suspension Bridge. If it’s a rainy day, have a look at what B: Active programmes are running at the gym or in halls of residence, these are free for all students.

Remember to take care of yourself this exam season and not let the stress take control.

If you need to speak to someone, a range of support is available such as the Wellbeing team, Student Health Service or even your Personal Tutor.

Check out Lottie’s Instagram Reel too for more ideas!