Find out what’s on this week including festive events and inspirational talks.

Monday 2 December: Using Gen AI legitimately and inspiration talk

Are you a PGT student and unsure how you can use Generative AI legitimately in your studies? Join this session to find out how to use AI successfully and avoid plagiarism.

As part of Disability History Month, you’re invited to an inspiring talk ‘In the Dark: Climbing Mountains’ in Sibson. Michele and Daniele, lifelong friends who founded the In The Dark project, celebrate a shared passion for the mountains and pushing their limits. Following an accident, Michele lost his sight, however as a team they continue to push boundaries and test their limits. They will be sharing their story as well as hosting a blindfolded walk around the University slopes in the afternoon of their visit.

Tuesday 3 December: Festive crafts and language taster sessions

Join us for our Winter Global Hangout on Tuesday for a fun afternoon with festive craft activities, refreshments, and games. Run by our Student Global Officers, it is the perfect opportunity to make new friends and meet existing ones in a relaxed environment.

Interested in learning a new language for free? The Language Centre are offering free taster sessions in Irish Gaeilge, Russian, and Ukrainian, along with their usual classes. Find out more about free language classes at Kent.

There are also more festive opportunities including Christmas glass painting at K Bar and decorating sustainable wooden baubles to hang on the Templeman Christmas tree.

Wednesday 4 December: Winter Wonder Wednesday (Medway), talks and Cultural Showcase

If you’re a Medway student, head to The Hub on Wednesday for Winter Wonder Wednesday. There will be market stalls, a photobooth, winter activities, crafts are more!

The next PG Talk is Exploring Global Cultures. The event allows postgraduates to present on their own culture and offers an opportunity to learn about our cultural similarities and differences.

How can we make universities more beneficial to their communities? Join us for a talk in Sibson as we discuss Kent’s place in the community including being the world’s first Right to Food University and our Sanctuary project. Come along and join the discussion with leaders in our communities. The talk will be followed by a Q&A, drinks and networking.

Get ready for a spectacular showcase of talent at Kent Students’ Union’s Cultural Showcase! This exciting competition features our diverse student community competing for up to £200 and a chance to perform at a Global Hangout.

Thursday 5 December: Drug and alcohol support drop in, placements and Cookies and Conversation

Each Thursday afternoon you can drop in to Keynes meeting room to get free information and support about drugs (including alcohol) and sexual health. You can have a confidential chat around any concerns around your or someone else’s drug use.

Unsure about how to find a placement? Join this online session to find out what placements could be available to you and where to find them. If you’re based at Medway, there’s an in-person session for how to answer interview questions.

Enjoy Cookies and Conversation in Templeman Library Café on Thursday afternoon. Share your opinions about the library and you can also find out about the new Student Shapers initiative and how to get involved #YourUniYourSay

Friday 6 December: Dancing Queen Christmas Special

K Bar is excited to bring you a fabulously festive Christmas party like no other, designed especially for Kent’s LGBTQ+ community and everyone who wants to dance into the holiday season!

Opportunities and reminders

• Staying on campus over the winter break? Let us know!
• Will you be returning from overseas after the winter break? You can use our airport transfer service for your return to campus in the new year.
• There’s not long left to be in with the chance of winning one of 10 £1,000 grants for Kent students, closing Thursday 5 December.

Over 50 PGR students along with their supervisors gathered upstairs in Woody’s for the BIG PGR Quiz of the Year.  It was a joint social event organised by the Graduate Researcher College (GRC) and Kent Students’ Union (KSU) with a free spread of tasty food and refreshments provided too.

14 teams took part with innovative and inventive names: Non-Applicable, The Smooth Brains, Yeasty Boys, The Centrifugitives, Psycho Linguistics, Biohazardous Waste(d), Philanthropy Fantastica, Inspire, Hybrid Vigour, Unsupervised Learners, Quiz-ics and Astronomy, Statistically Insignificant, ChemisTRY Harder and The Mushkateers.

Quizzers battled their heads over a picture round and questions on Food, Films, Around the World and History of Kent University whilst socialising with fellow PhD students and supervisors in the warmth of Woody’s.  There was much fun and laughter had by the PGR community at Kent.

It was a close competition with Non-Applicable winning the Booby Prize and The Mushkateers (pictured above) scooping the top prize of £100.  Josh, from the Mushkateers winning team, summarised the evening by saying: “Nothing brings friends and co-workers together like a good old-fashioned Quiz night!”

Find out what’s on this week, including events for Cultural Celebration Week and Disability History Month.

Monday 25 November: Finding a part-time job and Wellbeing Café

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 job.

On Monday afternoons you can join Mental Health Advisors and other students for the Wellbeing Café, a relaxed space with a focus on promoting your wellbeing and mental health through activity, for example a craft.

Tuesday 26 November: Finding a part-time job (Medway), UV games (Medway) and glass painting

Looking for a part-time job and based in Medway? Join this in-person session in Medway building to find out more about options for work and how to apply.

Head to the Hub to play UV pickle ball and table tennis – a fun way to stay active and meet new people.

If you live in on-campus accommodation, you can join ResLife Ambassadors Aashvi and Nehi for a relaxing evening of glass panting. Using specialised glass paints and brushes, you’ll learn how to create unique designs on glassware.

Wednesday 27 November: Tree survey, DHM Speaker Panel and PGR quiz

Spend an hour in nature on the KentCOG site for a wellbeing and biodiversity tree survey. We will be mapping the trees we have, recording information about them and giving them a health check.

On Wednesday afternoon you can join the Disability History Month Speaker Panel. Kent Students’ Union and the Student Services Resource Department welcome you to a live speaker event all about access in the workplace, hosted by Chair of the Accessibility Network Gabby.

All PGR students are invited for an afternoon of fun, food, and friendly competition at the Big PGR Quiz of the Year! Jointly hosted by Kent Students’ Union and the Graduate and Researcher College, this is a great opportunity to get to know other PGR students and supervisors.

Thursday 28 November: Cultural Food Festival and film screening (Medway)

As part of Cultural Celebration Week, join us and Kent Students’ Union in Rutherford Dining Hall the Cultural Food Festival 2024. Enjoy a night of cultural celebrations with food dishes prepared by KSU student groups, who will be there to tell you more about their dishes.

**Cancelled** At Medway campus you can join a free screening of the film Rising Phoenix at The Hub, which tells the extraordinary story of the Paralympic Games.

Friday 29 November: Litter pick, LGBTQ+ friendly social and cultural quiz night

The Big Hog Friendly Litter Pick Challenge is an annual national competition to see which institution can collect the most litter on campus. Join us to keep our campus clean and hedgehog friendly!

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. There will be hot drinks, biscuits, board games and Super Mario Kart.

As part of Cultural Celebration Week, join us for a fun evening testing your knowledge with this fun Cultural Quiz. Hosted by our student Global Officers, come along and join in a fun evening of cultural trivia. Test your knowledge and learn something new, with prizes up for grabs.

See all student events.

Staying in campus accommodation

Autumn Term finishes on Friday 13 December. Let us know if you’ll be staying in your campus accommodation over the winter break in Canterbury by Wednesday 11 December. If you are staying at Pier Quays, Unite Students will be in touch with you.

Don’t forget if you’re living in part-catered accommodation and want to stay on campus over the winter break, you’ll need to book vacation accommodation at least one week before you’re due to move out. Please note all meal plans come to an end for the vacation period from Saturday 14 December 2024 – Saturday 11 January 2025. Vacation accommodation is available on a self-catered basis only and you will have access to a kitchen to cook your own meals.

What’s on?

If you’re staying on campus, or you live locally, check out the winter break events page which includes festive themed events before term finishes as well as a few events happening over the winter break. There are also links to events taking place off campus in Canterbury and Medway.

On Wednesday 18 December, you can join a relaxed Christmas Crafts and Chat session in the Library Cafe where you can connect with other students staying on or near campus. Join in with some festive craft, make a tree decoration, decorate a gingerbread biscuit and find out what’s happening in the local area. Plus, those who sign up can get a free hot drink from the Library Cafe!

More information

Check out the winter break webpage for more information, support and events.

Find out what’s on this week, including events for our Careers’ International Students Week and Disability History Month.

Monday 18 November: Wellbeing Café and introduction to First Aid

Each Monday during term-time, you’re invited to join the Wellbeing Café, which is a space to connect with other students in a relaxed environment with a focus on promoting your wellbeing and mental health through activity.

Ever wondered what to do in a situation? You want to help but you’re not sure? Come along to this introduction to first aid.

Tuesday 19 November: Meet with the International Student Advisory Board, PG Talk and tie dye Crafternoon (Medway)

Are you an international student? Come and meet the International Student Advisory Board representatives in Nexus (Templeman Library). Discuss your experiences so far and feedback on what you would like to see improved or changed to make your living and studying better at Kent #YourUniYourSay

Postgrad students are invited to join the next PG Talk about the benefits of biodiversity for our health and wellbeing. The talk will explore the impact of various species, their colours, sounds, and scents on our anxiety, happiness, and stress levels.

On Tuesday afternoon you can join a tie dye Crafternoon at The Hub. Tie dye a bandana or bring your own item from home.

Wednesday 20 November: Dissertation planning, ASPIRE panel discussion, AI webinar and Postgraduate Open Event

Not sure how to plan your undergrad dissertation? Join this in-person session at Canterbury and Medway to demystify your dissertation, making it less intimidating and more approachable.

What is it really like to run your own business? Kent graduate Emay Enemokwu, founder of the streetwear brand JEHUCAL, will chair the conversation with fellow Kent alumni who are reshaping the world of sustainability, mental health, and tech. It’s a unique opportunity to gain insights from those already making a real impact in their fields. The panel discussion will be followed by networking and nibbles in the ASPIRE lab space.

Interesting in developing your critical thinking skills when using Generative AI? Our E-Learning team are hosting a series of webinars on Wednesday afternoon with lecturers from across the sector to discuss the best way to do this. Students are invited to attend so you can share your input on the topic.

Are you considering postgraduate study? Join our Postgraduate Open Event on Wednesday in Sibson to speak with staff and students and find out more about scholarships and funding. Find out how Kent can make your ambition count.

Thursday 21 November: Disability support drop-in and K Bar’s Got Talent

If you have any quick questions or inquiries about disability support, a disability advisor will be available for drop-in session on Thursday morning.

Get ready for a night of entertainment at K Bar’s Got Talent! Whether you can sing, dance, perform comedy, or showcase a unique skill, we want to see what you’ve got! This variety talent show is open to all acts – so if you’ve got a talent, we’ve got a stage for you. With prizes on offer for the best performances.

Friday 22 November: Evaluating and referencing your research and creative session

On Friday morning you can join a bite-size library webinar where the library team will introduce you to the basics of evaluating and referencing your research – useful for assignments, literature reviews, and dissertations.

Live on campus? Get creative with the ResLife Ambassadors for zine making and journal decorating in DG-01 in Templeman Library.

Saturday 23 November: Build an app bootcamp

Have you ever fancied building your own app? Join this Build an App one-day workshop in Sibson where you’ll learn how to plan and build an app in Bubble with our Tech Entrepreneur in Residence, Jon Carroll. Free lunch provided.

Sunday 24 November: Childhood games

On Sunday afternoon you can join the ResLife team for a nostalgic afternoon of childhood games including Duck Duck Goose, Musical Chairs, Hide and Seek and more. Have some fun and reminisce.

See all student events.

Opportunities and reminders

• We are currently seeing an increase in phishing attempts targeting Kent staff and student email accounts. Learn how to spot and report phishing emails.
• Complete the Travel Plan Survey for a chance to win £100 Amazon voucher.
• For an idea for a cultural event at Kent? Check out the Cultural Event Fund.

See all student opportunities.