Oct 2, 2017 - skills such as leadership and project management, find out ..... These courses are preparation courses for
STUDENT NEWS Issue 1 2017/18
Cher elle
Sophie
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER STUDENT MAGAZINE
2,080 miles in 21 days p3
Being Creature Kind p8
Join a Sport or Society
Sandro
Jack
p14
5
Preparing for placement
6
Everything starts with CareerHub
11
Fancy being a Digital Buddy?
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It starts with a simple hello
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Want a healthier lifestyle?
INTRODUCING YOUR
SABBS p4
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STUDENT NEWS
STUDENT How to get through NEWS
the first and third year
Student News is an official University of Chester publication, produced by the University’s Corporate Communications Department to keep students informed of University news. Any students who would like to write for Student News are invited to get in touch with the Corporate Communications Department on the email address below. CONTACT
[email protected] EDITORIAL TEAM Alexandra Williams Cherelle Mitchell Hayley Naldrett Helen Baron Holly Gregg Jack McGovern Nan Pickering Nicholle Griffiths Philippa Higson Sally Jones Sandro Salemme Sophie Bell PHOTOGRAPHY The University’s AV team, unless otherwise stated.
JUST starting university or heading into your final year? Philippa Higson gives advice on how to get through If you’re a first year… 1. Learn your basics For many students, first year results do not count towards their end degree mark, however, basic concepts and methods that you encounter in your first year will reappear in following years and you may even wish or need to use them in later years for other assignments or your dissertation. A solid understanding of the foundations of degree level theory is a great advantage.
2. Be cost efficient, food wise Food prices definitely add up! Buy basic foods such as pasta, bread and cereals in bulk. If you cannot finish a whole loaf of bread by its use by date, propose sharing with a friend who is living with you. You buy bread one week to share with them, and they can buy the next one the following week. Alternatively put the remaining bread in the freezer.
3. Get involved As part of the fresher experience, you will be able to attend society and club festivals. Don’t be afraid to sign up and try out their taster sessions. It’s a great way to meet new people on and off your course.
4. Use your student status If you know you will be commuting in and out of Chester on a regular basis, buy a rail or bus card. If you are travelling by
To obtain this information in an alternative format – large print, audio, electronic or other alternative format – please e-mail:
[email protected]
train, you can apply for a young person’s railcard, which can give you up to a third off your ticket prices. If you do not have an NUS card, you can download the UniDays app, which allows you to claim offers on brands such as Spotify (50% off Premium), Miss Selfridge (10% off), Topshop (10% off), Canon (10%), Apple (up to 10% off) and many more.
5. Keep careers and work experience in mind Create a Career Hub profile with the University’s Careers and Employability team. This will allow you to arrange work shadowing and work experience placements, as well as inform you of on and off campus job vacancies. You can use the Careers and Employability centre on the Parkgate Road Campus (Tel: 01244 513066) opposite the Binks Building for assistance in career guidance, work experience arrangements and CV checks (see more on pages 6 and 7).
If you’re heading into your final year… 1. Core reading Reading any set texts or developing your dissertation proposals will definitely give you a head start for the year. As deadlines start to approach, you will realise how much of a big help this is as it gives you one less thing to think about.
2. Dissertation preparation If a dissertation module is part of your degree, it is good advice to start this ‘boss of an essay’ just before the Christmas holidays or straight after. Do a bit each day, even if it is just writing a paragraph, editing, or researching; it will really help in the long run and will save rushing it in the lead-up to the deadline.
3. General time management The final year can be one of the best years of your university life; however, it can sometimes be a stressful period. Once you have access to your modules on Moodle, look for all your assessment deadlines in the module handbooks. Create a table of these deadlines and stick it up on a wall either near your dressing table or workplace to remind you. If you have a group of deadlines close to each other, start the assignments early to allow some breathing space between the dates. You could also buy a cheap calendar and mark on it the deadlines in addition to other commitments.
4. Keep in contact with tutors Your final year is an important year and your tutors really do want what is best for you. If you are unsure of anything or wish to express any personal issues, speak to your tutor either after a seminar or email them to ask for a tutorial. This particularly applies to maintaining contact with your dissertation supervisor. Don’t be afraid to also contact tutors from previous years for additional advice, especially if they are teaching modules that may be relevant to your dissertation ideas.
5. Don’t forget about your physical and mental wellbeing Remember to ensure you eat well and have a decent amount of sleep. Try not to strain yourself too much over work, as this could lead to a mental burnout. If you have concerns that are troubling you and causing stress, contact Student Welfare on 01244 511550 or email: student.welfare@ chester.ac.uk
Good luck everyone!
STUDENT NEWS
Former student cycles 2,080 miles in 21 days FORMER student, Kevin Gill, has cycled the equivalent of travelling from England to Canada in just 21 days. Kevin, who is 36 and lives in Guildford, cycled 99 miles every day in order to complete the challenge. During his cycling trips, Kevin travels solo and sleeps in a hammock. He said: “This year’s challenge was one of the toughest I’ve ever endured. 21 days sleeping in a hammock, and cycling 99 miles a day, really takes its toll on the body and mind.” Kevin endured 21 days of back-to-back cycling and it came with many highs and lows. He said: “There were times when I had injuries and I thought I may not be able to go on. During these hard times, you have to unlock your inner mental strength. Everything physically is telling you ‘stop’, giving you an out. But it’s the mental strength that helps you battle on through and keep turning the pedals. It’s the hard times that you have to endure during challenges like this that make the good moments so much sweeter.” His route, which began and ended at his home in Guildford, took him through 20 national parks and nature reserves, as well as across England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Kevin said: “If you cycled from England
to mainland Canada, the shortest distance you could complete the trip in would be 2,080 miles. Obviously, you cannot cycle across the water, so I decided to recreate the distance doing a tour around the UK.” Kevin raised over £1,300 for charity Malaria No More, which provides emergency treatment to people with malaria. He said: “I’m so glad I was able to raise a good sum of money for such a great charity. Malaria No More does amazing work around the globe, and I know the money I raised will make a massive difference to so many people’s lives. It’s an honour to help the charity in this way.” Last year he cycled from his home in Guildford to Rome in 17 days, covering 1,500 miles through England, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, raising a further £300 for Malaria No More. In 2015, Kevin also cycled solo across the USA, from Montana to Arizona, raising over £1,000 for the Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (RASA) on Wirral. The tour took him 18 days and took him through seven states. Kevin, who studied a BSc in Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University before also completing an MSc in Sports Sciences, now works as Head of Performance Analysis for Premiership Rugby team, Harlequins. His role includes assisting coaches in providing feedback, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, and presenting data. He hopes to complete another cycling challenge next May when the rugby season ends.
Galloway N
ational Park
Cork
Lake D
istrict
Join our latest re-Cycling scheme THE University has entered into a new and exciting partnership with a local Social Enterprise, Bren Bikes, to provide the University with a bike scheme. Bren Bikes is a working bicycle workshop, it takes unused bikes from the community and reconditions them. It also offers maintenance services and will repair bikes for a fixed price and offers low-cost second-hand bikes to buy from £30-£90 to students and staff. All work is signed off by a Cytech qualified mechanic. Bren Bikes offer long-term unemployed people in the local area the opportunity to become trainees, fixing and servicing bikes as well as offering placements to
people with learning disabilities and autism, providing the opportunity to experience supportive work placements throughout Cheshire. You can get involved with the Re-Cycle initiative, by supporting the marketing, bike maintenance, sales and leading local cycle rides. We are encouraging both students and staff to get on their bikes; swapping the car for a bike could not only save you money on fuel and gym membership, it could help save you time by combining exercise as part of your daily commute! Bren will offer bikes on a ‘sale or return’ basis. Green Chester, together with the Students’ Union, and the University’s
Bicycle User group will host regular training courses to boost confidence in cycling for new/returning cyclists, local social rides and support/leadership training for those wanting to lead the group rides. Bren Bikes will also be on site, regularly to help keep your bike in top condition. Tamara Hunt, Sustainability Officer, said: “The bike scheme is there for everyone. They can get involved in a number of ways, for example, getting back on your bike, getting it fixed and back on the road, or by donating unwanted bikes to Bren Bikes, which they can refurbish it and sell to our new and returning students.”
For more information or if you want to buy or donate a bike please email
[email protected]
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STUDENT NEWS
INTRODUCING your SABBS for the 2017/18 academic year… Cherelle Mitchell
AGE: 23. YOUR POSITION: Returning CSU President. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE THIS YEAR? I’m looking forward to planning campaigns with students from our Union Council and membership – I love seeing how much the SU positively improves the lives of students. WHAT ISSUES/TOPICS ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT? I am incredibly passionate about health and wellbeing and communication strategies for students across all satellite campuses. It is a priority of the SU to ensure students have a stress-free student experience. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE OVER THE NEXT YEAR – DO YOU HAVE ANY BIG PLANS? My big plan for this year is Union Development, focusing on our membership engagement and commercial outlets. I am aiming to encourage more students to use our services and understand more about why we exist on Campus. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER? Meeting my friends from the Netball Society and experiencing all the great events and activities at the SU and University together. IF YOU COULD GIVE OUR FRESHERS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Don’t conform to peer pressure, get involved with what you can, give yourself regular breaks. Come to the SU when you can with friends and change the world!
Sandro Salemme
AGE: 22. YOUR POSITION: Returning Vice-President Warrington. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE THIS YEAR? I am very much looking forward to meeting some new faces and getting the ball rolling with the Sports Presentation Evening and Varsity, which this year is away to Glyndwr – hopefully we will take back a win! WHAT ISSUES/TOPICS ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT? I am very, very passionate about accessibility to mental health support. As fun and exciting as university can be, it can also be a very stressful place if you don’t look after your mental and physical health. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE OVER THE NEXT YEAR – DO YOU HAVE ANY BIG PLANS? My main target is to double the amount of societies on Campus – I will be focusing on student engagement and experience. I am also looking at running a campaign based on social media for students on how to be ‘street smart’ when it comes to the internet. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER? If I had to choose one, it would be representing the Men’s Hockey team at Varsity in my third year. We played away to Glyndwr University and I scored a winning goal. IF YOU COULD GIVE OUR FRESHERS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Your health comes first – both your physical and mental health. There is ALWAYS support, and ALWAYS someone to talk to. Never be ashamed to talk out about your problems and never feel it’s a battle within yourself.
Jack McGovern
AGE: 21. YOUR POSITION: Vice-President Activities. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE THIS YEAR? Interacting with the students and seeing events and activities that the SU have provided making them happy! WHAT ISSUES/TOPICS ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT? I am passionate about making the student voice heard and making our SU (and University in general) greener. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE OVER THE NEXT YEAR – DO YOU HAVE ANY BIG PLANS? I am planning on creating a student media team. I would also like to increase the amount of academic societies. I will be campaigning for ‘Keeping Wednesday Afternoons’ free and endorsing a ‘Stop Smoking’ campaign with the help of the NHS and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER? My favourite memories are my experiences rowing, playing rugby, cricket, and winning the Football League unbeaten. Winning my election campaign is also a very good memory! IF YOU COULD GIVE OUR FRESHERS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Throw yourself into as many activities, societies, sports and events as possible – everyone is in the same boat as you in the first few weeks. Being part of communities within the University will help you create memories and make friends for life!
Sophie Bell
AGE: 21. YOUR POSITION: Vice-President Education. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE THIS YEAR? I’m really looking forward to seeing changes that I’m bringing in being made. I have so many ideas and it will be exciting to see those things actually happening, and hopefully improving the student experience! WHAT ISSUES/TOPICS ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT? I’m really passionate about making sure that all students have the same opportunities during their studies, and that the student educational experience is as good as it possibly can be. I’m also keen to tackle mental health and wellbeing issues too. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE OVER THE NEXT YEAR – DO YOU HAVE ANY BIG PLANS? I’ve been looking closely at improvements which can be made to our academic representation system, and researching hidden course costs and their implications for students. Regarding mental health, I’m personally looking into correlations between mental health issues and particular courses of study. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER? My favourite memory would have to be being part of the University’s Rowing Club and getting the opportunity to meet and row with a great group of girls – who are also now some of my best friends! IF YOU COULD GIVE OUR FRESHERS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Everybody is in the same position as you, so don’t stress yourself out, everything will fall into place. Oh, and come visit us in the SU and see all the great activities and opportunities we offer!
STUDENT NEWS
Preparing for placement BY HOLLY GREGG BY HOLLY GREGG I’M writing this having just completed my work placement and officially finished second year! And I’m not going to lie to you it really wasn’t easy. There were days where I contemplated snoozing my alarm, going back to sleep and forgetting about the responsibilities that come with the fulltime working life; the regular commutes on the busy train (that’s always late); early mornings and long days in the office. Although it’s not all doom and gloom. Five weeks fly by in no time, you will learn things about yourself, the industry your placement is based in, and about life after university! Hopefully I can give some useful tips to help anyone who is going to do a placement next year, or, to calm your nerves and make the most of your experience. Do yourself a favour and really think about your future before you decide where to apply for a placement. What are you good at? What do you enjoy? What career could you see yourself in the future? Always dreamed of being a teacher? This opportunity gives you a chance to experience the
role first-hand without long commitments, you may love it you may hate it but a placement is the perfect way to help you decide. One of the things I can’t stress enough is to start applying early, everyone will tell you this and if you're anything like me (disorganised and a little lazy) you probably won’t listen. But it really is worth it. Have a good look through the opportunities the University offers, tidy up your CV and apply! You don’t want to be panicking when the deadline creeps up on you and you’ve still not got anything to do for the next five weeks. If you apply early you’re more likely to find a placement you will enjoy. You will have to go to an interview to secure your placement, don’t panic about this. They are interested in you already, just show you are eager and willing to learn. Before you start your placement make sure that you research the company, nothing major, just have a look at what they do and how they do it so that you’re not walking in ignorant on your first day. I think the most important thing is to have an open mind. You are going to meet new people, gain new experiences, and learn new things. So work hard, pick yourself up when you make mistakes and have an open mind to everything you do, because you never know what opportunities may come of it in the future.
Try Volunteering! Volunteering allows you to develop new skills and meet new people whilst giving something back, so there really is no reason not to give volunteering a try! The University offers a range of opportunities on our online volunteer database, from one-off opportunities to more long term roles. All you need is a few hours of your time and an interest in helping out. You can also get recognition through our UCV award scheme! To find out more about volunteering, visit our volunteer database on www. volunteering.chester.ac.uk and contact us on
[email protected]
The Garden Quarter Welcome Festival THE Garden Quarter Residents’ and Traders’ Association is excited to welcome our newest students to the Garden Quarter with its Welcome Festival. Whether you are brand new to the area, or a returning student, the Garden Quarter residents and traders are welcoming students with a series of exciting events from October 7 – 13. Events will include a bring-a-picnic lunch, a fancy dress movie night, a guided tour of the Garden Quarter and ‘The Garden Quarter’s Got Talent’ competition across multiple venues, including Telford’s Warehouse and The Bouverie. The events will offer students the chance to meet other residents and even pick up some vouchers for the local shops along the way. Councillor Bob Rudd said: “The Garden Quarter has an enviable record of providing fantastic community events over the past 15 years and I am proud to represent the area. The Welcome Festival is intended to bring together all residents, however long they intend to stay.” The Garden Quarter is the area of Chester encircled by Parkgate Road, Cheyney Road, Stadium Way, Sealand Road and the City Walls, with Garden Lane and Old Port Square as its commercial hearts. It’s also right next door to the Parkgate Road Campus. It is a vibrant and diverse community made up of short-term residents such as students, as well as long-term residents, including families and professionals. The Garden Quarter Residents and Traders’ Association is very active and if you live in the Garden Quarter, you are automatically a member. It holds multiple events throughout the year which can be a great opportunity to help you build up some volunteer hours and also offers you a chance to feel more at home in your new community. The complete programme for the Welcome Festival will be on the Pre-arrival Student Site (PASS) for new students, and on social media for all other students – keep an eye open and get involved!
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STUDENT NEWS
Everything starts with CareerHub! WHETHER you’re looking for work, skilling up or planning for your future, everything starts with CareerHub! CareerHub is a fantastic online careers resource, where you can search for jobs, book onto events and find valuable information and resources to help you achieve your career goals. Log on today using your standard university login details at careers.chester.ac.uk to get started.
ASK NEW for 2017/18 is ASK. These events will bring employers and students together in an informal environment. ASK stands for 'Ask questions, Shape ideas and Kick-start careers.' ASK events will be delivered across all campuses throughout the year, with some evening sessions scheduled, and will be advertised on CareerHub. Come along to meet other students, employers and careers staff to enhance your employability, to find out what employers really want and how they got to where they are themselves. Information will be published on Portal and CareerHub. ASK is the new Work Shadowing which aims to be informal, insightful and inspiring.
Enhance Your Employability
Log onto CareerHub
EYE Training
GET a head start on your future career by learning new skills such as leadership and project management, find out about different career options and gain valuable skills to help you find work. Lots of training sessions available – pick and mix to create your own programme.
Go to CareerHub to find out more and book your place!
STUDENT NEWS
Be a student with a
difference…
THE Chester Difference Award provides formal recognition for a whole range of different things that students do in addition to their course of study. Volunteering, part-time work, being a committee member of a club or society or developing a LinkedIn profile are just some of the ways in which you can gain valuable skills to help your future career – and work towards the award at the same time. Go to CareerHub to register and start recording your activities.
RPh Apoorva Tiloda Masters of Public Health 2017
Students Holly Jevons, Millie Frith and Rumer Cooper picked up their awards at the 2017 Chester Difference Awards celebration event.
Venture SEVEN budding entrepreneurs – all students at the University of Chester – pitched for grants and other business prizes at the Pitch event in June, as part of the Venture programme. Could this be you next year? Visit CareerHub for more Venture training and events to support entrepreneurship.
Left to right: Toshaan Malik; Jordan Tew; Jessica Saunders; Andrew Davey; Jenny Bakkali; Michelle Parkinson; Ryan Holland; John Moorhouse; Emma Woollard; Jo Forsyth and Danielle Houston.
“In May 2017, I applied for and was selected as Market Research Assistant at BG Healthcare Consultancy through the Chester Internship Programme. I was able to learn skills that one cannot learn in a classroom and get a sense of what it is like working in the healthcare sector. "Through this internship, I was also fortunate to be a part of business breakfast meetings, digital health conferences and workshops, where I learnt, and had first-hand experience of, digital health and its outreach. The internship also provided me with opportunities to develop healthy relationships with key contacts within the healthcare sector and beyond, which could shape my future professional growth." For more information about the Chester Internship Programme and how to apply, visit CareerHub today.
Looking for work? WANT to work on Campus? Apply to join UniJob, the University of Chester’s very own recruitment bank for paid part-time work on Campus. Visit: www.chester.ac.uk/unijob for more information. The deadline is October 15. Want to work off Campus? Search CareerHub for part-time work, paid internships and graduate roles. Training available to support your applications – check out our EYE training for UniJob Applications (11 October), CVs and Cover Letters (17 and 25 October) and Interview Techniques (24 and 30 October).
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STUDENT NEWS
Being Creature Kind The University is putting sustainability at the heart (and stomach) of everything it does. As part of our continuing commitment to promote sustainable produce and limit animal product consumption, our catering outlets are already providing vegan and vegetarian options on all menus. Last year, we opened a Vegetarian Society approved, dedicated meat free bar in the main dining hall to serve residential students. The efforts to reduce meat consumption are ongoing, and will continue to be an integral part of the University’s sustainability strategy. Catering Services has forged connections with local suppliers: The Natural Veg Men; Bicks Chicks; as well as local dairy farmers. Using local produce keeps food miles low and also ensures that the environmental impact is reduced through conservation of resources. All bread and cakes provided to the catering outlets are produced in our on-site bakery at Churchill House by our in-house, award winning artisan bakers, once again reducing food mileage. This month, we are introducing British bacon baps – with the bacon coming from local producer, Buttercross Farm Foods, and its herd of free range pigs. Last term, final year Geography students were also involved, acting as consultants to review and analyse the reduction of consumption of animal products across Campus. Here’s their report:
Reducing consumption of animal products and monitoring trends in consumption at the University By Sarah Tom Dunford, Gemma Stephenson and Rosie Trebble. BY SARAHAlderson, ALDERSON, TOM DUNFORD, GEMMA STEPHENSON AND ROSIE TREBBLE As part of the GE6006 module Sustainable Futures, our group took part in the CreatureKind project, aiming to uncover how many animal products are consumed by the University of Chester and ways this has and will be reduced. We examined trends from the past three years for three outlets on main Campus including, White’s, Binks and Westminster.
Our Meet the Supplier days – an opportunity to buy local – are always popular.
What is CreatureKind? CreatureKind encourages Christians and non-Christians to think about animal welfare. It is a Christian organisation, launched by University Professor, David Clough. The CreatureKind commitment involves: • Reducing consumption of animal products, such as meat, fish, dairy, and eggs, by consuming more plant-based foods that are less resource-intensive. • Sourcing animal products consumed from farms or fisheries where animals have had a good quality of life. • Considering how the Christian faith should be put into practice in relation to other ways animals are treated. The University of Chester aims to become a CreatureKind institution by following these values, reducing the amount of animal product consumption and promoting plant-based diets in the food outlets on Campus.
What has the University already done to achieve this? The University target is to spend a minimum of 40% of its total food budget on sustainable produce. White’s has already achieved numerous awards including sourcing sustainable fish to Marine Conservation Society standards and sourcing free-range products (Good Egg and Good Dairy awards).
Free range eggs for sale on Campus.
STUDENT NEWS
How does the project relate to sustainable futures? Many people are not aware of the damaging effects that animal product consumption can have on climate change. Here are a few stats on animal consumption that have been provided by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals): • Producing just one hamburger uses enough fossil fuel to drive a small car 20 miles. • A typical pig factory generates the same amount of raw waste as a city of 12,000 people. • The world’s cattle alone consume a quantity of food equal to the calorific needs of 8.7 billion people, more than the entire human population! (https://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/how-doeseating-meat-harm-the-environment/) Therefore, it can be understood that having a mainly meat and animal product diet is not sustainable for the planet. Oxford researchers have found that a switch to plant-based diets could reduce food related carbon emissions by 70% at a global level (Humane Society, n.d.). However, as a group we found that not everyone who reads this article will suddenly change their eating patterns to solely plant based. In our research we discovered the flexitarian diet; defined as ‘a style of eating that blends ‘flexible’ and ‘vegetarian’’ (Humane Society, n.d, p.4).
A flexitarian is someone who once or twice a week opts for a more sustainable food option. Flexitarian numbers have grown in recent years as supermarket food ranges have diversified and vegetarian and vegan options in restaurants have increased. The University has created a veggie bar in White’s which promotes sustainable diets and allows people who normally eat meat to select a more sustainable option.
What did we find? We gathered data from the three outlets to examine animal product consumption for the past three years. Our diagram (right), total meat purchases over three years, shows a substantial decrease in the most recent year, 20152016 suggesting a decrease in animal product consumption as a result of the University’s efforts. From these figures we were able to work out the real cost of animal product consumption in relation to climate change. The carbon footprint of meat consumption over the last three years equates to 241.4 tonnes of CO2. If we include dairy products in this figure it reaches 415.6 tonnes of carbon. This is equivalent to driving almost a third of the distance to the moon in an average petrol car!! (http:// www.forestcredits.org.uk/ & https://www.nasa.gov/sites/ default/files/files/Distance_to_the_Moon.pdf) Overall it was discovered that animal product consumption is not sustainable and changes are needed
Head Chef Les Barnes at Veggie Fest. in the human diet to satisfy future needs. The University has already shown efforts in reducing animal product consumption with more plans for the future. CreatureKind is also working hard to achieve this reduction and you can find out more at http://www.becreaturekind.org/.
Combined Meat (Beef, Pork, Chicken, Lamb and Fish) Purchases 16000 14000
14236
14217
12000 Weight (Kg)
Our artisan bakers selling bread during one of our Meet the Supplier days.
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STUDENT NEWS
Three steps to dealing
with Dissertation stress BY HELEN BARON
A WARM welcome back to all returning students. I hope many of you have used your time productively over the summer to plan your dissertations. Joking. I can honestly say I did not know a single person who had decided on a plan for their dissertation over the summer. If some of you have that is great, but if you haven’t you still have so much time. I had hoped to have a plan together over the summer myself, however sometimes this can be quite unrealistic because it is not always possible for students to get ideas and guidance needed to formulate a plan until the term starts. Drawing from my own experiences, some of these ideas were picked up in seminars, lectures, meetings with tutors, and books in the library. Some of you may be very excited to get started, however some of you may be dreading it. With this little article, I hope to reduce this anxiety. To those of you that find the dissertation daunting, I have three tips which are essential to remember, and remind you all that you are completely capable of doing this.
Making a start
Making a start can often be the most daunting step of a project like the dissertation. You can have either so many ideas that you are overwhelmed with narrowing it down, or you can feel panicky because you are worried you don’t have enough ideas. If you are the second option like I was, then do not fear, the ideas will come to you. For myself, I had ideas but they were vague at the time and it wasn’t really until a month before the official deadline, that I was completely confident about the structure of the dissertation. You also find yourself constantly editing your project, adding further ideas, or taking away parts that you felt were relevant before. However, the best advice I could give is obvious yet still very true. Go and see your supervisor! In instances where I have struggled with developing ideas, my supervisor was gold to me, because she was able to suggest different scholarly books, that I had never heard of before and these are the sources which can really help develop your ideas. It is also beneficial to discuss the notes or ideas that you have with your supervisor because when you are explaining your thoughts to somebody else, you are explaining them out loud and linking these ideas together, which can only enhance the ideas of your argument.
Comparison leads to unhappiness
As it gets closer to the deadline, it is common for students to compare work with others. It is human nature to do this, so you can’t always avoid it. However, you can always control how you think when you feel behind compared to others. You can do this by remembering that everyone has a different dissertation, a different pace and a different supervisor who may have a preference of what they expect in your dissertation. For example, one student may say they have over 50 different secondary sources in their dissertation, but if you have significantly fewer, that does not mean that your work is inferior to theirs. Remember that some supervisors would expect over 50 sources, whereas others may value originality and your own voice more. It is also important to remember that everyone has different deadlines. Above all though, I will again stress talking to your supervisor if you feel behind, because again drawing from my own experiences, all of this in fact happened to me. I talked with my supervisor and she was very reassuring. I hope I have cleared some anxiety about dissertation stress and not increased it. Remember, you wouldn’t be here, doing a dissertation if you could not: You will all smash it!
nd This little frie all of is the best tip
Have a cup of positivitea
Meeting deadlines
Meeting deadlines is often stressful. One minute, you have ages to plan your work, the next it's due in tomorrow and you hate what you have written. The best advice I can give for meeting deadlines is to plan ahead. I did this by marking all deadlines on a calendar. It's undeniably difficult having dissertation deadlines conflicting with other assignments, which is why it is good to make a note of all deadline dates. Personally, I found it easier to type out all my deadlines on a Word document, print off and stick on my wall. I was then constantly prepared for my deadlines. Talking to my supervisor about deadline anxiety had helped me a lot too. After sharing my concerns about running out of time, my supervisor helped me see perspective by reassuring me I had more time than I thought.
YOU GOT THIS
STUDENT NEWS
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Fancy being a Digital Buddy?
Would you like to volunteer to become a Digital Buddy? HERE and Now Chester is a local Social Enterprise which was awarded lottery funding by Brightlife to help people over the age of 50 to use new technology. Here and Now is keen to hear from volunteer students who could help with free IT training sessions for anybody over the age of 50 at Storyhouse in Chester on Friday mornings between 10am and 12 noon. Digital Buddies also
support people in the community in sheltered schemes and also in their own homes. Here and Now project officer Alan Smith, who also works part time at the University, said: “Since the project started in January we have had a huge response from older people in the community requesting help in using IT. We have already been assisted greatly by students from both the University and West Cheshire College, and our volunteer buddies from the community. We have also been assisted by both Santander Bank and the Citizens Advice Bureau who have both given valuable information sessions on avoiding online fraud. “The funding provided by Brightlife has been paramount in providing a service which older people need in these changing times, when many do not have an email address or are able to get online. This results in many older people not being able to access valuable information and services they are much in need of. “Many of the older people who have attended the groups have also made new friends and enjoy the ethos of a
group made up of different ages, and nationalities.” The data from the project is evaluated by the University's Centre for Ageing Studies. If you are interested in volunteering or just coming along, please contact:
[email protected] www.digitalbuddieshereandnow.com or Project officers Heather Backstrom or Alan Smith on 07932 556 062.
Here and Now IT buddies and the community, and staff from Santander bank help older people at Storyhouse by providing an information and advice session on how to avoid internet fraud.
Department of Modern Languages
Department of Modern Languages
Learn a Language Part Time Language Evening Courses
Have you ever wanted to learn a new language? Why not try one of our Part Time Language Evening Courses?
If you would like to improve your English, then why not gain an English qualification at the University of Chester! Learn English
Do you wan to impro t your En ve glish?
Do you want to improve your English?
Why not take an English course?
Gain an English qualification
Learn English
Do you want to G Gain a an English improve your qualification English?
Why not gain an English qualification?
an English Why not gain qualification?
sh
li Learn Eng
Why not take an English course?
We have the following courses available*: Cambridge English First (FCE) Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)
The Department of Modern Languages at the University of Chester is running Part Time Language Evening Courses in: Arabic French German
Italian Japanese Mandarin Chinese
Polish Portuguese Russian
Spanish Welsh
Courses commence October, February and May For more information information please please call call 01244 01244 511168, 511168,email email
[email protected] [email protected] www.chester.ac.uk/languages/parttimelanguagecourses or see www.chester.ac.uk/languages/parttimelanguagecourses All courses run subject to minimum numbers These are not credit bearing courses
Starting w/c 2nd October 6.30pm – 8.30pm *subject to minimum numbers
Part 1 12 weeks
£175 (2nd October to 15th January 2018)
Part 2 12 weeks
£175 (26th February to 4th June 2018)
These courses are preparation courses for FCE, CAE and CPE qualification exams* which can be taken through Cambridge English authorised exam centres at varying times during the year. *at an extra cost. For more information please call 01244 511168, email
[email protected] For more information call 01244 511168, email
[email protected] or please see www.chester.ac.uk/languages/ESOL or see www.chester.ac.uk/languages/ESOL
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STUDENT NEWS
Induction Week and beyond as a mature student: How to cope BY NICHOLLE GRIFFITHS What is a mature student? A MATURE student is anyone over the age of 21. According to the University website, nearly two thirds of students at Chester fit this description. So, if you thought you were alone, you certainly are not! Mature students can gain a lot by going to university – they may be able to use their degree to change career, or enhance the career they already have by learning new skills and gaining a professional qualification. However, for some students, especially mature ones, university can be a massive challenge. They can often have other commitments – they may have children, they may work, they may have to consider the financial aspects of going to university a bit more. Sometimes, just getting back into education after a long break is a struggle. The good news is that the University is very accommodating to mature students. It welcomes mature students and they are prized for the enthusiasm and experience they bring. So what about Induction Week? Everyone knows that Induction Week is all about partying and meeting new people. However, some mature students may find this aspect challenging, feeling as though they don’t and cannot ‘fit in’. They may feel as though they are out of their comfort zones and feel uncomfortable about joining the youngsters in the nightclubs (you may not, of course, because at whatever age you are not ‘past’ a good night out), but you may prefer to meet up with other mature students that you may have more in common with. Often, mature students do not live in student halls, and so having a meet up with other mature students can help them to get more involved in the social side of university. However, if you do live in halls, students of similar ages are often placed together. What about the lectures? If, like a lot of mature students, it has been some time since you were in education, you may feel as though you are out of your depth with the academic side of university. However, the University is there to help you regain your skills and get you back on track. There are often lectures and courses run by the University on time management, referencing, essay writing, and more, that both young and mature students can benefit from. Peer mentoring Before starting university, you can sign up to receive a peer mentor, and this person will usually be a mature students just like you, who you can ask for advice and guidance, and for general support.
Mature Students Society The Students’ Union runs a Mature Student Society, where older students can meet up and chat about whatever they like and get support from others. University social media accounts also often advertise meet-ups for mature students in the first few weeks of term. Student support If all else fails, and you feel as though you are getting out of your depth, feeling lonely or excluded, you may seek support from Student Futures. There is always someone who can help you to feel more at home, give you advice on finance, university work, or anything, really! On a final note, the most important thing to remember is that you can do this! University can be a stressful and challenging time for a lot of people at any age, but you will get through it and it will be worth it in the end!
Students – are you vaccinated against deadly meningitis and septicaemia? It’s not too late… AS the new University term begins, it’s worth making sure that you are vaccinated against deadly meningitis and septicaemia. It’s not too late for anyone who remains unvaccinated– register with a new GP now if you’ve relocated, and request the free NHS vaccine if you’re entitled to it. Those born between September 1 1998 and August 31 1999 should have taken up the vaccine, along with any university freshers, and anyone who was eligible for the vaccine (introduced in 2015) in previous years but missed vaccination (up to their 25th birthday). The MenACWY jab protects against four strains of
meningococcal disease which cause meningitis and septicaemia, known as strains A, C, W and Y. MenW is one of the most aggressive and life threatening forms and meningococcal disease can be fatal. Many survivors are left with life changing disabilities, including brain damage and loss of limbs. The MenACWY vaccine remains the best form of protection against the A, C, W, and Y strains, with a 100% effectiveness rate in those that have been vaccinated so far. Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at Public Health England (PHE) said: “The MenACWY vaccination programme will save lives and prevent lifelong and
devastating disability. We have seen a rapid increase in Men W cases across England in recent years and vaccination is the most effective way of protecting against infection. “Young people are particularly at risk, as they are carriers of the disease. Being in confined environments with close contact, such as university halls, hostels when travelling, or attending festivals, increases the chances of infection if unprotected. “Get vaccinated as soon as possible, remain vigilant and seek urgent medical help if you have concerns for yourself or friends.”
STUDENT NEWS
It all starts with a simple
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hello
Induction Week may feel daunting but it doesn’t have to be THIS anonymous story (not from the University of Chester) highlights some of the issues that students may face in their first days at University. If any of this sounds familiar, there are contacts at the end of this article. The word ‘hello’ can be a powerful thing. For some people, it slips off the tongue naturally and is an effortless precursor to other words, more small talk. Before you know it, you feel as though you have shared your life-story with someone, who just moments ago, was a complete stranger. And it all started from a word. For some people, it’s not so easy. It’s hampered by an anxious, unsure, feeling in the pit of the stomach that churns at the idea of being the first to approach someone. It’s a nervous, clammy feeling of ‘what if they reject me?’ It’s high school, all over again and suddenly you are left on your own, because you just aren’t good enough. Everyone has met their friendship groups already so there is no room for you. You might as well just hang back and be a minor player in everyone else’s good time, like always. Because for some people, the word ‘hello’ and all that comes with it, is the most difficult thing in the world to say. Social anxiety and shyness can control a person’s life, but those who are lucky enough not to suffer from it, may not take into account just how debilitating it can be. Think about how many times you will have to introduce yourself over the next few weeks. How many times you will have to give a brief summary of you, your family, your interests, what you’re studying; hundreds of pleasing sound bites about you. It’s exhausting to be that on-form for that long for that amount of people, right? Now imagine what it’s like for the person you barely even noticed, standing away from everyone else, all on their own. They’re probably fiddling with their phone, or keeping their eyes low.
While the vaccine also helps protect against Men A, C, W and Y, it does not cover all forms of meningococcal disease. It is therefore important for young people to be vigilant in spotting early symptoms and to seek early medical assistance if they are concerned. Not everyone will develop these symptoms and they can appear in any order but common symptoms may include: • Pale, blotchy skin with or without a rash • Irritability and/or confusion • Severe headache, joint or muscle pains • Dislike of bright lights • Stiff neck • Convulsions/seizures • Fever, cold hands and feet • Vomiting and/or diarrhoea • Drowsiness, difficult to wake up Vinny Smith, Chief Executive of Meningitis Research Foundation, said: “Sadly we know too many people who
Maybe they are just genuinely keeping themselves to themselves, but maybe they took all morning getting ready for today, barely buoyed-up on a night of restless sleep. Maybe they have been urging themselves to make eye-contact with someone but keep losing the nerve at the last minute. Surely they can muster up enough confidence for a smile, or would people think they were weird? Now what is a fun, exhausting merry-go-round of interactions for you, is a minefield of tension and disappointment and frustration for them. Perhaps the simplest thing for you to do, if you are naturally a socially comfortable person, is to be the one to reach out with a smile or, even a ‘hello’. For you, it’s the simplest action in the world, but it might make a world of difference for someone else. They’re not weird, they’re not strange, they might well want to be left alone, but just maybe, they have been plucking up the courage to approach someone else, but just couldn’t do it. The act of you just initiating this simple social protocol, could make it that little bit easier for them to open up, to laugh, to chat, to confide, to grow. This isn’t high school, this is an entirely new chapter in your lives, and the chance to better yourself; and it all starts off with ‘hello’. If you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious about any aspect of University life – social or otherwise – you don’t have to handle it on your own. The Wellbeing and Mental Health team within Student Futures Support offers you practical information and advice about issues and concerns that may be impacting on your studies or University experience. They can be found in Binks 113 on the Chester Campus or Martin 012 on the Warrington Campus. You can call 01244 511550 or Email:
[email protected]
have been struck down by MenW. 18-year-old Lauren Sandell fell ill last year in her second week of university, having tried to get the vaccine before leaving home. She mistook her early symptoms for a mild case of food poisoning. Two days later her symptoms got rapidly worse and she died just as the ambulance arrived. “If you don’t know whether you are entitled to the free vaccine, our online eligibility checker will make it easy to find out. If everyone who is eligible gets it, this will not only protect them but will also help protect others by stopping the bacteria from spreading.” Dr Tom Nutt, Chief Executive at the charity Meningitis Now, said: “It’s vital that young people and their parents are not complacent about the threat of meningitis, and we urge all those eligible for this lifesaving vaccination to arrange to get it today. Meningitis can be a devastating disease, killing one in ten and leaving a third of survivors with lifelong after-effects such as hearing loss, epilepsy, limb loss or learning difficulties.”
Key Facts • Cases of meningitis and septicaemia caused by the aggressive meningitis W strain are on the rise • The MenACWY vaccine is the best form of protection against these deadly diseases • The first 18 months of the MenACWY vaccination programme saw more than two million eligible young people have received the MenACWY vaccine • 18 year olds should be given MenACWY vaccine now by their GP practice • In addition, teenagers and young adults who have missed their MenACWY vaccination in previous years are also urged to contact their GP practice.
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STUDENT NEWS
Join a sport or society JOINING a club or society is probably the best thing you can do while you’re here to help build skills, make new friends and grow your CV! With over 4,000 members in over 110 sports and societies, we cover a wide range of activities. Sport and Societies welcome new members throughout the year with main recruitment during Freshers' Week. Sports and Societies also run ‘Give It a Go’ sessions so you can try before you buy! We work hard to make sure all Sports and Societies are inclusive and are run with equality in mind. From course-based societies such as Psychology, to niche interest societies like
Anime or Harry Potter, there’s something for everyone. If you’re serious about sport, or just serious about expanding your social circle and getting fit while doing it, join a sports club! Participation and enjoyment is just as important as skill at Chester and with sports clubs ranging from Hockey and Rugby to Ultimate Frisbee and Futsal, there’s something for all abilities and tastes. If you’re new to University, joining a sport or society can be a great way to settle in and meet people. Existing members will be keen to show you around and get you involved. Even if you’ve been at University for a while, you’d still be
welcome too – you don’t need to be a fresher to join. All Sports and Societies have taster sessions or drop-ins and all welcome new members throughout the year, so it is never too late to give something a try. With many activities subsidised by Chester Students’ Union, it is a cheap way to try something new without making a big commitment. Taking part in Sports and Societies is a great way to develop your skills and can give you some great examples to talk about in job or further study applications and interviews, not to mention some great memories and stories to share with your friends.
All the Sports and Societies can be found on the SU website at www.chestersu. com so drop them an email for more information. Alternatively, come and visit all the Sports and Societies at the Fair on Thursday, September 28. If you would like to set up a society/sport or would like further information contact us at
[email protected]
STUDENT NEWS
10 reasons to join a sport or society 1
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Meet new people and make friends for life Sports and Societies have a lot of members which means you’re bound to hit it off with at least a couple of people in the group, especially if you have like-minded interests. Once you’ve spent a few weeks doing your activities and enjoying the company, the days turn to weeks, to months and eventually your University years are almost over and you realise these friends from your group are the best you’ve ever had! Have some fun! Each group is based on people with like-minded interests and passions coming together. After a long stint of lectures or focusing on coursework, joining in group activities can help bring balance to your studies. Join a group that interests you and you may find that all the events, socials, weekly meets and activities will be engaging, fun and something you love. Better yet, these activities are delivered by your fellow students, so they know what you want too and how to help you enjoy your university experience. Be More! Gain skills and be employable YOU’RE HIRED! Not a lot of people realise, but simply joining and being a part of a sport or society shows you have team skills. Taking part in events, joining specific groups that volunteer, fundraise or deliver a service to others provides real opportunities to build your CV. If you really like the group, you can stick out from the crowd by becoming a volunteer committee member, gain a whole range of skills and get training from the Students’ Union.
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Short on funds? Not to worry. The minimum cost for societies is only £5.75 We have plenty of cheap societies, so you have no excuse not to have the best experience ever. Joining a group is fast, easy and only takes a couple of minutes. Don’t have the time because of studies? You’re more likely to do well when you’re part of a group! No need to try and get yourself a Harry Potter time turner to fit it all in! It’s actually proven that over 75% of students who took part in student activities completed their degree with a good honours result. Meaning, being part of a sport or society can actually improve how smart you are. Learn how to celebrate with your sport or society Go and attend socials with your sport and society. It's the perfect time to get to know everyone in your sport or society while having fun. The socials range from go-karting to non-alcoholic socials. Be active! Feel better! Being part of a group means you’re more likely to get up and get active following those big nights of studying, working or a night out in CH1. Whether that’s getting your body active with a sports club, getting your brain active with some of our societies, or even just getting up to attend a gaming social on a Thursday night – you will be able to relax, refocus and feel better, meaning you can study just as hard as you procrastinate.
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Wear a Union stash around Campus and feel on top of the world! You can buy some of the Union’s lovely clothing stash, whether you join a sport or Society, and walk around Campus feeling and looking like a boss. Let people know what group you’re in! If you’re part of a sports or society you will rock the University and SU crest. If you want to see the full range, head over to our website http://shop.chestersu.com/ You will always have others looking out for you Whether you are walking home post-celebrations or after a weekly meet in the evening, there will always be another member around for you to head home with and keep you safe. Carry on listening to your inner child and have the best experience possible! – Studying at university doesn’t have to be all about hard work. Take the opportunity try something new, try something you may have told yourself you can’t do or are too sensible for… You’re never too old to play Quidditch! Put simply, join a group and you will have the best time of your life.
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STUDENTNEWSSPORT
STUDENT NEWS
Want a healthier lifestyle, to be more active, have fun, make friends or just simply get fitter? JOINING the University of Chester Fitness Suite provides you with access to a multitude of cardiovascular and strength equipment, including treadmills, cycles, arc trainers, Concept II rowers, Olympic barbells, dumbbells (up to 50kg), power cage, squat rack, cable machines, resistance machines and functional equipment for all muscle groups and much more. Prices start from as little as £11 per month in Chester and £8 per month in Warrington. Student Membership Price Membership type
Chester
Warrington
Academic Year
£140.00
£99.00
12 Months
£160.00
£120.00
Monthly
£28.85
£15.00
PAYGO
£3.00
£3.00
PAYGO Induction
£10.00
£10.00
Sports Membership
£100.00
£70.00
Included in your membership: • Up to two FREE personal 1-2-1 sessions with our highly motivating instructors, who will encourage and push you through your training sessions. • Unlimited six week personalised fitness programmes. Based on your level of fitness, interest or ambition our instructors will create a personalised programme to suit your individual needs. Programmes are available on request, book in with an instructor of your choice to discuss. • Unlimited access to fitness classes at both Chester and Warrington, you are guaranteed to find something that improves your fitness levels, introduces you to new people and ultimately, lets you have fun! Classes include, Core, Circuits, Kettlebells, Legs, Bums and Tums, Boxercise, Yoga and HIIT. *Please see specific site for details. Make use of the personal 1-2-1 sessions available to you: • Increase your chances of reaching your goals by booking in with an instructor. Using an instructor can help increase performance during sessions. They can push you to achieve more than you ever thought you could manage. • Whether your goals are weight loss, strength-based, performancebased or something else, let our trained staff help you to achieve these goals more efficiently. • Our instructors can also provide a personalised fitness programme for you to follow during your own sessions based on your specific goals and needs to guide you through your health and fitness journey. The personal approach Our team of highly qualified and experienced instructors are always on hand to provide you with a friendly, welcoming and professional service.
For more information, contact Sport and Active Lifestyle
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Chester
Warrington
01244 513452
01244 513452
[email protected]
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