Monthly Archives: March 2024

FACE x Horniman Exhibition

As part of #Black365, March 2024 sees the launch of FACE X HORNIMAN – Hair: Untold Stories exhibition. FACE (Fashion Academics Creating Equality) and the Horniman Museum. This exhibition is set in a physical space for the first time, and explores and celebrates the influence, importance and personal narratives attached to the significance of hair seen against Eurocentric beauty standards from Black, Brown and Asian perspectives within the UK.

The exhibition has been curated by Fashion designer and Senior Lecturer Davina Hawthorne (De Montfort University) and Photographer and Associate Professor Max Kandhola (Nottingham Trent University), both council members of FACE and Co-Founder of FACE, Sharon Lloyd. Contributing editors: Dr Sarah Bryne, Professor Emma Tarlo, Rose Sinclair (MBE), Andrew Ibi, Jacob Goff, Benita Odogwu-Atkinson and Michelle Marshall.

The exhibition will seek to take visitors on a journey of discovery of the importance of hair from within the academic and student educational space. Both students and academics explore the complex relationship between hair and identity, revealing the importance of generational traditions in different communities and the power of creative invention.

The exhibition will launch on Wednesday 27 March, 5pm in Keynes College and remain open and free to view for all staff, students, and members of the community in Keynes Atrium and Teaching Gallery spaces until July 2024.

If you would like to attend the Private View please contact Becky Lamyman on StudentEDI@kent.ac.uk by 25 March 2024.

#Black365 is a yearlong campaign to celebrate Black culture, Black excellence and Black achievement at the University of Kent.
FACE (Fashion Academics Creating Equality) works to challenge Higher Education Institutions and industry in fashion, art and design fields to be more inclusive, unified and equitable, with a particular spotlight on issues concerning race, colour and ethnicity. More information on the FACE academics who have supported this exhibition through text and works can be found at weareface.co.uk.
Horniman Museum is located in Forest Hill, South East London, and aspires to connect visitors with global cultures and the natural world, encouraging us to shape a positive future for the world we all share and was the Art Fund Museum of the Year winner 2022.
Works and text produced by FACE Academics and Students for Horniman Museum’s Hair: Untold Stories can also be viewed online.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-24 March) is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.  

What is Neurodiversity? 

Neurodiversity is about recognising that everyone’s brain works differently. 

Neurodiversity is based on the concept that neurological variances should be recognised and respected just like any other human variation, such as gender, race or sexual orientation.

Some of the different ways of thinking, learning, interacting and perceiving the world have been given labels, such as: 

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
  • Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) 
  • Dyslexia 
  • Dyspraxia 
  • Dyscalculia 
  • Tourette’s Syndrome

Neurological differences in the way that our brains are wired means that you may find some things challenging that others find easy. You may also find things easy that other people find challenging. 

Around 15-20% of all the people in the world are thought to have a neurodivergence. No two people will experience this in the same way. 

There are lots of famous and successful people who are neurodivergent, including Will.i.am, Ryan Gosling, Greta Thunberg, Daniel Radcliffe, Bill Gates and Billie Eilish.

Neurodiversity support and resources at Kent:  

Upcoming events: 

Careers Fair

Events roundup: 18 – 24 March

Find out what’s on this week including the Spring Careers Fair, Life After Uni Week, exam support events and fun trips.  

Online Module Registration (OMR) for UG students opens at 9:00 on Monday. Choose the modules you want to study for 2024/25. You will receive an email when OMR is open. OMR is not first come first served.  

Monday 18 March: Inspiring Women Exhibition, Life After Uni Week events and wellbeing walk (Medway) 

For Women’s History Month, the Women’s Network, Kent Union and Templeman Library have come together to create an Inspiring Women Exhibition. The exhibition is launching on Monday and will be open for a month.  

Life After Uni Week kicks off on Monday with a range of events including a drop-in advice session with Career Advisors in Templeman Library Café, how to get started with LinkedIn (online) and how the careers service can help you if you are graduating soon (online).  

On Monday lunchtime, take a break and go for a Wellbeing Walk at Medway around St Mary’s Island.  

Tuesday 19 March: Spring Careers Fair, Coffee with a Security Officer and LGBTQIA+ Student Voices Coffee Morning 

Meet employers at the Spring Careers Fair in the Concert Hall, Colyer-Fergusson between 9:00-15:00. Many of the employers are from the local region.  

All students welcome to come and chat with one of our friendly Campus Security Officers each Tuesday lunchtime in the Gulbenkian. Talk all things security at Kent and get a free cup of coffee or tea to enjoy while you chat.  

Join the LGBTQIA+ Student Voices Coffee Morning at Woody’s to join student researchers Ellie and Shagun, and other like-minded folks, to chat about your experiences, concerns and ideas over a nice hot drink and some sweet treats. The aim of the student-led projects is to find out how Kent can work to improve experiences for LGBTQIA+ students. 

Wednesday 20 March: Free LinkedIn photos, exam room experience and Year In introduction talks 

Do you want a more professional LinkedIn photo? On Wednesday, Matt Cook Photography is offering a LinkedIn Headshot drop in, free of charge.  

If the idea of an in-person exam makes you feel stressed, why not try out an exam room experience in Canterbury to help you know what to expect and ease your anxieties. This is an opportunity for you to experience what it is like to take an ‘exam’, explore your own stress response to exams and learn techniques in how to deal with them. See all exam support events.  

Are you considering taking a “Year In”? It’s an opportunity for students to take a year in a different subject between stage 2 and stage 3 or after stage 3. On Wednesday afternoon you can attend Year In introduction talks in your preferred subject and find out if a Year In could be right for you.  

On 20 March, you have the chance to showcase your business at the ASPIRE Pop up Market in Sibson Atrium. To secure a free stall contact ASPIRE@kent.ac.uk

Thursday 21 March: Second-hand book tour, Postgraduate Study, effective revision and tote bag painting 

Love reading? Join ResLife Ambassador Lissy for a tour of Canterbury’s second-hand bookshops. Engage with Canterbury’s literary history and get a book for our Blind Date with a Book event, finishing up in a local café.  

As part of Life After Uni Week, you can meet with representatives from five Divisions and ask questions about postgraduate study at Kent. Each Division will be based in a different Grimond seminar room.  

Brush up on your revision techniques with this online session for effective revision.  

At the Hub you can join their Crafternoon to chill out and paint a tote bag.  

Friday 22 March: Kent Graduates Panel, fun badminton and Aquarium trip (Medway) 

In your final year? Join this Kent Graduates Panel to ask questions to recent graduates about what their situation was before they graduated, what ideas they had about what to do next and what activities and opportunities helped them secure a graduate role of postgraduate study place.  

Enjoy some free fun badminton on Friday afternoon at the Sports Centre. This is non-competitive and open to all.  

If you’re based at Medway, you can join this trip to Southend-on-Sea Aquarium and experience a wide variety of sea life.  

Sunday 24 March: Cat café trip 

If you live in on-campus accommodation, you can join the ResLife Ambassadors for a trip to the Canterbury Tails Cat Café. Sip your cup of tea in the company of cute cats.   

See more student events. 

Opportunities 

  • Help the University Accommodation team develop their next Living Black at Kent welcome booklet – join this Living Black at Kent focus group and help us work towards improving our Black students’ experience. 
  • 18-25 year-olds in Canterbury can apply for a mini group study exchange this summer in Germany. The exchange is organised by the Rotary Club of Canterbury. Find out more and apply.  

See more student opportunities. 

Student and security staff

Coffee time with a security officer

Come and chat with one of our friendly Campus Security Officers to talk all things security at Kent, from SafeZone app, Campus Security’s role, advice and more. A cup of coffee or tea is on us while we chat – supplied by the Gulbenkian Café team, free of charge!

See us every Tuesday during term-time in the Gulbenkian Café – you won’t be able to miss us with security and SafeZone banners up next to our table.

If you have any sensitive or private matters that need further discussion – these can be dealt with in a different location.

See all our safety services and information on the Student Guide.

Student and lecturer smiling while listening and watching work on desktop PC

Ever thought about studying a Year In?

The Year In programme can be taken between stage 2 and stage 3 or after stage 3 of an undergraduate programme, and will appear on your degree transcript and in the title of the degree awarded, letting employers know about the additional skills and knowledge you have gained.

There are a range of programmes and you can find out more at the introduction sessions on Wednesday 20 March. These will take place in Canterbury and online:

Living Black at Kent student focus group

Help the University Accommodation team develop their next Living Black at Kent welcome booklet, they rolled out a welcome booklet last year, and work towards improving our Black students’ experience.

The booklet is to help smooth the transition to life in Kent and the University, and the team are all ears to know what you think of it. Honest opinions are needed on what worked and what needs improvement. There are two focus groups lined up and the team are looking for Black students to pitch in their ideas to make this resource even better.

What is a welcome booklet?

The Living Black at Kent booklet is an honest effort to spotlight local services near our campuses. It’s designed to assist Black students in adjusting to living in a new town by making them aware of helpful resources within the local area.

Who created it and what did the report say?

Kent’s staff and students collaborated to create this booklet, following a report by Unite Students, and supported by Halpin Partnership. The report by Unite Students highlighted the experiences of Black university students living in UK student accommodation and indicated that “over a quarter (28%) of Black students felt that they cannot access culturally relevant services close to where they live”. This was just one of the report’s findings which inspired us to launch the booklet and help our students feel more at home.

What can I do?

Join us in the Living Black at Kent focus group and let’s make a difference together! Share your unique experiences as a Black student at Kent, or perhaps some hidden gems of services you’ve discovered that others might not know about yet. Your insights could be the guiding light for the next set of students.

When and where are the Living Black at Kent focus groups being held?

Don’t miss the chance to join our focus group on 20 or 27 March 2024, in the Darwin Conference Suite, from 13:00 to 14:30. We’re looking for 20 participants per session. By participating, you’ll play a critical role in enhancing our community and making a lasting impression. Your contribution can make a real difference, and don’t forget that £20 KentOne credit!

Use the form to register your interest in our upcoming sessions. Once done, we’ll provide you with even more exciting details!

You can also check out the 2023 Living Black at Kent booklet online and if you would like to read the full Unite Students report, you can find this at Unite Students. Please get in touch if you have any further questions about these sessions, by emailing the ResLife Team.

Students in seminar

Preparing for final year exams

Exams can take many shapes and forms, but one thing they all have in common is that they make a lot of people anxious. Fear of the unknown, poor preparation, lack of confidence in your abilities in the exam room are all causes of stress. The Student Learning Advisory Service (SLAS) has produced guidance including SkillsBuilder videos around exams that will help you manage those anxieties.

It’s a good idea to start your revision as early as possible. Here are a few other stress-busting tips:

Eliminate the unknown: Find out about the exams you are taking, when, where and how will they take place, and what modules and topics they will cover. If you are unclear, ask your module convenor for more information. You’ll feel better for knowing, and be able to organise your revision effectively.

Plan your revision: Work out which modules and topics you need to revise most. Using a calendar or term-planner, create a revision schedule so that you revise each topic efficiently in time for the relevant exam.

Test and practise: As you revise, test yourself to see what you know and what you still need to remember. Sitting an exam is a form of performance, so rehearse, by practising answering questions under timed conditions using past papers.

SLAS can offer advice on these and many other aspects of exams – just book an appointment with one of our advisers.

There are also plenty of events to help you get exam ready. And keep an eye out for any subject specific exam guidance events from your School.

See our exams webpages for full information including FAQs, events and support.

Students serving food at Iftar dinner

Events roundup: 11-17 March

This week join the Uni Mental Health Day events, the WorldFest celebrations and start to prepare for exams.

Monday 11 March: Worldfest Global Hangout and Girls in Charge Q&A

WorldFest celebrations continue this week with a global hangout in Sibson on Monday from 14:00-17:00. Try crafts, games and food from around the World!

Come along to Woody’s for a meet-and-greet social with Girls in Charge’s Co-Director Niamh Carter on Monday evening.

Tuesday 12 March: Get help finding a part-time job and writing your dissertation, plus find out about therapy and mindfulness

Thinking about finding a part time role? Come along to this session to find out what steps you can take to secure a part-time role you can fit around your studies.

Writing your dissertation? Join this online workshop that goes through the keys steps you need to take when planning for and writing a dissertation at uni.

Unwind with mindful colouring and ask questions about therapy and mindfulness to members of our Counselling Team in DG 01, Templeman Library.

Wednesday 13 March: Language tasters, grad scheme advice and revision tips

Want to know more about what a graduate scheme is, what they involve and hints and tips on how to get one? Then don’t miss this grad scheme information event at Wednesday lunchtime.

Learn how to effectively revise at this study workshop at Canterbury and online.

As part of WorldFest you can try free language taster sessions in Spanish, French and Italian on Wednesday.

Thursday 14 March: Uni Mental Health Day

Thursday is Uni Mental Health Day (UMHD) and to mark it, there will be a free plant giveaway and therapy dogs sessions in Nexus, Templeman Library (Canterbury) and in the Oasis Lounge, Rochester Building (Medway).

There will also be a Plant Hospital pop-up on the Plaza in Canterbury, from 9:30-11:30, where you can get free plant care advice.

UMHD activities continue at the Sports Centre (Canterbury) with free exercise classes on 14 and 15 March.

Finally, get help managing exam stress and learn exam techniques at study workshops in Canterbury (in person) and online.

Friday 15 March: Iftar dinner, WorldFest Quiz and LinkendIn Drop-in

On Friday, join the International Student Voices group for a free, memorable Iftar dinner experience and a chance to have your say in how the University can improve the international student experience. Or if you’re based at Medway, you can join the Medway Islamic Society’s annual Iftar celebration event.

Get a team together and take part in our WorldFest Quiz Night run by our student Global Officers.

Develop and improve your LinkedIn profile at this careers drop-in session.

See more student events.

Reminders and opportunities

See more student opportunities.

laptop

Choose your modules for the next academic year!

From Monday 18 March to 09:00 on Tuesday 2 April 2024, Online Module Registration (OMR) is open for you to choose the undergraduate modules that you wish to study in 2024/25.

You will receive an email when OMR is open. Prior to this, you should read your Subject Requirements and view our guidance to make sure that you are fully prepared. If you are not sure which modules to choose, please speak to your Academic Adviser.

OMR is not first come first served. In order to give you the best opportunity to register for your preferred choice of module, please ensure that you have submitted your selections by 09:00 (GMT) on Tuesday 2 April 2024.

You do not need to select modules if:

  • You’re on a Year in Industry in 2024/2025
  • You’re going abroad as part of your course in 2024/2025
  • Your modules are entirely compulsory

If you are on a course that is affected by the course consultation changes, you do not have to register your modules by 2 April. We will be in touch with you once your module options are finalised so you can confirm your choices from an up-to-date list of options. Thank you for your patience in this moment of transition.

If you have any questions, please contact the Student Record Administration Office:

Canterbury students – csao@kent.ac.uk
Medway students –  msao@kent.ac.uk

See Online Module Registration guide.