Hi ,

Welcome to the second edition of the Student Life newsletter! I’m Dr Yvonne Chase and I’m thrilled to be your Head of Student Life.

Our team is here to support you every step of the way, from your first day on campus to finding your first job after graduation. We focus on making your university experience as enriching and inclusive as possible through our regular communications, engaging activities and targeted project groups!

In this edition, we focus on important information about staying safe on campus – from being pushed to do things you’re not comfortable with, to staying safe online and avoiding scams.

Ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, discover the latest books and audiobooks from the BeWell@NCL collection. Lily, our Student Content Creator, highlights her helpful tips for time management and dealing with overwhelm. Plus, you can share your experiences of wellbeing with the Nurture-U survey with a chance to win £200!

Discover how the University and the Students’ Union are celebrating Black History Month and how you can get involved this October and throughout the year!

Dr Yvonne Chase

Head of Student Life

🚫 'Welcome Drinks', 'Initiation', 'Family Night' 

⏳ Lily's top tips for time management 

Feeling overwhelmed as the new term begins? You’re not alone! Balancing studies, socialising, and part-time work can be tough, but don’t stress. Our Student Content Creator, Lily, shares her practical tips to help manage your time and avoid common pitfalls.

From using your phone to help you stay focused to breaking down tasks using the four Ds. There’s also advice on working in distraction-free spaces and meal prepping to stay organised.

🐝 Share your mental health and wellbeing experiences!

Participate in the Nurture-U student survey this semester to share your mental health and wellbeing experiences. By completing the survey, you have a chance to win one of four £200 cash prizes.

Your involvement will help inform how we support our students with their mental health in future. The survey takes about 20 minutes and closes on Friday 25 October.

✊🏿 Black History Month 

Discover how we are celebrating and recognising Black History Month at the University and Students’ Union this October and throughout the year.

Highlights include a lecture from award-winning author Patrice Lawrence, a special podcast episode with Zoë Hingston, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University and the Black History series from the Students’ Union showcasing Black artists, performers, and engaging workshops.

Additionally, delve into a collection of books and audiobooks by Black authors on the Libby app, exploring fiction, lived experiences and histories.

🚨 Staying aware of cyber-attacks, scams, and phishing

Cyber Security Awareness Month

October is Global Cyber Security Awareness Month! IT Service (NUIT) has launched a new Cyber Security website with important resources to help protect your personal data and reduce the risk of cyber-attacks, including how we can all do our bit by reporting phishing. Stay secure and check it out today!

Information from your Financial Support Team

Students are a prime target for fraudsters, especially this time of year when the Student Loans Company (SLC) pays £2 billion to two million students! In the past three years, SLC’s dedicated Customer Compliance team has prevented £1.2 million being lost to fraudsters from students’ bank accounts. The expert teams have a range of methods and fraud analytics to stop scammers, but students need to know that they are the best and first line of defence. To learn more about avoiding fraud, visit:

• Student Financial Support website
• Student Guide to Fraud from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit Network

💼  Graduate Recruitment and Placements Fair 

Thinking about life after university? Get ready for the Graduate Recruitment and Placements Fair 2024 and meet over 100 local and national employers.

This is your chance to connect with potential employers and learn about their graduate positions, internships, or placements starting in summer and autumn 2025.   

Mark your calendar for Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 October from 10:30–15:00.   

Explore these opportunities at three on-campus venues:   

      📍 The Venue in the Students' Union   

      📍 Lindisfarne Room in the Hadrian Building   

      📍 The Boiler House   

No booking is required – just bring your smartcard for access. Don’t forget to check out our top tips on how to prepare for the Grad Fair!

📚 Develop your skills 

Whatever stage you’re at, you can always develop your study skills further. Book your place at Library sessions about:

• Stepping up to studying at the next level
• Finding and incorporating sources
• Reading and note-taking
• Kickstarting your assignment
• Making your voice heard in seminars

You can also access one-to-one support (in person and online) with Library staff:

• Book an appointment with a Librarian for help with finding resources, managing information and referencing.
• Book an Academic Skills Team appointment for help with reading and taking notes, thinking critically, writing academically, and time management.

Discover more study resources and guidance by visiting the Library website and the Academic Skills Kit.

💬 You may be interested in...

Be Well@NCL series

Be Well@NCL is a collection of tried and tested books that may help people to understand and manage common mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Reading a book written by someone who understands the difficulties you're facing can help you start to feel better.

Recent additions include Stay Calm While You Study by Dr Dominque Thompson and more!

Top October Events

Freshers may have ended, but our Top October Events will keep you busy as we enter spooky season!   

Your Student Content Creator, Rachel, has got you covered with her top picks for the season of the sticks! From creepy film screenings at Newcastle Castle to the SU's plant sale, there's something for all your autumnal kicks! 

🔗 Quick links

• An update for students about University Finances is available on the Student Noticeboard.
  
  
• Don’t forget to enter the NUIT giveaway for a brand new iiyama ProLite 27” touchscreen monitor! Entries close at 17:00 on Thursday 10 October. Full terms on the Student Noticeboard.
  
  
• Smartcards are required for night-time access to the Library. Between 22:00 - 08:00 at the Philip Robinson Library and 22:00 - 00:00 at the Marjorie Robinson Library Rooms, you will need to swipe your smartcard outside the building to activate the door opener and enter.
  
  
• The upcoming information session about International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC) virtual and in-person internship opportunities takes place on Thursday 17 October, 15:00 - 16:30. 
  
  
• Access the Libby app with your Newcastle University account for a vast range of audiobooks, e-books, graphic novels and magazines. Check out new titles, including October's Book of the Month, collections for Black History Month, North East Gems, and more!
  
  
• Join the Centre for Latin American and the Caribbean for their October events, including a Welcome social, a film screening, a research seminar and their 10^th Anniversary celebration! See the Student Noticeboard for details.
  
  
• Newcastle Theatre Royal welcomes Nigeria’s celebrated QDance Company with their exuberant Re:INCARNATION – an ode to the riches of Nigerian culture. Find out how to book an exclusive £10 ticket and attend a free post-show discussion, choreographer meet and greet and after-show!