Student Team Tips: Making the most out of your time at the University!
Your time at the university may be only a span of a couple years but you take away a lifetime of experiences and learning. As a university student, there are so many ways to get involved in to pursue your passions, earn new skills and make fun memories! From societies to volunteering to sports, here at Manchester, there is something for everyone.
The Student Team had a blast putting together some tips they picked up at their time at the university, so you may make the most out of yours.
Societies
Societies are one of the best ways to maximise your student life by getting involved in extra-curricular activities. The University of Manchester Student’s Union is one of the biggest in the UK and houses a bizarrely large number of societies for you to join! Recreational activities, Volunteering, Professional skills, you name it, there is a society here for you. You can meet like minded people, enjoy doing things you love and even find new hobbies. Here are some Student Team members sharing their experiences and tips on Societies :
“Being with a member of the Pole and Burlesque society has really helped with my body confidence and social ability as the society is so welcoming, open and friendly to everyone. We always have a laugh and it’s a great space to discuss new things.” — Rachel
“The International Society run language classes, trips, quizzes and games, as well as regular socials. It’s been a fun way to meet new people and spend a relaxing evening together. During lockdown, I really enjoyed the ‘Family Feud’ event they held, which was based on a TV quiz show where teams have to guess the most common answers to survey questions.” — Olivia
“My favourite part of being in a society was getting elected as the President and then winning the International Society of the year award with the Indian Society of Manchester at the SU awards 2020.” — Naman
“I am also grateful for my decision to join the Accounting Society back in my first year. I got the chance to help with career events and eventually held greater responsibility now as the president while getting to know like-minded people who might be my colleague some other day (who knows!)” — Jia
“I got to join the CAOS orchestra and even go on a weekend trip before the covid restrictions started. I joined the CanSat team to design a can-sized satellite with people from other science and engineering disciplines which was really fun. Or when the weather was nice and not too cloudy, I got to look at the moon through a telescope from the Physics building with Astrosoc. With Astrosoc we also got to go to the Godlee Observatory on the roof of Sackville street building, where we all got the chance to spin the roof of the observatory.” — Isabella
Making connections
You never know who you might get to meet or engage with during your time at the university. Taking up opportunities offered here not only reward you with skills and experiences but also connections. From the truly diverse student community to guest speakers at events around campus, connections you make during your time here can be your most valuable and treasured assets. Have a look at some of the experiences and tips shared by our Student Team on making connections as university students.
“Being selected as a Global Graduates was probably one of the biggest highlights of my Uni life — I got to spend a week in New York, expenses paid in a swanky hotel in Times Square connecting with UoM Alumni (which is what first sparked my interest in programming and software development). But I also got to experience New York as a city itself — it’s vibrant and culture made me fall in love and as an avid Musical Theatre lover I got to see Phantom of the Opera on BROADWAY! And did all the other touristy stuff — empire state, high line, central park, statue of liberty etc etc” — Jas
“One of the most inspirational moments was when I met Vivienne Westwood during my Undergraduate degree. Vivienne was the person who inspired me to study fashion at UG and to critique anything that creates and exacerbates more harm socially and environmentally in the fashion industry.” — Rachel
“I signed up for a Spanish language course last summer. Even though it was only for 5 weeks, I’m still talking to my teacher every week as we decided to start a language exchange after the course ended, since she wanted to improve her English. After many weekly Zoom chats, we finally met in person for a walk just before Christmas, before she flew back home to Spain and I feel grateful that I’ve become good friends with her (obviously, getting to practise my Spanish for free now is just a bonus!)” — Olivia
Enhance your skills!
Societies are not the only way you can engage as a student. There are many opportunities on campus in the form of part-time work to enhance your skills such as student ambassadorships, Manchester calling, Student News team, Library Student Team and more! Here are some ways to enhance your skills:
“One of my highlights when I was doing my Master’s was attending Code Club, which is a very friendly, welcoming and inclusive place where you can learn to code (aided by free hot drinks and biscuits!) and get help with any questions you have. This later gave me the confidence to work through the tutorial for another coding language, Django, on building my own blog website. Knowing certain principles of programming languages has been something I’ve also been able to apply to do data analysis in R (another programming language) in my PhD (transferable skills!)” — Olivia
“I joined a German class to continue having a source of German throughout my week. The weekly meetings helped ease lockdown loneliness and added some joy to life in a time that was particularly difficult. Aside from that, I improved my language triple.” — Sara
“”I took part in Code First for Girls and developed skills in Web Development which later went on to help me obtain a summer internship at the end of my final year in Software Development at a Technology Consultancy firm in London — which was bundles of fun! (free drinks fridays)”— Jas
Make the most of Manchester!
In the buzzling city of Manchester, you are encouraged to branch out and explore opportunities available around the city to pursue recreational, academic and professional experiences. Here are some library student team members top tips on cashing on opportunities in and around the university:
“Studying also opened up the opportunity to work at the University on the Manchester Graduate Talent internship scheme which was really helpful to take a year out from studying and get paid a full salary. I was able to develop my organisational and time management skills further to what I had through my UG course working within a 9–5 structure.” — Rachel
“I dropped by the ‘Mandarin Corner’ that the Confucius Institute in Manchester ran at the university, a regular meet-up group for people who want to learn or practise Mandarin. Despite almost skipping it because I barely knew a word of Mandarin (and wasn’t actively learning or taking classes), I met someone who has become a good friend after we both really enjoyed the experience (her teaching and me learning), and decided to start a weekly language exchange as she wanted to learn British idioms. It was a really rewarding experience as, not only did I pick up a bit of Mandarin, but it also made me realise how many quirky sayings we have in English!” — Olivia
“Getting two part time jobs at the university: as a Student Team member and as a Careers Service Intern has provided me with a lot of valuable skills. I would never have thought of being in this position and getting so much exposure if it wasn’t for these two part-time opportunities.” — Naman
“Working as a Student Ambassador whilst at the University was one of the most rewarding and flexible jobs — I got to work with primary school children up to college students and all from similar backgrounds to myself (those on free school meals, attending challenging schools). I got to work some really cool events and it looked fab on my CV!” — Jas
Sport
The most wonderful thing about sports at university is that you can engage in it without ever having played before! There are initiatives such as Sporticipate wherein you can try out different classes for free and also sport societies to play with other students. We also have a fun Quidditch team for you Potterheads! Playing sports is a great way to meet friends, have fun and stay active. The Student team shares their experience and tips on sports at university :
“I began playing Netball for my halls of residence in first year and in my Masters year I was captain! I absolutely loved the social aspect of playing the sport but it allowed me to bring out my competitive side and make friends for life!” — Jas
“I’ve loved and really appreciated the opportunity the university offers to take part in sport for free, in their Sporticipate programme. I’ve been to practically all the table tennis, squash, yoga and badminton sessions since I learned about Sporticipate! I’ve also taken part in basketball, which I really enjoyed and met some great people through, as well as self-defence. Not only has all the sport kept me fit, but the social aspect of talking to fellow students while you’re waiting for a game has been great too. Taking part has also improved my coordination, balance and technique, as well as giving me very useful skills which I can apply in real-life situations “— Olivia
“I joined Medics Netball and Medics Hockey in first year to make friends who had similar interests, I still have these friends now 5 years later!” — Jade
“While on campus I got to try out many different sports through Sporticipate, but also through societies like ‘Run Wild’ or the hiking club.” — Isabella
Thank you so much for reading I hope you Make the Most out of Manchester!