The turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in many different ways. Many students’ education has been impacted — affecting some more than others. My third-year medical school experience wasn’t ideal - from a shaky clinical placement experience to failing one out of two of my summative exams. I was one of a sizable number. It was the nausea-inducing OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) I sat in May 2021. The OSCE is a practical exam to assess a medical student’s procedural and communication skills in a simulated environment across several timed stations. I prepared l ..read more

Life on the Activities Exec — Emma With nominations now open for our next Activities Exec team, we spoke to four of our current Reps to find out more about life on the Activities Exec, the skills they’ve learnt, and what they wish they knew before they joined. Want to know more about the role and how to apply? Visit our page for all the details. And remember, nominations must be in by Wednesday 26 May. Emma — Music & Performance Rep What’s been your favourite moment from your year as an Activities Exec? Chatting at the Rep meetings, to be honest! Feels like we are just a big tea ..read more

Life on the Activities Exec — Tabby With nominations now open for our next Activities Exec team, we spoke to four of our current Reps to find out more about life on the Activities Exec, the skills they’ve learnt, and what they wish they knew before they joined. Want to know more about the role and how to apply? Visit our page for all the details. And remember, nominations must be in by Wednesday 26 May. Tabby Milton — Outdoor Rep What’s been your favourite moment from your year as an Activities Exec? Honestly, seeing everyone’s pets in meetings and making voting on grant applic ..read more

Life on the Activities Exec — John With nominations now open for our next Activities Exec team, we spoke to four of our current Reps to find out more about life on the Activities Exec, the skills they’ve learnt, and what they wish they knew before they joined. Want to know more about the role and how to apply? Visit our page for all the details. And remember, nominations must be in by Wednesday 26 May. John Doak — Sports rep What’s been your favourite moment from your year as an Activities Exec? Getting involved in planning events and campaigns. What advice would you give for p ..read more

Life on the Activities Exec — River With nominations now open for our next Activities Exec team, we spoke to four of our current Reps to find out more about life on the Activities Exec, the skills they’ve learnt, and what they wish they knew before they joined. Want to know more about the role and how to apply? Visit our page for all the details. And remember, nominations must be in by Wednesday 26 May. River — General Interest Rep What’s been your favourite moment from your year as an Activities Exec? I very much enjoyed doing focus groups with the other Reps. Getting to hear t ..read more

At Leeds University Union, we have successfully passed national policy addressing the multitude of issues within the student accommodation sector at the National Union of Students’ National Conference 2021. 11 delegates were elected by a student body vote to propose a policy and represent Leeds students’ views at a national level. In collaboration with Worcester Students’ Union, University of Sunderland Students’ Union and Winchester Students’ Union, delegates submitted a proposal for how the NUS could address some of the key flaws and injustices of student accommodation. Students are increas ..read more

Club and Society Election Month starts on 7 April; but why join a student club or society, and why (and how) get involved with their committees? - Photo by Surface on Unsplash Joining a student society is an amazing way to meet new people with shared interests, widening your social network beyond your course and your housemates. However, being part of a society is about so much more than the great friends you could make. Being part of a committee is an excellent opportunity to develop your skills whilst still at university. In many societies there is an opportunity to learn about top ..read more

As part of Leeds University Union’s first ever Climate Week, we hosted a discussion on what a sustainable future for Leeds might look like. The full recording and transcript can be accessed here. The panel was made up of experts and representatives from across the city of Leeds, including Simone Buitendijk (Vice Chancellor at Leeds), Lucy Stuart (University Plastic Free 2023 Lead), James Dixon-Gough (University Sustainability Manager & Climate Plan Lead), Alasdair Robertson (LUU Envirosoc), Rob Greenland (Zero Waste Leeds), Councillor Neil Walshaw (Chair of the Council’s Climate Emer ..read more

As part of Climate Week, LUU has held a webinar answering your questions about ethical careers. Awareness of the importance of sustainability and environmentalism is increasing every single day, making careers in this sector more and more desirable. Katie McGuire (University of Leeds), Lucy Bird (Change Agents UK), Chloe Foster (ANEC) and Phoebe Jarvis (Sustainability Intern) have answered your questions, offering invaluable information and experience about how to bag a career in this competitive industry! I have summarised their answers to the questions in the paragraphs below. What qualities ..read more

Founder and Owner of Zig Zag Lighting My names Neil Hunt the founder and owner of Zig Zag Lighting, stage lighting supplier supplying festivals, tours, and of course Leeds University Union. I started in the live music industry as a Fresher at Leeds University in 1980 when I joined Ents which in those days was a completely amateur organisation run by volunteers, putting gigs on in the Refectory. Andy Kershaw was the exec at the time and if you look at the boards in the Refectory you’ll see, what was for then, a spectacular level of acts that we used to work on. I founded Zig Zag Lighting i ..read more