Category: Student life

MHAW 2023 – What are mental health boosters?

Posted on by Dan Cragg

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

_________________________

What are mental health boosters?

By Jennie Soh

As students, maintaining a healthy mental state is essential for success, not just in university, but in life. To do this, we may use mental health boosters, which help to manage stress and maintain a positive mind. While many of us are familiar with mental health boosters such as meditation, healthy eating, and socializing, this blog will explore novel mental health boosters that might offer a fun and refreshing experience and go beyond the typical suggestions!

  1. Create a Self-Care Kit

A self-care kit is a collection of items and activities that bring you comfort and help you re-centre. They can be physical objects, like a stress ball or a soft blanket, or activities, like listening to a favourite song or engaging in a creative hobby. Choose something from your kit whenever you feel like giving your brain a much-needed break!

  1. Practice Gratitude Journaling

Set aside a few minutes to list three things you’re grateful for each day. They can be simple, like a delicious meal, finishing an assignment, or a kind gesture from a friend. By focusing on positive experiences, you can cultivate a more optimistic outlook and better manage stress! Plus, keeping a gratitude journal can help you reflect on your growth and accomplishments throughout your time at university.

  1. Create a Worry Window

Instead of being preoccupied with worries throughout the day, designate a specific time for them. Set aside a few minutes each day as your “worry window” – a period when you allow yourself to acknowledge your concerns and fears. During this time, write down your worries and possible solutions. Then, once the window closes, allow yourself to let go of your stresses and focus on your tasks.

  1. The Pomodoro Technique with a Twist

You might have heard of the Pomodoro Technique, which involves breaking your work into intervals (usually 30 minutes) with short breaks in between. But have you tried combining it with mindfulness? In this approach, instead of taking a usual break, take a 5-minute mindfulness break. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing or do a body scan. Then, return to your tasks with renewed energy and clarity.

Remember that your mental health is just as important as your academic performance. By incorporating these mental health boosters into your routine, you are not only taking care of yourself but also preparing yourself for success!

The Borgen Project

Posted on by yl22363

The Borgen Project

The Borgen Project is a non-profit organisation raising awareness for global poverty by mobilizing ordinary citizens and pushing for positive change.                                                                          Student Comms caught up with Mohammed Farrash, third year International Social and Public Policy student, currently interning for the organisation.

Mohammed, how did you find The Borgen Project?

It was an accident really, I was looking for some work experience, as I’m now in my third year, and I kind of found this project through other organisations.

What are the main beliefs of the project?

The Borgen Project aims to tackle global poverty. The belief is that tackling this massive concern will impact other global issues, such as public health, overpopulation, and national security, as well as creating more jobs for the future.

So, what work do you do with the project?

I get set tasks weekly, usually sending emails to MPs and helping to mobilise others to do the same. I also research current world events, help fundraisers, network, and investigate current bills going through Parliament. All the work is done online, as there isn’t an office in Bristol. I usually spend around 8 hours a week completing work for them.

Are there any surprises that have come up in this work? What successes have you been able to enjoy?

This has been my first work environment, so it’s been interesting to see just how much you can accomplish from just talking to people. Just getting the internship was such an achievement, the acceptance rate is quite low. It’s been great to connect with people within my community.

Is this something you’d like to focus on in your future career?

Honestly, I’m not sure yet. There’s so much that I would like to explore in the world, but I wouldn’t rule it out. In terms of career, I am originally from Saudi Arabia, and I would love to be able to contribute to The Vision 2030 and help bring Saudi Arabia into the future. One of the main objectives of the Vision 2030 is to strengthen national identity by sharing our culture with the rest of the world.

And what brought you to Bristol?

So, I graduated from school during COVID-19, my exams were cancelled, and I didn’t end up with the grades that I wanted. I originally wanted to apply to study finance but didn’t meet the requirements. I ended up going through clearing to just try and find a spot doing something. I planned to get onto a course and then change programmes, but after a few weeks in International Social and Public Policy, I realised I was really interested and decided to stay. I don’t regret that decision. Bristol was so helpful when I emailed in during clearing and made me feel that this place would value me. My mother is an Alumna here – she did a masters in Blood Banking; she’ll hopefully be coming over from Saudi Arabia for my graduation soon.

What’s been your favourite thing about Bristol?

The food! I’ve discovered so many cuisines that I haven’t experienced before. I love the local food markets and I’ve now discovered vegan food. I never really liked vegan food before, but now it’s one of my favourites. Living alone has really let me work on my cooking skills, my favourite food to cook is definitely Indian dishes.

What do you need to do now that you’re nearing the end of your internship?

I’ll be filling out my feedback survey and sending that in. This blogpost will probably be the last thing I do for it. I’ve enjoyed my time as an intern with the project and would recommend internships to other students.

You can learn more about The Borgen Project at The Borgen Project.

To get advice on internships, volunteering and career opportunities, get in touch with The Careers Service. 

New campus Wi-Fi network coming in 2023 and 2024

Posted on by yl22363

Work begins this month on a new high-performance network for our world-class campuses. The work will assess the Wi-Fi coverage of the current network before its upgraded on a building-by-building basis at the end of 2023 and throughout 2024.

As the single biggest investment ever made into IT infrastructure, University of Bristol Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Evelyn Welch believes, “Our capital investment is not about shiny new buildings, but about providing the right environment…particularly our digital infrastructure”.

When the current network was originally designed, no one could have anticipated the extent to which digitisation would transform teaching, research and learning in the decade that followed. Many replacement parts to the current network are no longer manufactured, making the structure in its current state vulnerable. Our new network has the potential to move us permanently towards more interactive learning and inquisitive teaching in the future.

Post-pandemic, we increasingly access the connected world through our fingertips. COVID-19 accelerated the need to exist online, so much so that traditional face-to-face teaching has been enhanced by shifting the student experience to a virtual space. Our University now promises an in-person education enhanced with the very best of blended.

Upgrading our network will…

  • Enable an academic to live stream lectures on campus with fluid, stable connectivity to thousands of students around the world.
  • Mean that a student can link multiple devices securely to support their study, social and entertainment platforms anywhere on campus.
  • Allow a researcher scalable connection to conduct experiments and store data autonomously on a secure service.
  • Empower a member of Professional Services to seamlessly join meetings and carry out tasks on the move, or from their desks, on a network that is sustainable.

The benefits of a new network will be felt by all 30,000+ members of our community. Anyone who joins the local network on, or away from, campus will experience a seamless, secure, sustainable, and fully supported digital environment.

Chief Digital Information Officer Keith Woolley says, “We’re excited by the possibilities this investment will bring and can’t wait to see the full potential of our new next generation network. With this transformation the University of Bristol will be better connected to one another, our partners, and our communities… it will provide a platform for innovative global research, creative teaching and facilitate options for inclusive learning for years to come.”

If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you. Please email modern-network-project@bristol.ac.uk  or visit our SharePoint pages to find out more.

This scope of work is part of the Digital Strategy, which feeds into the objectives set out in the 2030 Vision and Strategy. 

Written by Aggie Hewitt, Communication Officer, Digital strategy

Spring is upon us

Posted on by Dan Cragg

By Amy Salmon, Philosophy and Politics student.

Spring is finally here! I think it’s fair to say that we are all looking forward to the lighter nights. Leaving lectures at 5 pm to find that it is already pitch-black for the walk home is certainly a bleak part of the winter term. And the lighter mornings will be welcomed too, making those 9 am classes a little more bearable. The days have been getting longer since December but after March 20th we will have more hours of daylight than of darkness every day. Now that’s something to look forward to.

The spring equinox marks the official start of spring in the northern hemisphere and 20 March marks that point this year. So, what is the equinox? Well, roughly translated, it means equal nights so on this particular night all countries around the world will have nearly equal hours of day and night. It is also one of only two times in the year that the sun will rise due east and set due west for everyone in the world. So, it is one of very few times in the year when we can feel connected to the other side of the world. And, of course, it kicks off the season of spring.

So, what is so great about spring?

As a March baby I pride myself on being born in the spring. It seems, to me, the most perfect time of year. None of the pressure for scorching temperatures that the summer months have but a tenfold improvement from the icy cold and dark days of the winter. The increased daylight encourages more birds to sing and, of course, spring brings us special occasions including Easter and Passover. In Scotland, where I am from, we have an Easter tradition that is perhaps a little different to the usual Easter egg hunt. We decorate boiled eggs in the most elaborate way that an egg can even be decorated and then go egg rolling. This is a game which simply involves rolling your egg down the hill and hoping that it will get to the bottom first. Though trivial it has brought mountains of fun for my brother and I.

Moving away from modern-day traditions, there is an ancient tradition that exists in Chichen Itza in Mexico whereby the spring equinox is known as the return of the sun serpent. The Mayans built a huge pyramid in 10000 AD that signalled the start of the seasons by the way the light landed on it. On the spring equinox, when the light touches the pyramid, it looks like a snake slithering down the steps. This phenomenon is as old as they come and it is certainly a spectacle.

So, all in all, spring is definitely something to be excited about and the spring equinox perfectly brings in the light nights and brighter days.

 

International Women’s Day

Posted on by tom.cooper

8 March is International Women’s Day, an annual day to celebrate women’s achievement, raise awareness about discrimination, and take action to drive gender parity.

The theme of the event for this year is Embrace Equity.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting some recent stories featuring women from our own community.

Record 45% of funding raises led by women

 at SetSquared Bristol

International Women's Day logo

People who identify as women raised £15 million of the total £33 million raised by the 85 companies at the University of Bristol-led incubator. Kimberley Brook, director at SETsquared Bristol said: “It’s a testament to the entrepreneurialism and resilience of our women-led companies that they are raising more funding than ever before.”

Olympic-level student fundraiser receives MBE at Windsor Castle

A student who raised £185,000 doing all 102 Olympic sports over the 17 days of the Tokyo Games, received her MBE from Princess Anne.

From eating disorder to Ironwoman: The amazing student who loves helping others

Megan Hamill, a final year student overcame an eating disorder to complete a half Ironman. Now she’s aiming for the podium at Ironman Austria, which would give her spot at the world champs. This will require her to swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and run 26.2miles.

Philosopher Queens: New course is diversifying the philosophy canon

Dr Alix Dietzel, the leader of the new Philosopher Queens unit, discusses her inspirations, and the new course which is diversifying the male-heavy, western-centric philosophy curriculum.

Dr Dietzel said “Traditionally most philosophy courses include a slew of white men, sometimes with one token woman.

“The way the ‘canon’ of important philosophers is presented is that there is a particular type of person who is a philosopher. Students would say to me ‘I can’t do philosophy, I don’t have that sort of brain’ – which simply isn’t true.

“This course has raised the confidence of my students, who felt at home in a philosophy course for the first time.”

If you have more inspiring stories to highlight for International Women’s Day, let us know in the comments.

#EmbraceEquity

National Student Money Week 2023

Posted on by Dan Cragg

27 February is the start of National Student Money Week and this year’s theme is Navigate the Numbers: Coping with the Cost of Living. We know that living costs remain a focus for many of you, so our Student Champions wanted to share some of their top tips with you to help.

 

Sainsbury’s Smart Shop and Nectar – by Sophia 

With Sainsbury’s being the most convenient supermarket for many students, it’s great to know ways to save some money on your food shop. Many students have been seen scanning their nectar card at the checkout to get their points but Smart Shop allows you to complete your shop on your phone. You scan the items as you go and then simply pay at the checkout. Not only does this save time, but you can also see how much you are spending as you do your shop which is helpful when you are shopping with a budget in mind. The best feature is that Smart Shop tracks your shopping habits and begins to offer you cheaper prices on items you buy regularly, as well as more points which can eventually be used as money off coupons too. For instance, my favourite cheese is usually around £4.50 to buy, but with Smart Shop it’s £2.94! So, I highly recommend you make use of it.

Money saving apps- By Jennifer

As a student, it’s always a challenge to save money. From buying groceries to paying bills, it can all add up quickly. However, there are a few apps out there that can help make your life easier and save you money! Here are two apps that have been particularly helpful to me.

Too Good To Go

Too Good to Go connects users with local restaurants and cafes who have leftover food at the end of the day. Instead of letting that food go to waste, the restaurants offer it at a discount through the app. It’s a win-win situation: you get a great meal at a lower cost, and the environment benefits from less food waste! I’ve used this app several times and have never been disappointed.

UNiDAYS

UNiDAYS is an app that offers student discounts at a variety of stores and restaurants. It’s completely free to sign up and offers discounts up to 50% off at popular stores like Nike, Deliveroo, and Apple. I’ve used this app for everything from clothes to electronics, and it’s definitely helped me save some money when making online purchases.

Better budgeting – by Esha

When it comes to budgeting, tracking previous expenses to see where you have spent the most money is very useful. Recognising patterns of overspending can help you to understand where you can make changes. Try to define your spending categories clearly and allocate a maximum allowance to each of them, and stay within that! Do not try to set unrealistic budgets because you will tend to be disappointed. Instead, try to reduce how much you spend on a category slowly or over time, if needed. For example, I have always overspent on food. To cut down on my expenses, I reduced the number of times I got takeout from twice a week to twice a month by opting for ready to eat meals from grocery stores instead. It involves a lot of trial and error though, so do not worry if you cannot get it right the first time!

Money advice and funding

Student Funding at the University now has a new name Money Advice and Funding, who are available to help with your money questions or worries and offer twice-daily drop-ins with a Money Adviser. There is no need to book, just use this link at 10 am to 11 am or 2 pm to 3 pm and someone will be available to answer your questions.

 

Why do we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month?

Posted on by Dan Cragg

By Student Champion, Josh

Pride Staff and Students Photoshoot, University of Bristol

LGBTQ+ History Month takes place every February in the UK, and this year the focus is ‘Behind the Lens’ – to look at LGBTQ+ people’s contribution to film and TV. You might ask yourself, but why is LGBTQ+ History Month important, after all gay marriage has been legal in the UK for almost 10 years and being gay was decriminalized back in 1967.

First and foremost, there are still a lot of countries in the world where LGBTQ+ people do not have basic human rights. Only 33 countries recognise same-sex marriage, and there are 6 countries where being gay can result in the death penalty by law. There are also then the issues of rights around gender recognition, discrimination and hate crimes, adoption/parenting, blood donations and so on. This shows how important it is that people still fight for their fundamental human rights, and by looking back at our history we can determine how best to secure others their future.

It is so important that everyone sees people like themselves in the classroom. In 1988, Margaret Thatcher introduced Section 28 – a law that prohibited schools from ‘promoting the teaching of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship’. This meant that most schools ignored the mention of anything to do with LGBTQ+ people and their history. This year marks 20 years since it was abolished in 2003, but the stigma of talking about LGBTQ+ topics has been hard to combat. This means that while students are taught about LGBTQ+ people of history (Alan Turing, Virginia Wolfe, Oscar Wilde, and Leonardo Da Vinci to name a few), their sexuality/gender identity is often ignored or even taught incorrectly. This ‘straight-washing’ is common, and this kind of erasure means that LGBTQ+ young people grow up feeling isolated, as they have no one that they can look up and relate to.

Many people who are homophobic will claim that being LGBTQ+ is a modern thing from the last 50 years. But by teaching LGBT History, we can prove that there have been LGBTQ+ people for as long as there have been people. The recent 2021 UK Census data shows that 6.91% of 16 to 24-year-olds are LGB+, 3.16% of the total population are LGB+ and 0.5% have a gender identity that is different to their sex assigned at birth. Increasing representation, teaching of LGBTQ+ history, and greater societal acceptance is clearly resulting in more people feeling comfortable enough to come out.

As a society we need to keep moving forwards, but we cannot forget those who fought to gain us the rights we have now. As the famous quote says, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” – George Santayana. Given the recent surge in anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination around the world, particularly online and in the media, LGBT History Month is as important as ever.

Check out these links below for some more information on LGBT History:

https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/lgbt-history-month-2023/

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/key-dates-lesbian-gay-bi-and-trans-equality

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_by_country_or_territory

https://www.advocate.com/world/2016/7/08/20-lgbt-people-who-changed-world

International Mentoring Day

Posted on by tom.cooper

Tuesday 17 January is International Mentoring Day. To celebrate, we wanted to remind you of the great Peer Mentoring programme available to students at UoB.

What is a Peer Mentor?

Peer Mentors are students with a bit of experience of the University and of Bristol. They are usually in their second or third years and can give guidance to our new students, who might still be learning their way around the city and University. Where possible, we aim to match new students to mentors studying a similar subject to them. However, you may choose to be matched based on a protected characteristic; this could be:

  • LGBTQ+ identity
  • Faith, ethnic or cultural background
  • Care leaver or estranged student status
  • Mature student status.

How can a Peer Mentor help me?

Mature students chatting over coffee

Peer Mentors can help point you to services and support if and when you need it. They can also help with practical advice, such as:

• What to bring to university
• Local amenities and attractions
• Help finding societies and events
• Meeting for a chat
• Giving you a campus tour.

What can being a Peer Mentor do for me?

Being a Peer Mentor can help with:

• Training & skills development
• Influential reference for future employment
• Work experience which can count towards the Bristol PLUS award
• Increased confidence and self esteem.

Feedback from 2021/22 showed that students who had been peer mentored felt more settled at university. 78.3% felt the programme had Improved their student experience and 73.9% felt more confident at university!

Thoughts from current Peer Mentors

‘University is a scary, exciting and new time. Having someone kind to guide you through it can make a huge difference.’ – Leanne Price, Senior Peer Mentor

‘Peer Mentors offer amazing support to new students. Mentors understand that starting university can be a daunting experience, and thus, ensure that they pass on their knowledge and experience, making it much easier to settle in. They are also always available to listen to any issues, and will provide suitable advice, either directly, or by signposting to other support services.’ – Current Senior Peer Mentor

Do check out the programme if you’re interested in finding out more.

My thoughts on studying…

Posted on by Dan Cragg

By Student Champion, Emily.

It goes without saying that not everyone is a fan of studying. It’s hard to endure hours of focus (and often fidgeting) and procrastination seems to be just as inviting as a cosy bed. But then the guilt sinks in and your cosy sheets morph from paradise to a prison and that is when you realise, studying has just got to be done.

I myself struggle with focus and motivation, but there are ways to combat days where you do not feel up to anything productive. A good place to start is by making a list. A list that consists of everything you need to achieve in the day, for example, brushing your teeth, going to Senate House, or what work you need to do. Positivity is increased when you see a list of tasks you have already accomplished, it is also better for organising your day in general.

Now you may think studying consists of hours of unwavering attention, but this is wrong. You should take a 10–20-minute break every hour, unwind, drink water, and enjoy a snack. Allowing time for your brain to refresh is important, by scheduling breaks you can focus better and allow your concentration to flow instead of taking random disruptive 5-minute breaks every time you feel like it. If your task is to write an essay, schedule your break before you read through it, often a fresh pair of eyes and a clear mind are better for checking your work.

When it comes to exams, repetition never fails never fails! Putting information and facts down in your own words and reading them aloud helps your brain to absorb information, and if you have a willing friend (or a good enough imagination), teaching them what you are studying can help you understand the content and is a fun way to change up your studying technique!

Lastly, studying all day and night may seem productive, but your brain will not retain the information, nor will it run efficiently on coffee alone. Do not burn yourself out before your exams even begin. A solid night of sleep and plenty of water will cultivate a more absorbent brain. As a uni student, you’re most likely to have studying rituals you rigidly stand by, but a lot of students forget that what they are foremost is human. So, my final piece of advice is no matter what you achieve be proud of yourself for all that you have accomplished and get yourself a cake.

Emily😊

Celebrating the Lunar New Year away from home

Posted on by Dan Cragg

By Student Champion, Jennie

As the Lunar New Year (LNY) draws closer, some of us who celebrate it may start longing for the comforts of home. Growing up, I’ve always looked forward to going back to Malaysia to celebrate LNY with my family. This year, however, things will be a little different for me as I will be celebrating LNY in the UK for the first time. It’s easy to start feeling homesick and overwhelmed; but at the same time, it’s a chance for us to create new traditions and make the most out of our time here!

If you are also celebrating the LNY away from home, here are some tips that might help you feel connected to our traditions and culture:

  1. Reach out to your loved ones back home. Whether it’s through a phone call, video chat, or even just a text message, staying in touch with your family and friends can help you feel connected and supported.
  2. Get creative with your celebrations. If you can’t do things exactly how you would back home, think of new and unique ways to bring the holiday to life. For example, you could host a LNY feast with your friends. I know I’ll be cooking up a storm in the kitchen to prepare some of my favourite traditional dishes. This includes dumplings, spring rolls, and, of course, a big pot of luck-bringing noodles! Or, spice up your dorm room with red and gold decorations. Red and gold are the colours of the LNY, and they are believed to bring luck and prosperity.
  3. Join LNY events in Bristol! The Global Lounge will be hosting several traditional activities throughout the holiday season—as of now, they’re planning to provide sessions on kite making, lantern making, Mahjong, and calligraphy—why not join in the fun? The Bristol Museum & Art Gallery will also be hosting a special 2-day event filled with performances and activities to welcome the Year of the Rabbit.
  4. Take some time to reflect on the holiday’s meaning and significance. The LNY is a time for new beginnings, so use this opportunity to set intentions and goals for the year ahead.

Overall, the LNY is all about celebrating and coming together with loved ones. Whether this is your first time away from home or your umpteenth, there are always new ways to make the most of this special occasion. I hope these tips help you to celebrate LNY in your own way; if you’re celebrating the LNY away from home, don’t be afraid to embrace it – you never know what amazing experiences and memories you’ll create.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year!