UEL Students' Union Welcome Guide 2021 by University of East London

Find out how you can get involved

Welcome Week 2021 20-26 September

Don't miss!

Welcome Fair

Front cover

Wed 22 Sep

uelunion.org 1

Contents 4

Welcome

Student groups

A-Z of student groups

Welcome Week

We voice your opinion

Your elected student officers

Wellbeing

Useful information

Student stories

Welcome Welcome to your Students' Union! We are so excited to have you join our community of students and staff, and we hope that your time here is everything you dream it will be. At University of East London Students’ Union, it is our job to help you get the most out of university. We provide fun activities and events that help you to make new friends, and we create opportunities for you to improve your skills so that you are more employable when your time here is over. We have a range of student groups that you can get involved with during your time here. These range from hobby groups, like Gospel, K-pop or Anime and Manga Society, to faith groups, to academic groups. There is something for everyone, but if you have an idea for a group that we do not have yet, it is easy to set one up! These groups will help you to find like-minded people and make connections, all while sharing your interests with other students. You can find out more about the groups that are available to join, by visiting page 8 of this guide.

Make sure you join us on social media for updates about Welcome Week. Once you have enrolled, we will also be able to send you emails to keep you updated with our news and activities.

fb.com/uelunion

@uelunion

uelunion.org

We exist to give voice to the collective opinion of students, through our student officers, school and course representatives, and community groups. On every level, we make sure that the University is listening to students’ thoughts on their education and the issues that are important to them. We are here to support you when you need us. We can provide advice if you run into difficulties while you study here. If you have any issues with your coursework or require an extension, then we can advise you on how to go about this. For more information on this free service, please go to page 12. You can find out more about the Students' Union and how we work for you by visiting uelunion.org. We hope that you are as excited as we are for the year ahead, and we cannot wait to meet you on campus!

Find all of our student groups on page 8

Student groups Joining a student group is a fantastic way to meet new people, indulge your interests or try something new. The Students' Union supports many different types of student groups at the University of East London. All of our groups are run by students who are responsible for organising fun events and socials for members. The Students' Union helps groups to operate by guiding group leaders. We are sure that you will be able to find what you are looking for in our existing student groups – but if not, you are welcome to let us know and we can help you start your own group! As well as having fun, you can develop skills that are highly valued by employers. For example, joining a student group committee is a great way to develop your leadership or teamwork skills. It costs from just £1 to join a student group! You can join a community group for free.

To find out more about joining a student group, visit: uelunion.org/societies

Types of student groups

Academic and educational

Faith

Expand your subject knowledge, enhance your employment prospects and take part in fun activities with our academic groups.

Discover and celebrate world cultures and religions with societies such as Christian Union Society, Islamic Society and Indian Society to name just a few. All the groups are open to all students. You can get informal language support and meet people from all over the world!

Arts, culture and media Express yourself, or simply be inspired by the art on offer around campus: join groups focusing on creative interests such as performance, arts, music, entertainment and media.

International You can join our International Students' Community, which is a great group to join if you are an international student and new to London.

Community Community groups offer supportive community spaces that are accessible, regardless of circumstance. Attend events to meet people from similar backgrounds and make friends. Raise awareness of the challenges that you face at University and work alongside the Students' Union to influence positive change.

A-Z student groups Agora Society

Indian Society

Anime and Manga Society

Islamic Society

Architecture and Design

KEGITES Society

Bangladeshi Society

K-Pop

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Students’ Community

Law

Believers Love World Society Business and Finance Christian Union Society Criminology Disabled Students Community E-Sports Society Fashion First Love Society

Media and Journalism Mooting & Debating Musical Theatre Performing Arts Physiology and Medical Sciences Physiotherapy Postgraduates' Student Community

Gospel Music

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Society

International Students' Community

Women's Association

We also run taster exercise classes in association with SportsDock. To find out more about SportsDock’s exercise classes, the Fitness Centre and becoming a member, please visit: uel.ac.uk/sport/sportsdock

LGBTQ+ Student Community

About Welcome Week Get involved in Welcome Week

Welcome Week takes place from Monday 20 September Sunday 26 September. Join us at the Welcome Fair on 22 September at SportsDock.

What happens during Welcome Week? This is a week of events, activities and taster sessions to help you meet people, make friends and find out about student groups and everything else that the Students' Union has to offer. Everybody can attend Welcome Week, whether you are an undergraduate or a postgraduate student.

Keep an eye on our calendar of events as more events will be added over the next few weeks:

uelunion.org/whatson

This is your chance to: •

Talk to members of student groups

•

Meet with local and national businesses at the Fair

•

Get loads of freebies and discounts

•

See sports demos and join sports clubs

•

Enjoy live entertainment, music, food and drink

•

Join day tours around London

•

Take part in quizzes and teambuilding exercises

Please be aware that you can only book for Welcome Week events via the Students' Union website. Any other organisations that sell tickets and wristbands are not affiliated with the Students' Union. We are unable to assist with refunds if you cannot attend these events or if they do not go ahead.

Make sure you do not miss out!

We voice your opinion As a university student, you have a range of elected representatives who look out for you and your needs. These student representatives ensure that your voice is heard in a range of areas and that the work of University of East London's Students' Union reflects the wishes of all students. Representatives meet with key decision-makers from all

School reps A school representative kind of does what it says on the tin – represent students in their school! This person's job is to work with your course representatives, to find the common issues that students are experiencing across the school. They will then take these problems and feed them back to senior staff members and help to form solutions. School representatives sit on various committees within the Students' Union and the University, to discuss the needs of the students at their schools, and make sure that their requirements are addressed.

For more information, please visit uelunion.org/representation

levels within the University to help drive change. You will have the opportunity to vote for your student representatives at elections, which usually take place in November and March of each year. For more information on elections, please visit: uelunion.org/elections.

Course reps Being a course representative, means representing the students in your year, on your course. There is at least one course representative per year group, for each degree. For instance, there is a course representative for second year Adult Nursing students, and for first year Psychology students (as well as every other degree and year group, but we will not list them all here!). Course representatives act as the spokesperson for their classmates, gathering student opinions and speaking to the course leader about what the group thinks. They also sit on a committee twice a year – called the course committee meeting – where they also have a chance to raise any unresolved issues and hear what your department is planning to do. If you want more information on course representatives, and how to become one, you can read more details on the Students’ Union website.

Your elected student officers Your full-time officers are elected by the student body. They represent students and help improve the student experience at University of East London.

Activities and opportunities officer

Wellbeing and community officer

Irfana Kottikulam-Aboobacker

Lavanya Rajendran

Hello, I am Irfana, your activities and opportunities officer. Throughout the year I will be working to create fun and interesting opportunities for you while you complete your studies.

I am Lavanya and I was inspired to become your wellbeing and community officer because I want to help make student life better. I will be spending the year working to improve students’ mental wellbeing and looking for ways we can work more closely with the local community.

How can I make change? If you have an idea or a suggestion, you can speak to a relevant student representative (a course or school representative, or a student officer). Or you can run to be a representative yourself – we will train you and help support you to make change!

For the latest updates from your officers, visit: uelunion.org/officers

Wellbeing Coming to university can be a daunting experience. If you ever feel a bit low, there are many options available to you to help put you back on the path to wellbeing. Student groups

Student Wellbeing Service

Student groups are a great way to meet people from all types of backgrounds and create a supportive network of friends at university.

If you need to speak to someone, then the Student Wellbeing Service can offer free practical advice and support including mental health support and counselling.

w: uelunion.org/societies

e: wellbeing@uel.ac.uk

t: 0208 223 4444

w: uel.ac.uk/about/coronavirus/uel-connected/ mental-wellbeing-portal-for-students

Student community groups Togetherall These groups help you find friends with a shared identity or interest. w: uelunion.org/societies/ communitygroup

Students' Union

The Students' Union provides confidential and impartial advice for all students on a range of issues. Advice is completely free. We can help you with academic appeals, academic misconducts, dealing with a rejection for your extension request, complaints, housing issues and so much more. e: students.union@uel.ac.uk w: uelunion.org/advice

Togetherall is a clinically managed, online community of people who have anxiety, depression and other common mental health issues; members can access selfguided courses, connect with other members anonymously and help support each other. w: togetherall.com

Samaritans

You can get in touch with the Samaritans about anything that is troubling you and speak to a non-judgemental, impartial advisor t: 116 123

w: samaritans.org

Useful Information Where can I go to eat? The best option is to go to one of the cafes or takeaway food outlets on campus at Docklands, including Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Subway and Papa John’s. There is also a fish and chips bar directly outside Cyprus station, which is very affordable or Asda food shop is a 10minute walk from the University. Where are the nearest restaurants? The nearest restaurants to Docklands can be reached by bus in just a few minutes. There is McDonalds in Beckton, and Nando’s and Bella Italia at Gallions Reach Shopping Centre. You can find KFC and Creams at Beckton Triangle Retail Park. Where can I go food shopping? Grocery stores local to Docklands include Asda, which is approximately 10-minutes’ walk away and two stops on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Tesco is approximately a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride. A small Co-op is a 5minute walk along the dockside from the East Village. I need to see a doctor – how do I sign up? Your nearest medical practice at Docklands is Royal Docks Medical Practice. You will need to call them first and find out how to register as a patient: 020 7511 4466.

Address: Royal Docks Medical Centre, 21 E Ham Manor Way, London E6 5NA. If you do not live on campus or in the area, then you will need to register with your local GP. For more information, visit: nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps. I am an international student, how can I set up a bank account in the UK? Setting up a bank account in the UK makes it easier to pay bills, keep your money safe, and avoid foreign currency charges you would otherwise be paying if you used a non-UK bank account to pay for things in the UK. Setting up a bank account can take a long time, as banks will need lots of information to verify your identity and credit rating. Check whether you can make an application from your home country to save time and check whether your current bank has any links to UK banks, as this will make the process smoother. Student bank accounts are a great option, as they offer numerous benefits to students. Find out more about the different accounts available here: savethestudent.org/money. Since it can take a while to get a bank account set up, and around 10 days for your debit card to arrive, it is best to take money with you to cover the first month

of your stay – we would recommend a prepaid card for this. Find out more: savethestudent.org/money/studentbanking.

You can find more information about National Insurance numbers and how to obtain one at gov.uk/apply-nationalinsurance-number.

I need a job – can I work in the UK? Firstly, visit Randstad recruitment agency on-campus to find out about casual jobs at the University and in the local area. You can also sign up to the University’s online Career Zone to view the job board and receive emails with all the latest job vacancies. Register for this service by visiting: careerzone.uel.ac.uk. There are also many job search websites, including: reed.co.uk, indeed.co.uk and totaljobs.com. You should not be asked to pay for help finding work or if you are offered a job. Do not take a job if you have any doubts about whether you will be paid or treated properly or if the employer will always act lawfully. The UK Government has guidance on what you can expect when looking for a job: gov.uk/jobsearch-rights. Find out more about who can work and your work rights by visiting the website of the UK Council for International Student Affairs: ukcisa.org.uk. You will need to apply for a NI number Your National Insurance number (NI number) is a unique personal number which is used to record your National Insurance contributions. You do not need to have a NI number before starting work, but you must obtain one when you get a job.

How can I travel cheaply in London? If you visit London, you may want to use the DLR (Docklands Light Rail), the Underground (Tube) or other public transport. As a student in London, you can apply for an 18+ student Oyster card which gives you 30% discount. If you are over 25 years old, you will need to ask the University to provide proof that you are eligible. You can also pay with a contactless debit or credit card. This allows you to ‘tap in’ and ‘tap out’ by placing your card on a reader which opens gates to enter and exit the stations. Just remember to check where you can use your Oyster (the area extends outside central London) because if you travel outside the permitted area, you will be fined. The Transport for London (TFL) website has useful information about travelling by public transport: tfl.gov.uk.

What are the top areas in London that I should see as a student? There are many cool areas in London to visit and each has its own characteristics and charm. Here are just some of the places that we think are worth visiting! For history... Greenwich The beautiful district of Greenwich is close to Docklands. Known for its maritime history, it is home to the Cutty Sark, a restored 19th-century ship, the huge National Maritime Museum, and the classical buildings of the Old Royal Naval College. You can also find the modern O2 arena nearby, hosting music concerts and sporting events. Overlooking peaceful Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory is the site of the Greenwich meridian line. Tower Bridge This area is full of history with lots of tourist attractions. Think the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Tower Hill. Also, within walking distance is the Southbank, with the world-renowned theatre Shakespeare’s Globe and the famous British art gallery, Tate Modern. For art... Shoreditch One of London's oldest markets, Spitalfields, and the infamous Rivington Street can be found in Shoreditch. Rivington Street is an awesome place with over 20 pieces of street art within 2-3 minutes of each other by the likes of Banksy and Thierry Noir. Spitalfields Market offers a wide selection of fashion and hand-made items.

For shopping... Stratford Westfield Stratford City is a great shopping and leisure destination to shop, to eat, and to meet friends. Find luxury and high street retailers within the architecturally stunning centre. There is a state-of-the-art cinema, gym and spa. Woolwich Get the ferry from North Woolwich to Woolwich (free travel) and you will find a Tesco Extra, clothes shops and fresh produce markets. For culture... West End The West End is home to some of London’s top attractions. See world-class art at The National Gallery or The Royal Academy of Arts. Channel your inner geek at the London Film Museum or The British Museum. Grab a selfie in front of the iconic lights at Piccadilly Circus. Get snap-happy in Trafalgar Square, London’s “home of film”, where some of London’s best cinemas roll out the red carpet for Hollywood stars during film premieres. Take a walk around the iconic and historic department stores such as Selfridges, Liberty and Fortnum and Mason. There is never a dull moment in London’s West End bar and nightlife scene, with things to do throughout the evening and into the early hours.

Student stories Students share their experiences of starting university and give you their advice for getting through it all.

Niall Dickson BIO

President of LGBTQ+ students’ community group. COURSE

Finished foundation year in Politics and International Relations. Commencing Psychology degree in September 2021.

How did you feel when you first arrived at university? I felt a bit overwhelmed in honesty! I did not go to college and I had been out of education for a while, so I was feeling anxious about starting university. That feeling quickly went away as soon as I met my tutors during my induction. The academic staff here at university treat you as an adult and are completely on your level (unlike at school!). They were also really kind and checked in with me regularly to see how I was doing. Once I had got to know my tutors, I settled in and started to feel excited about my course and being at university!

How did you go about making friends? Well, first of all, I joined the LGBTQ+ community group! I saw that the Students’ Union was advertising for students to run the group and so I contacted them to apply to join the group’s committee. I invited my boyfriend to join the group and we started organising events – we both made friends this way! I have also made friends on my course as we all have similar interests. We like to meet up outside of lectures as it is important to have conversations outside of an academic setting. There is a WhatsApp group for the students on my course, which has been a lifeline during the pandemic! We were able to help each other with any courserelated queries and it was nice to keep in touch given that we could not meet faceto-face. Which other student groups did you join to meet people? I joined the politics and international development academic group that was recommended to me by my tutor. This was a great group to join as they often held online meetings, and sometimes with guest lecturers. I also joined the Law

Society. What was your biggest challenge when you started university - how did you overcome this? I was nervous about going to university as I suffer from anxiety and bipolar disorder. However, with the support of my boyfriend, I built up the courage to attend my course. I did suffer from some health issues mid-term, but my tutors were very understanding and supportive - they gave me an extension to submit my coursework. I had a mentor to help support me during my first year at university. I visited the Disability and Dyslexia Service at the University’s Student Support Hub and explained why I was struggling - you do not have to have a medical diagnosis to ask for help. The professional staff at the University’s Student Support Hubs are very helpful and can offer advice on personal or academic issues. What are your tips for new students to help them settle in?

students encounter. I reached out to a friend who studies accounting for help, but you can also find a lot of useful advice online. For example, you can visit the Save the Student website: savethestudent.org/ student-finance. Student groups: I would advise new students to join a student group! Whether it is an academic or hobby group, everyone who is going is looking to make new friends – and you already know that you have an interest in common. Lectures: Make sure that you attend every lecture and keep on top of your coursework. If you miss one lecture, then you will miss another and then it is just a downward spiral! If you are sick and cannot attend a lecture, then do not be afraid to ask your friends about what you have missed. Most lectures are also recorded now, so you can easily go back and watch them. Fast food: Enjoy take-aways as a treat once in a while, as otherwise it can end up being expensive.

Finances: I found it a challenge to manage my finances at first – an issue that lots of

Esosa Maria Edosomwan initially I spent days and nights doing BIO

Representative for School of Health, Sport and Bioscience. COURSE

Public Health, Level 6.

How did you feel when you arrived at

knowledge and experience, and I can manage my workload much more effectively. What are your tips for new students to help them settle in?

university?

Keep asking questions! Do not be

I am an international student, so I was

ashamed to ask for help - no question is a stupid question. That said, I will always try

feeling worried when I started university. However, I soon discovered that there were a lot of students from black and ethnic minority groups on my course; I’m from Nigeria and as we have very similar cultures, I felt like I was able to blend in quickly. It was easy for me to transition to life in the UK. How did you make friends? In my first year, it was easy to relate to course peers as they were my first point of contact. I wanted to make friends outside of my course though and so I joined a student-led campaign group, which meant that I was able to build strong relationships with people who became friends rather than just colleagues. What was your biggest challenge when you started university - how did you overcome this? I found that the teaching style was different in the UK. Here, your lecturers direct you to what you need to learn and expect you work independently to research topics further. This is positive as it teaches you to be proactive, however it took me a while to adjust to this way of working –

research in the library! My course can still be challenging but now I have more

to look up the answer first online and if I cannot find it, then I go back to my lecturer. I will always explain what I have done to find the answer; if a lecturer knows that you have tried, then they are more likely to help you. Put in the effort! You have come here to study and at the beginning it can be stressful, but you will learn to cope better with your workload. You already know what mark you will get for your coursework if you have put in the effort. Be proactive! Do research online to find placements and voluntary work to enhance your CV and job prospects. Reach out to organisations that you would like to work with and drop them an email asking how you can help.

For impartial advice on issues related to your course, you can contact the Students' Union: uelunion.org/advice

Life’s a journey. Where’s yours taking you? Great value fares to towns, cities and airports. nationalexpress.com

Stratford Campus

Students' Union (NB.G.01)

Students' Union (UH - The Dome)

University of East London

4-6 University Way

Water Lane

London

E16 2RD

E15 4LZ

Reception: 0208 223 7025

Reception: 0208 223 4209

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