Every Monday, firstpoint publishes five points about a topic related to life at university. This week, we welcome our new intakes to the university and remind the whole student body about advice and guidance available during your time here at Worcester…
POINT ONE: WELCOME TO OUR NEW INTAKES!
We’re delighted to have welcomed many new students this semester, and our Spring Nursing intakes are now starting their new chapter! We hope you are all starting to feel at home at the University of Worcester, however we’re here to help you understand the guidance available to you during your studies. If you are already in your second semester, you may also find this a helpful reminder of the support available to you!
If you’re starting your new course, don’t forget to complete your course registration and bring your ID along to firstpoint to collect your new student ID card when you’re ready. You may have a dedicated slot arranged with your cohort and so check your induction timetable for more details – Remember to bring some ID with you so that we can verify your identity!
You’ll find more information about who can help and how to speak to university support teams on our Who Can Help webpage, but if you’re not too sure where to start or who to ask, come and have a chat with us at firstpoint and we’ll help you work it out.
The university has lots of computers that are free to use across the campuses and library which is called the Hive. If you have your own laptop, tablet or smartphone, follow the Digital IT guide for quick and easy access to the Wi-Fi. The university also offers laptop loans for up to two weeks. You can find more information on the Digital IT webpages found here.
POINT TWO: MEET FIRSTPOINT….
At firstpoint, we’re here to help you access information and support during your studies. If you’ve got a question, whatever it might be, we’re a good place to start. Sometimes you might have a question which you are not sure whether, or who to ask… Don’t worry, we’re here to listen. If we can’t answer your question ourselves, we’ll do our best to find the correct department for you.
firstpoint are also the front desk for Student Services, a department made up of specialist teams available to offer advice, guidance and extra support to help you make the most of your time at university.
Why not subscribe to this blog so that you can keep up-to-date and stay informed throughout the academic year?
You can visit us on the St John’s Campus, in the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre, phone us on 01905 542551 or email firstpoint@worc.ac.uk. You’ll also find lots of helpful information (including our opening hours) on the firstpoint webpages. If you are looking for something specific, check out our A-Z webpages to help you navigate our site.
POINT THREE: SETTLING INTO UNIVERSITY LIFE…
Starting university can sometimes feel a little daunting at first, even if you’ve been looking forward to starting! Find out more about your new surroundings – getting used to things can make it easier as it helps you to feel more at home. For an informal way to meet other students and members of support staff, why not pop along to the weekly Fancy a Cuppa events, joined every fortnight by the Pets as Therapy dogs!
To find out more about the Accommodation Team, travelling to or around campus, getting a rail card, collecting a parking permit and more, just visit firstpoint’s Life at University webpages where you’ll find lots of great information…
Don’t forget that our Security team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can contact them on 01905 855000 or email securityteam@worc.ac.uk.
Finally, a great way to settle into your course is to speak to your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) to set some personal targets for the semester ahead. If you’re not sure who is your PAT, you can contact your academic school or come and see us in firstpoint. You may also want to find out more about the fantastic Study Skills support available to you, either from our Writers in Residence, our helpful Academic Liaison Librarians, or the Centre for Academic Skills and English. We’re all here to help!
POINT FOUR: SUPPORT FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS…
We know moving to a new country can be an exciting but challenging experience. If you need some support settling in, we’re here to help.
The International Experience team are here to support you and organise trips and interesting events throughout the year to help you make the most of your time at university. Make sure you check your university emails, join the International Experience Instagram page and check the international student pages for further information regarding these.
You can normally open a free UK bank account if you are going to be in the UK for more than six months. Some banks will offer various incentives like 0% interest on an overdraft, an Amazon gift card, store vouchers or a railcard. It’s best to shop around and investigate which one is the best for you; don’t just choose the first one you find.
To open a bank account, you will need your passport and a letter confirming you are a student. You can download the bank status letter from your SOLE page after you have registered, under the ‘Living’ tab. More guidance is available on the firstpoint webpages.
POINT FIVE: FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND CAMPUS…
firstpoint can provide you with a map of the campus locations if you would like help finding your way around, and you may meet some of our friendly Student Ambassadors during your induction who can offer support and answer questions you may have.
Our Finding Your Way webpages are full of information to help you navigate the campus and surrounding city of Worcester, whether you need campus information, accessibility advice, travel options guidance or simply want to explore Worcester. Our campus information also includes handy video tour guides, to help get you from A to B, or just familiarise yourself with your university.
Finally, why not also visit our Students Union on the St Johns campus, home to the variety of clubs and societies which students can get involved in and offering a range of advice and support. There is an A-Z of all current societies on the SU website. If you can’t see one that you like – and you have a few friends who share similar interests – why not set up your own?
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