Author Archives: Hannah Brazier

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Internship Experience UK 2021 is open for applications!

Back by popular demand, Internship Experience UK is an immersive virtual experience designed to support school leavers, current university students and recent graduates to get ahead with their career.

As the UK’s biggest internship experience, it has supported thousands of students and graduates with their career. This year, Internship Experience UK is back with brand new three-day virtual programmes across eight sectors, and it’s completely virtual meaning your internship can be completed from anywhere.

Eight sectors to choose from:

  • Professional Services and consulting – Monday 28 June 2021
  • Technology – Tuesday 29 June 2021
  • Investment Banking and Asset Management – Monday 5 July 2021
  • Public Sector, Policy and Charity (New for 2021) – Tuesday 6 July 2021
  • Business Operations and Marketing – Monday 12 July 2021
  • Audit, Tax and Corporate Finance – Tuesday 13 July 2021
  • Engineering and Infrastructure (New for 2021) – Monday 19 July 2021
  • Commercial Law – Tuesday 20 July 2021

Internship Experience UK 2021 is a great opportunity to:

  • Enhance your CV just as employers are looking to hire
  • Explore exciting new career paths and build your sector knowledge
  • Meet new, leading UK employers and gain an industry-recognised certificate

To find out more about the three-day virtual internship, watch the Internship Experience UK 2021 video, and visit their website for information about how to apply.

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Covid-19 update – delay to roadmap and Kent Summer Fest

From Professor Richard Reece | DVC Education and Student Experience

As you may already know, the UK Government announced yesterday evening a delay in moving to the next step of their roadmap out of lockdown. Step 4 has now been put back to no earlier than 19 July 2021, meaning for now the vast majority of the ongoing safety requirements will remain as they are.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued cooperation throughout the ongoing lockdown period. I know that this delay will come as a disappointment to many of you, but it is vital we all keep supporting one another by following all Government guidance during this additional stage of lockdown release.

Kent Summer Fest

For those of you looking forward to joining us on campus for Kent Summer Fest next week, the good news is that we will we going ahead from Monday as planned.

Whilst yesterday’s announcement means we will be making some changes to our programme to fit within the current restrictions, we have had safety and flexibility built into our planning throughout and we will still be offering a full programme of events.

I hope to see as many as possible of you for a fortnight of fun-packed events and a chance to socialise and relax together after such a difficult year. We will share final details of ‘what’s on’ via our Kent Summer Fest webpages later this week.

Testing

A huge thank you to all of you who have taken part in the additional enhanced testing in Canterbury both on our campus and across the city. The testing finishes at the end of today, so please do try and get along to the testing vans on the Keynes and Darwin carparks today if you can for one of your weekly tests.

Whilst this focus on new variants is coming to an end, remember that you do still need to get regularly tested, especially if you are living on campus, coming to Kent Summer Fest or accessing other campus facilities. The campus asymptomatic testing centres are still open in Canterbury and Medway and in Canterbury we also offer home testing kits for you to collect. For those not able to collect from campus, please order your home kits from the NHS directly.

For those of you with symptoms or who test positive, please self-isolate immediately, arrange an NHS PCR test and let us know. Further information is in our ‘What to do if you have Covid-19 symptoms or advised to self-isolate’ online guide.

Please do continue to get in touch with CovidSupport@kent.ac.uk if you have any questions or concerns.

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience

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What’s on this week: 14-20 June 2021 

It’s the last week of the Summer Term! Congratulations for everything you’ve achieved this academic year. This is the last weekly ‘What’s On’ email of the academic year. 

This week you can apply for financial support, attend careers workshops and get excited for Kent Summer Fest. 

Phase 3 of the Covid-19 Hardship Fund is now open 

If you haven’t already received funding from the Covid-19 Hardship Fund, you can apply now for a £300 award to help with unexpected costs due to Covid-19. This could be due to a loss of income, childcare costs, travel or rent. 

Apply for the Covid-19 financial hardship fund 

Events for you to try this week:  

Browse all events 

Have you read this?  

Browse all student support 

Keep an eye on:  

Let us know what you think of these updates by emailing communications@kent.ac.uk  

Fulbright future ahead for Kent law student Amaka Agbandje-Boyce

A Fulbright future in the US awaits Kent Law LLB student Amaka Agbandje-Boyce who has secured a prestigious US-UK Fulbright Commission scholarship at one of America’s top-35 ranked law schools! Congratulations Amaka!

Amaka beat off fierce competition to win a Fulbright Postgraduate Student Award at Indiana University – Maurer School of Law. The US-UK Fulbright Commission selected Amaka for the award after a rigorous application and interview process, assessing her academic excellence, cultural curiosity and leadership qualities. When selecting scholars, the Commission also looks for evidence of a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright mission and a plan to give back to the UK upon returning.

Amaka said: ‘I think my involvement in many law-related extra-curricular activities really helped me in my application and interview. I drew upon my Kent Law Temple Society (KLTS) committee position and my involvement with Kent Law School’s mooting and mock trial programmes. In my first year, I secured an internship in Kent Union’s offices, which I also feel made my application a little bit more unique, as a lot of jobs with student unions are in retail and hospitality. I had such a different experience working at a desk and working on my own terms to a degree, which was great for demonstrating my independence and sense of professionalism. Being a law school rep for two years also showed by involvement in the campus community, which I think Fulbright looks for. They stress that academics only take a candidate so far, so I’d recommend anybody considering applying to really throw yourself into various activities during your time at Kent; you want to come across as an involved and invested, well-rounded student.’

Amaka’s award comprises a full tuition waiver and mandatory fee waiver, which includes health, sports and travel across the city of Bloomington and campus. As a Fulbright scholar, Amaka will also receive administrative support and a cultural education programme including visa support, a comprehensive pre-departure orientation, enrichment opportunities while abroad, a re-entry session and access to a global alumni network.

At Indiana Law, Amaka will be one of only 40-50 new “highly qualified” graduate students admitted to the LLM programme. And she’ll be studying on a campus ranked by Condé Nast Traveler as the third most beautiful college campus in the US.

Learn more about Amaka’s aspirations and interview experience on Kent Law School’s news blog.

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What’s on this week: 7-13 June 2021

Take a break from revision by getting involved with Summer Music Week, have a look through the Kent Summer Fest website and sign up to a college mindfulness session.

Kent Summer Fest events 

Get excited for Kent Summer Fest, taking place 21 June – 2 July!

The Kent Summer Fest website is now live, so you can start planning activities with friends! Together with Kent Union and GKSU, we have a range of events including film and sport screenings, food and drink, live music and workshops.

We’re keeping a close eye on changes to Government guidance and have designed our programme with flexibility and safety in mind – so while events are subject to change, Kent Summer Fest is happening!

View all Kent Summer Fest events

Events for you to try this week: 

Browse all events

Have you read this? 

Browse all student support

Keep an eye on: 

Let us know what you think of these updates by emailing communications@kent.ac.uk

 

 

 

Life as an alum

Just because you’ve finished your studies, you don’t leave Kent behind. There are lots of ways to play your part in the Kent community. You are one of over 195,000 Kent alumni worldwide – so why not make the most of the fantastic opportunities that being part of this network provides?

Most importantly, make sure that you don’t miss out on any opportunities by ensuring that we have got your correct contact details. By giving us your up-to-date details when you register for your graduation – and keeping them updated – we will be able to send you information about upcoming events, share the latest alumni news, and make sure you don’t miss a thing. We’re only ever an email away – get in touch via alumni@kent.ac.uk if you think we can help. And follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.

As you take your first steps into a new career, Kent is here to provide you with help and support to guide you along your chosen path. You can use the Careers and Employability Services for three years after graduating.

Every year we host a wide range of events, from campus-based lectures and reunions across Europe to formal and informal alumni events and get-togethers around the world, including online events which we’ve introduced recently.

We have alumni groups and chapters all over the world, with formal associations in North America, Asia, Europe and Africa. Find out if there is a group near you on our website – where you’ll also find links to social media groups associated with them. If there isn’t a group near you and you’d like to start one, get in touch, and we’ll help you find alumni in your area!

We hope you have enjoyed your time at Kent and that your university experience opens up new opportunities for your future. Please keep in touch!

Tim Farrow-House
Head of Development

mindfulness printed paper

Book a College Mindfulness Introduction session

Do you worry about your exams and sometimes find it hard to take your mind off them? Sign up to our College Mindfulness Introductions to take a break from worrying thoughts.

Mindfulness is about appreciating the present moment in the ‘here and now’ and taking a break from our busy minds which are constantly thinking.

We will talk about the basics of mindfulness practice and how it can help us to deal with stress. Part of this session will be a short meditation in a small group setting.

The sessions will be run by Miriam, one of the College Life Officers at the University of Kent.

If in person, please wear comfortable and weather appropriate clothing which allows you to sit on a mat outdoors. In case of rain, we will meet at Locke Building (2nd floor), Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7UG – entrance is to the right of the Co-op on the Jarman Plaza (by the letterbox).
Social distancing will be in place. Please bring your student ID, water bottle and sunscreen (if applicable) with you.

The online College Mindfulness Introduction will take place on Zoom.

Book now:

7 June – Darwin College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

8 June – Turing College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

10 June – Woolf College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

11 June – Medway College Mindfulness Introduction – online

14 June – Rutherford College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

15 June – Park Wood College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

17 June – Keynes College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

18 June – Eliot College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

Please follow @unikent_ccl on Instagram for news on a wide variety of events and activities taking place throughout the year.

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Kent Sport summer membership is back!

After a turbulent year we’re delighted that our facilities are once again open, and that means our popular summer half-price membership offer will return on 1 June!

And what’s more, we’ve introduced new prices for this year, so there has never been a better time to take out a Kent Sport membership:

  • University of Kent staff – £13 per month
  • New price for University of Kent students and Juniors* –  £18 per month
  • New offer for alumni and public – £37 per month and includes a plus one

Your Premium Plus membership provides access to modern sport and fitness facilities on the Canterbury campus, including:

Access to the gym for cardio and resistance/weights sessions A full timetable of fitness and dance classes A wide range of indoor and outdoor sports Our brand-new Indoor Tennis and Events Arena, featuring four acrylic tennis courts Social sports sessions with our Let’s Play team.

Once you’ve purchased your membership, you’ll need to create an online account in order to book sessions and activities. Social distancing measures are in place throughout our facilities. Please review our Coronavirus webpage for more detail.

You can purchase your membership by visiting the Sports Centre and The Pavilion receptions. Summer offer is available for purchase from 1 June to 20 August 2021 inclusive and is for use for one month from the purchase date. Membership terms and conditions can be found at kent.ac.uk/sports/membership.

 

*To apply for the junior rate, you must be in full-time education or aged 16 to 18 years old. Proof of full-time education (student card, etc.) will be required when purchasing a Junior membership.

Virtual Exchange Opportunity with Hong Kong Baptist University

You can take a module online with one of our partner university’s in Hong Kong along side your modules here at Kent.

We are delighted to offer Kent students the opportunity to participate in the HKBU Virtual Exchange Programme. This is an unique opportunity to be able to take 1 or possibly 2 modules in addition to your main studies at Kent with our partner university, Hong Kong Baptist University.  The current list of modules available can be found here, all are taught in English.  Modules range from Business Communications to Gender, Language and Creativity, Introduction to Cantonese to Mathematics on the Battlefields.

The modules will run from September – December, with a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous elements (the exact % of each will depend on the module).  If you decide to apply, you must be prepared to commit and attend for the full semester.  There are no fees associated with the programme.

Alongside the classes, HKBU are excited to enhance your virtual study experiences with them through a wide array of virtual student-led activities such as buddies scheme, cultural immersion activities, and talks!

Benefits

All students who participate in this virtual mobility will be able to learn, appreciate and evaluate different international perspectives, strengthen your intercultural dialogue skills and develop your knowledge in an area of studies that you may not be able to get from Kent.  This will be an opportunity for you to meet and collaborate with students from across the world, and can either provide an alternative to study abroad or act as a taster to go later during your time at Kent, depending what Stage you are at in your studies.

You will receive a transcript from HKBU on successful completion of the module, in addition to Employability Points at Kent and it will be recognised on your Higher Education Achievement Report.

What to do next?

If you are interested in participating and would like to be nominated to HKBU, in order to start the application process, please email studyabroad@kent.ac.uk by 25 June 2021. 

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

man using laptop sitting down

Staying calm on the day of an exam

Before the exam

  1. Accept that you’ve done the best that you can

You can only do your best, so try not to put pressure on yourself to do more than that. You’ve spent time revising and know more than you think.

  1. Eat a healthy meal

It’s easy to forget to eat when feeling nervous. Eating a healthy meal before your exam will help you stay alert and focused during your exam.

  1. If you have time, refresh your memory with your revision notes

It’s too late to try and cover new topics, but going over revision notes will help focus your mind on your exam topic.

  1. Practise mindfulness

Mindfulness encourages relaxation and positive thinking. Visualise yourself calmly sitting the exam, answering questions and feeling in control.

The Mindfulness Society hold online Zoom mindfulness sessions that are open to all students. Sign up to an online session.

During the exam

  1. Read the exam paper carefully

Take time at the beginning of the exam to make sure you understand what needs to be done. Throughout the exam, ensure you read the questions correctly.

  1. Stay positive

Try to avoid negative thoughts. Instead of thinking, “I’m going to fail” try and think “I’ll do my best and that’s all I can do.” Don’t think about what you should have done, pay attention to what you can do now.

  1. Relax yourself

If you feel yourself starting to panic, take a moment to relax. Concentrate on your breathing for a minute, and then return to your exam paper.

  1. Stay focused

Keep focused on yourself and your own exam. Don’t worry about how other people might be doing, or any other thoughts that might creep into your mind.

 

More exam support: