WELCOME TO WORCESTER YOUR QUICK START GUIDE TO STUDENT LIFE 2016
FIRST STEP: REGISTRATION 4 WELCOME WEEK KEY DATES FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND 5 FACILITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY SPORTS SETTLING IN 8 PERSONAL ACADEMIC TUTORING BLACKBOARD REACH PROGRAMME STUDY SKILLS 9 THE LIBRARY I.T. YOUR MONEY BUDGETING 10 PART-TIME WORK YOUR WELL-BEING STUDENT SERVICES SECURITY 11 YOUR STUDENTS' UNION A GREEN CAMPUS YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES THIS GUIDE HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO HELP YOU GET UP AND RUNNING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER. You ll find information on key dates, useful contacts and much more. If you are unsure about where to find information, there is just one word you need to remember: firstpoint. Firstpoint is the initial point of contact for all student enquiries - from your first week right through to Graduation. So, if you d like more details on any of the topics listed here, visit us in the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre (firstpoint is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday) or get in touch at firstpoint@worc.ac.uk You can also follow us on: Facebook- UniversityOfWorcester, Twitter- worcester_uni and download our App UW Mobile 3
FIRST STEP: REGISTRATION The first thing that you need to do as a student is register. This lets us know that you have officially joined us. Most students will have registered before they arrive, but if you haven t done it yet, it should be the first thing on your to-do list. Register online via the Student Online Environment (SOLE) web pages - worcester.ac.uk/register. You can also select modules and view reading lists here. If you have any difficulties with registering, then you can call Registry Services on 01905 855333 or email solehelp@worc.ac.uk WELCOME WEEK Welcome Week is designed to introduce you to your lecturers and classmates as well as showing you some of the facilities that you will be studying in. You ll have a programme that has been designed specifically for your course. If you haven t already downloaded it, you ll need to log into your Student Online Environment (SOLE) page to pick your specific programme. There are also plenty of social activities throughout Welcome Week, so make sure you follow the Students Union at worcsu.com and facebook.com/worcestersu/ KEY DATES Now that you are here and registered, you might like to make a note of some key dates: For most students, the first semester runs from 26 September to 20 January. The Christmas break is from 12 December to 2 January, with assessment and tutoring weeks taking place at the end of January. The second semester runs from 23 January 2017 to 9 June 2017, with an Easter Break from 10 April to 21 April. Exams and assessments run until 19 May. Some courses have slightly different dates, such as our Midwifery, Nursing and Teaching courses. You can check all the dates online at worcester.ac.uk/semesterdates FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND The University of Worcester is on three closely connected sites - all are within easy walking distance from each other and from the city centre. You can find campus maps on our website, which also show walking and cycling routes between sites: worcester.ac.uk/maps You ll also find a map in your welcome pack, which shows nearby locations for supermarkets, shops and other useful facilities. To travel between sites and around the city, you can join the University s own bike loan scheme for 20, which includes a free cycle helmet. For more details see worcester.ac.uk/bike If you are studying at a partner institution, take a look at their website to pick up specific details for your location. FACILITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY While you are settling in, you might like to take advantage of some of the facilities on campus. You ll find a really handy campus shop in the Students Union building, and a cash point in main reception. There is a large canteen and two cafés at St John s and a café at City Campus. Lots of local shops and restaurants will also deliver to Halls on campus. SPORTS There are two fitness suites on campus - one at St John s and one at City Campus. All students are welcome to join and use these facilities. There is a special membership price for all students. Pick up joining instructions and learn more about classes and events at worcester.ac.uk/sports There are also plenty of sports clubs and societies run by the Students Union. For the competitively minded, the University is a member of British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), but there s also lots of opportunity for the non-competitive too! Find out more from the SU at worcsu.com For spectators, don t miss seeing our professional basketball team, the Worcester Wolves, in action at the University Arena. Their home fixtures are a popular destination for lots of Worcester students on Friday nights. There are discounts for students and a special free ticket - see your welcome pack for more information. Check out the Wolves website at worcesterwolves.org 5
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SETTLING IN Starting University is a big step. There are plenty of people here to help you settle in and to make the most of your studies. Your first point of contact will probably be your personal academic tutor. PERSONAL ACADEMIC TUTORING You will be paired with an Academic Tutor at the beginning of your course. This is a member of academic staff and will usually be one of the people teaching on your course. Some of your meetings may be in a small group; however, at least two of them will be on a one-to-one basis. They can guide you on matters such as choosing modules and preparing for assignments, as well as signposting you to other University resources. You should meet your tutor within your first few weeks at University and will also be able to contact them on email. BLACKBOARD Blackboard is an online learning tool. You ll find things like reading lists, lecture materials, course discussions and important announcements through Blackboard. You can access your Blackboard account through your SOLE page. REACH Reach is a programme for all new students at the University. Log into the online shop to access a huge range of course-related resources, including e-textbooks. You will receive 100 credit to spend in the shop. You ll also find links to useful study resources and can pick up news from around the campus. Read more about the scheme here: worcester.ac.uk/reach You can access the shop itself at worcester-reach.co.uk STUDY SKILLS There are lots of online resources to help you with your studies. Our study skills guides are a really useful tool for helping you prepare for your first assignments. They are available free of charge at worcester.ac.uk/studyskills or you can pick up copies from firstpoint in the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre. We also run free study skills workshops. Go to worcester.ac.uk/workshops for further details and to book your place. THE LIBRARY The Hive Library is located next to the City Campus and is open from 8.30am to 10pm every day except for Bank Holidays. You can search our online catalogues and access online resources at any time. Access the catalogue at thehiveworcester.org/catalogue-search You automatically become a member of the library when you become a student at the University, and your University ID card is also your library card (and is used for printing and photocopying). You ll find useful course-related links on our website: http://library.worc.ac.uk/ The recommended reading for your chosen modules will be on Blackboard. There are also links from the library webpages. If you d like to ask for help, you can find us in person in The Hive, or email us at askalibrarian@worc.ac.uk IT You will receive a student email account when you register. You ll also get access to free software, including Microsoft Office and virus protection packages. Take a look at our IT Welcome Pack to make sure you are making the most of all the resources (the guide also gives you a reminder about how to get online!) There s an IT Support Desk in the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre, where you can get help with IT queries and book a range of equipment including laptops, cameras and voice recorders. YOUR MONEY Details of the fees you may be charged and the financial help available to you will depend on the course you are taking, whether you are an international student and whether you are a new or continuing student. To make sure you get the correct information, see www.gov.uk/student-finance, visit the Money Advice pages in the student section of the University s website, or speak to the University s Money Advisors through firstpoint. They can also give you help and advice on budgeting and making your money go further as well as liaise with student finance providers for you if you are having problems accessing funding: worcester.ac.uk/moneyadvice If you are in financial difficulty, please get in touch with us at firstpoint@worc.ac.uk 9
BUDGETING Using a budget can really help with monitoring your spending, spreading your income and ensuring that you have enough money for essentials. See worcester.ac.uk/moneyadvice for more details, including an interactive budget sheet. PART-TIME WORK There are plenty of opportunities to find part-time work in Worcester, including on the University campus itself. Many students work as student ambassadors, student researchers, catering assistants, receptionists, or library assistants. Information about current part-time vacancies both on and off campus are displayed through the part-time jobs bulletin, which you can pick up in firstpoint, City Campus reception, or at worcester.ac.uk/careers You can also find information on the Careers Facebook page: UniversityofWorcesterCareers If you need help with your CV, interview techniques or career planning, we can also help, so get in touch at careers@ worc.ac.uk or call 01905 855166. We can also help you find out information on a wide range of volunteering opportunities. The Students Union is also a great place to check out information on volunteering. YOUR WELL-BEING If you are moving to Worcester for the first time, you should register with a local doctors surgery as soon as possible after you arrive (don t wait until you are ill before registering). As well as other local GP surgeries, there is a University Surgery on St John s Campus on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during semester time. It is run by the Farrier House Surgery, Farrier Street, Worcester, which is just a short walk from the City Campus. You can register online at farrierhousesurgery.co.uk/ New_Patients.php and appointments can be booked online or by calling 01905 879100. Details for other surgeries in Worcester can be found at www.nhs.uk or via firstpoint. Students going to university for the first time are advised to have a vaccination to prevent meningitis W disease. Find out more at: nhs.uk/conditions.vaccinations/ Pages/men-acwy-vaccine.aspx STUDENT SERVICES There are also lots of people based here at the University who can support your wellbeing during your studies, including: Disability & Dyslexia Service Counselling and Mental Health Services Chaplaincy Money Advice and Support Careers Advice Drop in Immigration Advice University Nursery Study Abroad Opportunities You can find out more at firstpoint. SECURITY The University Security Staff are here to help you. They are on site 24 hours every day and provide security across all University sites. Their principal role is to provide you with a safe and secure environment in which to live and study. If you need their services, you can go to reception (St John s or City) or the Halls Security Office, or telephone the main switchboard on 01905 855000. We also have two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on campus. For nonemergencies our PCSOs are contactable by emailing pcso@worc.ac.uk or via 01905 855000. If you have an emergency, dial 999. YOUR STUDENTS UNION As a student of the University of Worcester, you automatically become a member of Worcester Students Union. Your membership entitles you to join a sports team or student society and get involved in a range of volunteering opportunities. The elected Students Union officers will represent you on student matters and you ll be able to receive confidential advice. Make sure you check out the Students Union website worcsu.com and like www.facebook. com/worcestersu so that we can keep you updated with events, services and activities throughout the year. Our Twitter feed is @WorcesterSU and Instagram: worcsu. A GREEN CAMPUS Worcester is one of the UK s greenest universities - we are currently ranked second out of 151 universities in the People and Planet Green League. Find out more at worcester.ac.uk/sustainability YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES STUDENT HANDBOOK All students will be issued with a copy of the Student Handbook during the Welcome Week. This will detail your rights and responsibilities. You can also access a copy of the Handbook via your SOLE page. 11
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