Peterborough Freshers Guide

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM

Freshers 2018

WELCOME PETERBOROUGH FRESHERS

Hello

Heading inserted into this space

Heading inserted into this space

Whether you’re new to Higher Education or you’re joining us from another institution, your Anglia Ruskin student experience starts now!

It’s important to us that you feel welcomed, supported and represented during the hectic first few weeks and all throughout your studies.

That’s why we’ll be right by your side for the whole journey.

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM

This guide includes everything you need to know about your Students’ Union, from the services we can offer to an introduction to your 18/19 full-time Officer Team.

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 3

What is ARU Students’ Union?

Who runs ARU Students’ Union?

Congratulations – now you’ve joined Anglia Ruskin University you’re officially a member of ARU Students’ Union. We’re a charity run by students for students, independent from the university and here to represent your voice.

You do! Every year all ARU students get the chance to vote for the six students, known as Officers, who will take a year out of their studies to lead the Union and work fulltime representing you.

We’re made up of 20,000 students working together to make ambitions reality and make your university experience the best it can be.

Your membership lasts for as long as you study at ARU. Make sure you don’t miss out on all we have to offer.

Get all the need-to-know info online and via our social media channels.

It’s their job to take the student voice to the university – and that includes yours!

They battled it out in the March elections for the chance to lead ARU Students’ Union this year.

They’re here to support and represent you, campaign for positive change and help you get involved with all our amazing opportunities.

www.angliastudent.com

Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union

@AngliaRuskinSU angliaruskin_su angliaruskinsu Download the Freshers app: www.angliastudent.com/app

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 5

Your Officer Team From left to right: Vice President of Science and Engineering: Matt Hayes, ARU Students’ Union President: Laura Douds, Vice President of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care: Fraser Luther-Yarwood, Vice President of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Amanda Campbell-White, Vice President of Business and Law: Mary Copsey.

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 7

Creating positive change As your Students’ Union we are constantly working to make your student experience the best it can possibly be.

And, with your help, ARU Students’ Union really does transform students’ ideas into positive change.

In the academic year 2017-18 we have: 4 Secured access to specialist facilities at weekends 4 Held our first ever LGBT+ History Month 4 Held monthly De-Stress events 4 Supported more than 700 students with advice

on their academic journey

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 9

ARU Students’ Union President: LAURA DOUDS

Laura is your Students’ Union President. She is the official face of ARU Students’ Union and supports the five Vice Presidents to help represent and support students to make the uni experience the best it can be.

Key manifesto pledges:

“I will encourage and foster pride within our community.

We will actively campaign to close the Black Minority Ethnic attainment gap.

We will keep focusing on mental health, by helping people support their friends, and make progress on improving counselling services.”

@President_ARU Laura Douds l.douds@angliastudent.com

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 11

Vice President of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care: FRASER LUTHER-YARWOOD

Fraser is Vice President HEMSC. His role is to help students get involved with amazing activities, co-ordinate and provide student representation, and create positive change.

Key manifesto pledges:

“I will work even harder to improve student accommodation opportunities.

I will support societies in building memberships and putting on events.

I will strive to optimise communication between staff and students.�

@VP_FraserL Fraser Luther-Yarwood f.luther-yarwood@angliastudent.com

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 13

Societies ARU Students’ Union helps support and run more than 100 student led societies. Joining a society is a great way of making friends, exploring your passions and interests, and experiencing something new.

Course-based Societies are also a great way to get to know people on your course, share your experiences and support each other throughout your time at uni. If your Course doesn’t have a society and you’d like to set one up, get in contact with us and we’ll support you the whole way!

Societies are open to everyone and you can join as many as you like.

Head online to see all of our societies and find out how to start your own.

“By being involved with the Students’ Union we have been able to develop ourselves and really make the most of our time here. Joining or running a society is one of the easiest ways to get involved and can be the most rewarding.”

Zinnia Thorpe, President of the Wildlife Society 2017-18

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM/SOCIETIES

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 15

Representation As well as the full-time Officer Team, every year we help you elect a part-time student Course Representative for every year of every course, as well as Campaign Representatives for minority groups.

Course Representative Elections take place in October so, if you think you could represent the voice of students on your course, you should think about standing.

We’re dedicated to improving your everyday student experience and our Representatives play a huge part in making that happen.

Head online to find out more.

“My inspiration is that every student will have a different experience and can come up with suggestions of how to improve the student experience. This is the reason I chose to volunteer my time and be a Course Rep!”

Joana Rodrigues, Third Year Biomedical Science Rep 2017-18

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM/REPRESENT

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 17

Advice We’re here to offer you free, confidential and impartial advice when you need it.

If you have any academic concerns, or just don’t know who to talk to, our advisers are here to advise, support and represent you.

We’re independent from the university and committed to offering non-judgemental support.

Visit our website to find out more or book an appointment.

“My overall experience of the Students’ Union Advice Team was really excellent from start to finish. I immediately felt calmed and reassured from what was a very, very stressful situation.”

Tom, Postgraduate Student

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM/ADVICE

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 19

SU Awards Every year we celebrate student success by hosting a spectacular awards night to recognise your efforts and achievements – without students, we wouldn’t be the organisation we are today!

The SU Awards are a chance to dress to impress, see your hard-work up in shining lights, and round off your year in style.

“Am absolutely over the moon to share this! I was honoured to have just been nominated for this award - I really didn’t think I would win.

Thank you, @AngliaRuskinSU and everyone at @AngliaRuskin who have made my last three years utterly incredible!”

Lucie Hamilton, Education and Impact Award Chelmsford, winner 2018

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM/AWARDS

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 21

Our guide to Peterborough Football Matches Go and watch our home team, the Posh, play football at the ABAX stadium, only a five minute walk from campus.

Student Discounts Queensgate shopping centre holds exclusive student lock in events with amazing discounts at all your favourite shops.

The Cathedral Head over to Peterborough Cathedral, a beautiful piece of historical architecture, to embrace some local history or try some tasty tea and cake at Becket’s Tearooms after an educational tour.

Ice Skating Have you ever tried ice skating? Planet Ice is a short drive from the city centre, you can watch a hockey game or even try late night ice skating.

Family fun For a fun family day out, head to Sacrewell Farm to feed donkeys, goats, pigs and horses, all surrounded by beautiful countryside just outside the city.

If you need something a bit more local, try the Exotic Pet Refugee (which has special occasion open days), cinema or trampoline park.

Outdoor activities Ferry Meadows has a new water sport centre, they offer everything from wind surfing, to rowing, to paddle boats.

Nene Valley also has its very own steam train, sometimes you can even hear the train horn as it chugs its way past campus.

WWW.ANGLIASTUDENT.COM

Freshers Checklist Make your bed: If you’ve just moved into a new room, make your bed

before you unpack anything else. It will instantly make your room feel more homely, plus you’ll have a cosy bed to come back to after your first day.

Stick the kettle on: Have a cup of tea with your new friends, housemates, or classmates and use it as a chance to get to know each other.

Get on social media: Find ARU Students’ Union on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat to keep up with all the latest news.

Download the SU app: You’ll be able to sign up to societies, buy

tickets to events and keep up with all the Union news, all at the touch of a button. Download it at: angliastudent.com/app

Register at the Medical Centre: Freshers Flu is coming – are you prepared?

Call your friends or family: Let your loved ones know how you’re

settling in and have a chat to keep homesickness at bay. If you’re struggling with university life, our Advice team can help. Go online to book an appointment or find out more.

Check your student email account: The university and the Students’

Union will send you important information and keep you up to date via your student email. Check it regularly to stay in the loop.

FRESHERS GUIDE 2018 | 23