The last Santander Universities prize draw was so popular that they’re back with another! This time, there are 10 iPad Pro tablets up for grabs. These prize draws have been designed to help enhance your university experience and make sure you have the tools you need to succeed.

All students can enter including undergraduates, postgraduates, part-time and full-time students. Even those graduating in a few weeks are eligible!

To enter you need to visit the Santander Scholarships website. If you’re not already registered, you’ll need to sign up for an account. After registering you’ll get a confirmation email and then you can enter the prize draw. On 13 July, once applications close, Santander will select 10 students at random for the winners.

Enter now for your chance to win.

There’s lots going on at Kent this summer to help support your wellbeing. Check out our #UniKentWellbeing summer courses and workshops below, and have a look at the Student Support and Wellbeing events calendar to find out which of your regular groups are ongoing throughout the vacation.

😁 Self-confidence – online course Thursdays 15 June to 13 July, 14:00 – 15:30.

Join one of our counsellors in a small group setting to learn how to confront your inner critic and control your relationship with your thoughts.

✍️ Writing for wellbeing workshops – Tuesdays 27 June and 18 July, 14:00 – 15:00

A simple and rewarding way to connect with ourselves and play with creative writing as a means of self-expression. No writing experience needed!

🌱 Positive mental health workshops – Wednesday 21 June 14:30-16:00 and Sunday 9 July 11:00-12:30

What constitutes good mental health? We will discuss five ingredients that are foundations for evaluating progress in taking care of your mental wellbeing

🤝 Self-compassion group – Tuesdays 25 July to 15 August, 14:00 – 14:30

Learn techniques for showing yourself and others compassion, as well as how to cope with feeling overwhelmed, distressed and self-harming behaviours.

🔀 Managing change – online workshop – Monday 7 August, 10:00 – 11:00

Explore how to cope with common feelings surrounding change such as fear and disappointment and how to effectively manage change in a healthy way.

👣 Walk and talk – every Tuesday, 14:00-15:00

Let’s go for a walk where we can talk and explore. Led by mental health advisers, these sessions will run throughout the summer break.

Need more help or support for your wellbeing?

We’re still here for you during the summer vacation. Check out the Student Support and Wellbeing webpages to find out how to get in touch with us, and about accessing 24/7 support from our partner organisations wherever you are, whenever you need it. You can also find us on Instagram @UniKentSSW

What is Too Good to Go?

Too Good to Go is an app designed to reduce food waste. Cafes, shops and restaurants upload their excess food as a ‘Magic bag’, which you can then buy through the app at a reduced rate, and collect that evening. This means you can save food from going to waste and save money.

How much does the food cost through the app?

You can get a Magic bag’ from the Co-op plaza shop which has £10+ worth of food (chilled items as well as some fruit, veg and bakery items) for just £3.34.

In the Gulbenkian, you can buy a ‘Magic bag’ of deli food (sandwiches, cakes, pastries etc) for £3.95 that has a value of £10+.

Watch Kent Union President Zaid talk us through Too Good to Go.

By being signed up with Too Good To Go, we can reduce food waste while also providing low cost food.

See more cost of living support for students.

There’s still time to be involved in the GRC’s Annual Postgraduate Conference, as both and audience member and in the many opportunities to share all your hard work with fellow students across the University.

Ways to share your research

As well as listening to guest speakers, a Kent Research Institute panel and a timely discussion on the impact of AI on academia, there are plenty of ways to present your own work. Can you sum up your research in one image? In one poster? In ten minutes? How about three?

If you can sum up your research in one image, why not enter our photo competition? Or display your work in poster form? If you’re looking for an engaged interdisciplinary audience for your work, why not apply for our research talks.

Deadlines to apply:

• Photo competition – 29 May, 16:59
• Poster competition – 22 May, 16:59
• Research talks – 22 May, 16:59

Who can sign up?

This event is for all postgraduate students at Kent and undergraduates interested in postgraduate research are welcome to attend as audience members. Sign up is open now, register to attend.

The GRC Annual Postgraduate Conference 2023 takes place on 7 June in the Sibson Building on our Canterbury campus. Registration is now open.

What is the GRC Annual Postgraduate Conference all about?

This conference provides a platform for postgraduate researchers across various disciplines to showcase their research, share ideas, and network with fellow researchers. We have guest speaker Dave Thomas talking about EDI, all three Kent Research Institutes presenting a panel, a hot topic discussion about AI by a postgraduate panel and numerous ways to get involved and present your own research to the wider PG community. See the full conference programme. 

Share your research at the conference

If you can sum up your research in one photographic image, why not enter our photo competition? Or display your work in poster form? If you’re looking for an engaged interdisciplinary audience for your work, why not apply for our research talks. And if you can cram your research into just 3 minutes, enter the national competition that does just that.  

Who can join?

This event is for all postgraduate students at Kent and undergraduates interested in postgraduate research are welcome to attend as audience members. Sign up is open now, register to attend.  

The importance of prioritising wellbeing in academia cannot be overstated. Recognising this, the Graduate and Researcher College (GRC) has launched a Postgraduate Research Wellbeing Webinar Series to help support the wellbeing of our research community.

The series is open to PGR students and those who are considering postgraduate study.

The series is designed to provide students with practical tools and strategies to help them manage stress, increase resilience, and improve their overall wellbeing. This can also include learning to recognise the signs of burnout, setting boundaries, and seeking help when needed. The webinars cover a range of topics, including mindfulness, self-care, stress management, and more, all led by experts in the field.

The benefits of these webinars go beyond just academic success. They also help students develop a better understanding of their own mental health and wellbeing, and provide them with tools to take care of themselves not only during their postgraduate studies, but throughout their lives.

The PGR Wellbeing Webinar Series are accessible and flexible. The webinars are delivered online, making it easy for participants to attend from anywhere. Additionally, the sessions are recorded and made available for later viewing, allowing participants to access the content at a time that is convenient for them.

Join our experts Gareth Hughes and Dominique Thompson in the upcoming live sessions,

Good Wellbeing and Good Research: Myths, Challenges and Evidence Webinar with Gareth Hughes, Wednesday 31 May,  13:00

Staying Well in Difficult Times- Top Tips for PGRs with Dominique Thompson, Wednesday 14 June, 14:00

The Wellbeing Webinar Series is an excellent resource for individuals who are looking to enhance their mental health and wellbeing. By providing tools, strategies, and a supportive community, the series empowers individuals to prioritize their wellbeing and succeed in their academic careers.

Try something new and feel connection, create community and lift your spirits… We are delighted to invite you to join the University Community Choir, meeting weekly on Canterbury campus.

Singing in a Choir has many benefits, it’s informal, social, and helps you focus on something different as part of a group. Most importantly it’s fun!

It’s free to join, and there are no auditions, and you don’t need to be able to read music. Come along to meet others, or bring a friend.

Upcoming dates for Summer Term

• 10 May 2023 13.00-14.00 (Colyer-Fergusson)
• 17 May 2023 13.00-14.00 (Colyer-Fergusson)
• 24 May 2023 13.00-14.00 (Colyer-Fergusson)
• (No choir on 31 May)
• 7 June 2023 13.00-14.00 (Grimond LT3)
• 14 June 2023 13.00-14.00 (Colyer-Fergusson)

Spread the word to anyone else (staff or student) who might enjoy this opportunity. If you have any questions, please email Mita Mondal, Email: mm595@kent.ac.uk

What is a Climate Cafe?

A Climate Café is a safe space to chat with others who are feeling anxious, sad, or frustrated about climate change.

Climate Cafe Training

As part of our commitment to a sustainable future, we are offering free training on how to facilitate Climate Cafe discussion groups. This is a great opportunity to take a proactive stance towards climate anxiety, meet like-minded individuals, and develop your communication skills.

The training will take place in June online so you can take part wherever you are.

Register your interest by emailing sustainability@kent.ac.uk.