Looking after my wellbeing as a UWE Bristol student

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By Amos, MSc Health Technology

At the beginning of the second semester of my course, my spirits were high but a few weeks into the semester, I started feeling overwhelmed by loads of course work and my research work. I even considered giving up my course to help me get my head above water and catch my breath.

Make sure you get help when feeling overwhelmed

It’s important to speak up and get help when you need it. UWE Bristol is a really supportive community; you just need to reach out and help is there. I remember telling my friends that UWE Bristol staff live and breathe the University’s values. I figured out the major reason why I was feeling overwhelmed, and I spoke with my research supervisor about it. He advised me to take it slowly and prioritise the most important things. With his advice, I breathed a sigh of relief and this proved to be my turning point.

It’s important to speak up and get help when you need it. UWE Bristol is a really supportive community, you just need to reach out and help is there.

Get comfortable with taking a break

After speaking with my research supervisor, I realised that taking breaks would really help my mental health. I then planned to take two days off per week, and I dedicated these days to switching off and watching my favourite sci-fi series or going out with my friends to visit some nice places. Just taking a break feels like hitting a refresh button for me.

Wellbeing support is available at UWE Bristol so make sure you access it

I have experienced first-hand that UWE Bristol is interested in the whole person and not just in an academic capacity. Accessing the UWE Bristol’s Wellbeing Service from time to time has assured me there’s plenty of support for everyone here. I have always felt supported at the University and know that I’m never alone, and I don’t have to figure it all out on my own.

Discover more about how we support you to manage your health and wellbeing at UWE Bristol.

My journey as an international student at UWE Bristol

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By Carolina, MSc Business with Digital Management

Leaving my home in Colombia and moving across the world by myself has been one of the most challenging experiences I’ve ever had by far. Last year I decided to study my postgraduate degree at UWE Bristol, and when deciding where to study, I knew I wanted to find a place where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and included.

I didn’t just look at the University’s academic status, but also at the different social activities going on and the support available international students. For me, this was so important as I believe work life balance is key, and I knew I needed activities where I could enjoy time out and take a break from my studies.

How I have felt supported at UWE Bristol

Since I arrived at UWE Bristol, I felt very welcomed by all the staff. I remember the first day I arrived in the UK, the staff were so nice and helpful. They arranged my transport from the airport to my accommodation, which helped me to not feel overwhelmed on my first day in a new country.

Since I arrived at UWE Bristol, I felt very welcomed by all the staff.

The Global Café and Conversation Club in the Global Lounge were the activities that I joined during my first few weeks at UWE Bristol. Here I found out valuable information about the university services, and I met other new students from all over the world as well.

The Fresher’s Fair was two days full of activities, music, and food. Here I had the chance to find out more about the different sport societies at on offer here. My first time ever playing polo was with the UWE Bristol Polo Team and it was such an amazing experience. It was fascinating to learn how to ride the horse properly along with the hand mallet practice to develop a good technique. The whole tour around the Beaufort Polo Club was an experience I’ll never forget either.

The library was basically my second home for the last few months and apart from being there working on my assignments, I also joined different workshops that helped me improve my critical writing skills. The librarians running these workshops are very friendly and gave me good tips which I was able to put into practice in my assignments.

Also, I found the support I received from the Careers Service staff really useful. They gave me advice about jobs and my CV, which was useful for me to prepare and start applying to different roles in the UK.

Student Life activities

Some of the Student Life activities I’ve joined during this year include the boat cruises, bowling nights, craft clubs, roller disco, among others. The first activity I joined was the boat cruise. We had the chance to see the whole Harbourside, including attractions such as the iconic SS Great Britain, and the colourful houses in Hotwells.  

My favourite activities were the ones where I had the opportunity to be creative. These include painting my own plant pot, and more recently sowing some peppermint seeds, which I can now watch grow. Also, making my own dream catcher, which is now up in my room.  

I have to say that I’m extremely grateful for those social activities that helped me make new friends and fit into life at UWE Bristol. I also discovered hidden skills and explored my creativity. It also helped me to feel less homesick and gave me a sense of community that is sometimes hard to find when you first move to a new country.

Being in a multicultural environment has made my experience so much better as I’ve met people from all over the world and we’ve shared our cultures. One lovely memory was when I tried homemade food made by two of my classmates from Myanmar. They cooked dumplings and a dish called Mala Xiang Guo, which is very traditional in Asia.

Being in a multicultural environment has made my experience so much better as I’ve met people from all over the world and we’ve shared our cultures.

Studying at UWE Bristol has immersed me into a friendly and inclusive community where I’ve made so many amazing memories that I’m sure will last a lifetime.    

Discover more about international study at UWE Bristol.

How overcoming personal challenges has enabled Roberta to find her best self at UWE Bristol.

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By Roberta, MSc Physician Associate Studies student.

Our postgraduate student, Roberta, discusses the many challenges she’s overcome to get to where she is and why her postgraduate degree means so much to her. Keep reading to find out more about Roberta’s story.

Continue reading “How overcoming personal challenges has enabled Roberta to find her best self at UWE Bristol.”

How my degree enabled me to build a car

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By Abdul-Azeez, BEng Aerospace Engineering

UWE Bristol graduate, Abdul-Azeez, tells us about his experience as a visually impaired, international student studying Aerospace Engineering in the UK. He shares what influenced his decision to study at UWE Bristol, the support he received, and how his degree enabled him to build a car.

Studying in Bristol

I always knew I wanted to study in the UK. Universities here have mastered the art of teaching while encouraging independent thinking. They point you in the right direction so you can conduct your own research, with a healthy balance between theoretical and practical teaching. There’s a perfect balance of academic experiences, and non-academic experiences. A lot of focus is put on lifestyle too, and you’re encouraged to take part in sports and other extra-curricular activities.

“The decision to choose UWE Bristol was a relatively easy one for me. I knew of the industrial links that Bristol had – that I’d be in a city where I could immerse myself in aerospace engineering beyond the equations. There were career fairs, field trips, placements – endless opportunities to expand my prospects.”

UWE Bristol really leverage their industrial links and create space for their students within these opportunities. It provided a huge learning experience, particularly for engineering students where theoretical knowledge is strengthened through industry insight.

There was also a huge cluster of international students which made me feel at home – even on my course there were other Nigerians, so at no point did I feel alone. The lecturers were also from all around the globe, which gave the feeling of world-class teaching.

As for Bristol, my first impression was that it’s such a great city to just ‘be’ in regardless of being a student. There’s lots to explore, a huge history and huge atmosphere around it. Plus, the people are so welcoming, and UWE Bristol as a base provides a safe space; a ‘home away from home’.

Studying abroad with a visual impairment

My experience of going to university as a visually impaired student couldn’t have been handled better than it was at UWE Bristol. The support I received was fantastic from the very start. My experience began with a meeting with the Disability Service, my lecturers and teaching staff, and my family. This helped us to flesh out the course together and plan what I’d need so I was ready to face everything the course would throw my way.

UWE Bristol made sure I’d understand and be able to take part in everything, adapting the course programme to suit my particular needs. I experienced first-hand how they shaped the course to a student, not vice versa – everything felt tailor-made.

“My biggest passion is being able to live a full and functional life with my disability, to get involved with any sporting activity, and whichever profession I want. UWE Bristol really fed into that; they made adjustments throughout the entire experience, so all opportunities were available to me.”

Support is embedded in the culture at UWE Bristol; everyone I worked with showed enthusiasm and wanted to face every challenge head on, while coming together to ensure everyone felt positive about their studies.

My pandemic project – building a car

In 2020 when faced with a global pandemic and a potentially limitless period of isolation, I decided to use the engineering skills I’d learned at UWE Bristol to start on a project of my own; a project that I had long dreamed about. I was going to build a car.

Although a scary prospect, I decided to go for it.

“Without the encouragement I had at UWE Bristol, I wouldn’t have had an ounce of the confidence I needed to take the project on.”

UWE Bristol teaches you to aim high. In our third year we each conducted an individual project – I chose to build an aircraft. I found that you don’t know how much strength and drive you have until you try something new. The experience changed my mindset, and I was awarded best individual project by the university. This gave me such a confident boost that I knew I could apply my knowledge and tackle the build of a car.

How UWE Bristol changed my life

I always wanted to work in aviation, so earning a degree in Aerospace Engineering was something I’d aspired to for years. Completing my degree solidified this plan – it confirmed that aviation was my calling and narrowed my field of interest by highlighting the aspects I most enjoyed.

UWE Bristol prepared me for my career, giving me analytical, project management and problem-solving skills to assist with theory as well as the practical skills that formed the building blocks of my studies. Putting the theory into practice taught me how to apply my knowledge of aerospace engineering principles to other avenues, opening a multitude of industry doors for me to consider.

“There’s a real collaborative spirit at UWE Bristol. They support students in exploring the best of their potential, making them feel excited to learn.”

They encouraged us to make ourselves at home and allowed us to discover as much as we wanted to. We could go at our own pace and were given all the resources for personal development – the choice was ours to take. It’s a younger university, so there’s an abundance of fresh ideas and teaching staff aren’t afraid to do things differently.

“Seeing how the university has grown over the years and at such a fast pace has been a positive experience – any student would benefit by studying here and I’m proud to be a UWE Bristol graduate.”

How running 27 miles helped UWE Bristol student, Chloe, raise awareness of student mental health.

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By Chloe, BA (Hons) Creative and Professional Writing

Student Chloe, talks about what inspired her to run 27 miles for the charity, Mind. She shares how this has helped her to become more aware of her own mental health and how she hopes to inspire other students to talk about mental health and find their own coping strategies. Keep reading to find out more.

Continue reading “How running 27 miles helped UWE Bristol student, Chloe, raise awareness of student mental health.”

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