Starting your university life has always been the hardest step, but rest assured your step is not something to take alone!
Starting your university life has always been the hardest step, but rest assured your step is not something to take alone
As a Uni student, one thing your lectures stress about is being organised and prepared early so you don't have to play catch-up when deadlines are just around the corner. The academic jump between A-levels or gap year is one to get used to but there's always support near you:
- StudentHub@Derby: Your central point of contact for programme advice, regulations, degree classifications, and assignment struggles. On-campus hubs are found at Kedleston Road, One Friar Gate Square, Markeaton Street, Chesterfield Campus, and Buxton (the dome)
- Develop@Derby provides several free workshops helping with academic skills such as referencing, reading and notetaking, literature searches, and much more.
- Speaking to your PALs and PATs (which you can find on Udo) will benefit you in the long run, as they work with you one-to-one on academic feedback, signposting to the right support and building that professional rapport will get you a glowing personal reference for future careers.
- Our disability advisors can help with Disability Student Allowance and arranging a support plan, which includesextensions for deadlines, extra time and smaller rooms for exams
One advice Ive heard throughout my undergrad is treating uni like a 9-5. That way uni is not always about grades and assignments but time to enjoy your newfound independence and make meaningful memories with new friends.
And easy way to find these friends is the union's wide array of communities that range from: hobbies and interests, being your culture, competitive (and non-competitive) sports, faith and belief and even supporting a cause.
This time of year, communities hold their Give it a Gos which are free taster sessions for you to have a feel and decide which one suits you best. On the communities page, you can find their GIAG dates as well short descriptions, previous events, and yearly membership costs. Give as many communities as you go until you feel which ones right for you; try something new or continue a lifelong passion of yours.
Outside of university, within the city, there are also events occurring designed for freshers in mind, in the events section of the union website, you can find:
- Quiz nights, Molly Malones' big fat quiz, Jonty Farmer pub quiz
- Fresher’s night – MooMoo's freshers' nights, NINE freshers' nights
- Union events happening around campuses such as Friar Gate,Kedleston Road,Britannia Mill
- Hall events – cooking classes, DnD, board games, yoga, etc
- DubrekStudios – live music performances every day until the end of September
And for other support on loneliness, mental health, finance, sexual safety and much more, the StudentHUb@Derby where to face or live chats on union website are available on online and offline hours:
- Talk to student advisors for people who get you
- Finance and money – e.g., budgeting
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Sexual health and safety
- Disability support – support plan and DSA
We hope your time here in derby is filled with memories you look forward to and look back fondly!