Your studies, wellbeing, and future

Academic support and digital tools

There is a range of support available to help you reach your academic potential while at University, and to help you get back into your studies after the summer. You could:

• Meet with your Personal Academic Tutor: Every student is allocated a key named member of academic staff, from their course of study, called a personal academic tutor (PAT). Whatever your situation, getting in touch with your PAT at the start of the academic year will enable you to prepare for the semester ahead and identify any skills you need to develop.
  
  
• Explore your Learning Skills Hub: Whether you need some extra help in understanding how to reference, or want to up your grades, you can find a range of resources and online modules on the Learning Skills Hub. There is even one dedicated to starting a new academic year.
  
  
• Meet your Learning Skills Team: The Learning Skills Team work with students to develop their study skills. The team offer guidance on researching information, referencing and writing assignments. Each Faculty is assigned a specialist Learning Developer and Learning & Research Librarian to offer you personalised support.
  
  
• Rediscover your Library: Whether you utilise the physical buildings in Canterbury, Medway and Salomons which contain study spaces, modern facilities, and access to books and print journals, or digitally through LibrarySearch. Your Library Services are here to help you succeed. 
  
  
• Connect with a Student Peer Mentor: Our Student Peer Mentors are current students, trained to provide a safe and confidential space for you to talk freely and ask questions. They can provide reassurance and guidance to help you succeed in your studies, build support networks and feel connected to the wider University community.

There’s also a range of IT services and software available to support you in your studies both on campus and at home. Before returning back to university, take a moment to:

• Discover your free software: As a student, remember you can access all the software you might need for your course for free through our CCCU App Store or Virtual Campus PC.
  
  
• Explore the dedicated IT Service webpages: The IT Service webpages cover the full range of services available to you as a CCCU student, including IT training and certification, printing, saving and storing your files, and how we use your data.

Student Wellbeing Team

Preparing for a new academic year and returning to campus after the summer break can be a difficult readjustment. So, whether you’re starting to feel concerned or are having financial worries, our Student Wellbeing Team are here to help.

The Student Wellbeing Team include several teams that are on hand to help with disability, mental wellbeing, financial concerns and general support to ensure that you don't face barriers and are able to benefit from the wider student experience. You may want to speak to the team if:

• you have a disability, or your disability has changed over the summer. Make sure you get in touch so they can ensure any additional support you may need for your learning is put in place.
• your financial circumstances have changed. If this is the case, then make sure you get in contact with a Student Support Adviser to find out what support there is available. You can also explore the Cost of Living Hub for further information on ways the University and Students' Union are supporting you during this time.

There’s also a number of external support services available to you, so you can find the support you need when you need it. This includes out of hours support through Spectrum.Life - which offers immediate online, text and telephone support from qualified professionals.

Preparing for your future

The Careers and Enterprise Team can support you in finding jobs and work experience, as well as support in planning for your future career and building the skills you may require. To kick-start your next year why not try:

• Exploring the Careers and Enterprise Online Hub: For information and guidance on careers, jobs and planning your future, make sure you check out the Careers and Enterprise Online Hub. You can log in to book one-to-one career guidance appointments, connect with the team on live chat, and find out about the latest events. The team also host regular workshops for career development, skills building and networking. 
• Career Development Fund: If you are looking to undertake a career development opportunity but finding it financially difficult to do so, then you may be eligible to benefit from the Career Development Fund
• Part-time work: If you’re looking for part-time work alongside your studies, then Unitemps is for you. They are the University's recruitment service for students and can support you with finding a job either at the University or in the local area. You can also explore becoming a Student Ambassador - a great opportunity to earn while you learn, meet new people, and develop a range of skills for the future.
• Volunteering: A great way to get involved at University and build your skills is through volunteering. Whether you volunteer regularly or just want to get involved in one–off events, volunteering your time can make a huge difference – not only to the communities you support, but also to you and your own wellbeing.