Author Archives: Allie Burnett

Wear Red for Ruby on 1 Dec

You may be aware that the University of Greenwich is holding a charity fundraising day on Monday 1 December at the Medway campus Blake Building in support of the Wear Red for Ruby campaign.

The main theme of the day is for everybody to wear something red. It would be a good idea if University of Kent staff could also get involved too.

However, we also need your help. One of the highlights of the fundraiser will be wet sponge throwing. We’d like to give our students the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to throw wet sponges at staff for a nominal charge.

If you would like to volunteer your services for this wonderful and very worthwhile cause – could you let us know. If you have any other ideas for fun activities please contact us:

We are raising as much money for Ruby Laura Young, a 2 year old girl from Rainham, Kent who has been diagnosed with an aggressive childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma.

She is currently receiving treatment but there is an 80% risk of relapse. If she relapses, there are no further treatment options in the UK. The Neuroblastoma Children’s Cancer Alliance UK (NCCA) are helping Ruby’s family and other families to raise vital funds to pay for further treatment in the United States for children with Neuroblastoma.

To read more about Ruby, please visit her JustGiving page.

History of donations at Kent – tell us what you know!

As part of the University’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the Centre for Philanthropy has been researching the history of donations to our University since it was founded in 1965.

We are looking for any accounts of philanthropic acts or donations within your department, either to or from the University. If you know of any examples, then it would be great to hear from you.

These could be:

  • cash donations
  • equipment
  • trees/benches/statues (anything that changes the University landscape)
  • books
  • working with charities off-campus

The findings will be published in a Beacon Project-funded book provisionally entitled ‘Kent: The Philanthropy Story’, to be launched at the ‘Understanding Philanthropy’ conference on the Canterbury campus, 29-30 June 2015.

Please contact Dr. Triona Fitton, with any suggestions, examples, stories and accounts of gifts, volunteering or donations (no matter how big or small) that you know of, that may not have been widely documented and that you think deserve a place in the history of philanthropy at the University of Kent.

We would be glad to give you a free copy of the book and/or an invitation to the conference in return.

How could technology improve your neighbourhood?

The Innovation Day, on Saturday 29 November, is a culmination of the ‘Embrace Your Space’ challenge,  run by the Kent Connects partnership and co-sponsored by the University of Kent. The challenge has already caught the imagination of local people and University students, who have posted over 100 ideas onto the Transformed by You website.

During the Innovation Day at Woolf College from 9.30am to 4.30pm, everyone interested in the challenge is invited to come together and bring their ideas to life.  All ideas will be presented to a panel of judges and an overall winner will be announced at the event. The winner will be given the support they need to develop and launch their idea.

Entry to the day is free and lunch and refreshments will be provided. People can sign up  now at http://bit.ly/transformedbyu.

Professor Simon Thompson, from the School of Computing, explained: ‘We have chosen to sponsor Embrace your Space in the School of Computing for three reasons. Firstly, we are pleased to make a contribution to the wider Canterbury and Kent community by supporting technology-based innovations that are set to enhance people’s experience of public spaces. Secondly, our first year students in computer science are benefiting from the competition by working on projects alongside the formal competition. Finally, this is part of a wider collaboration with public sector IT organisations under which our students take sandwich placements and staff deliver ‘masterclasses’ to members of the Kent Connects partnership.’

For further information, contact Orla Garratt.

Managing your time

As we approach the end of term we know that assessment deadlines are looming for many of you. So here are some time management tips from the Student Learning Advisory Service:

  • Get organised
    Get yourself a term planner or student diary and get into the habit of writing every commitment down, with times, locations and contact details. These should include university related commitments like deadlines, exam dates and study groups as well as medical appointments, work shifts and social engagements. Make sure that you carry it with you and keep it up to date. Even though your mobile may be able to hold all this, it may be a good idea – to get an overview of your workload – to use a wall planner anyway (free wall planners are available at the Student Learning Advisory Service).
  • Prioritise
    With so much to do, you will need to prioritise some tasks or commitments over others. It may be a good idea to spend a few minutes each Sunday sorting through the tasks for the week ahead. Group tasks into ‘needs to be done within 48 hours’, ‘needs to be done this week’, ‘longer term tasks’. Revise your lists daily and cross completed task off and add new ones.
  • Develop a work routine
    What works best for you in terms of time management? Does your head work better in the morning? Or late a night? Try to use your productive time for more demanding study related tasks and the less productive time for mundane tasks such as sorting, tidying or doing housework. Are there any tasks – such as shopping, looking after the kids – that can be shared or delegated?
  • Use time productively
    Try to make good use of the ‘in between’ times, eg travelling or waiting times. Carry some material around with you and use this time to go over notes or read. During gaps between lectures, use the time to check out or return books at the library or even to do some research.
  • Break tasks down
    When working on assignments it might help to break them down into manageable chunks and work on one of these at a time. Use the online Assignment Survival Kit to plan and complete your assignments.
  • Ask for help
    There is a lot of help available at the University. If you can’t locate sources in the library, ask the library assistants or the relevant subject librarian. If you can’t get to grips with an assignment ask the seminar leader or consult the Student Learning Advisory Service. If you are feeling very stressed about your studies, you might want to visit the Counselling Service in Keynes College or Gillingham Building in Medway. Should you feel unwell, have problems sleeping or eating properly, drop in at the University Nursing Service (Keynes EG3 ext: 3503) or visit the Medical Centre or contact your own doctor. If there is a problem, ask for help and it can be sorted out. If something is seriously affecting your studies, let your tutor know as soon as possible. Do not miss deadlines without telling your school what is wrong.
  • Take a break, enjoy yourself
    Make sure that you take enough breaks and plan in leisure time. Studying all day non-stop is rarely productive. Study in short blocks of time with brief breaks, then review what you have studied before moving on. Try to do some sort of regular physical exercise, even if it is only a 15-minute walk around campus. This gives your brain a chance to relax and get energised again. Plan in some regular study free time.
  • Keep a record and keep it tidy
    When researching and reading material for your assignments, keep a record of the sources that you have used. Make sure you have enough details to write up the full reference. Once you have taken the books back to the library or moved on online it may be very time consuming to retrieve the relevant bibliographical details (eg name, date, title, edition, volume, page number, publisher etc). Also, try to keep your notes in one place (have a folder for each module) and label them with a heading, keywords, the date and, of course, the source. Add new material or comment on your notes throughout the term. When it comes to exam preparation, revision planning will seem less daunting.
  • Learn to say NO
    Get those around you – family, friends and colleagues – to take you seriously as a student. You have the right to study and to have that respected. Learn to be assertive when people want to make you do things that interfere with your study time. Even those students who pretend to ‘only party’ will have to study sometimes if they want to pass and do well. As a full-time student you are expected to put in about 40 hours of work per week. So, learn to say NO to time stealers and learn to restrict time wasting activities (such as TV, facebook etc).
  • Plan ahead
    It might be a good idea to think about what else you could get out of your time at university. Personal development planning (PDP) helps you to take charge of your learning, recognise your strengths and weaknesses and plan for your short term and long term future. To find out more and to produce your very own e-portfolio.

Making the most of your winter break

The winter break is a great time to relax and reflect on your year. It’s also a chance to think about new challenges for the New Year. Being a Kent student, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, enhance your employability and have new experiences.

The Employability webpages provide information on many of these opportunities, including:

  • Study abroad. This is a valuable experience which you’re likely to remember for the rest of your life. It’s not only a fun and exciting opportunity, but will put you in a better position when you graduate.
  • Learn a new language. A new year is the perfect opportunity to take on a new challenge. Here at Kent you can take a wide range of language courses, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced.
  • Work experience. In an increasingly competitive job market, relevant work experience has never been more valuable. It’s because of this placements are harder to come by. We offer a wide range of support to help you get that all-important work placement.
  • Why not volunteer? Volunteering is a brilliant way to add essential skills and experience to your CV, while making new friends and supporting a cause you believe in. Also, most the volunteering opportunities we offer go towards your Employability Points.
  • And the support doesn’t end there… Our experienced careers advisers can help you with essential skills development to make you more employable.  Including, creating a quality CV and how to have interview success.

Advertise your job opportunities with Jobshop

Students want to work on campus and we want to support that objective by putting them in touch with as many paid opportunities on campus as possible.

It is now FREE for all University departments to advertise vacancies through Jobshop, so please take advantage of this service and let us know about any jobs you have suitable for students!

Pop into our shop in the plaza (Canterbury campus) and see us at any time with your staffing requirements. Alternatively, jobs can be emailed to us at jobshop@kent.ac.uk or via Jobshop’s website.

Equality Week, 17-21 Nov

Kent presents the first Equality Week from the 17-21 November with free events and activities.

There are a huge number of activities and events, including:

  • Film screenings
  • Music and dance workshops
  • Sessions that enhance your employability (eg learning British Sign Language)
  • Anne Frank Exhibition
  • Talks from high profile campaigns like No More Page 3 and Stonewall

View the full programme.

Everything throughout the week celebrates equality and diversity, encourages thought and debate and enhances student employability, with most sessions earning Employability Points.

Don’t forget to grab your free wristband on campus and show your support and belief that everyone should ‘Expect Respect’.

For more information contact Becky Lamyman:

Weights room

Have you got the Xercise Factor?

Kent Sport Xercise Factor is back by popular demand, offering members the chance to be selected for one-to-one fitness training and battle it out to earn the title of Xercise Factor Champion 2015.

Student, staff and public members who think they have the Xercise Factor and want to commit to get fit and improve their lifestyle can now apply to take part.

If you are successful in your application you will join the contestants for the Xercise Factor boot camp in January where a member of the fitness team will mentor you for two weeks. Only the committed will make it to the next stage.

Reigning Xercise Factor champion and staff member Vivi Triantafyllopoulou said:

‘The Xercise Factor was such an enjoyable and amazing experience, it really motivated me to push myself to achieve my goals and I learnt so much in the process. I would recommend it to everyone!’

Xercise Factor aims to make long lasting changes to member’s lifestyles. It is a complete overhaul of exercise and lifestyle habits and the promotion requires full commitment from the contestants to complete the challenge.

Pick up your application form from the Sports Centre or download the application form.

Tell us your exercise history, your 2015 lifestyle goals and why you think you have the Xercise Factor.

Post your form in the Fitness Suite X-Box or email o.prior.kent.ac.uk by Friday 5 December 2014 and get ready for the challenge in January 2015.

Not a member of Kent Sport? Sign up now!

For more information email sportsenquiries@kent.ac.uk.

Happiness Lecture: Does my bomb look big in this?

Dr. Katherine Brown from Kings College, London will deliver the first lecture in a year long series of celebratory events as part of the 50th anniversary to present an academic approach to the idea of happiness.

The lecture, titled ‘Does my bomb look big in this? Humour and joy in insecurity and politics’, will take place on Thursday 27 November at 18.00 in KLT 1.

The lecture and Q&A will be followed by a wine reception.

Admission to the lecture is free and open to all.

For more information email H.Toros@kent.ac.uk.

Staff support Children in Need

A big thank you to all staff who supported this year’s Children in Need Appeal.

Colleagues at Medway campus raised £255 – thanks to Micky Dalzell (on Medway Building reception) who invited contributions for coming to work in fancy dress.

At Canterbury, colleagues in Estates Helpdesk raised £239.21 for the appeal. Staff from across the department baked or donated delicious cakes which were quickly snapped up. Their efforts received a special thank you from Pudsey on Twitter: ‘@UniKentStaff Paws up, Kent Heroes!’

If you know anyone else who helped raise funds, let us know by emailing stories@kent.ac.uk.

Medway staff dress up for Children in Need