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Things to know this week - 11 December 2023: Support continues over the vacation

Posted on 11 December 2023

Welcome to your undergraduate student news summary of key things happening this week.

UoY community update

Off Campus Rent Grant - are you eligible?
Have you checked whether you’re eligible for the Off Campus Rent Grant? The grant helps students currently in their second or subsequent years to get support towards their rent costs. You may be eligible even if you’re receiving the York Bursary. See our information on cost of living support for students.

Christmas carol service
You are warmly invited to a Christmas Carol Service on Thursday (14 December) at Heslington Church, near Campus West. With a choir formed from the University community for this service, there will be music by students and readings by staff. Complimentary refreshments will follow the service, which is open to people of all faiths and none.

1. Support continues over the vacation

Whether you’re leaving York or staying on campus, student support continues over the winter break. We have tonnes of information on the website about:

  • what’s open and what’s happening on campus over the break
  • when you should return your library books
  • who is available to help with a wellbeing issue 
  • academic activities still taking place
  • how to connect to campus remotely

See student support over the winter break for full information.

2. How to revise and do an exam at York

The Common Assessment Period begins shortly after the winter break. Make sure you read the Student Guide to Examinations 2023/24 for information on what to do and what not to do during examinations. 

Not sure where to begin with revision? Come to our Effective Revision Skills online workshops, including how to revise for science and maths, preparing for exams that have short answer questions, as well as preparing for essay-type question exams.

And if the worst happens? Sometimes things happen that can seriously impair your performance in an assessment or prevent you undertaking it at the scheduled time. If this happens to you, see information about exceptional circumstances affecting assessment.

3. Get involved in a community project

Want to tackle a real-world challenge, develop new skills and give back to the community? Our community projects teams support partners such as a school, museum or charity in tackling an issue. You might conduct research, deliver an event or create a resource to make a positive impact. Previous examples include creating a wildlife walk, designing school resources on the Tudors or producing a short information video for a women’s charity. Apply to join a community project by 14 January.

4. Don’t let temporary failure knock you off-course

How can you face academic failure without being overly discouraged? How can you make necessary decisions when faced with a personal difficulty? And how can you adapt within a stressful social situation? Research suggests that maintaining motivation and passion when pursuing your goals is key to success - but how do you do this? Check the Success at York Toolkit for videos, podcasts and activities to help develop perseverance.

5. UPDATE: Your Single Students’ Union

The University of York Students’ Union (YUSU) and the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) are merging to create a single students' union that caters to every student at York. To find out what’s happening and when, see the new information on Your Single Students’ Union.

Offers, competitions and paid opportunities

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Student news

Things to know this week is produced and distributed by the University's Internal Communications Team. Please email any feedback to university-internal-comms@york.ac.uk.