Author Archives: Miriam Sandiford

Laptop loan service

Laptop loans service expanded and enhanced

12 hour laptop loans now available to use on campus.

You can now borrow all Templeman Library laptops for up to 12 hours; and laptops from the self-service cabinet in the Library Café can be borrowed and used across the Canterbury campus. Chargers are available to borrow from the Welcome Desk, along with laptop bags if you’re using it outside the Library.

We’ve extended the loan period and expanded the places where the laptops can be used in response to student feedback, enhancing this popular service to better support your study needs #YourUniYourSay

Campus laptops: for use across campus

  • Laptops from the self-service cabinet in the Library Café can be borrowed and used across the Canterbury campus.

Library laptops: for Library use only

  • Laptops from the self-service cabinet on Floor 2, Block C, are restricted for use in the Templeman Library only.

Loan chargers and laptop bags

  • Chargers are available for loan from the Welcome Desk, along with laptop bags if you’re using it outside the Library.

How loan laptops work

  1. Borrow loan laptops:
    • For campus use: from laptop cabinet in the Café area (Ground floor, Block B)
    • For Library use only: from laptop cabinet on Floor 2, Block C.
  2. Use it: for up to 12 hours – the laptop works with wired and Bluetooth headphones.
    • Need a charger or laptop bag? Pick one up from the Welcome Desk.
  3. Save your files: to your University OneDrive so you can easily access them.
  4. Return it: take it back to the cabinet and plug it in. If you have borrowed a charger and / or laptop bag as well, please return them to the Welcome Desk.

Any problems? Please take the laptop to IT & Library Support in Nexus, Ground Floor, Block D, so we can sort it out.

What’s included

  • All Office 365 tools
  • Internet access and webcam
  • Accessibility apps
  • Citation tools

What’s not provided

  • Course-specific software
  • Laptop accessories (eg mouse)
  • Speakers (they’re disabled)

The small print

  • Laptops loaned from the Café self-service cabinet can be used across the Canterbury campus.
  • Laptops loaned from the cabinet on Floor 2 are still restricted for use in the Templeman Library only.
  • If you don’t return the laptop at the end of the 12 hour loan period, there won’t be a fine – but you won’t be able to borrow any other items until you do!
  • If you lose the laptop, we will charge you for the replacement costs.

Please follow our laptop loans conditions of use and Library and IT regulations when using them.

Find out more

See our Laptop loans guide.

Two students talking sat at bench

How can universities support your mental health? Tell us today and win a Smart Watch!

We want to ask you a few questions about your time at university, your experience with student services and/or your experiences at work. In this study, we will explore sensitive topics such as loneliness and mental health challenges you may be experiencing.

The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of student mental health and inform university student services and graduate employers on how they can support you. Share your thoughts today and help us enhance the student experience for you and your peers.

Start the survey now!

Students sitting round table chatting

Events roundup: 15-20 January

Welcome to the start of the Spring Term! And a warm welcome to all our new students who have joined us in January.

Campus Shuttle update: From 15 January, a new provider, Zeelo, is running our Campus Shuttle service between the Canterbury and Medway campuses. The timetable isn’t changing but it will take some time to set up the new booking system. So for now, you just need to show your KentOne card to the driver to use the Campus Shuttle. There is no need to book.

Find out what’s on this week:

Monday 15 January: CV and cover letter help (Medway)

Find out the essentials for CVs and cover letters, including trends, hints and tips.

Tuesday 16 January: Speed Friending (Medway) and learn more about volunteering

Ready to expand your social circle? The students’ unions at Medway are running a Speed Friending event where you engage in quick, fun conversations, share stories and discover common interests.

Want to start volunteering in 2024? Come along to this online session by the Careers and Employability Service who explore where you can find volunteering opportunities.

Thursday 17 January: Managing your time effectively and opportunities to get creative

Do you want to improve your time management this year? Join this online Study Plus session to find out all about how to manage your time efficiently, including common barriers to good time management and building a practical plan specific to your needs.

If you’re feeling creative, join the ResLife Ambassadors in Keynes for a relaxing mindfulness colouring and painting session. Tea and coffee will also be provided.

Or if you’re at Medway, you can go to a Crafternoon at The Hub and create dreamcatchers, personalised coasters and more.

Friday 18 January: Live music at Woody’s and UV Games (Medway)

Grab your racquet or paddle and step into a world of UV-lit fun at The Hub, with UV games including table tennis and badminton.

On Friday evening, head to Woody’s for their live music night, hosted by the Live Music Society, showcasing some of the best student and local bands.

Saturday 19 January: Wildwood trip

On Saturday you can join ResLife Ambassadors Ben and Rebecca for a trip to Wildwood Kent, where you can come nose-to-nose with more than 200 British animals in natural enclosures, set in 40 acres of ancient woodland.

Student opportunities

Woman looking at painting in gallery

20% off Student Art Pass

Lock-in a year of art adventures for less + save 20% off a Student Art Pass today using code STUDENT20,

Student Art Pass is your key to unlocking a whole of year of arts adventures for less, including: 250+ museum and gallery discounts, 50% off major exhibitions and exclusive career-boosting paid arts opportunities.

Use code: STUDENT20 at checkout.

Get your pass today.

Campus Shuttle Cross Keys Vehicle

Campus Shuttle update

From 15 January 2024, a new provider (Zeelo) is running our Campus Shuttle service between the Canterbury and Medway campuses.

The timetable isn’t changing but it will take some time to set up the new booking system. So for now, you just need to show your KentOne card (Student ID) to the driver to use the Campus Shuttle. There is no need to book.

Throughout the year we will be working with Zeelo to bring you a new and improved booking system as well as many more exciting developments to simplify how you use the service.

You can still follow the Campus Shuttle X page (formerly Twitter) for any significant shuttle disruptions.

Working out

Kent Sport activities: January free weeks

At Kent Sport, we want to help you meet those new year goals of being healthier and more active, and that’s why we’re bringing in our new promotion for January 2024; Free Weeks! For the first two weeks of January, we’ll be offering a range of activities each day for University of Kent students and staff to join in with, and they’re all absolutely free! So, kick-start your active 2024 with Kent Sport!

Each week, we’ll have a timetable of activities to join in with, from our popular fitness and dance group exercise classes to indoor and outdoor sports as part of our ALL Active programme.

Kent Sport Free Weeks will run from:

  • Week 1 – Tuesday 2 to Friday 5 January
  • Week 2 – Monday 8 to Friday 12 January

Exercise class

The available sessions:

There’s loads to get involved in during our Free Weeks at Kent Sport.

Group exercise timetables

We have a fabulous weekly timetable of in-person fitness and dance classes, including popular classes such as BodyPump, spinning, and Zumba. Or why not experience world-class Les Mills instructors with our Virtual Instructor timetable, featuring unique classes like Barre, The Trip, and BodyAttack.

View the fitness and dance class timetable.

Playing tennis

ALL Active social sports

Our ALL Active programme is a weekly timetable of social, low-commitment sports and fitness activities for all ages and abilities. These sessions are aimed at those new to sport and fitness, with each session being guided by an experienced member of the Sports Development and Fitness teams. All equipment is provided at each session. Make sure you pick up a loyalty card and get a stamp for each session you attend!

View the ALL Active timetable.

ALL Active sessions are bookable through your online account (see information about creating a free Pay to Play membership below).

Please note that the This Girl Can sessions within the gym are women-only.

Here’s how it works:

Each day of the Free Weeks, there will be a range of activities already set up for you to join, including indoor social sports, fitness and dance classes, and some outdoor sports too.

To attend an event, you’ll need to book the activity you want to do either through your online booking account, or via the online sign-up form. We would advise booking your space in advance as spaces are limited per activity.

You’ll need to arrive at the activity location (either the Sports Centre or The Pavilion) at least 5 minutes prior to the start time to sign in at reception, and setup your space for some classes.

How to book an activity:

We welcome all University of Kent students and staff to join us during our Free Weeks. You’ll need to have a minimum of Kent Sport Pay to Play membership to book on to our free sessions – this is a free membership and is created automatically when you create your online booking account.

ALL Active sessions can be booked through your online account. Please note that Pay to Play members can book these sessions three days in advance.

Classes can be booked through our online booking forms*:

Week one class booking form

Week two class booking form

*Each class will be limited to 10 free spaces; however, we will monitor bookings and increase this number if required.

Student and staff Pay to Play members won’t be charged for attending our Free Week activities. If you attend activities not included in the Free Weeks (like using the gym), then you will be charged the Pay to Play per-session rate. See our membership webpage for more information.

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to send reminders for the Free Week sessions, so make sure you add them to your calendar once booked!

What you need to bring:

We’ll provide everything you need for our classes and social sports (rackets, balls, weights etc.). Just make sure you’re wearing suitable clothing and comfortable shoes (clean, non-marking please!), and we advise you also bring a water bottle. We have changing rooms, showers, and toilet facilities at both the Sports Centre and The Pavilion.

When you arrive at the Sports Centre or The Pavilion for your activity, please make sure you check in at reception.

If you have any questions about our Free Weeks, please contact us on sportsenquiries@kent.ac.uk or 01227 823 623.

We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

Winter berries

Love, actually is all around us

By Zoraya Yanar, Global Officer, studying Classics and an exchange student from New Mexico State University.

Zoraya shares with us her Christmas traditions and what this time of year means to her

Christmas, for me, as for so many others, is my favourite time of the year. It is a time to relax and be with family, I feel that I can be a kid again and forget about any worries I may have at the moment. The comfort and love that the holiday brings helps me to remember that things will be alright, because I have friends, family, and love.

As time passes and one grows older, it is easy to feel that the magic of Christmas has begun to dwindle away– which is why I believe it is important to have at least one Christmas tradition to keep you excited for the holiday and to keep reminding about what it is that you love so much about the season.

My own personal Christmas tradition is to pop a bag of popcorn, make hot chocolate, wear fuzzy socks and a warm blanket, and put on one of my favourite movies: Love Actually. The movie, which takes place during the Christmas season, follows eight London couples who are trying to navigate their relationships– it’s funny, but sad; wholesome, but vulgar, and everything in between. It shows love in all its forms and variations– romantic, familial, platonic, while also tackling love in the face of death and heartbreak. I personally relate to death and familial love because the same year that I first watched this film my grandfather passed away on the morning of Christmas Eve. It was a very hard time for my family, but I felt God was looking over us and chose the most appropriate time for us. It happened on a day that my entire family was already going to be together. What we all needed most in that moment was each other, and luckily we had it.

I usually spend Christmas in Mexico with family, or we, on occasion, spend it in Ruidoso, New Mexico — a cute, quaint village only a few hours from home which usually gets snow during the holidays. I am at Kent this term as an international student and this will be the first Christmas away from my extended family. I will, however, be spending it with my sisters and parents as they are coming to visit– I’m very excited to see them again and to get to spend it here. My love and nostalgia for Love Actually played a surprisingly big part in my decision to study abroad here during the winter term, so I’m very grateful for this time and opportunity. I get to see my family arrive at Heathrow Airport just as they do in the movie, and I’ll get to show them what Christmas in the UK is like. This term studying abroad has been the happiest I have ever been in my life and as sad as I am to see it come to an end, I know that good things are to come, and I think that Christmas and the New Year here will be a wonderful way to end my time here, at least for the time being.

Frosty campus with cathedral in background

Looking for a winter wonderland in Canterbury?

Written by Flavie Tristani.

Looking for a winter wonderland in Canterbury? Then you are at the right place to find the top guide to make your snowy dreams come true!

Global Officer, Flavie Tristani, provides her tips on how to get into the festive spirit, and where to go in Canterbury if you are stuck for ideas.

Is there a better way to start winter than by having fluffy socks? ☃

We all know that winters in Canterbury are frosty. This is why it is the perfect time to go to town and buy yourself the perfect socks to embrace the winter season. Whether you are at home or heading outside for a winter adventure, a pair of silky socks is a must have. Many shops in Canterbury have these kinds of socks. You can either find them at Primark or Poundland for little cost or you can find them at Fenwick if you want a better quality.

Now that your feet are nice and comfy, why don’t you go into town to look at the Christmas fair? ☃

The Christmas fair is a magical experience that you should do at least once while you are here. You will find stalls selling handmade crafts, little treats and fun winter clothes. The Christmas fair is a good way to get into the holiday spirit and create memories. Go get yourself the best hot chocolate and have a look at all the decorations in town. You cannot miss this winter wonderland! Don’t forget to look up to the sky to see the shining six miles of lights illuminating the city during all this period.

As you are in town, go get a look at the majesty of Canterbury Cathedral!

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest structures in England. It is a true masterpiece that you absolutely have to see during winter break. Our cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so take your time to enjoy the beauty of it and the tranquil atmosphere.

Take time to cook recipes!

  • One easy recipe and a comfort to do are cinnamon rolls. There is a kit that is ready to use and available to buy from Tesco or you can make your own.
  • You can also get marshmallows to make the sweetest hot chocolate.
  • Or get some strawberries and dip them in melted chocolate.
  • For those who prefer savoury food, you can make yourself chips, popcorn, carrots and cucumber with tzatziki, humus, olives and cheese.

What is better than eating these snacks in front of your favourite movie? ☃

What better way is there to have the best night after a busy day in town? Go back to your home, have a hot shower, put on your fluffy socks. Then get your magic treats to have in front of your favourite Christmas movie.

My suggestions:

  • The Grinch
  • The Nightmare before Christmas
  • Elf movie
  • The Holiday
  • Home alone

Looking for a splash of excitement? The Marlowe Theatre is the best place!

Located in the heart of Canterbury, The Marlowe Theatre is a great way to have fun. Indeed, different showcases and theatre performances are proposed. The Marlowe has something for everyone; you can watch theatre productions, musicals, comedy or even live music. Marlowe theatre is a way to get an unforgettable experience.

Exciting campus activities to do during winter break!

Hop on over to the university website for more juicy details, but there are plenty of activities planned for you, such as:

  • 19 December: Winter coffee and break chat
  • 21 December: Painting and colouring
  • 28 December: Board games social
  • 5 January: New Year festive dinner
Three students smiling and doing mindful colouring

Shape wellbeing at Kent: Wellbeing Student Advisory Board

Applications for the Wellbeing Student Advisory Board are now open.

The Advisory Board’s purpose is to help guide Kent Union and the University of Kent in improving our approach to student wellbeing and ensuring our work is impactful and accessible to all students. This will involve discussing current and future plans and offering suggestions based on the board’s shared expertise and experiences. Topics discussed at meetings will include mental health, safety initiatives, the cost of living crisis, sense of community and belonging, as well as anything else that is important to you. You will help shape student wellbeing at Kent.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for 20 students on undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, from a range of courses and years to create a diverse and inclusive panel. Any student who is currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at the University of Kent can apply to be part of the panel.

No prior experience is required to be a member. All you need is to be passionate about student welfare and helping all students to love their time at Kent.

What to expect?

A two-hour meeting will occur three times in the academic year with additional opportunities to get involved in projects and campaigns. Invitations for these meetings will be sent once membership to the board is confirmed.

Students based on the Canterbury campus will receive £20 KentOne credit in exchange for their active participation in the two-hour WSAB meeting. Students who are not based on the Canterbury Campus will be compensated for their time at the same rate through an alternative method. Students will also be able to earn Employability Points throughout the academic year.

How to apply?

To apply, please submit either a maximum of a 500-word response or a 2 minute long video telling us a bit more about you, what skills and experiences you feel you would bring to the role and why you would like to get involved.

The deadline to submit your application is Monday 8th January 2024 at 12:00.

Apply now via online application form. 

If you have any questions please email Tom Freeston (Vice-President Welfare and Community) at Kent Union, t.freeston@kent.ac.uk.

Good luck with your application!

Students and staff talking

My advice on how to navigate the PG January start

Written by Caroline Harriman, PhD candidate.

Embarking on a postgraduate program in January can be an exciting but challenging experience. As a January starter, you will be joining the academic journey midway through the academic year, which may feel intimidating to some as they worry about missing out. However, as someone who began my PhD journey on the 14 January 2022, I have some key insights and tips to share about what I wish I had known before starting my postgraduate adventure in the middle of the academic year.

Academic and Wellbeing Resources

Make the most of the academic resources available and take a look at the resources available to you before starting. This includes the library, research databases, Nexus, PG study spaces, and academic support services such as the Student Learning Advisory Service. There is also Student Support and Wellbeing who can support you during your studies and can help you set up any special requirements.

Networking opportunities

Even though you’re not starting with the main cohort, there are still plenty of networking opportunities. Attend seminars, workshops, and conferences to connect with professors and fellow students and keep an eye out for any society-led events. Networking is key in any academic or professional setting. See Kent Union events and events at The Hub (Medway).

Kent Union’s “The Big Fair” and Medway Welcome Fair

It’s never too late to get involved! If you’re based at Canterbury, make sure that you attend “The Big Fair” in the Sports Centre (Main Hall) on Tuesday 23 January 2024, 10:00 – 15:00, for your chance to discover sports clubs, societies, or volunteering opportunities.

If you’re at Medway, head to the Medway Welcome Fair on Wednesday 24 January, 11:00-15:00, where you can find out about all the student societies, groups and sports clubs that you can join.

Embrace Change!

Be Open-Minded: Starting in January might mean adapting to a different environment compared to your peers who began in September however, embracing change, being open-minded, and viewing this as an opportunity to learn and grow both academically and personally will help you settle in quickly and get your PG study off to a brilliant start.