CONTENTS 3 4 6 8
Meet your student officers Six things to do in your first month The balancing act: Natalie Brookes Bee here now: Discover your city
Take good 10 Wellbeing: care of yourself faith at university: 12 My Mo Metwally clubs and 14 Joining societies 2018: 16 Welcome Events Guide
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FIND LOADS MORE ONLINE, INCLUDING OLI’S PHD BLOG, MARIA’S GUIDE TO BEATING HOMESICKNESS, AND ANDY’S TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS: THEUNIONMMU.ORG/WELCOME Official Welcome Facebook page: @MMUWelcome2018
We’re always on the lookout for your creative, inspiring and entertaining stories, vlogs and memes about uni life. Send your ideas to s.u.marketing@mmu.ac.uk
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MEET YOUR OFFICERS
AMIE ATKINSON PRESIDENT STUDIED: DRAMA Your first week of university can be a bit of a shock. You may be away from home, possibly in a big new city and away from your friends. Don’t worry too much though - Manchester has something for absolutely everyone - it will soon feel like home. Grab your new friends and go exploring!
H
ere to represent you during your time at Manchester Met, your student officer team share their top tips for making the most of your time at uni. You can keep up to date with them on Twitter, and find out more about what they’ve got planned for the year on their website: theunionmmu.org/studentofficers
ANDY YOUNG VICE PRESIDENT CHESHIRE STUDIED: PRIMARY EDUCATION
LUCY FOLLON EDUCATION OFFICER STUDIED: FASHION DESIGN
This is your university experience, so make the most out of every possibility. If you ever need help or want to talk over an idea, come in and see any of us. As your officers, we are here to represent you.
Do a food shop on the first day! You’ll be so busy discovering Manchester and the campus in your first week that you won’t have time to do it later. Trust me, when you wake up after having had too much fun the night before, you’ll be thankful you planned ahead and got a supply of snacks!
s.u.president@mmu.ac.uk @theunionmmu
s.u.vpcheshire@mmu.ac.uk @theunionmmu
s.u.education@mmu.ac.uk @theunionmmu
ANDY HARMON WELLBEING OFFICER STUDIED: COMPUTER SCIENCE
ANNA WELSH SOCIETIES AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER STUDIED: MATHEMATICS
ROSS SHARMAN SPORT OFFICER STUDIED: ANIMAL SCIENCE
Remember that it’s okay not to be okay and there is plenty of support available at the university.
The best advice I can give you is to join a society! I was so nervous about everything in my first year, but through being in societies I gained a family away from home, which helped me through so much.
These next few years will be the best times of your life – we at The Union are here for you, so get involved with as much as you can and make your university experience full of lifelong memories.
s.u.wellbeing@mmu.ac.uk @theunionmmu
s.u.socdev@mmu.ac.uk @theunionmmu
s.u.sportsofficer@mmu.ac.uk @theunionmmu
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With everything from enrolment steps to commuting and travel tips, mmu.ac.uk/welcome will give you everything you need to know to get the year off to a great start.
SIX THINGS TO DO IN YOUR FIRST MONTH You made it – welcome to Manchester Met! With so many exciting things to uncover, we pulled together our bucket list of things to do during your first month here. Make the most of it and remember we’re here if you need us. PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE
The thought of meeting a whole new bunch of people can be a little intimidating, but remember everyone is in the same boat too. Grab some food at the barbecue at your halls, power through the awkward introductions in lectures, and start your university journey together.
MAKE YOUR MARK
Come to Freshers Fair, find The Union and see what clubs and societies you can be a part of and what activities are going on. You can even start your own society if we don’t have something for you.
GET SOME GRUB
With such a glut of excellent dining opportunities in Manchester, it’s hard to decide where to go first, but definitely make sure you check out Chinatown, the legendary Curry Mile, or one of the modern Spinningfields eateries when you get a chance.
BE INSPIRED
History is all around you, in the buildings you see and the roads you walk down. Even The Salutation pub next door to The Union has its own story – it’s where Charlotte Brontë started writing Jane Eyre! There are countless museums and monuments, blue plaques and birthplaces of people and things to discover.
WORK OUT YOUR BUDGETS
Figuring out your finances can be one of the most confusing parts of starting uni life. Drop by the Advice Centre at The Union and get some free advice on planning your budgets. They can even help you if you haven’t received the student loan amount you expected.
EXPLORE YOUR SURROUNDINGS
Hop on a tram or bicycle and discover the pubs and independent shops of nearby towns like Chorlton and Altrincham. If you fancy a bit of scenery, pay a visit to Fletcher Moss botanical gardens.
Looking for more places to explore? Check out Amy’s article on living a champagne lifestyle on a student budget: theunionmmu.org/welcome
THE BALANCING ACT NATALIE BROOKES
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n the very first day of university, all 65 of us fresh-faced students were asked by the lecturers to stand up individually and introduce ourselves. I noticed that there were quite a few mature students there, many of whom had kids. Many admitted their fears and anxieties over how they were going to cope being a student with a dependant family. The uniting fear was – “how do I balance all the work with my kids? I feel so guilty about leaving them” and (this may surprise you) “my family and friends are making me feel awful about leaving my child; they say I am being selfish”.
To new students I would say, never feel guilty for your choice to come and study. Yes, it might be a three year course, with financial stresses – but, once that’s over, you have a career and you’re earning money to support your family. In my case, I know that if my child comes up to me and says “I want a new phone” or those trainers that everyone’s wearing, then I can get them. Furthermore, you’re setting a great work ethic for your children and family, and showing that no matter how far away that goalpost seems, with hard work, dedication and perseverance, your lifelong ambition can be accomplished.
I’m a mature student nurse, with a house to run, three sons to look after, a dog to feed and to top it off we’ve only got one wage coming in to cover our bills. Being a parent is a challenging enough task in its own right, but when you combine parenting with being a mature student it can involve plenty of worry, pressure, financial stresses, and even guilt. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
In order to be successful in your studies and at home, it is important to be highly organised. One way to do this is by having a calendar – a fun calendar (I have a Disney one!) because if it’s fun and bright then you will find yourself looking at it more often. Time management and prioritising are key to a less stressful you, especially when you’re on placement and have an assignment to finish. Kids
Nervous about new ways of studying? That’s totally normal. The Advice Centre can help you get organised and support you if you have any issues. theunionmmu.org/advice
don’t understand that though do they? At the weekend, I’ll only do my work when the kids are in bed, because I want to spend time with my family. A slow cooker will become your most used kitchen appliance. You can prepare meals the night before, or in the morning and put the food on a slow cook – that way your family is fed. Now this comes from personal experience, but make sure you write a note asking someone to keep some to one side for you, or the whole lot will be gone! Finding a way to de-stress is also very important if you enjoy sleeping at night! It can sometimes get a bit overwhelming, and you will often find yourself acting like a robot and your whole life revolving around placement, assignments, reflections, etc. It’s important to stand out, and allow your fun side to shine through. I like to draw, it helps me unwind when things get a bit much.
BEING A PARENT IS CHALLENGING ENOUGH TASK IN ITS OWN RIGHT, BUT WHEN YOU COMBINE PARENTING WITH BEING A MATURE STUDENT IT CAN INVOLVE PLENTY OF WORRY, PRESSURE, FINANCIAL STRESSES, AND EVEN GUILT. BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY!
Right now, I bet your head is spinning – I know mine was when I first started my degree. So many questions were rushing through my head and I was making myself anxious. You will find that your fellow students will become your second family. You will create a support system with both your family at home and at university – all you need is organisation, faith, trust and pixie dust. Be proud of what you’ve achieved, and don’t ever feel guilty for bettering yourself in order to create the lifestyle and work ethic you want for your family. You’re a role model whether you realise it or not.
Read Oli’s thoughts on adapting to life as a post grad student: theunionmmu.org/ welcome
DISCOVER YOUR CITY Beetham Tower MediaCityUK
Manchester
Manchester United Football Club
Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care
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Faculty of Education
Student accommodation
Manchester Arena
Arndale Shopping Centre
Town Hall Central Library Central
National Cycling Centre
Victoria Station Manchester City Football Club
Manchester Art Gallery
Chinatown
Bridgewater Hall
70 Oxford Street Oxford Road Station
Faculty of Business and Law
Palace Theatre Piccadilly Station
Faculty of Science and Engineering Manchester Law School
Sugden Sports Centre
Faculty of Arts and Humanities THE UNION
The Salutation Pub
Manchester Aquatics Centre Central Manchester University Hospitals
TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF This is such an exciting time, starting a new journey at university. We recognise that it can be a little bit daunting too, so we have some top tips from your Wellbeing Officer and fellow students to help see you through.
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remember vividly when I first moved here how excited I was to meet new people who were like me, to explore my new home and to sink my teeth into the next chapter of my education. Studying at university is really exciting and insightful, but if you’re not careful, keeping up with coursework and revising for exams can be a strain on your mental health and general wellbeing. Sometimes we can be really swamped in our university work, and need to take time to relax and to look after ourselves. I know when I was studying, there would be a few weeks where I would be very busy and I had to make sure I put in time to chill out and get some good rest. This is why it’s really important that, in addition to learning skills to study your course, we as scholars learn the skills of looking after ourselves and adopting healthy learning patterns. Additionally, it’s important that we learn from each other. The university’s Counselling, Health and Wellbeing Service offer a range of workshops, courses, groups and individual help. Find out more at: mmu.ac.uk/counselling. There’s all sorts of support available to you if you need it, from the Disability Service to Study Skills Workshops – don’t be afraid to ask and we’ll point you in the right direction.
WELLBEING TOP TIPS GET ACTIVE Exercise not only boosts those feel good endorphins, but has been proven to improve concentration, quality of sleep and self-esteem. Even simple things like going for a walk or a bike ride counts.
SHARING IS IMPORTANT Talk about your feelings with people you can trust, whether it’s friends, family or your tutor. It’s good to know you’re not alone in feeling worried or anxious.
TIPS FOR NEW STUDENTS
GIVE TO OTHERS Helping others is one of the best things you can do to feel good about yourself, whilst making a positive impact on people’s lives.
EAT WELL It’s not easy with everything going on, but eating sensibly and getting the right nutrients is one of the most important things that you can do to positively impact your concentration and general mood.
UNPLUG Getting too caught up in social media can lead to anxiety, so try to get outside at least once per day and go for a walk, watch the world go by and have some thinking space without any digital distraction.
FIND BALANCE Juggling multiple responsibilities with studying is difficult, so it’s important to build in chill out time to your schedule. Simple mindfulness exercises can help you to de-stress when things are getting overwhelming.
GET SOME SLEEP Sleep is so important to your wellbeing. It’s the time when your brain and body get to recharge and repair.
MEET MEG
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e hope that everything is great when you start uni, but if you think your course isn’t for you and want to change, or are having issues in lectures or tutorials – come and talk to us at the Advice Centre, we can help you out! We can help to resolve issues about welfare benefits or if your loan is late, or you’ve not received the right amount. In your first few weeks, we can also help you with budgeting, and help you to make your money
++ Shop around for student bank accounts – the market is competitive and you can often bag yourself a great deal! ++ Remember that your Student Finance does not come through until the university has confirmed your attendance, so make sure you have some money to tide you over the first few days. ++ Make sure you register with a GP so you can access the right support when you need it. Find your nearest GP using the NHS’s website. last as long as possible. We can even help with accommodation – if you’ve moved in somewhere and are having problems, then come to us and we’ll talk you through the next steps.
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MY FAITH AT UNIVERSITY MO METWALLY
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eing a person of faith at university offers some experiences one might not normally think of when imagining the typical university experience. As an individual, you need to develop a lifestyle that allows you to maintain a balance of religion, study and social life (and sleep if you’re lucky). When it comes to maintaining the balance, my religion is not just another responsibility to juggle alongside catching my next lecture or thinking about what to make for tea – it’s quite the opposite! The regularity of prayers gives a structure to my day and provides an opportunity to step away from the usual chaos to collect my thoughts. It’s also a chance to catch up with some friends and maybe get something to eat, so it only adds to the university and social experience. Thankfully, we have a prayer hall one minute away from the Business School.
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Being a person of faith includes showing that faith to others. I was happy to take part in
talks and meals between the Christian Union and Islamic Society, inviting other societies to our talks in Discover Islam Week, and having conversations with students at our stalls around university. Interfaith work opened my eyes to how faith can reflect on people’s university lives differently, and has only encouraged me to do more. Societies are a great opportunity for people to get involved with what they love, whilst making lifelong friends in the process. The Union provides a brilliant platform to help support this, with its vast range of societies and extensive support (including financial). This is no different in terms of faith societies, and I’m happy to have been able to express that during my time at university – I have been able to continue building bridges and making friends. If you’re a person of faith, make that a part of your university experience as soon as you can, you won’t regret it.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MANCHESTER? I love that something is always going on in Manchester, my favourite place to go has to be the Curry Mile! WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I read, game, catch up on shows and films, everything really. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD YOU BEFORE STARTING UNIVERSITY? I wish someone had told me to get involved with societies sooner! I’d heard about them but had no idea how much they added to the uni experience.
THE REGULARITY OF PRAYERS GIVES A STRUCTURE TO MY DAY AND PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO STEP AWAY FROM THE USUAL CHAOS TO COLLECT MY THOUGHTS. We’ve got loads of events to help you meet like-minded students, from Freshers Fair to our Faith Social – check out all our events on our website: theunionmmu.org/welcome
JOINING CLUBS AND SOCIETIES Want to meet new people who share your interests, or fancy getting involved in something completely new? There are so many student-led clubs and societies, from culture and faith groups to hobbies and interests – whether you’re competitive or just want to chill, we’ve got something for you. Come and meet everyone at Freshers Fair! Here’s what being part of a club or society meant to some of your fellow Manchester Met students...
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From free, casual activity sessions, to fantastic gym and sports facilities, MMU Sport have something for everyone: mmu.ac.uk/sport
ANNA WELSH – ANIME SOCIETY AND GAMING SOCIETY
“Being introverted meant that the thought of going out somewhere just to talk to people terrified me. Luckily, during my first year, my flatmate encouraged me to attend Freshers Fair with them. I found the Anime and Gaming societies and attended their welcome socials, which were so friendly and welcoming. Without joining societies, I wouldn’t have grown as much as a person, or become as confident in myself. They helped me to find my place and gave me an abundance of friends. To me being part of a society was having a family away from home.”
ROSS SHARMAN – TAEKWONDO CLUB
“Through joining a club I have made friends for life - the memories you make and the sense of belonging you receive is something I believe everyone should experience. Sports teams at MMU are more than just competitors, training colleagues and teammates – they’re family. Often students are apprehensive and worried about coming to university, leaving their family
and friends behind – and I can fully relate, as I felt this too. You look out for your teammates and make sure you never feel alone. As a club, we’ve been to the World Championships, out for meals and we’ve even been on holiday!”
ARRAN EMBLETON – FENCING CLUB
“I was never sporty, but I always really liked the look of fencing. It’s a bit of an unorthodox sport, it’s not mainstream and I just wanted to try it. We’re such a close group of people and it’s good to have friendly faces to say hello to around campus.”
MOLLY JAMES – CHEMISTRY SOCIETY “Chemistry is applicable to many different paths in science and engineering, so it’s great to get biologists and others involved too. Science and STEM is a big area, and it’s lovely to get people talking to each other and creating a big community. Our events mix social and employability – we are an academic society, but it’s also good to have the informal off campus socials. It’s a nice balance.”
Meet more of our amazing clubs and societies at Student Takeover and the other exciting things happening during Welcome Week – check out the back page for more events.
EVENTS
Find out more theunionmmu.org/welcome
MON 17
SEPT
Mini Golf (FREE) 10:00 - 14:00, The Union
Conversation Corner (FREE) 14:00 - 18:00, The Union
SEPT
PrettyLittleThing Sample Sale (FREE) 11:00 - 16:00, The Union
Student Faith Social (FREE) 12:00 - 14:00, The Union
IKEA Trip (FREE) 15:00 - 18:30, Meet at The Union
SAT 15
THU 20
Comedy Club Ft. Robert White, Jason Cook, Dan Nightingale (£5) 19:00 - 22:00, The Union
SEPT
The Salutation Pub Quiz (£1) 20:00 - 22:00, The Salutation
Welcome BBQ (FREE) 12:00 - 19:00, Birley Fields, Oxford Court and Cambridge Halls
Union Live Ft. Cel Spellman
(FREE)
19:00 - Late, The Union
TUE 18
FRI 21 SEPT
SEPT
Give Sport a Go (FREE)
Freshers Fair – Societies (FREE)
10:00 - 16:00, Various Venues
10:30 - 16:00, The Union
Join Us After Jummah (FREE) 13:00 - 16:00, The Union
Postgrad Pizza (FREE) 17:00 - 19:00, The Union
SUN 16
Student Takeover (£2)
SEPT
Card Collection
(FREE)
19:30 - Midnight, The Union
12:00 - 17:00, The Union
WED 19
Home Student Hangout (FREE)
Freshers Fair – Sports (FREE)
14:00 - 18:00, The Union
10:00 - 16:00, The Union
Zoo Party Ft. Kimberly Wyatt (£5)
I Love Wednesdays: Life’s a Beach (FREE)
22:00 - Late, The Union
21:00 - Late, The Union
SEPT
SAT 22
SEPT
Give Sport a Go (FREE) 10:00 - 16:00, Various Venues
Joshua Vs Povetkin (FREE) 20:00 - Late, The Union