Category: Start of year

Your waste, your responsibility: how to recycle properly whilst at uni

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Did you know that you could be at risk of getting disciplinaries, fines and losing your deposits for not managing your waste properly? Recycling isn’t just about being eco-friendly, it’s about taking responsibility for your local environment, building good relationships with your neighbours and keeping Bristol clean.
Here’s what you need to know to manage your waste correctly if you live off-campus:

How to manage your waste and recycling as a student

First of all, the council will provide you with bins and boxes to recycle your waste. If you are missing some, you can order more for free online here.

You should have:

  • Recycling boxes – this is for glass, paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and tubs, tins, cans and empty aerosols. This box is collected weekly.
  • Small indoor food waste caddy – this is kept inside and used for collecting food waste before emptying it into the larger outdoor food bin. You can use a normal plastic bag to keep this bin clean.
  • Larger outdoor food waste bin – Once your indoor food caddy is full, you can put the contents in this bin. This is collected weekly.
  • Black bin – this is for non-recyclable waste. This is collected every two weeks.

Putting your bins out

An important part of moving into new accommodation is checking when your bin collection days are. You can find your collection day online here.

You can also download the South Gloucestershire Council app to check your collection days and set reminders.

  • Make sure the items you recycle are clean and separated properly.
  • Flatten cardboard boxes to save space and help the bin crews collect quickly.
  • Crush cans and plastic bottles to make more space in your recycling containers.
  • Make sure waste stays inside your black bin. You should be able to close the lid, if you can’t, pests could get in, or rubbish could blow away into gardens.
  • You can put your food waste in plastic bags in the food waste bin to keep it clean and prevent smells.
  • Put your bins and boxes out for collection by 7am on your collection day.
  • Put your bins and boxes at the edge of the property or in your designated collection point – ask your landlord if you aren’t sure where this is.
  • Stack your recycling boxes and put the heaviest one (for example the glass container) on top. This weighs down the lighter boxes and stops litter from blowing away.
  • Bring your bins back in once they have been emptied. Don’t leave them out, they might get lost or blown away!
  • Don’t let waste to build up around where you live. We have had reports of pests and it’s unpleasant for our neighbours, who we have great relationships with.

Too much rubbish?

  • You can order as many recycling containers as you need from the council website.
  • If you need a bigger black bin, you can request one from the council.
  • Take any extra waste to a Sort It recycling centre. You can book to visit for free and come by car, bike or foot.
  • If you cannot take the item to a recycling centre, you can book a large household item collection through the council.

Moving out

When you move out, do not leave anything at your property. Leaving unwanted items in your accommodation could lead to the loss of your deposit. Take any unwanted but reusable items to UWE Bristol’s Sustainability Hub or a charity shop. You can also take unwanted items to a Sort It recycling centre, but you must book a time to do this. Find out more about recycling and waste at on the South Glos website.

Living in UWE Accommodation?

Find out how to recycle in UWE Accommodation with our blog.

Remember, your waste is your responsibility. Make sure you manage it properly.

How to maximise your uni investment

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Have you ever taken the time to think about the considerable investment you are making by choosing to study at university? We’re not just talking about the money (although we know that’s significant ) – it’s also the time, energy and effort that you are putting into your degree.  

We want you to focus on really maximising that investment, and make some choices which will help you get the most out of your time here at UWE. 

What simple things can you do?

  • Attendance. Your course is the main reason you are here, right? And you are spending a lot of money for this teaching, so it doesn’t make sense to regularly skip classes. We know there might sometimes be reasons why you can’t make it onto campus, but try to plan your week to give you the best possible chance of attending those lectures. 
  • Engagement. It’s not enough to just turn up to lectures or teaching sessions, you need to really BE there. Be an active participant on your course and you really will see the benefits. What does this look like? Ask questions. Get involved in discussions. Do extra reading. Reply to emails. All of this will drastically improve your learning and help you get more out of your studies. 

Other ways to maximise your investment

It’s worth remembering that life as a UWE Bristol student gives you access to a huge range of support services and opportunities and it’s worth making the most of these. You’ve already paid for it, so take advantage of it!  

  • Careers and Enterprise – Start planning for your future now. Your time at uni will fly by, and you want to be in the best possible position when you graduate. Did you know that a careers coach can cost up to £250 an hour on the outside world? Here it’s completely free, so get booking!  
  • Student Money Service – Don’t let your financial situation get in the way of you excelling at uni. We have bursaries and grants on offer, and specialist advisers who can offer support and help you manage your money.  
  • Centre for Sport – The free MOVE programme gives you access to more than 100 weekly exercise classes and sessions, so make the most of this fantastic facility.  
  • Centre for Music – Looking to learn some new skills? Want to make some new friends? Check out the huge range of opportunities available on campus – membership is completely free! 

Hopefully all that info has given you something to think about. Remember, you only get out of something what you put in (it sounds like a cliche, but it’s so true). 

You’ve made a massive investment to be here – make the most of it! 

Ready for Placement? Don’t forget your vaccinations

Author Student Communications | Posted on

You’ve started your course, you’ve gone to lectures and you have your uniform ready. But don’t forget the most important thing before you start your healthcare placement!

Why get vaccinated?

Getting vaccinated isn’t just about protecting yourself, it’s about keeping everyone around you safe too. There are so many reasons to get your vaccinations before starting your healthcare course. We’ve listed a few below:

1. To protect vulnerable patients and the NHS

Number 1 is a big one! Due to the nature of your roles, you will be in close contact with patients who are immunocompromised, elderly, newborn, or have chronic conditions. Vaccination helps prevent transmitting infections to these vulnerable groups. Hospitals and clinics are also high-risk environments for disease transmission. Vaccinated staff help reduce the likelihood of outbreaks, which can disrupt services and endanger lives.

2. It’s part of the requirements for your course!

When you accepted your offer at UWE Bristol, you agreed to complete your compliance checks like a DBS check and health checks. You agreed to ensure your routine immunisations such as tetanus, diphtheria, polio and MMR are all up to date. Placement providers may require proof of vaccination before students can begin clinical placements, so make sure you’re sorted and not delaying the start of your placement. Putting off vaccinations can cause mountains of work in our placement teams, industry partners, administrative staff and programme teams. We’d really appreciate you giving us a hand and get your jabs sorted early!

3. Professional responsibility

Getting vaccinated is part of our ethical duty of care. Our placement providers and healthcare partners have codes of conduct and professional standards in their commitment to public health that we are proud to align with. Our future healthcare students will all have to undertake pre-employment screening to ensure they are safe to work.

4. Protecting your own health

Unfortunately, we know that university is a hot spot for infectious diseases. If you live in halls or attend lectures, you will be around a variety of people from various corners of the UK and even further afield, which means that bugs are bound to spread. Freshers flu aside, we’ve had historic outbreaks of measles, mumps, meningitis and of course COVID-19 on campuses, as well as local outbreaks in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. So, get jabbed. We don’t want any of our students or staff getting ill unnecessarily!

5. Make the most out of freebies and convenience

We want our students to be vaccinated to ensure everyone stays safe and can continue coming to their classes, placements and place of work. We’ve made it as easy as possible for you to get all the vaccinations you need; we will tell you what you need, give them to you for free and set up clinic days on Glenside campus for you to get them administered at a time convenient to you.

If you are a UK student you can check your vaccination status online.

The age of misinformation

All up to date evidence shows us that getting a vaccination is safer than not getting a vaccination. There is a lot of misinformation online about jabs. If you have questions and want to learn more, do your research using multiple, unbiassed and reputable sources. Always get your health information from trusted sources, such as the NHS or World Health Organisation.

I’m in, what next?

If you are a healthcare student, expect to hear about your Occupational Health checks via email before you start your course. For more information, visit our webpage, or contact us. You can also check your vaccination status online.

Interested in more?

Check out our blog on how you can prepare for your healthcare placement and how to get registered at our University health centre.

What to expect in your first few weeks

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Excitement. Nerves. Anticipation. It’s completely normal to experience a whole range of emotions as you start your university experience.

Knowing what to expect during those first few weeks can really help you prepare for what’s to come, and help ensure that you make the most of this opportunity.

Get settled into accommodation

If you’re moving out of home and into student accommodation then that can be one of the most exciting parts of your uni adventure. It might feel like there’s a lot to think about, but don’t worry – there’s tonnes of advice on this Student Life page.

If you’re going to be staying at home, then don’t worry. You’re not going to miss out on anything, and there are so many other students in the same situation as you. Plus there are even specific social events to help you meet new friends.

Starting Block

We know the whole experience might feel daunting, so we’ve developed Starting Block – a series of activities for you to get to know your teaching team and your coursemates.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll see Starting Block activities drop into your timetable so make sure you keep an eye on that and be ready to get stuck in so you get the best possible induction to university life.

Get out and meet people

An important part of university life is meeting new people and making connections. To help you do this, there are a huge range of events and activities you can get involved with, whether you’re the life of the party or you prefer something more low key.

This is your chance to shape your experience to suit you, so take a look at what’s on offer and start building your community.

Explore Bristol

If you’re moving here to Bristol you’ve made a great choice! It’s the perfect student city with so much to offer no matter what your interests are. Arts and culture? Check. Independent shops and restaurants? Check. Incredible nightlight? Check.

Get out there, explore everything and make new friends and memories along the way. Sites such as VisitBristol are a great way see what’s on, and find activities and events that suit your interests and budget.

Switching your mindset

Author Student Communications | Posted on

The move from school or college to university can feel a little overwhelming. Perhaps for the first time, you’re going to have to take responsibility for many aspects of your life – your education, your wellbeing, your finances.

Although it can seem intimidating at first, there’s so much support available to you to make sure you’ve got the help you need every step of the way. But you’ll need to reach out and access this support for yourself.

Switch your mindset now and start thinking about the ways you are going to need to be more independent. This new attitude will help you develop and grow, and ultimately allow you to have the best possible start to uni life!

  • You will be responsible for your own time – get organised. You’re likely to have competing demands on your time. You’ll have lectures to attend, projects to finish, friends to message and social plans to arrange. Add to that paid work, exercise, food and sleep, and it all starts to look a bit busy. Nobody is going to tell you how to stay on top of all this, time management needs to be your priority! If you think you need extra support with this, you might want to book an appointment with one of our Student Experience Coaches.
  • Things won’t get done if you don’t do them. Putting off an assessment, ignoring that looming deadline, forgetting to reply to that email from your lecturer. The only person that can do the things that you need to get done as part of your course is you. Bite the bullet, eat the frog – however you want to phrase it – stop procrastinating and tick off that To Do list to stay on top of your studies. Why not brush up on your study skills if this is something you struggle with.
  • You get out what you put in. There is SO much to love about university life and so many opportunities out there for you to make the most of. But these things aren’t just handed to you on a plate. If you want good marks in your assessments, you need to attend lectures and do the work. If you want to set yourself up for successful career when you graduate, then you need to go out and find internships and work placements so your CV is polished. If you want to travel abroad as part of your studies, then you need to do the research and work out how to make it happen.
  • Get to know who you are and what makes you happy. University is an opportunity to meet new people, take up new hobbies and learn new skills. While this is incredibly exciting and exhilarating, it’s also important that you know when to say no. Getting the balance right between pushing yourself out of your comfort zone while still knowing and enforcing your boundaries, is a tricky thing to learn.
  • Look after yourself. It sounds so basic, but nobody is going to remind you to drink enough water, eat nutritious meals, get an early night every now and again. But they are so vital if you want to stay healthy. You are now responsible for your own health and wellbeing so give it the attention it deserves.
  • Don’t be afraid to lean on old support systems and create new ones. Just because you’re here at uni doesn’t mean all your friends and family back home disappear. Make sure you keep in contact with them, especially if you’re finding things difficult. Also, work on building those support systems here at university as well, so that you feel like you have people to turn to when you need to.
  • Ask for help if you need it. Remember, although it’s down to you to manage your own university experience, you can access so much support here at UWE Bristol. Academic staff are available to answer your questions, the Student Money Service can help with budgeting, our Wellbeing services can support you when times feel tough. But you need to be the one to reach out and access all these services. If you’re going through a tricky patch, find the help that you need and make the most of it.

Preparing for your healthcare placement

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by Student Communications

If you’re studying on one of our many healthcare courses, placements are likely to be a huge part of your uni experience. Working on the wards and in the community will be hugely rewarding (after all, it’s why you’ve chosen this path) but undoubtedly challenging, so we want to make sure you’re as prepared as you possibly can be in the weeks before you start.

Location, location, location

Our practice partners are all over the South West, so find out where your placement is and plan your journey accordingly – do a trial run if possible! Even better if you’re able to have a look around and introduce yourself to some of the staff before you start (we recommend you do this by email as soon as you are allocated your placement). Make sure you factor in time for possible traffic or delays, especially on your first day – no one wants to be that person who turns up late to the ward.

Dress to impress

We’re looking forward to seeing your first day selfies! Make sure you’ve got enough uniform to keep you looking (and feeling) fresh all week. You’ll get your first set free of charge, and can order extras directly from Alexandra Workwear (please email Infopoint who can send you the details) – or, stock up on second hand from the SU’s uniform swap shop, open every Wednesday. Depending what your placement is, you might be on your feet a lot, so wear comfy shoes!

Please remember: when you wear the uniform, you’re representing UWE Bristol to the world. Always keep things professional – that means never taking photos with patients, and be careful with who or what is in the background of anything you share.

Do your homework

As the saying goes! The Professional Practice Office (PPO) will share general information in lectures, and your programme teams will provide more specific guidance related to your field of practice. There’ll be a lot to take in and no one expects you to memorise things on first glance, but do read as much as you can and keep all useful materials organised so you can easily refer back to them. Research the area you are going into, for example the type of ward you’ll be on, so you know what kind of equipment and situations you might be working with.

You might be using PebblePad to keep record of competencies you’ve had signed off (your programme team will confirm) – if so, read up on our support guides here – and bookmark the page to refer back to in future!

Weekly PAL sessions are a great opportunity to speak to students who have been through what you’re about to. They’ll be able to share their own personal experiences, words of wisdom and reassurance that you really have got this. Glenside’s Student Experience Coach is on hand for this too – you can make an appointment to have a chat with Emma via this email address.

Take it all in / be proactive

Your placement is your opportunity to get real hands-on experience and learn as much as possible in the time available. Introduce yourself to all staff you meet; everyone’s role is important to the smooth running of the practice, and you can learn something from them all. Ask questions, observe and keep good notes – though it might not feel like it, time will fly and the more detail you can remember from each day the better.

Be clear on boundaries

Say yes to new learning opportunities, but remember your supernumerary status (meaning: you cannot be counted as part of the workforce when you’re learning on placement in a clinical setting) and be confident to say no if you need to; don’t do anything above your position or that you’ve not been properly trained to do. If you have been trained on a particular procedure, make sure you’re supervised the first few times you do it.

We’re here for you

Your placement might take you miles away from campus, but UWE Bristol’s support services are still here for you. Wellbeing support is always available, as is our serious concerns line, 24/7 crisis textline (85258) and Practice Support Line (0117 32 81152).

If you see or hear something on placement that isn’t right, you should follow your practice’s procedures to report it. We want to know about it too, so use Report and Support to tell us what’s happened – if you include contact details we can follow up, or anonymous reports can help us build a picture of what’s going on in our wider community. You’ve heard “pics or it didn’t happen” – similarly, if it’s not reported, we won’t know how we can support you. Help us help you!

Stay connected

On that note – stay in touch! You’ll still be getting ’10 things you need to know this week’ from us, and academic staff will be sharing updates where relevant so check your UWE emails periodically.

Please also know that your Programme Team is here and available to support you throughout your placement, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them directly.

And finally, …enjoy it!

Join the CHSS Advocate Programme and help build an inclusive community

Author Student Communications | Posted on

CHSS Widening Participation Team

Are you passionate about supporting your peers, amplifying voices, and creating a more inclusive university experience? The College of Health, Science, and Society (CHSS) Advocate Programme at UWE Bristol is your opportunity to do just that.

The CHSS Advocate Programme brings together dedicated students who want to make a difference for their peers. Advocates run student-led meetups, offer a safe space for discussions, and support students who may feel underrepresented or face barriers in university life.

Our advocates work with three key groups:

  • Neurodiverse Students
  • Race Equity Students (Black, Asian, and Racially Minoritised)
  • Mature Students

Advocates from each group host events, provide resources, and create online spaces for students to connect and engage with each other. They are dedicated to making sure that you feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout your time at UWE.

What you can expect:

  • Monthly Safe Spaces: Advocates host regular meetups where students can share their experiences, connect with one another, and amplify their voices in a supportive environment.
  • Online Communities: We’ve developed new online safe spaces, managed by the advocates, where you can access resources, participate in discussions, and find out about upcoming events. These spaces are a great way to stay connected, even if you can’t attend in person.
  • Events & Campaigns: From Black History Month to Disability History Month, our advocates are involved in key university campaigns that raise awareness and celebrate diversity.
  • Outreach Opportunities: Advocates also work closely with the wider UWE Bristol community and external organisations, ensuring the work we do has a lasting impact.

How to join:

Interested in being part of this supportive community? It’s easy to get involved! 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

Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Advocates – they’re here to support you!

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