During the last national lockdown, we asked Kent students for their tips on how to stay to stay productive in lockdown. Here are their suggestions and tips!

Tanya Iyer (Stage 2 Law Student) – “Make to-do lists the night before and keep them small with specific tasks, rather than vague big ones…You feel more productive and motivated as you can tick things off quickly!”

Daniella Barnes (Stage 3 Law Student) – “Staying productive in lockdown only works if you have a positive mentality. I start each week with planning my prospective workload. I give myself aims and tasks to complete so at the end of the week I have a visual checklist of how productive I’ve been. Be kind to yourself, practice self-care and don’t overload yourself.”

Ismail Abdi (Stage 2 Marketing Student) – “I stay productive by using a schedule, essentially placing times on my calendar to do my university work and other things outside of my course. I also use a checklist so I can tick off and see what needs to be completed for the week.”

Sofia Howard (Stage 2 Law Student) – “I take short breaks, walk around, eat, and spend time away from my screen. If I feel like I’ve been in front of a screen for too long, I will have the day off and continue the next day. I feel like it refreshes my mind! I also work out in the mornings, which seems to give me more motivation throughout the day.”

Shanell Cornwall (Stage 3 Psychology Student) – “I personally stay motivated by setting 3 goals everyday – one big goal and two little ones. I think doing it this way really helps track progress which makes me feel more productive. It’s crucial to take time out and give yourself time to recharge between workloads.”

Faye Farhan (Stage 2 Law Student) – “If you have to tackle a lot of reading tasks, it’s best to allocate a particular time in the day for reading, and to overestimate how much time you need! Plan 5-10 minute breaks for every hour you read for.”

Lauren Whitfield (Stage 2 Marketing Student) – “I have been getting ahead on my work, watching lectures in advance and doing any further reading that could aid me in my studies. I also took this as an opportunity to start my reports in advance, giving me more time to conduct my research and form a thorough plan.”

Ellie House (Stage 2 Law Student) – “Making sure you take a break from work and set time aside for yourself is definitely important. I like to keep evenings away from work to spend time socialising or even just watching TV. I always find doing this helps me feel more productive the next day as I’ve had some time to refresh!”

Gemma Overy (Stage 2 Psychology Student) – “Set deadlines for yourself – not just the deadline for a project but when you want to achieve each smaller section by. Start revision early if you feel like you have nothing to do, even if it’s only a couple of hours a week.’

James Hulme (Stage 2 Biomedical Engineering Student) – “List your tasks and deadlines and try to prioritise them. Try to timetable your work so you have a structure, but still take regular breaks.”

Ayesha Shirgill (Stage 3 Law and Spanish Language Student) – “Set yourself deadlines of what time to work up until each day to ensure you can look forward to enjoying some free time.”

Dylan Thakker (Stage 2 Law Student) – “Take frequent breaks to reward work. Taking a break can be anything from having a call with your parents to having a quick walk – then I get back to work promptly. I break work down into smaller sections and reward myself with breaks when I get certain bits done.”

For more information on managing your studies during lockdown, and particularly how to stay motivated, take a look at Rowena and Megan’s Instagram Live.

‘A team of Kent students has recently been selected for the finals of the 4^th Annual UK Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge. This is the first time the University and Kent’s new Institute for Advanced Studies in Cyber Security and Conflict (SoCyETAL) will be represented at the competition.

The team of 4, coached by Dr Gareth Mott, is comprised of a 50:50 split of male and female Undergraduate and Postgraduate students from the School of Computing, Kent Law School and the School of Politics and International Relations.

The Kentish Cyber Team:

• Keenan Jones, School of Computing
• Nandita Pattnaik, School of Computing
• Ben Treacy, School of Politics & International Relations
• Hala Zein, Kent Law School
• Dr Gareth Mott, School of Politics & International Relations (Coach)

In this strategy challenge, competitors will take on the role of senior advisors to government and industry, in facing a complex escalating cyber-attack. They will use their varied technical and non-technical expertise from different disciplines to assess the unfolding threat, before briefing a panel of senior UK and international cyber leaders on potential mitigation strategies.

Dr Gareth Mott said: “We are elated and proud that Kentish Cyber have made it through to the final of the UK Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge. We hope that our students make the most of this fantastic interactive learning experience and ‘real-life’ scenario-based challenge. This is a great opportunity for our team to gain first-hand experience with the critical challenge of ensuring cyber-security in an increasingly interconnected world. Our staff and students are delighted to be a part of this endeavour for the first time of hopefully many. Kentish Cyber will embrace the chance to showcase the strength and breadth of ‘big tent’ interdisciplinary teaching and research in cyber security at the University of Kent”.

The virtual event, hosted by the Atlantic Council UK, will take place 16-17 February.

Best of luck to Kentish Cyber!

We’ve set aside a limited number of rooms across campus exclusively for returning students, so whether you are in your second, third or fourth year you can enjoy the great benefits of living on campus once again with online applications accepted from 10.00 Thursday 14 January!

We understand the pressure you’re under at the moment and our returning student offer has been designed to make things easier for you by including:

• Ability to apply to live with your friends (see our FAQs for more info)
• Not needing to pay anything until September 2021 as there are no deposits needed to secure your room
• Flexibility for early applicants as we will cancel any legally binding accommodation agreement for the 2021/22 academic year with no penalties if you notify us by Friday 9 April 2021
• All utilities are included (gas, water, electricity, heating and Wi-Fi) as well as Kent Sport Premium Plus membership
• Designated returning student rooms are set aside in all accommodation areas (except for Eliot and Turing College which are reserved for first year students). W also have returning KMMS student accommodation
• Contract lengths that match your academic terms beginning for the start of term in September, meaning you won’t have to pay extra rent over the summer months
• Quick confirmation as early applicants will find out if their application is successful at the end of January and receive their room allocation information from March.

Check your emails from the Accommodation Team or visit our Returning Student Accommodation page for more information including our handy FAQ Guide.

So, remove the worry of finding a new place to live, and instead apply online now and relax knowing you can live with friends and have the great facilities available on campus to return to next year.

While you are probably very familiar with online study by now, we want to share some practical tips to get you back into the online learning headspace after the Winter vacation.  

• Take another look at your study area set up and make sure you’re not causing yourself any unnecessary strain. This webpage also includes tips for maximising your internet connection speed
• Take a read over our new Netiquette guidance for how you can make the most of your online interactions with staff and other students
• Need an overall refresh on online learning at Kent? Take the Online Learning at Kent: a Guide to Successful Study Online Moodle module
• Remind yourself of all the services that the Library and IT team offer by dipping into the Hello Library and IT Moodle module
• Received a new device for Christmas? Don’t forget you can download Microsoft 365 for free on up to 5 devices
• Use LibrarySearch Digital to access online library resources including e-books, e-journals and databases to help you in your studies. You can also make use of the subject specific library guides
• Try out live captioning on Microsoft Teams. Click the ‘…’ to bring up the menu where you can switch captions on. Full instructions for live captions
• Sharpen your online library skills by taking the Library Research Skills Moodle modul
• If you are transgender or non-binary you can contact the Central Student Admin Office to get amend your personal details, which also updates your preferred name on Microsoft Teams
• Check out our software finder which can be filtered by categories (e.g. time management, accessibility, data/statistics) and also by course for subject-specific software. 

We hope these tips are helpful. The start of term is the perfect time to fix any ongoing technical issues you might have been ignoring. Contact the IT and Library Support Desk who will do their best to help you.

Are you feeling blue?

The start of the new term this year coincides with the annual ‘Blue Monday’ which claims to be the most depressing day of the year.

This year has been challenging and the start of the Spring term isn’t what anyone hoped for. You have already overcome many challenges and that is something you should be proud of. However, it is important to remember you are not alone and there are loads of great support services at the University.

So, let’s change ‘Blue Monday’ to ‘Brew Monday’ this year and take the opportunity to virtually catch-up with friends, course mates and family with a cup of tea, coffee or whatever your preferred brew is!

It’s important, now more than ever, to check in on one another, and create safe spaces for friends.

There is an abundance of support available throughout the University, from a free counselling service to peer-support groups and online resources.

• In true Brew Monday fashion – sign up to Just Coffee to be randomly matched with another student to have a virtual coffee break and a chat.
• Join the Wellbeing Café which runs weekly beginning 18 January to meet with other students online for mental health support, games and creative pursuits.
• If you feel that you need some guidance to be more mindful in your everyday life, join an online Mindfulness session every Wednesday afternoon.
• Look at Wellbeing Ideas for Uncertain Times for ideas such as wellbeing book recommendations or a chill-out playlist.
• If you’re feeling overwhelmed, a stress management session may be of use to you: In this online workshop delivered by Coral Warner, a qualified counsellor, you will have the opportunity to learn how to identify stress triggers and understand how to manage stress levels effectively.
• Check out the Student support events calendar to see other workshops, events and support groups that are available.

Please follow @UniKentSSW on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook for news on other events and peer support groups taking place throughout the year.

Other resources that are available to you

Togetherall: University of Kent students wherever they are located can access free, 24/7 online support for issues around mental health and wellbeing.

Student Minds: a UK student mental health charity.

More self-help resources.

While the obstacles remain different to previous years, the new term can offer a fresh start, take the opportunity of Brew Monday and know that you are not alone.

Walking buddy (on campus)

Stuck in your room and need to get out, but nobody is around to go for a walk? We can put you in touch with a walking buddy. This is a great opportunity to get out, meet another student and energise your mind! Find a reason to leave your accommodation, get outside and enjoy the fresh air with someone else.

Just Coffee (virtual coffee break)

If you’d like to take part and find a buddy, simply email wellbeingevents@kent.ac.uk from your Kent email address giving your mobile number and saying that you’d like to be matched for a Walking Buddy stating which campus (Canterbury or Medway) by midday on Friday, and we’ll randomly match you with another student to meet the following week.

For more information and to sign up, check out the  Student Support and Wellbeing Events Calendar.

Please note: From 5 January 2021, England has entered a third national lockdown. You are able to meet with one other person from another household in a public place for exercise. Make you maintain social distancing (stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.)

Want to have a virtual coffee break and fancy meeting someone new? We can put you in touch with someone who wants to meet up (virtually).

In the busy days of the start of a new term, you might like to have a virtual coffee or tea (or other beverage!) break with someone else but find that your usual network isn’t available.

If you’d like to be matched to meet someone new next week, just email wellbeingevents@kent.ac.uk from your Kent email address giving your number. We’ll randomly match you with another student who’s looking for a coffee break buddy and email you their contact details so you can get in touch to arrange when to virtually meet.

Share a photo of your virtual meet up with #KentWellbeingIdeas tagging @UniKentSSW for a chance to win free drinks in future!

Please follow @UniKentSSW on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook for news on other events and peer support groups taking place throughout the year.

Canterbury campus facilities

From 11 January 2021, due to current national restrictions, all catering outlets, except for Rutherford Dining Hall, are closed until further notice.

For those students with Flex credits and those living in Keynes College and Becket Court with a Bed & Bistro catering package, all meals will be served in Rutherford Dining Hall until further notice.

You can find the opening hours for Rutherford here.

The Library Café is closed until further notice.

All sport and fitness facilities (with the exception of our Physiotherapy Clinic) will be temporarily closed until further notice.

The main Kent Union Plaza Co-op will stay closed until further notice, with the Park Wood Co-op remaining open to serve those still on site. You can see the availability of all the Kent Union services on their website.

Templeman Library opening hours

From Monday 11 January, Templeman Library’s new opening hours will be:

Mon – Fri 10.00 – 16.00
Sat -Sun closed

Please note that you now don’t need to renew or return any books, including document deliveries, till Friday 26 February inclusive.

See library and IT services COVID-19 updates.

Medway campus facilities 

Drill Hall library will be open at the following hours:

Monday to Friday – 9:00 to 19:00
Saturday and Sunday – 9:00 to 17:00

The sports facilities are closed until further notice.

Pilkington is open between 8:00 to 16:00 for food and drink.

From Vice-Chancellor and President Karen Cox and Professor Richard Reece, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education & Student Experience

On behalf of all University staff, we would like to wish you, your families and loved ones a happy Christmas and best wishes for the festive season.

This has been an incredibly challenging year for many. However, here at Kent, there have been some wonderful examples of the student community supporting each other and working together to achieve great successes during these difficult times.

As we approach the end of 2020, we feel it is important to recognise your hard work, tenacity and willingness to adapt. We know how much our staff have appreciated your support and the way you have coped so well with the challenges you have faced as a result of COVID.

Thanks to a huge effort from many staff from across the University, and amid some very negative press reports relating to students’ return to campuses nationally, we have had relatively low numbers of cases of COVID-19 amongst our students and staff. This is a massive credit to you for the steps you have taken to help keep our communities safe.

Looking ahead to 2021, we feel optimistic that we will return to a more normal way of life in the not-too-distant future. It will be wonderful to see you able to engage fully in all aspects of University life once more.

Staff from across the University are busy planning for your return in Spring. There will be a wealth of events, activities and opportunities for you to develop your skills and to connect with other students. Please check out our Safe, Study, Social site for all we have planned and how we are improving your experience at Kent.

In your academic school, staff have been listening to your feedback and developing in the areas you care about most. This includes improving their systems for online teaching and ensuring you can access the resources and guidance you need to support your learning.

We will be running a Web Chat on 6 January 2021, during which we will answer all your questions about Spring term; the booking form for this is now open so please do sign up. There are lots of different events taking place next year, so make sure you check out the University’s Events Calendar.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Kent and for the start of the new Spring term on 18 January 2021.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year.

Karen & Richard

Professor Karen Cox | Vice-Chancellor and President

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

Laoise Gallagher, an undergraduate at the University of Kent’s Centre for Journalism, has been hired as a feature writer for Irish Dancing Magazine – whilst still completing her final year of studies.

During her second year of studies, Laoise designed and wrote an article for the publication as part of a print assessment. After being encouraged by lecturers to pitch it to the Irish Dancing Magazine, Laoise successfully had the article published as a double-page feature. She was subsequently offered the role of feature writer for the publication.

Laoise, who is also a World Championship level Irish dancer, has built up her journalism experience whilst at Kent with placements writing print articles at the Medway Messenger and an internship at broadcast news outlet KMTV. She is now trained in print, radio, TV and online journalism.

After being an Irish dancer from a young age, around six years ago Laoise began competing professionally, training three to four times a week for the Reel Eire School of Irish Dance. Her biggest achievement to date is being ranked third in the Southern Region, which qualified her to represent England at the World Championships in North Carolina last year.

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Laoise said: ‘As a World Championship level Irish dancer myself, I thought that it would be smart to pick a niche magazine to pitch to as I could really immerse myself in the story and show expert knowledge. To make the design as accurate as possible, I contacted the magazine to ask for specific details on how they would lay out a feature piece. They were so helpful and when I submitted my assignment, I also sent it to the editor of the magazine. She was really impressed with the piece and I was delighted to not only have it published but to be offered a role in their editorial team too. This is so valuable to have as experience on my CV.

‘Studying at CfJ has been the best few years of my life. When I joined, I was quiet and shy, the thought of a phone call was terrifying. Now I am in my final year and it feels like I have grown so much as a person and the skills I have developed as a journalist really prepare you for the real world. The lecturers go above and beyond to support you in whatever route you want to take.’