Newsletter sent on 5 February

Welcome to your latest student newsletter. This week newsletter reminds you of things you may have missed over the past few weeks and how you can access the support you need. 

Yesterday was it's Time To Talk day in the UK. You'll know that talking about mental health is a good thing to do but can be difficult. Here are some tips on how to start the conversation.  

How can you help someone who wants to talk about their experiences? By listening.  

In her first podcast episode, our Vice-Chancellor, Simone Buitendijk, explores the theme of listening. Simone also blogs about similar topics, her piece about coping with uncertainty gives you an insight into her life and is full of advice on what you can do. In her latest piece, the VC also explores how we can keep going when it feels as though we can no longer cope with the pressures, the worries, and the lack of access to things that normally make us happy and thrive.  

• As a reminder, there will be no face-to-face teaching for most of you until further notice (and certainly not before 8 March at the earliest). You can find detailed information about our spring term arrangements.  

• If you are in Leeds, you must be tested for COVID-19 – and found negative – before you interact with others or use campus facilities such as libraries, study spaces, computer clusters, laboratories etc.  

• You can book an asymptomatic (lateral flow) coronavirus test on campus – remember, you will need to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19 and will need to please report this to the University using the reporting process. If you need to self-isolate in Leeds, support is available.  You can find more details in our FAQs about testing 

• Please see our guidelines to help us work together to stay safe and remember we are all responsible for remembering hands, face, space. 

• The safest place to work, if you’re in Leeds is at home. If you need to study on campus, please make sure you’re wearing a mask, book a space before you set off, and cancel if you’re not able to make it. In the libary, and common ground, you’ll see signs to help keep you, and the staff safe – please make sure you’re following them. 

• We have adapted and will continue to review our approach to learning, teaching and assessment, to ensure that the pandemic doesn’t impact on your academic performance. Read more.  

Have your say

The National Student Survey 2021 is live! If you are an undergraduate in your final year, make sure you have your say on your time at Leeds. It only takes 10 minutes and everyone completing online can enter a prize draw! It's confidential and the results will help future students decide where and what to study.

Get the support you need 

University support 

Our teams are available to support you, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask for help. Find details of the available support.  

International students: if you’re looking for specialist support around topics like visa and travel, you can find details of who to contact on our advice page for international students and our visas and travel page.   

Struggling to access online learning? We have a limited number of loan laptops available for those of you who may be experiencing difficulties accessing the online or digital aspects of your learning. Please speak to your Academic Personal Tutor or your School Student Support team who can explore this further with you and help you get the support you need. Need tech support? Contact the IT Service Desk or view existing articles, such as the range of software available for students,  via the IT website. 

Worried about money?

Did you know if you have money worries, you can apply for help? Find out more about Leeds University Union’s hardship fund. 

Looking after your health and wellbeing 

It’s important to take time out to check in with how you are feeling and to take steps to look after yourself and/or get the support that you may need.  

Staying connected  

Connecting with others is important, especially at times like these. Remote studying, social distancing and self-isolation might make that feel difficult, but there are things you can do to stay in touch with others: video chat, phone, text, email, and message – use whatever works for you, your friends and your family. Check out our social media team’s blog on using technology to stay social. 

Remember, resources like Togetherall and Nightline are available and can be accessed remotely and you can join our current students’ Facebook group and the LUU’s Facebook group to stay connected. 

Join our Global Community Online Socials - Meet new people and take part in fun activities led by student ambassadors at our weekly Global Café and other online social activities. Join the Global Community Microsoft Teams space by logging into Microsoft Teams using your @leeds.ac.uk email. Select ‘Join or create a team’ at the bottom of your Teams’ list and enter the join code loq5x6z.   

Stay active, stay positive 

Even if it is just little and often, staying active will help to boost your mood. There are lots of great online activities you can join. Our sports facilities may be closed but they are still here to support you stay active and healthy at home.  

Also, check out your favourite social media sites for yoga and fitness routines, cook-along, sing-alongs and dance-along, or try out a 10 minute NHS workout.