Newsletter sent on 7 May

Hello, and welcome to the latest newsletter. We’ve lots to update you on, from assessment preparation to a LUU survey, study spaces and mental health awareness week. Let’s get started!

Assessment and revision 

For many of you assessments take place from Monday 17 May to Friday 4 June. If you’re worried, or are not clear on the arrangements, now’s the time to contact your school and get help. Your course or module leader, or personal tutor, will be able answer questions you have about specific arrangements for your assessments. 

  • You can find out all you need to know about assessment on the For Students website 

  • Skills@Library have created a great place to see top tips, avoiding time wasting ideas and revision guides.  

  • If you’re worried about your technology, including wifi or laptop – speak to your personal tutor as soon as possible as they may be able to help – including with laptop loans, SIM cards and data. For advice about your internet connection/wifi there is a helpful article on the IT website and the IT Service Desk is available from the 10th May if you need to speak to someone - call 0113 343 3333 Mon-Fri 08.00-16.00 and choose option 1.  

  • Please be considerate to those in your house who may be doing assessments too. Make sure you’ve arranged quiet times for all of you so you can revise and complete the assessments. 

Study Spaces 

  • With the upcoming assessment period, there’s lots of you who may need to study on campus. While we recommend studying and doing your assessments from home if you can, there is quiet space available on campus for studying and taking your assessments.  

  • The libraries can be busy, particularly between 10am – 4pm, so book outside those hours if possible. 

  • We’ve opened many more spaces across the campus, some which need booking, and others which are walk in.  

Find out more about spaces to study on campus and how to book (if required). 

We strongly recommend that if you need to complete an assessment on campus, book your space in advance (and cancel if you don’t need it). 

Classification and progression update 

Yesterday, you’ll have received an email explaining how we’ve worked with LUU to review our approach to classification to make sure that the changes we introduced in November 2020 are appropriate, despite the ongoing COVID situation.  

After consulting with staff and students we concluded that our classification arrangements this year will ensure a fair outcome. We have also considered and changed our approach to progression for first years and foundation level students, to help support those who may fail elements of their assessment to continue with their studies.    

You can read more on our classification and progression approach here, read the FAQs and watch a short video. If you have any specific questions about your programme or personal situation, please contact your school.  

Graduation update

Recently we asked students graduating in 2020 and 2021 how they’d prefer to celebrate their successes. Almost 5,000 people responded, with the majority requesting an in-person graduation celebration that family and friends can attend.

Like many other universities, we won't be able to hold in-person graduation celebrations this summer. We’re currently planning formal graduation celebrations for those of you graduating in 2021, and students who completed their studies in 2020, in the Great Hall in spring 2022.

We’re also working on ideas for the end of term, so you have the opportunity to celebrate on campus ahead of a formal graduation event.

A more detailed communication will be sent to all 2020 and 2021 graduates next week, outlining our plans.

Mental health awareness week 

The Get Out, Get Active team are here to bring you another virtual challenge for the whole university community! This time, it is a little different as we are supporting the university’s participation in this year’s BRIT challenge in aid of young adult mental health. 

Find out more information, including how to sign up 

There’s lots of great activities to get involved in, including mindfulness, baking and meditation. Find out what’s on in Leeds University Union 

After University – how to be a success in your first graduate job 

From office etiquette to employment rights, from dealing with toxic workplaces to negotiating a pay rise, 'How To Go To Work' is the essential guide for anyone embarking upon their career. 
 
Ahead of a special podcast episode with co-author and Leeds alum Lucy Clayton (English Literature 2003), send us your questions for Lucy. https://alumnidata.typeform.com/to/NGgQAXeP 

Tell us like it is 

LUU is currently running the Tell It Like It Is survey - this year’s version of the major student consultation run every four years to help decide the future direction of LUU. It will be using the survey and focus groups to help it better understand today’s student experience, and to ensure it’s delivering what you want and need to help you love your time at Leeds.  

 https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/J9YZJXC 

LeedsforLife survey

Our ‘LeedsforLife Refresh' survey opens today, we need your help to shape this key part of the student experience that will enable you to make the most of your time @universityofleeds.

Fill out the survey now: https://forms.office.com/r/6Y8XAUMHBu

Find out more about the LeedsforLife refresh https://bit.ly/3vKJWW3

How do you make your voice heard?

As a student, there are lots of ways that you might give feedback to the University – from surveys to speaking to staff, or working with your Reps. We want to understand what feedback mechanisms work for you, what makes you feel heard, and what improvements would make it easier for you to speak to us. The survey will be open until midnight 19 May 2021, and you stand a chance to win a £50 Love2Shop voucher.  
 
The survey can be accessed here: https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/final-qat-undergraduate-and-taught-postgraduate-survey-co-2 

Want to take part in paid supervised research over the summer? 

Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence (LITE) in collaboration with the University’s Educational Engagement team are offering seven students the chance to take part in a paid supervised research experience placement throughout the summer of 2021. The projects will support the delivery of the Access and Student Success Strategy with an emphasis on exploring aspects of the student experience through the lens of under-represented groups including, but not limited to black and minority ethnic, mature, care leaver, Access to Leeds and Plus Programme students. 

https://teachingexcellence.leeds.ac.uk/funding/student-research-experience-placements/ 

Leeds to South Korea – want to go? 

Applications are now open for the Leeds to South Korea Leadership Programme! Generously funded by a Leeds alumni, and available to all current undergraduate and Masters students studying any subject or discipline – this is opportunity not to be missed! To find out more please visit the Leeds to South Korea page: https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/10345/summer_abroad/1196/leeds_to_south_korea 

Looking for something new to do over the weekend?  

Here’s some great ideas for your bucket list: