Supporting your student

SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENT Advice for family and friends

Starting university is an exciting and transformational moment for many students. Your student is joining a thriving and vibrant community on campus and they will have many opportunities to develop personally and professionally, to make new friends and networks, and to explore new horizons. Any important life transition can come with challenges and there are many things that you and other supporters (family and friends) can do to help prepare them for and make the best of your their life at University.

Sibling Our parents died quite young, so I am my younger sibling’s next of kin. They are going to university this year. They suffer from anxiety, so I would like to know what I can do to provide support and who I can talk to if I can't contact them.

Partner My partner is starting university this year. We have a young family and knowing when to give them time to focus on their studies at key times would be helpful.

Parent I didn’t go to university, so I do not know how to support my 18-year-old student to get the best experience at university.

Carer My student has disability support requirements so knowing what flexibility is available would really help me support them.

Remember: you are not alone in this. The University of East London (UEL) has the experience and the resources to make sure that your loved one is properly supported as they start their journey to future success.

This quick guide is designed to provide you an overview of: – The differences between secondary and university education – Practical advice on supporting your student – Typical pressure points to be aware of and – Advice on what personal information the university is legally able to give out to supporters about their student.

STARTING UNIVERSITY IS A BIG UPHEAVAL FOR EVERYONE: STUDENT AND FAMILY ALIKE.

STUDENT WELLBEING At UEL, we put student wellbeing at the heart of what we do and the support and advice we provide.

Your student will receive information and be introduced to our 10 wellness areas as part of their arrival experience and extended orientation. More information on our wellbeing work can be found on the Student Supporters page - uel.ac.uk/parents

We’re here to help

Students at UEL have access to a wide range of study and well-being support including: – Module and course support.

– Allocated academic adviser.

– The Student Hub One Stop Advice Centre.

– Students’ union.

– Financial, disability and wellbeing support, multifaith spaces.

Key Information Card

Knowing the start and finish of term dates can help you support your student whether it be sorting out plans for returning home during the vacation or in providing support with end of term assignment deadlines. Attached to this leaflet is your Key Information Card that contains the terms dates for the coming 201/22 academic year and important contact information. This biodegradable card is designed to be kept in your purse or wallet. Your student will receive a similar one with key support telephone numbers.

ENVIRIONMENTAL WELLNESS SOCIAL WELLNESS

PHYSICAL WELLNESS

STUDY WELLNESS

DIGITAL WELLNESS

CAREER FIRST UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL RERALISE YOUR LIFE GOALS BECOME EMPLOYABILITY & ENTERPRISE READY ACCELERATE YOUR CAREER PURSUE YOUR PARRION

FIT FOR YOUR FUTURE EMOTIONAL WELLNESS

RESIDENTIAL WELLNESS

COMMUNITY WELLNESS

CULTURAL WELLNESS

FINANCIAL WELLNESS

A NEW START FOR EVERYONE As a student you may have to cope with many new pressures: moving away from home, commuting, managing your own finances, balancing family and work commitments, family expectations or, for international students, adapting to an unfamiliar culture and language. For family, it can be a time of anxiety and loss. It is about renegotiating your relationship based on your loved one’s new status as a university student whether they are in university accommodation or staying at home. Faced with so much change, feeling nervous or confused is completely normal.

Before getting started

It’s important your student gets into good habits from the start.

– Read and keep all the information sent to them.

– Complete and return any forms as soon as possible.

– Enrol as soon as possible to access pre-arrival information.

How family can help

New students need family and friends to: – Be tolerant, patient and encouraging.

– Check in regularly with your student.

– Allow them to make independent decisions whilst still being there when they needed.

– Remind them of university support and encourage them to use it.

Differences between School/college and university

Studying at university is different.

Of course, there are some major differences between school/college and university which contribute to the pressures students face. Here are some of the common pressure points students in university accommodation or staying at home can experience: – Teacher/student contact at school/college is greater than at university. Students at university are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and to use the extensive learning resources available in a self-directed way.

– Academic competition is much stronger at university than at school or college.

– Support at university is readily available for any student who wants it but students are encouraged to take more responsibility in seeking advice.

– Motivation Students need to be more selfmotivated.

– Freedom Students have much more freedom and so there are more opportunities to be distracted.

TYPICAL ISSUES FACING STUDENTS D

DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR. September – – – –

Student excitement and fears about going to university Testing their new found freedom Making new friends Working out travel routes and getting used to the commuting journey – For those in Halls, creating a new social routine, experiencing homesickness and loneliness

October

– Students struggle to settle down to the routine of university life – Becoming fed-up with the commute to university – Problems with flat-mates may arise – First round of illness such as flu or colds – Feeling that they are not capable of university level study – Worried about money because they have spent too much of their student loan – Worried that they have chosen the wrong course

November

– Struggling to keep up with the pace and level of academic work – Worries about first tests or assessed coursework – The dark days and cold of winter weather setting in – Worries about not finding part-time work – Anxiety about flatmates – Not enjoying university and considering dropping out

December

– Excitement of the holidays and seeing family and friends – Sadness about being apart from new friendships or love relationships – Pleasure or disappointment with term 1 marks – Flatmate issues may still be continuing

January

– Excitement/anxiety of returning to university and leaving family and friends – Positive/negative attitude to start of new term – Thoughts of not wanting to return – The days are very short, cold and dreary

March

– Satisfaction or disappointment with term 2 grades – Experiencing mid-term blues – Financial worries and concerns

May/June

– Exam concerns – Concern about finding paid employment over the summer to help fund the following year – Excitement or apprehension about spending lots of time at home over the summer – worries about reduced freedom – Sadness over being distant from newly established friendships – Concern about finding accommodation for the next year

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