1. Go for a walk

Getting outside can be a great way to clear your mind after an exam. After sitting at your desk for a long time, it can be really beneficial to get your body moving and to get some fresh air. Also, you can always spend this time listening to some music or a new podcast to take your mind off of the exam.

2. Watch a film

Having a movie night with friends or by yourself is a great way to relax. Pick a movie you’ve been wanting to watch for a while and reward yourself for all your hard work. Break out the popcorn and the pizza and enjoy yourself!

3. Take a long nap

After finishing an exam, it might feel like you need to go straight into revision for the next, but it’s important that you take some time to yourself in between. If you’re feeling drained, getting some sleep is vital to ensure you perform well in your next exam, as this will be far more beneficial than tiring yourself out. Take a nap to regain some energy and also to allow your body a break after a stressful exam. Hopefully this will also allow you to relax and feel better when you wake up!

4. Cook yourself a comfort meal

We all have a specific meal that just makes us feel a little better. Whether that’s something your mum always cooks at home or a new recipe you’re trying, having a comforting meal after a tough exam can help you to feel more positive.

5. Read a book

Reading is a great form of escapism, and can really allow you to switch off for a while. If you’re looking for some great book recommendations, reach out to friends and family, or maybe try a new book from an author you already like.

6. Remember that you did your best

Even where you might feel that an exam went badly, often you will have actually done better than you thought, and you’re just overthinking! Remember that you no longer have control of the exam, and that it’s not worth focussing on what went wrong. Instead, try to think positively and focus on the fact that you got through it and did the best you could in the circumstances.

This week we’re celebrating all things biking. The awareness week is delivered by Cycling UK. There are loads of ways to get out and get active on campus, here’s a few:

Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge Sunday 22 August 2021

If you love to challenge yourself while raising money for a fantastic charity, then this will be right up your street! Take in the sights of the beautiful Kent countryside as you tackle one of 5 cycling routes; from a gentle 30 mile route, through to The Epic, a 125 mile route that will really test your strength and endurance. Riders will sign-in and set-off from The Pavilion on the Canterbury campus. Find out more about the Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge and sign up.

Kent Connected

Kent Connected is a Kent County Council sustainable transport initiative aimed at encouraging commuting by bike and other sustainable forms of travelling and working. As part of the project, KCC have produced some videos showcasing local cycle routes.

Cycling in Medway

There are lots of places to explore by bike in Medway. Check out this Medway council cycling leaflet for some bike ride ideas to go on with family and friends.

Indoor cycling

If indoor cycling is more your thing, Kent Sport offers a range of options for all activity and ability levels. Join our qualified spin instructors in our studio for 45-minutes of spinning fun, or if you prefer to go solo, jump on one of many exercise bikes in our gym. Why not try our Watt Bikes for that extra difficulty and cycling analysis. Check out our summer membership offer for students or see if you’re eligible for free membership.

Check bike is fit for purpose

Before you go out on your bike, check your bike is fit for purpose. Always take the time to check your breaks and lights are working properly and that the reflectors are clean. Don’t forget to check your tyre pressures and tread.

Bicycle Repair Guide – a great free guide on how to repair and look after your bike with video tutorials. For more cycling safety advice, visit the Transport Team safety webpages.

Congratulations to PHD student Callum O’Malley (School of Sports and Exercise Sciences, Division of Natural Sciences) for his acceptance to the Cumberland Lodge Scholarship at the Cumberland Lodge Society. Only ten students nationwide are offered this scholarship across all disciplines. The main purpose of the scholarship is to improve the inclusivity and dissemination of research.

We spoke to Callum to find out more:

What made you apply for the scholarship?

‘In fact, I had come across the Cumberland Lodge and Scholarship on the Kent Scholarships page. I aim to go into post-doc work and academia post-PhD, therefore some individual grant funding to start building my research portfolio and grant record is quite a big focus and the Cumberland Lodge seemed a good start to apply and get some experience with the process. I had my eye on the scholarship a few months before it opening for applications which I used to prepare and research around the Cumberland Lodge a little more.

In addition, the scholarship is involved with Outreach work which I am already quite heavily involved with both at Kent and at my previous institution. There is the opportunity to collaborate with individuals from other areas with a shared interest in outreach. I hope to carry on my research (which is in line with our “Future Human” signature theme) with some people from other areas to help diversify my work.’

Read the rest of the story on our Sports and Exercise Sciences news.

Take part in a virtual summer school at one of our partner universities. A great opportunity to learn with top academics and enjoy diverse cultural activities without flight and accommodation costs.

Do you have plans for Summer 2021?

Kent is pleased to offer various virtual summer schools being delivered by our partner universities.  Many are offering full scholarships or discounts to participate.  Now is a great time to learn something new, try a course that you may not be able to study here at Kent or help to enhance your studies ready for next term.  Courses on offer range from Film to Buddhism, Introduction to Cantonese to European Cultural Studies, Sustainable Development to Techpreneurship.

See all our Virtual Summer School opportunities here

In addition to any scholarships offered by the host university, Kent is also able to offer some financial support to those students who meet the following criteria:

• From a family with a combined annual parental income of under GBP 25,000, or
• The first person in their family to go to university, or
• A care leaver or who are care-experienced, or
• Have caring responsibilities, or
• Refugees and asylum seekers

How to apply

• Review the virtual summer schools available, including checking the full costs.
• Identify a first and second choice (if applicable) of summer school,
• Email goabroad@kent.ac.uk with your expression of interest
• Submit an application form for the Virtual Summer School Fund

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the funding is distributed to eligible candidates or the deadline for the summer schools have passed.  T&Cs available on request.

Visit the Kent Community Oasis Garden to discuss sustainability and wellbeing, and take home your own herb, tomato, or flower seed.

You will be shown around the Kent Community Oasis Garden and find out how to get involved. While you make the paper pots for the plants, we’ll discuss re-using packaging for planting seeds and recycling on campus. You will learn about seeds, what they need to thrive, and you will get to choose a herb, tomato or flower seed to take home and grow. You will need to save some everyday items to use for your planting: for example, bring the cardboard inside of toilet rolls, trays from mushrooms or vegetables, tins from soup or beans etc (food containers need to be washed and allowed to dry).

Feedback from students from the first session

“I didn’t even know this beautiful space existed!”

“I would love to come back and spend more time in the garden.”

“Using general household items for planting is genius!”

Book online now

• Wednesday 2 June- book now
• Wednesday 9 June- book now
• Wednesday 16 June- book now

Tickets are limited, so please choose one 30 minute time slot when booking:

• 14.00-15.00
• 15.00-15.30
• 15.30-16.00
• 16.00-16.30

The College and Community Life team will email you more information on finding the Kent COG closer to the session and if you have any questions, please contact us at cclteam@kent.ac.uk.

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

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.

Today, May 25 2021, marks the anniversary of George Floyd’s tragic murder. One year ago, its painful news travelled from Minneapolis sparking pain, outrage, and unified calls for justice against racism around the world. Just weeks ago, the world also witnessed as Derek Chauvin, former Minneapolis police officer, was lawfully convicted of Mr Floyd’s murder, bending the needle a little more towards justice.

Last summer, our own community members at the University of Kent joined in global solidarity and called for the acute end of racism within our own institution. Student voices organised by the Afro-Diasporic Legal Network, West African Society, University of Kent Ethiopian & Eritrean Society, University of Kent ACS, UKC Nigerian Society, Kent Caribbean Union, Kent Southern African Society, and the Kent East African Society organised a call to action and highlighted just 10 of the many areas where may begin the work to tackle racism.

Their submission joined a legacy of leading student voices, such as those who came together to submit the BME Student Voices Project and Decolonize the Curriculum Manifesto, who rallied for the same cause. In requested response, this year we launched the Challenging Racism webpage, focused on directly engaging our student and wider community on our actions to address these recently raised concerns.

Throughout the year, one also marked by compounded hardships, the University of Kent continued the work of realising a university community that holds ‘zero tolerance’ for racial antagonism with new vigour. University leadership organised to install a new EDI Governance structure that will take reported concerns through address to completed action. Alongside this, we launched the new EDI website as a central hub for staff and students to keep connected with University endeavours fixed on equality; specifically the Challenging Racism pages, where we communicate updates on the progress made towards meeting the demands articulated, including developing an Antiracism strategy, Executive Group training and a revised Campus Security Charter. We have also begun the process of preparing an application for the Race Equality Charter.

The horrid injustice that ended George Floyd’s life is one that can never truly be redressed—but our actions towards ending repeated occurrences are essential. We at the University of Kent continue to come together to tackle the structural issues of institutionalised racism. We acknowledge that work has yet to be complete and there is still much to do. We invite everyone’s continued engagement, commitment to self-reflection, continual learning and work to dismantle discriminatory structures at Kent.

Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura
Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic Strategy, Planning and Performance

Dr Auzimuth Jackson
Student EDI Officer

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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:

• Exam Calm events and support to help you feel prepared and relaxed for exams

• Revision tips from current students

We hope your exams are going well!

This week take a break from revision and go along to an outdoor cinema screening, try out our food festival on campus or relax in our Oasis Garden.

Get your free home testing kit now

You can now pick up free COVID-19 home testing kits from the Sibson Building. You just need your student ID card to collect.

Be kind, be quiet

Lockdown is easing but please be kind and considerate when meeting with friends. Many students have exams this term and need a quiet space to study and sit online exams.

Find out how to support one another this exam season

Events for you to try this week: 

• Budgeting on Tuesday 25 May, 13.00-13.30
• Crazy golf on Tuesday 25 May, 12.00
• Stress Management Workshop on Wednesday 26 May, 14.00-16.00
• Plant a seed at the Kent Community Oasis Garden on Wednesday 26 May, 14.30-16.30
• Solidarity with India event on Friday 28 May, 13.00
• Outdoor screening: 10 Things I Hate About You on Friday 28 May, 21.30-23.00
• Bioblitz nature event on Saturday 29 May, 8.00-21.30
• The Summer Festival of Food: Flavours of Asia, 24-28 May

Browse all events

Have you read this? 

• Online exams – including past papers, support and guidance
• Exam Calm events and support to help you feel prepared and relaxed for exams
• Definition of Antisemitism – student consultation
• Need somewhere to stay for #KentSummerFest?
• Upcoming Study Plus workshops – including writing for digital, presentation skills and how to deal with conflict

Browse all student support

Keep an eye on: 

• Student Guide
• Our Instagram stories
• University emails

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

Are you a keen reader? Do you like talking about the books you have read? This may be the opportunity for you.

Kent students are invited to join a common reading experience this Autumn with our partner, West Virginia University (WVU), USA.

Each year, WVU engages its campus and community with a Global Campus Read to foster dialogue, critical thinking, and participation.  This year’s chosen read is ‘The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border‘ by Francisco Cantu.

This online course will encourage conversation and collaboration between students from West Virginia University and other universities around the world on the themes found in the book.  Students will have access to virtual Campus Read events, and on completion of the course, students will receive a transcript from WVU.

Students who have done this course this year have found the experience rewarding, discovering new perspectives and making new friends.  A truly global book club.

For more details and to guarantee a place on this course, please contact e.l.marku@kent.ac.uk with the subject line: ‘GLOBAL CAMPUS READ’ before 1 June 2021.