Month: December 2025

Tips for Surviving the UK winter: Guide for International students

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Priya Dashini Selvanathan is currently studying a Master’s in Health Psychology and is a Mature Student Advocate.

My idea of winter came straight from the movies, picturing myself sitting in a nice, cosy café, people watching and enjoying the slow, cosy pace that it brings along. However, as someone who has been living in a tropical country like Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, my perception of experiencing my first winter in Bristol was far from ideal.

I had to deal with homesickness, staying on top of back-to-back deadlines and on top of that learning the art of layering and dressing for the cold. My energy plunged with the temperature, my mood was consistently low, and the constant stress was a physical weight—I finally understood the reality of seasonal depression.

Looking back, one thing that helped me survive my first winter in the UK was the connection with peers, and engaging with free events available at the University, as well as free events around Bristol.

My top 3 tips are:

  1. Connection
    It is easy to stay in and feel overwhelmed to venture out. I noticed that slowly stepping out of my comfort zone and interacting with my coursemates and other international students helped me feel less lonely. I arranged a few coffee meet-up sessions that turned into friendships that I now cherish. Forming connections and friendships abroad in a foreign country is not an easy task, but I learnt that if I don’t put myself out there and try, I will never know and be limited to my fears.
  2. Movement
    Hibernation mood hits hard during winter months. I was either spending time staring at my screen completing assignments or mostly hibernating in bed. This routine made me feel sluggish and made me miss home even more. I realised that by using the UWE Move App, I could force myself to book some exercise classes like yoga and climbing. These classes not only help me get out of the house, but they also greatly improve my energy levels and mood. I noticed that I tend to feel much better after engaging in some movement.
  3. Perspective
    A shift in perspective occurred when I finished reading the book “ Wintering” by Katherine May. The book highlights a lot about embracing winter and noticing how the cold teaches us to slow down and focus inward more towards ourselves. I learnt that I have no control over the weather, but I do have control over how I respond to it and adapt to it. I started having a cosy night time routine that I looked forward to, where I would read a thriller novel and have a hot cup of camomile tea, and end the night with a simple skin care routine.

It is not going to be easy experiencing your first winter abroad, but do know that there is a wide array of support available. Feel free to reach out to our student advocates on Teams for a friendly chat.

How to join the CHSS Advocate Programme

Interested in being part of this supportive community? Whether you’re looking for peer support, a place to share your experiences, or simply want to connect with others, the CHSS Advocate Programme is here for you.
To join a group or attend one of our meetups, follow the link to our online space and sign up:

For more information, please email the Widening Participation Team: CHSS.WPTeam@uwe.ac.uk

Private renting tips

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Renting for the first time can be daunting. Partner that with Bristol’s notoriously competitive housing market, and the process can feel overwhelming. 

We’ve compiled a list of tips to ease finding your next home, and make sure you know what to look for and what to avoid. 

Planning

First things first, you need to plan.  

  • Set a budget and check if the rent includes bills. Be realistic about what you need and want from your rental. Bristol is an expensive city to live in so your budget might not stretch to what you’d want, but it should always cover what you need. An ensuite room in BS1, for instance, could be out of your price range, but a shared house in BS7 would be more manageable. 
  • Start having conversations with who you want to live with. Think about how many people is the right amount to live with. The fewer people, the more expensive the property, but too many and it becomes hard to find somewhere. They don’t have to be the same people you lived with in halls. They might be course friends, people from a society you’re in, or just a random bunch of people you happen to have formed a group with. 
  • Do your research. If you have never rented before, it can be hard to know where to look. As well as traditional sites like Rightmove and Zoopla, there are also sites dedicated to student rentals. The Students’ Union have made a list of trusted sites.  
  • Start looking early. Most people start looking for their next year’s home around November and December. That can feel really early, but the market moves very quickly in Bristol. There is enough to go around, and you can never be too prepared. 

Viewing

Once you have made a plan, it’s time to start viewing properties. 

  • Always view the properties yourself before signing any agreement. A common scam is criminals falsely claiming a property is something online, but in reality, it is something very different – or worse, doesn’t exist at all. If possible, everyone who will be living in the house should view it before agreeing to live there. But we know that schedules can be hectic, so nominate a couple of people to look on everyone’s behalf. Take photos and videos of the rooms to remind yourself what the property looks like. 
  • Be flexible with your location. You might have your heart set on living on Gloucester Road but it’s worthwhile looking around nearby areas as well. Properties tend to be more budget friendly away from the main hotspots. Keep to an easily commutable distance to your campus and think outside the box. 
  • Don’t rush into anything. It might be tempting to take the first property you view, but it’s worthwhile viewing a few before making your choice. That way you can better understand what it is you really want and what is realistically available. 

Signing contracts

When it comes to signing for your property, keep these tips in mind. 

  • Read your tenancy agreement. And we mean really read it. Don’t skim read it and assume everything will be okay. Tenancy agreements are legally binding documents that both tenants and landlords must obey. 
  • Triple check that everyone wants to live in the property. Once everyone has signed, it can be hard to back out of a contract. If someone leaves halfway through the tenancy, check to see if you will need to find someone or if the landlord will find one for you. It could be the case that you need to cover there share of the rent as well. 
  • Pay your deposit into a deposit protection scheme. Unless you are going to be a lodger, your landlord must, by law, hold your deposit in a protected scheme. Usually, you will pay your deposit to the landlord or agency, and they will transfer it to the scheme. You will receive a receipt of the transfer. 
  • Be cautious of scams. Apart from holding deposits, tenancy deposits and first month of rent, landlords and agencies should not be asking for any other payments. Most agency fees are banned in the UK.  

Moving in

Moving and living in private accommodation works a little differently to living in halls as well. 

  • Take photos of damage before you move in. Before you start unloading your boxes, walk around the house and check for any damage. Take photos of anything that doesn’t look right and send them to your landlord/agency. They will use this record for comparison when you move out. 
  • If bills aren’t included, set up your payments. Work out how much you will need to pay to cover your water, energy and internet bills and split the amount equally. It could all come out of one person’s account, or you could spread the bills across household members. Most providers have easy set ups available on their websites.  
  • Be respectful of your neighbours. In halls, you’ll have been surrounded by fellow students. In private accommodation it’s likely that it will be families, professional house-shares and maybe a few other student houses. Keep the noise down, take your bins in after they have been collected and remember that you’re a part of their community as well as ours now. 
  • Be mindful of your impact in the household. As a member of a house, you need to make sure you’re putting your fair share of work into making sure it is a nice place to live. Do your washing up after you’ve eaten, clean the bathroom after you’ve used it and don’t be loud late at night. 
  • Don’t make any changes to the house without permission. This could include putting nails in walls to hang pictures, adding attachments to plumbing and even blue tack stains. 

Moving out

Moving out is just as important as moving in in private accommodation. 

  • Deep clean everything. Landlords need the home to be returned to them in the same condition they received them in. A quick vacuum of the carpets won’t be enough! If you don’t clean well enough, they might get external cleaners in to finish the job. Often this is charged to the tenants too. 
  • Cancel your bills. If they’re not included in your rent, you’ll need to cancel your bills at the end of your tenancy. Take meter readings of your energy use and follow instructions from your provider. 
  • Get your deposit back. Landlords must release your deposit from the protection scheme within ten days of the tenancy agreement ending. If there is a discrepancy or dispute, they must provide written evidence of why they have reduced your repayment. 

My career top tip

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by Rafaela

Reflection and self-awareness are skills that many people use every day without even realising it. They can be practised in every area of your life whether it be your studies, work experience, personal challenges or new opportunities. Reflection gives you the time and space to look at any situation, positive or negative, sit with it, break it down, and understand what you learnt. It helps you recognise how you handled things in the moment and how you might approach similar situations differently in the future.

As a final-year student at UWE, I’ve found I’ve naturally been reflecting on my time here before moving onto the next stage of my life, wherever that may be.

My time here has pushed me to develop skills both consciously and subconsciously, and it has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone in so many more ways than one. Reflecting is a habit I know I’ll carry forward because it strengthens communication, critical thinking and problem-solving. All qualities that employers value.

If you’re not sure where to begin with self-reflection, don’t panic! A simple structure I have learned during my degree that has helped me throughout university is asking myself three questions:

What? So what? Now what?

You might already be asking yourself these without even knowing it. Here is how each question can be broken down:

What? What happened? What did you do? What was the experience?

So What? What did it mean? What parts were easy or challenging? How did it make you feel emotionally? Did it match your expectations or differ from previous experiences? How did it impact you or those around you such as peers, colleagues and friends?

Now What? Moving forward, what would you do differently? What have you learnt? How will this shape your future decisions, actions or mindset?

Using these three questions can turn any moment you experience, from starting a new job, critical feedback or even a personal setback, into an opportunity for growth. Reflection isn’t about overthinking; it’s about pausing and allowing yourself time to recognise your strengths, understand your challenges and become more aware of how you want to develop in the future.

I have found since doing this that the more I practise, the more natural it becomes, and the more I have realised how valuable it is in every aspect of university, employment and beyond.

You Said, We Did: Trans and Non-Binary Policy Update

Author Student Communications | Posted on

The University has updated its Trans and Non-Binary Policy in line with the Supreme Court Ruling in April 2025.

Thank you again to everyone who took the time to share their views on this topic. The feedback we received was thoughtful, detailed and personal. It has helped us better understand the emotional and practical implications of the updates to the policy, and has informed several actions we’ve already taken, and will continue to take, to support our community.

Below we outline what you told us and what we’ve done in response:

How are students protected from discrimination while on placement?

We provide pre-placement guidance and checklists for students, outlining expectations, rights and reporting routes. We also have Support During Your Placement resources. If you experience inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour you are encouraged to use Report + Support; a confidential reporting tool.

How will the University prevent harassment and ensure safety for LGBTQIA+ students using facilities?

We’ve communicated clearly to both students and staff that no-one is expected to monitor or police the use of facilities. Discrimination in any form is not tolerated. We’ve outlined our community’s expectations, grounded in dignity, compassion and respect, and we ask everyone to actively uphold these values to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all.

You can use Report + Support if you do experience or witness inappropriate behaviour.

Are students able to use their chosen names?

Yes, students can continue to update their preferred name across university systems directly or with support from Information Points or Student Support Advisers.

How will accessible toilets be reassigned? Reassigning accessible toilets as gender-neutral reduces access for disabled people and risks outing trans individuals.

Only one accessible toilet has been temporarily reassigned within Northavon House as part of an interim arrangement. Longer-term provision is planned to ensure there are sufficient gender-neutral and accessible toilets within this building.

Are there gender-neutral toilets at Arnolfini?

Gender-neutral toilets are available in Arnolfini on floors 0 and 2 and in the café.

Are there plans for more gender-neutral facilities at Glenside?

Refurbishment plans include improvements to H Block at Glenside.

How were the policy changes shared and communicated, and could they have been shared earlier?

Meetings were held with the Vice-Chancellor and interested staff groups in July before any policy changes were made. Communications were shaped collaboratively with trade unions, staff networks and the Students’ Union.
We will continue to engage openly and actively listen to affected communities to ensure that future changes are inclusive, transparent and aligned with our shared values.

Why was the new trans policy rolled out so abruptly?

These changes were required by law, so the university needed to implement them promptly to remain compliant. The changes to the policy were implemented six months later to ensure students and staff had up to date and correct policy information for the new academic year.

Has the university engaged trans and non-binary students with the policy changes?

The University did not consult on the policy changes as we were required to comply with the law. Therefore, there was no option for consultation on the changes to the policy. During the Equality Impact Analysis process, we engaged staff and student groups to understand the impacts of these changes. We also offered wellbeing sessions, workshops, and held student drop-ins to ensure voices were heard. Support was signposted throughout, and our aim was to listen and respond to concerns about how these changes might affect individuals.

How can the university ensure that inclusivity is considered when planning field trips for LGBTQIA+ students?

To keep everyone safe and supported, the university asks that all field trips have a completed risk assessment. This includes considering any potential risks and planning reasonable adjustments for people with protected characteristics. If students would like help discussing their adjustments, Student Support Advisers are available to provide guidance and support. Single-sex accommodation is sometimes asked about, but field trips are not a blanket requirement. These will be addressed on a case-by-case basis through the risk assessment process.

Support and wellbeing

Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated at UWE Bristol. If you have any concerns, please use Report and Support, which is designed to handle concerns confidentially and respectfully. If you need support, please access our wellbeing support services.

We want to reaffirm that everyone in our university community deserves to feel respected, supported and safe, especially when perspectives differ. We are committed to ensuring all our students are treated with dignity and compassion.

We will continue to engage with student societies, staff networks, trade unions, and other groups to ensure that the University is a respectful and inclusive place for everyone.

Your harm reduction guide to Christmas

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by Becky Risley

With Christmas and the end of term around the corner, many of us will be excited to see loved ones and celebrate with friends and family. But with these celebrations sometimes comes a pressure to socialise when you’re not really feeling it or go on nights out often involving alcohol and other substances.

Here’s my top tips and advice for how to stay safe, happy, and healthy during the festive period.

Plan your night out

Many different factors can impact how alcohol and drugs affects us, such as how well we slept, what we’ve eaten and drank that day, and the environment we choose to use in.

Using any substance in an environment we’re not familiar with, or with people we don’t know or trust, can make us feel uneasy and unsafe and can change the experience of a substance. So, before a night out, think about how you’re feeling and where and who you’re going with.

Are you in a good state of mind to do this right now? Is this a safe environment for you to do this in? Who are you with? Do you feel safe with them?

It’s also a good idea to plan how you’re getting home before you go out, so you’re not left stranded at the end of the night.

Check out our drug and alcohol leaflets

We want to make sure you’re safe, whatever substance you choose to use. That’s why we’ve created a series of guidance telling you how you to look after yourself, before, during and after using a substance. Download, read and keep the leaflets below for when you need them.

Ketamine LeafletDownload
Cannabis LeafletDownload
MDMA LeafletDownload
Cocaine LeafletDownload
Alcohol LeafletDownload

Avoiding hangxiety

Hangxiety, or ‘beer fear’ is the term used to describe the crippling feeling of anxiety after a heavy drinking session. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can cause blackouts, which apart from being dangerous, can also leave us feeling very unsettled and anxious the next day when we can’t remember where we have been, who we were with or what we might have done. This along with disturbed sleep, dehydration and the natural mild levels of anxiety caused by alcohol consumption, can leave us with feelings of worry and anxiety.
Everyone can suffer from it but if you experience anxiety in everyday life, you might feel it more intensely than others.

The best thing you can do if you do find yourself with worries from the night before is to get up, drink some water, eat some food and speak to someone. Often just connecting with someone and talking about how you’re feeling can really help.

How to lessen a comedown

A comedown is the term used to describe feeling low, anxious, exhausted or emotionally fragile following a night on stimulants (MDMA, Cocaine, Amphetamine).

Which isn’t surprising when you’ve been dancing until 5am and have drunk very little water – this would mess with your sleep pattern and leave you feeling groggy and grumpy even without the effect of a substance. But whilst using drugs is always going to impact how you feel in the days after, there are things in your control which can lessen the damage.

First, avoid mixing drugs and alcohol. Different substances can have varying side effects which can impact your physical and mental health. The Students’ Union have a helpful guide on how different drugs mixed with alcohol might affect you so take a look at this if you want more information. Mixing drugs and alcohol can also make comedowns more intense and might affect you more if you experience anxiety generally.

Drinking water or isotonic drinks can also help your recovery in the days to come.

Be prepared to say no

Saying no can be challenging at times, especially during the holidays. But it’s necessary if you feel like a certain event, group of people or environment isn’t right for you. This is especially true if you’re in recovery from drugs or alcohol as it’s likely to endanger your sobriety.

Staying in one night when you’re feeling overwhelmed, or leaving a party early is ok. Some people might not understand but only you know what’s best for you in any given situation, so do what you feel is best regardless of how it might make others feel.

And my final piece of advice is to speak to me – your Specialist Drug and Alcohol Practitioner! I’m available right up until the University closes on Friday 19 Dec and will be back when the University reopens on Monday 5 January.

If you need support during the Christmas break you can access a qualified counsellor 24 hours a day 365 days a year using the Wisdom app.

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