No contact with your family? We are here to support you at Uni

Posted on 4 December 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Einir England, the dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students at Cardiff University, explains what it means to be estranged and the support available… Most Universities in the UK recognise that students who have been through the care system face barriers in access to higher education and have developed a support package to try
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Why Christmas time can escalate relationship abuse and how to get support if you are affected

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

If you’ve experienced violence and abuse of any kind, please know that you are not alone and our Disclosure Response Team are here to offer practical support and advice. Money tensions, unrealistic expectations and increased alcohol consumption make the Christmas period a peak time for relationship abuse/domestic violence. If your partner or family member is controlling,
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Staying in Cardiff over the holidays and feeling homesick?

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

One of our Wellbeing Champions, Tsvetina, shares tips on coping with homesickness… Staying in Cardiff over the holidays is a decision or necessity for some students due to a number of reasons. If you are staying in Cardiff over the winter recess, please rest assured that it is normal to feel a bit off-balance when lectures
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Things to Do in Cardiff Over the Holidays

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Maddie Duffield

Genetics student, Maddie, shares some things to do in Cardiff over the winter break. Staying in Cardiff over the holidays and looking for something fun to do? There’s a variety of events and activities to suit everyone in Cardiff this Christmas no matter what your interests, but here are our top picks!   1. Visit
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Estranged from your family this winter?

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Einir, the dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students shares some advice for students estranged from their families this winter. The festive period can be challenging if you are estranged from your family. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, the never-ending advertisements featuring happy families around the Christmas tree may make you feel angry,
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Staying safe over the holidays

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Sophie, Student Intern, discusses how you and your friends can stay safe this winter… With tinsel, gifts, Christmas lights and snow loads of university work, it might be easy to put personal safety on the back burner. However, whether you’re heading home or staying in Cardiff over the holidays, it’s still important to take precautions to ensure your own and
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Winter survival guide: Information, advice and guidance for students

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

With the holidays fast approaching, our winter survival guide is here to provide information, advice and guidance for Cardiff University students. Whatever your plans over the winter recess, we have created a series of blogs to help give you some fun ideas on what to do and offer practical advice on your wellbeing during the holidays.
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Winter study tips

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Rachel from the Student Wellbeing Team shares tips on how to stay on track with your studies whilst also enjoying the winter break. There are always a million and one things to be done over the festive period – whether it’s making sure you’ve bought gifts for everyone, arranging to meet up with friends or catching
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Stay drink aware this festive season

Posted on 29 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Victoria, Student Intern, discusses festive drinking and warns not to get too jolly… For some, ‘tis the season for festive drinks. However, don’t feel like you need to chug mulled wine just to get in the festive spirit. Alcohol can affect your university experience and your mental and physical health. The festive season often comes
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A guide to remote working and virtual teams from SAGE

Posted on 27 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Stacey from SAGE talks to us about remote working and virtual teams and their benefits… In 2017, more than 4.3 million people worked remotely in the UK. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that three quarters of these people were experienced professionals who work in the highest skilled areas of the economy.
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Tips on coping with anxiety before and during exams

Posted on 27 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Rachel, Wellbeing Practitioner from the Counselling, Health & Wellbeing Service, shares tips on coping with anxiety before and during exams. It is natural to feel anxious prior to an exam. In fact, a little anxiety can actually help performance. Anxiety and stress cause the body to release adrenalin which can be helpful when responding to challenging
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Top tips to help you manage exam stress

Posted on 27 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Amy from our Wellbeing Team shares some useful tips to help you cope with exam stress. It is normal to feel a little bit of stress (some level of stress can help you focus), but too much of it can lead you to feel out of control and can make it harder for you to take
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Top tips to help you revise effectively

Posted on 27 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Rachel from the Student Wellbeing Team shares tips on how to manage your revision time effectively.   It can be really hard to find self-motivation as the exam period gets closer. It requires a great deal of discipline and organisation to revise, especially when the joint demands of different courses or modules become overwhelming. Good planning
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In-exam guidance: Three golden rules

Posted on 27 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Chloe, from our Disability and Dyslexia Team shares three golden rules for the exam relevant to all students… With exams looming, here are three golden rules from us at the Disability and Dyslexia Team relevant to all students!
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Organisation, revision and exam strategies for success

Posted on 27 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Ann, our Academic Study Skills Manager, shares organisation, revision and exam strategies for success… Prior planning and preparation are the keys to exam success. So let me introduce my exams guide, with organisation, revision and in-exam strategies to help you set a course and stay on track. From planning to procrastination and revision notes to
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What to do if something affects your exam performance

Posted on 27 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Amy from our Advice and Money Team tells us more about ‘extenuating circumstances’ and how you can make sure that a difficult time in your life does not unduly impact your academic chances… Despite your best efforts to concentrate and revise it’s quite possible that Murphy’s Law will strike and anything that can go wrong, will go
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The Exam Diet: Your guide to budget-friendly brain food

Posted on 27 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

27Kate, our Student Intern, shares her tips for eating well on a budget during exams… Endless tesco meal deals, the occasional wi-wo, various chocolatey snacks and an array of beverages from hoffi coffi’s selection may seem like the ideal exam diet, but it’s neither brain food nor budget-friendly. I know the struggles of exam time.
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Presentation Panic? Tips to help

Posted on 27 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Victoria, Student Intern, shares her advice on preparing for a presentation… Most students experience a bit of presentation panic at some point. Your stomach drops, your mouth goes dry, your knees wobble beneath you and a lump forms in your throat. It can be especially terrifying if it’s marked. However, burying your head in the sand
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5 Myths and Misconceptions of Work Experience

Posted on 20 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Emily McCarthy from the Work Experience Team explores five myths about work experience that could be holding you back from achieving your dream job. It’s a given – the graduate recruitment market is highly competitive, and you need to stand out from the crowd, so what, if anything is stopping you from strengthening your position
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Trans Day of Remembrance

Posted on 15 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Jo from the Wellbeing Team talks about Transgender Awareness Week (12-19 November) and Trans Day of Remembrance (20 November) Transgender Awareness Weekis an annual event, which aims to raise the visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people and address some of the issues this community faces. After Transgender Awareness Week is Transgender Day of Remembrance
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Conquering Culture Shock

Posted on 15 November 2018 by Maddie Duffield

Kristina Bowers, International Student Advisor, explains culture shock and how you can overcome it. As the nights get longer and the days become grey and damp, you may find yourself wishing for the warm sun and familiar faces, missing the comforts of home a little more than you expected… It’s likely that it’s not just
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Rethink remembrance

Posted on 8 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Rachel, Wellbeing Practitioner from our Counselling, Health & Wellbeing Service, talks about Remembrance. Join us in a two-minute silence to remember our Armed Forces’ Veterans. Every year, a two-minute silence is held to remember and honour those who served in the war to protect our freedom. This year Armistice Day falls on Sunday 11 November and staff
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Dealing with Stress

Posted on 6 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

One of our Wellbeing Champions, Tamzin, shares some strategies for dealing with stress this International Stress Awareness Week. Stress is part of modern life. Four out of ten people in the UK say that it is a big problem for them. It is actually one of the most common reasons for people seeing their GP.
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We support student carers

Posted on 5 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Gareth, Student Support Adviser and the dedicated contact for student carers, tells us more about Carers’ and Family Week and the support available from Cardiff University if you are a student carer. Never considered yourself to be a carer? Or know someone else who might be a carer but is unaware of it? If you
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Start your Careers Journey – Science Careers Fair

Posted on 2 November 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Hear from Careers Ambassador and Biosciences student, Jasmine about what you can expect from the Science Careers Fair The Autumn term can be loads of fun, what with starting your new modules, joining new clubs and societies, or getting back into the swing of things with your existing groups, the never ending list of party
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How to get the best out of attending the Science Careers Fair

Posted on 24 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

With the upcoming Science Careers Fair taking place, fair sponsors PCI Pharma share their top tips on how to make the most of the careers fair.  Here are our top 5 tips: Don’t rule us out Yes, we are a Pharmaceutical company, but it’s not all about recruiting scientists (although they are important too).  Any
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Am I in a Toxic Relationship?

Posted on 23 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Are you in a happy and healthy relationship? Take the quiz…  In a healthy relationship, both partners will share power and control equally. You should feel safe and secure in your relationship. Here are some key characteristics of a healthy, loving relationship… 1. Mutual respect You respect each other just the way you are. You
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How to Support a Friend Experiencing Relationship Abuse

Posted on 23 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Watching a friend experience relationship abuse can be scary and frustrating. You may feel like you have no control of the situation and are unsure how to help… You may want to consider the following advice on how to offer support: It is important that the person feels that they are believed. Make sure that
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How to help create a safe campus culture – become an Empowered Bystander…

Posted on 23 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

As a student of Cardiff University, we hope that you’ll play your part in creating a safe campus culture. Acting as an Empowered Bystander is easy and can have a huge impact.  What is the Bystander Effect? The Bystander Effect is a psychological phenomenon where you are less likely to receive or give aid when
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How We Got a Job at Escentual (And What It’s Like to Work Here!)

Posted on 19 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

When the worlds of technology, supply chain, design and editorial collide, you get a really diverse mix of people and a wide range of talents working under one roof. That’s exactly what makes Escentual so brilliant. Our multi-skilled team is hardworking, collaborative and innovative – and it just so happens to be behind one of
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Support for male victims of sexual assault

Posted on 19 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Anyone can be affected by sexual violence. Sexual violence can happen to anyone, no matter your age, your sexual orientation, or your gender identity. Men and boys who have experienced sexual violence, experience the same feelings and reactions as other survivors of sexual assault, but they may also face some additional challenges because of social
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What to do if you experience Sexual Violence or Abuse…

Posted on 18 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

No student should have to experience sexual violence or abuse. The Disclosure Response Team are here to support you and advise on your options should you choose to report… Immediately after an incident it is normal to feel shock, pain, anger, numbness and denial. Some students will want to keep themselves busy, some will want
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Do you know what true consent should sound like?

Posted on 18 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

True consent should sound like a clear, enthusiastic consensual ‘yes’ from both individuals, and they should have the freedom and capacity to give their consent. Here’s our advice on how to gain consent from a sexual partner…             If someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, unconscious or
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Housing Week: Don’t sign too soon!

Posted on 17 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Siobhan from the Advice and Money Team, explains why you shouldn’t sign for a house too early and gives some tips for when you do start house viewings. The autumn season is always accompanied by an unwarranted panic to sign for future accommodation. There seems to be this idea that you must sign for next
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Have you been affected by violence?

Posted on 17 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Cardiff University is aware of how violence and abuse affects students, and is committed to addressing these issues. A violent crime is when someone physically hurts or threatens to hurt someone, and also includes crimes where a weapon is used. The police will record a crime as violent if the offender clearly intended or intends
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Are you a student who has been affected by violence or abuse? Meet our Disclosure Response Team…

Posted on 17 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Cardiff University is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for students. The Disclosure Response Team is here to support you. Violence and abuse can take many different forms.  We strongly advise that you read through all the information available to you by searching ‘Violence and Abuse’ on the Intranet before submitting a report. This will
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Online Harassment: It’s Not a Game

Posted on 16 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Cardiff University has a zero tolerance policy for violence and abuse. We are committed to educating and preventing against violence and abuse on campus. Please read on for more information about online harassment and accessing support. Social networking has the power to bring people together from all corners of the world. It has a great
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National Hate Crime Awareness Week

Posted on 16 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Student Wellbeing Champion, Tamzin, talks about National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2018, and how to get involved. National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2018 is happening from 13 – 20 October 2018. A Hate Crime is a crime which you feel was targeted at you, due to your race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. This
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Discover your potential at the Business, Finance and Banking Fair!

Posted on 15 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Josh, Careers Fair Ambassador, explains why the Business, Finance and Banking Fair is an unmissable opportunity and gives his top tips on how to make the most of what’s on offer… The business, finance and banking industry is extremely varied with so much to offer to students. Whether you’re looking to discover your future career path,
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What is Sexual Violence?

Posted on 12 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Cardiff University has a zero tolerance policy for violence and abuse. We are committed to educating and preventing against violence and abuse on campus. Please read on for more information about sexual violence and how to access support. The term “sexual violence” is an an all-encompassing, non-legal term that refers to crimes like sexual assault,
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Speaking out about Depression, Anxiety and Loneliness

Posted on 11 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Modern Languages Student, Emily, talks about her experience with depression, anxiety and loneliness and encourages others to speak out about how they are feeling. Starting university in a new city and a new country entirely was challenging and it was at this time that my mental health began to be affected. Although things improved, they
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National Coming Out Day

Posted on 8 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Student Wellbeing Champion, Tamzin, discusses National Coming Out Day and how to get involved. October 11 is National Coming Out Day and Cardiff University is celebrating in partnership with Rainbow Bridge, the specialised LGBT+ domestic abuse support organisation. ‘Coming out’ means telling someone something about yourself that isn’t immediately obvious. In relation to sexual orientation
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Myth Busters: Careers Fair Edition

Posted on 5 October 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Josh, Careers Fair Ambassador, explains why Careers Fairs are not just for graduate roles and tells us how they can benefit students in ALL years of University. It’s October, and that means one thing, Careers Fairs! It’s that time of the year when soon-to-be graduates start to wonder what life outside the walls of university
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‘Mind your Head’ Week and World Mental Health Day

Posted on 5 October 2018 by Your Student Life Supported

Tamzin, Student Wellbeing Champion, talks about ‘Mind Your Head’ Week and World Mental Health Day and how you can get involved with events around campus. Mind Your Head Week is an annual event running Monday 8 October – Saturday 13 October this year. It’s a week of events held around Cardiff University to raise awareness
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STEM Careers Fair: Why you should consider a place on the graduate scheme at Confused.com

Posted on 25 September 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

See what the Confused.com 2018 graduates get up to on a day–to-day basis… What would you say to someone considering the graduate scheme? Josh: Do it. If you want to challenge yourself and expand your skillset to include a wide range of useful programming languages then the Confused.com IT graduate scheme is a fantastic opportunity.
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Support for care leavers and estranged students

Posted on 20 September 2018 by Your Student Life Supported

Meet Einir, the key contact for care leavers and estranged students   Einir, our dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students, gives a warm welcome to new and returning students and explains the support available…  My name is Einir England and I am the dedicated contact for Care Leavers and Estranged students at Cardiff University. I
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Tips on surviving Freshers’ week

Posted on 19 September 2018 by Your Student Life Supported

Amy from our Wellbeing team shares her tips on getting through your first few weeks at uni… I imagine, like many other new students, that you’ve had months of nail-biting anticipation and preparation for the student life ahead of you. Well now you’re finally here – welcome! If you’ve done a Google Search “Surviving Fresher’s” you’ll have seen the
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Gender Pay Gap blog

What your business needs to know about: Gender pay gap reporting

Posted on 17 September 2018 by Your Student Life, Supported

Stacey McIntosh from Sage tells us about the new legislation around the gender pay gap and what you’re required to do. For the past 12 months, in the run-up to new legislation, the gender pay gap has been at the forefront of discussions in business and of how organisations must work to close the gap
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Working together to create a Suicide Safer Community…

Posted on 10 September 2018 by Your Student Life Supported

Jo, from the Student Wellbeing Team, talks about World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2018 and how you can be part of creating a Suicide-Safer University…   Every year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages. It is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to
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