Category: Your studies

Introducing your Student Experience Coaches

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Support we offer you here at UWE comes in many different forms – this includes a team of Student Experience Coaches who are here to help you achieve your goals and make the most of university life.

Student Experience Coaches use coaching models and techniques that help you to define direction, overcome obstacles and achieve aims.  Student Experience Coaches can help you with your university experience outside of the classroom. They can coach you on many areas of your life and studies, including self- development, wellbeing and self-care and engagement with your course, including growing confidence in your exams and assignments.  

They can:

  • Encourage you to seek solutions to your issues
  • Empower you to take control 
  • Help you to explore what your aspirations and goals are 
  • Identify strategies and establish day-to-day habits that will have a positive impact on your life and studies. 

What students say:

“(Coaching) really helped me to understand how to motivate myself and prioritise my work in a way that worked well for me!”

“My coach was incredibly helpful and supportive. So helpful to sit with someone and process my thoughts.”

“Coaching made me feel like a superhero.”

How to get in touch

Book an appointment via InfoHub or email us at experiencecoach@uwe.ac.uk with an outline of your situation and we will get back to you.

Final bits of info

Coaching is available to all students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, across all campuses. 

An informal chat with someone who is outside of the situation might just help you untangle your thoughts and gain some clarity on a way forward. They are part of the university package you’ve signed up for, so do make use of your Student Experience Coach.

Study tips from our CHSS neurodivergent advocate at UWE

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Hey everyone! I’m Imogen, a second year studying sociology and one of the neurodivergent advocates at UWE, as part of the widening participation team.

At the end of my first year I stumbled across the advertisement for the advocacy role in my emails. There were roles for mature student advocates, race equity advocates and neurodiversity advocates. I decided to apply as I knew a lot about neurodiversity. My friends, family and partner (and myself) are neurodivergent. I am passionate about social change, and I am very aware about what support is available. The role is flexible, catering to students at 2-4 hours per week, online or in-person, with 3 to 4 other advocates on each team. I have been working as an advocate for this academic year now, alongside my studies. It is a rewarding role. I have had many opportunities and gained valuable experience. I have particularly enjoyed writing content for newsletters and talking about my experiences at widening access calls to prospective students. I am better at knowing what study methods work for me, and feel much more confident in my abilities as I finish my second year.

With exam and deadline season in full swing, I wanted to share a few study tips that have helped me throughout my time at uni as a neurodivergent student. Whether you’re neurodivergent too or just looking for new ways to stay organised and motivated, I hope you find something useful here!


📋 Make Lists


It might sound simple, but honestly – lists save me. Trying to remember everything in my head never works, so I write a daily ‘to-do’ list with every task I need to get done. And I mean everything. I include achievable things like ‘get out of bed’ or ‘go to my lecture’ because some days, those are big wins too. Ticking them off gives me a little boost and keeps me feeling productive.


📆 Use a Calendar


I live by my calendar. I schedule all my study sessions, but instead of blocking out a vague ‘study time’, I’ll be specific – like ‘check essay conclusion’ or ‘revise topic 3 notes’. It makes my workload feel way more manageable. I personally use Google Calendar because it’s linked to my personal email and lets me combine everything in one place – study sessions, lectures, meetings, and reminders.


🧘 Schedule Breaks


This one’s important: don’t forget to rest. When I get hyper-focused on a task, I can easily forget to eat, stretch, or breathe. Even if you’re someone who thrives on last-minute cramming (no judgement), try to build in small breaks to recharge. Your wellbeing matters just as much as your grades.


🤝 Try Body Doubling


If you haven’t heard of this before, body doubling is a productivity technique where you work in the presence of someone else to help you stay on track. It’s especially popular among people with ADHD, but it works for anyone. I like meeting a friend at the library in the morning – having somewhere to be and someone there makes it easier to get moving. Pro tip: aim for the quiet study areas if you’re easily distracted!

I hope these tips resonate with you, and if you’re finding things tough or need a little extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out to the services available at UWE:

The Student Coaching Service
The range of Library Study Skills Workshops (online or in-person)
The Wellbeing Service

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

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!

What’s new in the Library? You Said We Did

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Our Library Team has been gathering feedback from you – the student community, to help make our spaces work harder for you. We’ve made improvements in the libraries across our three campuses to make sure you’ve got everything you need to work hard and feel supported this term. Let’s explore what’s new…

Frenchay:

  • You said…There were not enough business books. We did…We subscribed to Business Trove – full text unlimited access to 60+ Oxford University Press key Business titles.
  • You said…You wanted more space to study. We did…We have added 223 study spaces to Frenchay Library.
  • You said…You wanted more accessible study spaces. We did…Our new study zone on Level 2 has sit stand desks and more space to move around.
  • You said…You needed space to chill out. We did…Our relax lounge on Level 4 gives you the chance to take a break from your studies with comfy seating, reading for pleasure and plants.
  • You said…You wanted more study seating options. We did…We have added different ways you can study, from individual pods to sofas and booths.
  • You said…You wanted to be able to feedback on the service more readily. We did…We have put a feedback box on the help desk and a feedback terminal in the Library.

Glenside:

  • You said…You wanted longer laptop loans. We did…We have made 18 laptops available to borrow for up to two weeks.
  • You said…You wanted more reading for pleasure. We did…We added 79 books to our wellbeing collection last year.
  • You said…You wanted more ways to chill out. We did…We ran 10 wellbeing events for you to attend.

Bower:

  • You said…You wanted longer laptop loans. We did…We have made 20 MacBooks available to borrow for up to two weeks

Everywhere:

  • You said…It’s difficult to find a workshop at a suitable time. We did…We moved 70% of our academic skills workshops online and increased the range of time slots.
  • You said…You wanted more Library Disability drop-ins. We did…We made these available at all three campuses.
  • You said….You wanted us to improve Library Search. We did…We’re continuing to add new features including: the number of records you can export and more detailed information about authors.

All these changes have happened from the great feedback received by you, our student community. Keep in touch with us and let us know how we are doing so we can keep improving. We have a comment box in each of our three libraries and you can also use our 24/7 chat service to share your ideas.

Tips for managing your studies over the holidays

Author Student Communications | Posted on

If you’re heading home from the holidays, then you might need to build a new routine to allow you to take the time to rest and recharge, while still keeping on top of any studying you need to do.

Finding that balance can be really tricky, especially if you are someone who finds it difficult to self-motivate and make the most of scheduled study time so you can properly switch off and relax once the work is done.

Our Student Experience Coaches have been working with lots of student during this first semester, helping them unlock the skills they need to overcome any obstacles and manage their wellbeing.

Here they share some tools, tips and techniques that you might be able to use over the holidays to ensure you return in January feeling ready for the new term.

  • Action plan – creating an action plan can help you feel more control of your time and avoid overwhelm. If you break down tasks and create smaller deadlines, it could help make things feel more manageable.
  • Lists – writing things down can provide structure. Some people enjoy the “feel good” factor of ticking off tasks and reflecting on what they’ve achieved.
  • Rewards – building rewards into your timetable/planner can give you something to look forward too and provide a break from studying and university life.
  • Journaling – expressing your thoughts and feelings in one space is a helpful way to explore ideas.
  • Exercise – doing something that requires movement, even something simple like going out for a walk and being out in nature, can be a great way to manage your wellbeing.
  • Rest – planning in time to rest and recharge is important to enable you to return to studies fully focused and energetic.
  • Self-care – remember to prioritise your self-care. Identify activities that you find genuinely nourishing and relaxing.
  • Support – find the right support to help you at university, with your student life and studies. This could be specialist support, or just turning to your lecturer or your friends and family.
  • Be kind to yourself – Finally, remember to be nice to yourself. Acknowledge everything you’ve got going on and the progress you are making to manage your workload and wellbeing while at university.

The service will be closed from 24th December – 2nd January and drop-ins will not be available from 23rd December – 3rd January.

But if you would like to set some goals to manage your wellbeing and stress whilst at university, please get in touch with our Student Experience Coaches after the winter break to book an appointment. They can help you break down challenging tasks and create an action plan so you can stay on track.

Using music to improve your student experience

Author Student Communications | Posted on

Did you know we have a team of Student Experience Coaches here at uni to support you?

They’re available to help you with a whole range of issues that you might be experiencing, including time and workload management, dealing with stress or anxiety, helping you set and achieve your goals and learning how to juggle home and university life.

There are coaches based within each of our schools, and Paul Mahon is the coach working within the School of Computing and Creative Technologies.

He hosts drop-in sessions at Frenchay Library (Level 2) Monday to Friday, 11:00 to 14:00. Alternatively, email at experiencecoach@uwe.ac.uk

He’s keen to help you draw on your hobbies and interests to help improve your university experience, and has written the below blog post about how he believes music can be a fantastic tool for learning and development.

Paul says: “Here at UWE we see the integration of music into coaching practices as a unique and useful approach to supporting you on your educational journey. Music, with its profound ability to evoke emotions, stimulate creativity, and enhance focus, serves as a valuable ally in the realm of student experience coaching.”

  • Setting the tone for success – Music possesses the remarkable ability to set the tone and atmosphere of a coaching session. By carefully selecting appropriate music, I can create an environment which helps encourage introspection, relaxation, or motivation, depending on what we’re trying to achieve.
  • Facilitating emotional expression and exploration – My work as a coach often involves delving into emotions, aspirations, and obstacles. Here, music serves as a powerful medium for emotional expression and exploration. Certain songs or genres resonate with people on a deeply personal level, allowing them to articulate their feelings and experiences more freely. Through guided listening exercises, I can encourage you to explore your emotions, gain insight into your thought patterns, and develop strategies for emotional regulation and resilience.
  • Boosting creativity and problem-solving – Creativity lies at the heart of both music and effective coaching. Incorporating music into my sessions can stimulate divergent thinking, spark imagination, and inspire innovative solutions to academic and personal challenges. Encouraging you to create a playlist that reflects your goals, aspirations, and moods can foster a sense of ownership and creativity. Additionally, collaborative music-making activities at the Centre for Music, such as singing, jamming, songwriting and improvisation, can cultivate teamwork, communication skills, and adaptability – essential qualities for success in the academic and professional spheres.
  • Enhancing focus and productivity – In an era marked by constant distractions and information overload, maintaining focus and productivity is a common challenge for many of you. Music, particularly instrumental tracks or ambient sounds, can act as a powerful tool for enhancing concentration and cognitive performance. Whether used as background music during study sessions or as a means of transitioning into a state of deep focus, carefully curated playlists can help overcome procrastination, reduce stress, and optimize your learning environment.
  • Fostering connection and community – Music has the innate ability to bring people together and foster a sense of belonging and connection. Joining music-related activities gives you the chance to connect with others, share interests, and build a supportive community.

All students are able to access support from their Student Experience Coach. They offer face-to-face or virtual appointments via MS Teams, so find out more and book your place.

Uncapped resits: the back-up plan you can’t rely on

Author Student Communications | Posted on

You may be aware UWE has an ‘uncapped resits’ policy – amazing, right? This means if you are unwell, injured, or something absolutely unavoidable comes up on the day of your assessment and you are unable to complete it, all is not lost – you may have another opportunity.

This is one of many ways UWE supports you in thriving academically while navigating the unexpected.

You must keep in mind, however, that ‘another opportunity’ is not guaranteed, and does not mean the same opportunity. You can find UWE’s full academic regulations online, but in short, resitting an assessment means:

  • You will need to repeat the assessment at a later date – when the knowledge is no longer fresh in your head, and your friends may have all finished and are enjoying their break
  • If you end up resitting more than one assessment around the same time, your workload will stack up and may be more demanding than it was before
  • Even if you don’t submit work at the first assessment – your non-submission still counts as an attempt
  • If you don’t pass your resit, you may not progress to the next year
  • If you are in your final year, you may not graduate on time as planned
  • If this means extending your studies, you will need to pay for another year of tuition and other associated costs
  • If you are an international student, this may have serious implications on your visa or sponsorship
  • If there are any updates to the content of the module, you would need to study any new material independently

It’s reassuring to know the possibility of resitting is there if you genuinely need it, but consider it your academic safety net – not a way to procrastinate. ‘Buying time’ will only cost you more later.

If you are in need of support, academic or otherwise, there is a range of different options available to you. Contact your Student Experience Coach, a Student Support Adviser, speak to your Academic Personal Tutor or explore our wider Wellbeing Support options.

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