Find out what’s on this week including wellbeing activities, career support and LGBT+ History Month events.

Monday 17 February: Wellbeing workshop, working abroad (Medway) and Lupino Film Club

Student Support and Wellbeing are running a new monthly wellbeing workshop. The first month’s theme will be ‘Life is like a box of chocolates’ and is taking place in Keynes.

Are you based at Medway and thinking of working abroad? Join this in-person session to find out information and tips for opportunities abroad.

The Lupino Film Club, part of the Film, Media, and Culture Research Group, has put together a month-long programme of free screenings for LGBT+ History Month. On Monday evening you can watch the film ‘Dear Tenant’, a 2020 Taiwanese drama.

Tuesday 18 February: Career planning, ResLife Garden and managing stress workshop

The Careers team are running a ‘How to plan your career’ session which will explore strategies to manage your career path as well as developing your ability to benefit from any opportunities you come across.

Join your ambassadors Elyse and May to help us get the ResLife Garden up and running. You can find the garden in Keynes College, past Dolche Vita. They have lots of plans including a pond, hedgehog hotel, sensory garden and more!

Stress is something that affects everyone. Find out how to manage stress well when you are busy or have a high workload at this online Study Plus workshop.

Wednesday 19 February: Wellbeing activities (Medway), drop-in study support, goat walking experience and Climate Café

Take a midweek pause to focus on your mental and physical wellbeing with this Wellbeing Wednesday event at The Hub, Medway. It’s all about relaxation, self-care, and connecting with others in a positive, supportive environment.

Do you have a nagging feeling that there is something not quite right about your assignment? The Skills for Academic Success team will be available for a drop-in service in the Templeman Library this term on most Wednesdays until the Easter vacation.

If you live in on-campus accommodation, you’re invited to join a goat walking experience! This includes a walk with the goats through a wild valley and giving the goats a brush.

Feeling concerned about climate and nature? Drop in to Climate Café, a chance to share your thoughts and feelings in a safe space, while taking part in an activity for change too. Led by students for students.

Thursday 20 February: Employability Points, placements and CVs and cover letters (Medway)

Find out more about the application process of applying for rewards through the Employability Points scheme. The deadline to log your points so you can apply for paid summer internships is 10 March.

Are you considering a placement year? Taking a placement year has many benefits and industry experience is highly recommended when it comes to your graduate job search. Find out all you need to know in this session.

Get help with your CV and cover letter at this in-person Medway workshop. Critique an example CV and cover letter and reflect on how you can improve your own.

Friday 21 February: Makeup and mingle, FIFA tournament (Medway) and LGBTQ+ friendly social

The ResLife team are hosting a ‘Makeup and mingle’ event in DG-02 in Templeman Library. Have fun playing with makeup and experimenting with different styles. This is a supportive, judgement-free environment for all skill levels.

The Hub, Medway, are hosting a FIFA tournament on Friday afternoon. Compete against fellow gamers for the chance to win a £20 Amazon voucher.

ResLife Ambassadors May and Taylor would like to invite you to join them for an LGBTQ+ friendly social. However you identify, come and chat to others in your community in our safe space in the library with games, colouring and hot drinks.

See more student events.

Opportunities

• In your final year of undergrad? Complete the National Student Survey (NSS) to give your feedback about your time at Kent and for the chance to win cash prizes up to £150
• Considering postgraduate study? Find out how to take the next step at Kent. Learn about flexible study options, scholarships and Postgraduate Open Events.
• WorldFest begins next week! WorldFest is our celebration of cultural diversity at Kent. Find out what’s on for WorldFest, 24 Feb – 7 March.

See more student opportunities.

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (10 – 16 February), we’re highlighting some of our amazing apprentices here at Kent and finding out what skills they’ve gained from doing an apprenticeship.

Meet Aaminah Ahmed who won the Apprentice of the Year award at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards 2024. We asked her a couple of questions and here’s what she had to share with us:

How did your apprenticeship help you gain skills for life?

“My apprenticeship was invaluable in helping me develop lifelong skills because it immersed me in the professional world from the onset of my journey. It allowed me to see how the theoretical knowledge from my university degree translated into real-world scenarios.

One of the most rewarding experiences was speaking with my lecturers, many of whom had extensive experience in management consultancy. Their practical advice not only enriched my understanding of the subject but also enabled me to take challenges from my workplace and directly apply them to my academic work.

This unique combination of academic insight and hands-on practice gave me a well-rounded foundation that continues to shape my career.”

What advice would you give someone just starting or considering an apprenticeship at Kent?

“My advice for anyone starting or considering an apprenticeship is always the same: be proactive and curious. In the early stages of your career, there will be people wanting to guide and support you, but opportunities won’t always come to you automatically.

Take the initiative—ask questions, seek out challenges, and show your eagerness to learn. By demonstrating curiosity and drive, you’ll not only gain more from your apprenticeship but also set yourself apart as someone ready to grow and succeed. When I was starting out my career in the early stages I found that the more I put myself out there the more I found new opportunities.”

This week is Careers’ Life After Uni Week, Valentine’s Day and LGBT+ History Month events continue.

Monday 10 February: LGBTQ+ community lunch (Medway), Life After Uni Week events and Valentine’s crafts

At Medway campus on Monday, you’re invited to the LGBT+ History Month community lunch at The Deep End (upstairs space). It’s a chance to socialise and meet new friends. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

In your final year and thinking about what’s next? You can join this Life After Uni Week graduation reflection session. There’s also a CV and cover letter online workshop to help you get prepared.

If you live on campus, you can join ResLife Ambassadors Aashvi and Nehi for a creative evening of crafting Valentine’s cards and beautiful origami flowers, perfect for expressing love, friendship or appreciation.

Tuesday 11 February: Crafting for consent with therapy dog and group study appointments

Join the Specialist Wellbeing Team in Nexus as we bring together external support services to spend time crafting for consent. We will have canvas painting, pin badge making, and bracelet making. Come along and create for consent! Special guest Coco the therapy dog will also be making an appearance.

Are you working on a group project or presentation? Do you want to join with a few friends and book a skills appointment you can attend together? The Skills for Academic Success (SAS) team are now offering appointments for small groups between two – four students. For larger groups, get in touch with SAS directly.

Wednesday 12 February: Free LinkedIn headshot, meet the Employability Points team and attend a free lunchtime concert

A professional looking LinkedIn profile is an essential aspect of enhancing your chances of securing graduate employment. Photographer Matt Cook is back to take LinkedIn headshots, free of charge.

Meet with graduate recruitment agencies in Sibson Atrium and find out how they can help you with your search for a graduate job! Recruiters will be attending from Morgan Jones, Hays, Give a Grad a Go and Graduate Mentor CIC.

Come along and meet the Employability Points team in Templeman Library who will explain what the Employability Points scheme is and how it benefits you during your studies and how you can claim Employability Points and apply for rewards this academic year.

Enjoy a free lunchtime concert from alumnus Matthew Sotillo-Cooke in a recital of Schumann’s song-cycle in Colyer-Fergusson Hall.

Thursday 13 February: Drop-in study appointments (Medway), Valentine’s Crafternoon (Medway), LGBTQ+ student and staff lunch and Life After Uni Week drop in advice

The Medway Skills for Academic Success Team will be on hand for drop-in appointments. These are for quick queries; for example, checking referencing or a brief appraisal of the structure/coherence of an assignment.

Paint a mug with us to gift to a loved one, friend, family or just keep for yourself at The Hub’s Valentine’s Crafternoon.

The Staff and Student LGBT+ Networks and Societies have joined up for a joint social and lunch in Rutherford Dining Hall. Come along to meet staff and students from our LGBTQ+ community.

Graduating later this year and want some advice? Careers staff will be present to answer your questions, with space and time to work on your LinkedIn, CV or to help you make a checklist of what to do next.

Friday 14 February: Panel with recent Kent grads and Valentine’s/Anti-Valentine’s activities

In your final year and unsure what to do next? Join this online panel with recent Kent graduates who will answer questions about what their situation was just before graduation and what they did to help them find and secure a graduate role or postgraduate study place. They will offer advice and answer your questions.

Happy Valentine’s Day! If you don’t have a date, don’t worry! Students who live in on-campus accommodation can make a free mocktail in K Bar. There’s also an anti-valentines movie night in Eliot College.

Weekend 15-16 February: LGBTQ+ events

On Saturday there’s an LGBQ+ movie night in Eliot College and on Sunday there’s an online LGBTQ+ Kahoot quiz with catering vouchers for the winners.

See more student events.

Find out what’s on this week including LGBT+ History Month events, a silent disco and assignment support drop ins.

It’s also Race Equality Week, an opportunity to pause and reflect on the progress made towards race equality. This week serves as both a celebration of our achievements and a moment to reassert our commitment to advancing race equality throughout the institution.

Monday 3 February: Taylor Swift PG Talk and making applications (Medway)

The next PG Talk is on the topic of ‘Look what you made me do: Tayor Swift and 21^st Century Feminist Practice’, and will be given by Dr Clare Hurley, based on her book chapter ‘The Literary Taylor Swift’ and her student-led conference. The talk is open to all PG students.

Making applications to graduate schemes, job roles or postgraduate study? Come to this in-person session in Medway to discover how to create and submit engaging and targeted applications.

Tuesday 4 February: Pets as therapy (Medway), LGBT+ movie night and improving your work using tutor feedback

At The Hub in Medway, you can spend time with a Pets as Therapy dog to help you relax.

To celebrate LGBT+ History Month, join the ResLife Ambassadors for an LGBTQ+ themed movie night to watch ‘Everyone’s Talking about Jamie’.

Learn how to improve your work using tutor feedback at this Skills for Academic Success online workshop, helping you go from ‘Needs improvement’ to ‘Nailed it’.

Wednesday 5 February: Monthly seed sow, assignment drop-in service and a silent disco

Come down to Kent Community Oasis Garden (KentCOG) near Park Wood and help get the garden growing by joining our monthly seed sow activity. Plant this month’s vegetable and flower seeds in seed trays and compost to grow in the polytunnels on site.

Ever had a nagging feeling that there is something not quite right about your assignment? The Skills for Academic Success team will be available for an assignment drop-in service in the Templeman Library this term on most Wednesdays until the Easter vacation.

On Wednesday evening, if you live in on-campus accommodation, you’re invited to join the Silent Disco in Eliot College. Choose from three playlists so there’s something for everyone. Plus, the first 150 students through the door (students in accommodation only) will get a free burger! There’s also snacks, and if dancing isn’t your thing, you can just listen to the music and enjoy some Valentine’s crafts instead.

Thursday 6 February: Assignment drop-in appointments (Medway), working in fraud investigation and growth mindset workshop

The Medway Skills for Academic Success Team will be on hand for drop-in appointments – no booking is required. Drop-ins are for quick queries; for example, checking referencing or a brief appraisal of the structure/coherence of an assignment.

Interested in a career in Fraud Investigation? Are you inquisitive, open-minded and objective, with strong IT and analytical skills, and a keen eye for detail? On Thursday afternoon you can join a talk by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about different careers in fraud investigation.

Join this online Study Plus workshop to find out all about what a growth mindset is and how it can affect you in life and in work.

Friday 7 February: PGR yoga and writing retreat and LGBTQ+ friendly social

PGR students are invited to join a yoga and writing retreat on campus. The workshop consists of guided yoga sessions mixed with opportunities for you to get on with your writing.

Our ResLife Ambassadors May and Victory are hosting an LGBTQ+ friendly social. However you identify, come and chat to others in your community in our safe space in Templeman Library. We will have hot drinks, biscuits, board games and colouring or have go at Super Mario Kart.

See more student events.

Opportunities

• Considering postgraduate study? Find out how to take the next step at Kent. Learn about flexible study options, scholarships and Postgraduate Open Events.
• Dr Adelina Gschwandtner, Economics Lecture and Wellbeing Coordinator, is running her popular 5-week mindfulness course again this year, open to all students.
• Feed back on the draft Code of Practice on Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech by 8 February

See all student opportunities.