Having graduated from English Language and Linguistics at UWE, I’m now working as a Graduate Engagement Intern in the Careers & Enterprise team.
My top tip
My top careers tip is to try things out! I graduated over summer and didn’t have a long-term career plan. But by trying out different things whilst at UWE, from volunteering, joining societies and gaining internships, I learnt what I did and didn’t enjoy and this really helped when making decisions about my next steps.
I wanted to make the most of my student experience so got involved in lots of things that sounded interesting. I wasn’t really thinking about where they’d take me at the time, but along the way I discovered a passion for social media and communications work, which led directly to my graduate role.
There’s lots of benefits of being a UWE Bristol student, but did you know a MOVE membership is one of them – and it’s completely FREE!?
What is the UWE MOVE Programme?
The MOVE Programme offers over 100 FREE activities per week, catering to a wide range of interests. From football to yoga, aerial hoop to swimming, and so much more. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’ve done it before or are giving it a go for the first time. Oh, and did we mention it’s also completely FREE for UWE Students!
The best part is you don’t even have to move (pun intended) that far to take part – sessions take place at Frenchay, Glenside and City Campus, as well as a range of facilities across Bristol. It’s all about supporting your physical, mental, and social well-being – the perfect way to stay balanced in your busy student life.
Our programme is designed to provide a relaxed and welcoming environment where you can be yourself, meet like-minded individuals, and discover new passions.
How to get started (it’s super easy!):
It couldn’t be easier for you to dive into your first UWE MOVE experience.
On the app homepage, click ‘pin access’ button on the bottom right. Now in new the link, enter your preferred email address to receive your unique pin.
You will receive your unique pin to your preferred email address. Once you have received this, go back onto the app and click the ‘My Bookings’ button at the bottom of the homepage and login with these details.
Once logged in, you can explore the diverse range of activities and reserve your spot in any session that catches your eye. Click on the ‘UWE MOVE’ tab to view what’s taking place that week; sessions are split into two groups for ease of viewing (Frenchay Campus/around Bristol) – but don’t worry, as a MOVE member you can attend anything you fancy, regardless of which campus you’re studying at.
If you are already a gym member at UWE your PIN number is the same, so no need to request a new one. If you’re having trouble with your PIN code or haven’t received it, you can retrieve your PIN here. Please note, some phones are not compatible with the app. If you are not able to download the app, please use this webpage.
The sessions are tailored to all, so don’t be afraid to try something new! Welcoming instructors will guide you every step of the way.
Remember, it’s all about having fun and being part of a friendly community:
The UWE MOVE team firmly believe that being active should be enjoyable and inclusive. It’s not all about working up a sweat; it’s about forming connections, boosting your well-being, and creating unforgettable memories.
Stay tuned for updates:
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing exciting updates, including new activities, special events, and ways to get involved. Keep an eye on your inbox and be sure to follow UWE MOVE on social media to stay up to date with the latest news.
If you have any questions or need assistance with anything, feel free to reach out to the friendly team at move@uwe.ac.uk – they’re here to ensure that your UWE MOVE experience is nothing short of extraordinary.
Where to start? Well, a good place would be to ask what is the ultimate university experience? Put reaaaaally simply, being at university is a unique experience because there are so many opportunities right at your fingertips.
You probably won’t be in a position again where it’s so easy try a new sport, instrument or hobby and be planning to study abroad whilst also speaking to a careers advisor about an summer internship.
That might sound overwhelming, and you absolutely don’t need to be doing all of these things at once, but if you want to it’s all out there waiting for you!
The ultimate university experience will be unique to you, but is available to everyone, it just takes patience, commitment and a bit of a can-do attitude.
So, we’re here to share tips on how to manage your “build”, starting with the tools and parts you’ll need to get started!
Forget hammers, screwdrivers and tape measures – what you’ll need first, is to make sure you’re fully registered and have access to Blackboard, MYUWE, Outlook and the UWE app. These will allow you to actively engage in university life and more importantly your course.
Taking an active role in your course will really underpin the rest of your time at university. So, prepare for timetable sessions, turn up to lectures and engage with feedback and discussions with your coursemates and tutors. And it goes without saying – complete your assignments!
If anything is holding you back from doing these things make sure you ask for help. There is so much support out there, from study specific guidance and workshops, to support with your mental health.
Once you feel you have your course under control, you’ll then have some time and headspace to think about the other activities which will contribute to your ultimate university experience.
We’ve listed some ideas here but really university is about getting out there and doing it yourself. So, go and find out what’s going on and try new things!
Joining a club or society is a great way to meet new people and try new things. And at the start of term there’s so many taster sessions taking place with can give you an insight into what to expect before fully committing. You can also reach out to societies and clubs on social media if you want to find out more.
If you’re interested in international travel there are so many different opportunities available to you – including overseas study and volunteering – so make sure you check out our global experiences and get in touch with the team if you have any questions.
Already thinking about life after uni? Then make the most of our Careers Service! They organise events, run workshops and you can book 1-2-1 appointments for more support. They also have a brilliant Career Toolkit full of useful resources to help you with your career plans. Why not sign up for one of their events or workshops?
You could also boost your employability by considering an internship or placement. Not only does it help you develop your skills and experience, but it’s a fab way to learn more about different workplaces and the direction you want to take your future career.
Why not think about giving something back to the community? Volunteering is the perfect way to make the most of your talents, meet new people, and gain new experiences.
If your build is going well and you have some thoughts about how the student experience could be improved, why not become a student rep or joining the Student Consultation Panel? Your work can make a real difference for both current and future students.
We could go on and on about all the opportunities available to help build your ultimate university experience, but as we’ve said -this is all about you taking your experience into your own hands and finding out for yourself what the ultimate university experience means to you.
For most people, university life only lasts three or four years, so get out there and do everything you can to really make the most of your time here.
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.
