For the final of three mini episodes, we speak to Paul, from our Fees and Funding Team. He shares the different financial packages available for students classed as refugees.  Our trio of episodes have been funded by our colleagues in Make Happen.   Based at the University of Essex, Make Happen are part of the Office for Students’ Uni Connect programme (formerly NCOP). They are one of 29 national partnerships that bring together teachers from schools and colleges, with universities and other local educational partners, to offer activities, advice and information on the benefits ..read more

In the second we speak to Tracey, an Access & Wellbeing Adviser from our Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service (SWIS) who shares more about the systems put in place to support disabled and SEN students during their transition into Higher Education and throughout their time at university.  Our trio of episodes have been funded by our colleagues in Make Happen.   Based at the University of Essex, Make Happen are part of the Office for Students’ Uni Connect programme (formerly NCOP). They are one of 29 national partnerships that bring together teachers from schools and coll ..read more

Dedicated to adults who are interested in returning to learning, we speak to current adult learner Abi and tutor from ACL Essex Matt, who share their experiences of learning and teaching. Listen to their top tips to succeed and thrive as an adult learner whilst juggling student finance, child-care responsibilities and getting your head around technology and writing essays. #adultlearner #uniconnect #makehappenessex #outreach #itsnottoolate #LifeLongLearnerWeek #university #maturestudent #studying #studentlife #student #universitylife      Resources: https://www.makehappen.org/ce ..read more

Many university courses give students the opportunity to study abroad for a year allowing them to experience amazing adventures, meet new people and potentially study in another language. Hear from Farirai Manangazira, Student Recruitment and Marketing Assistant, who spent a year in Spain as part of her studies at the University of Essex. She shares the brilliant experience she had and how you can embark on your own international adventure ..read more

Having positive wellbeing is always important, regardless of what stage of life you are in. Student life has its challenges, so we want to provide you with tips for improving and maintaining your mental health, and knowing what to do if you need a bit of extra help. Thomas shares his role as part of the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service, while Student Ambassadors, Dominika and Karen, discuss their experiences of using the University’s services and support ..read more

It’s not always easy to determine what we’re good at, but it’s important to appreciate our strengths and weaknesses to help us focus on our goals and write fantastic university or job applications. In this episode we chat to Sarah Kelleway, Outreach Officer at the University of Essex, who has lots of experience working with students to help them succeed. Pick up some tools today to explore and discover your strengths, which will provide you with the confidence boost to initiate your next steps. Youtube video for the Johari Window exercise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aF-olRMuoQ ..read more

Are you writing a personal statement and not sure where to start? Perry and Jake, from the Essex Make Happen Team, share some top tips on how you can make the best university or job application. Listen to our dos and don’ts, how to structure the statement, and what to include; we’re also thrown back in time as Jake shares snippets of his own personal statement from when he applied for university. Listen now, to help you get started ..read more

Most university students’ first experience of moving out is when they go to university but many other students decide to stay at home and commute to their institution instead. Hear from alumni students Ashleigh and Jordan in this week’s episode, as they share their living arrangements and the considerations they had to make. By exploring the lifestyle of a commuter student, and comparing it to a student who lives at university, we hope you’ll be able to better understand the available choices when it comes to choosing your university location and living arrangements ..read more

When it comes to university, we know that students, parents and guardians have thousands of questions on their minds and sometimes it might be difficult to find the answer. We asked parents and guardians to send in their questions to us so we can answer them all in one handy episode. Find out what UCAS is, how students are financially supported and further tips to support your young person whilst they’re on their university journey.     #understandinguniversity #bonusepisode #parents #carers #guardians #parentsupport #universitylife #studentlife #supportingayoungperson #youngperson ..read more

Throughout the series we’ve spoken to a range of guests to provide many aspects of university lifeand in today’s episode we are joined by a parent of a current undergraduate student. Teresa shares her experience of supporting her young person through their higher education journey and we hope this provides further support and guidance for other parents, carers or guardians who are also embarking on this journey with their young person ..read more