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.

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.

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.

Do you have the strength, speed, skill and will to take on the Kent Sport staff? Then maybe you could proudly represent your College as we challenge you to take on the Kent Sport Gladiators.

On Wednesday 10 December from 4-6pm, we will turn the Main Hall into our very own Gladiator Arena and offer students the chance to take on the Kent Sport Gladiators and fellow contestants in a series of physically challenging games. Score points to gain a head-start in the final round which will decide the ultimate male and female champions!

A maximum 10 contestants (5 men and 5 women) will be selected through a rigorous screening process with everyone else encouraged to come along and cheer your college champions to victory! There will also be an opportunity for everyone to have a go at some events themselves in between the main events.

For an application form and a full copy of our terms and conditions please visit the Kent Sport website. The deadline for applications is Sunday 30 November and college trials will take place in the following week (details will be circulated).

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:

• Email: R.S.Lamyman@kent.ac.uk
• Tel: 01227 823806

If you’ve got a great design idea for a University of Kent 50th anniversary limited edition t-shirt enter our ‘Pitch it!’ challenge.

As part of the University’s 50th anniversary celebrations, we are asking Kent students to pitch their innovative design ideas to a panel of University judges.

You will be asked to demonstrate how you think your t-shirt design can support this landmark year and appeal to students, alumni and beyond.

The winning team will receive a £500 Amazon voucher and the runners-up will get a £100 Amazon voucher.

The application deadline is 9.00 on Monday 24 November 2014.

For full details and to enter visit the competition webpages.

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes at the University to make sure we are continually improving your student experience.

The enhancing your experience webpages pulls together, in one place, improvements we have made in the following areas:

• Learning and teaching
• Academic and personal support
• Learning resources
• Personal development and employability
• Living and leisure facilities

The Kent Law Campaign Student Group (KLCSG) is selling a beautiful selection of Season’s Greetings cards in aid of the Kent Law Campaign.

The KLCSG, who are supporting the University to raise funds for the Kent Law Campaign, a £5million fundraising project to build a new home for the Kent Law Clinic and the Kent Law School’s Mooting Programme, sought sponsorship from a local organisation to fund the cards and used stunning images of campus courtesy of Jim Higham from Information Services as their designs.

There are seven designs to choose from which will be available to buy at regular stalls held by the KLCSG, however please note that stock is limited and is expected to sell out fast!

• Wednesday 12 November, 12-2pm, Plaza outside Essentials
• Wednesday 12 November, 12-2pm, The Registry (Student Reception)
• Thursday 13 November, 11am-1pm, Plaza outside Essentials
• Friday 14 November, 1-3pm, Plaza outside Essentials
• Monday 17 November, 9-10am, Plaza outside Essentials

The KLCSG would like to thank The Headley Pitt Charitable Trust for their generosity in sponsoring the cards this year.

Master’s student Hannah Ellerby has been awarded an Engineering, Maths and Computing Postgraduate Scholarship, worth £500, from FindAMasters.com and FindAPhD.com.

Hannah, who is studying MSc Computer Science at Kent, received the scholarship after submitting an innovative website design.

Hannah said: ‘I designed the website to look like a desk. The computer monitor on the desk was interactive and contained the answers to why I wanted to win the scholarship.’

She added: ‘I have done some web coding, but I wanted to learn to programme so I am working part-time while studying part-time for the Master’s degree. I’m really pleased to have won and will put the money towards next year’s tuition fees.’

There were over 2,800 global entrants for the Postgraduate Scholarship initiative competing for 16 Scholarship awards worth a total £9,000.

For further information, contact Orla Garratt in the School of Computing.

Drop in and discover a world of wonder and delight – our sessions will introduce you to the richness and variety of Special Collections and Archives at Kent.

Special Collections and Archives hold archival, manuscript, photographic and rare books collections containing a wide variety of unique and rare archival materials. Showcase archives include:

• The British Cartoon Archive, which houses a national collection of social-political cartoons from British sources, including artwork and book collections.
• The University of Kent Archive contains materials relating to the foundation and development of the University, especially reflecting the student and staff experience of the last 50 years.
• Largely based around Victorian and Edwardian popular theatre, the Theatre & Performance Archives include scripts, designs and administrative and publicity materials.

Drop in between: 3-4.30pm, Friday 14 November – Room TR201, Templeman Library.

Sessions will last approx 30 minutes.

You’ll be amazed at what you might uncover. Explore your archive.

Find out more at exploreyourarchive.org or www.kent.ac.uk/library/specialcollections.