Freshers Tips - Worcester Uni

Freshers' Tips

FRESHERS TIPS – HOW TO SURVIVE FRESHERS AND HAVE A GREAT TIME.

Freshers’ week is one of the great British party institutions.  For the first two weeks of the Uni term, students are encouraged to get out of their rooms and get to know other people, the university, and the city.  It’s a great time and not to be missed but it can also be a little exhausting.  Here are some Freshers’ tips to help you get the best.

Make New Friends

Freshers Week is always a great time to make new friends and meet new people.

Naturally, when going to university it can be daunting, even a little scary, but it’s a great opportunity to meet likeminded people that are studying the same course as you are just living in the same area.

Like anybody going to freshers, it’s that time when you feel a little bit on your own, you’re going to brand new university in a brand new area, but with a little bit of self-confidence and a good push. You’ll find the right people and they’ll definitely be your friends for life.

Freshers Tips - Eat a Bit HealthyEat Smart and Budget

You need to eat smart, healthy and wallet friendly. Well, I think like most people when you first go to university, your cooking skills are naturally put to the test. We kind of think to ourselves that we know how to cook like a natural Gordon Ramsay in the making… but its only when we step away from our parents that we really find out that our cooking skills are just a little limited.

However, this is also the time to make sure that you don’t go out too much and spend money on you know fast food and alternative cooking. This is a good time for you to learn some new basic skills. You don’t have to eat pasta every day of the week!

Join Student Clubs and Societies

Joining student clubs and societies is a great way to meet new people and really get your name out there. Naturally. It can be a little bit intimidating, but there are so many opportunities and interests at the university. It allows you to really meet people that have the same interests as you and get to know new buddies.

Be a Great Flat Mate

Freshers Tips - Don't be Messy
Be a good flatmate!

Seriously, nobody likes her messy flatmate. Everyone accepts that you may have different interests and you may have had a different upbringing. This is quite normal, and people are usually pretty OK with that. But it’s also important to understand that you want to be a good flatmate, making sure that you keep your flat consistently clean, making sure that it’s up to the right standards and helping people out when they need it.

Take A Break

When it comes to Freshers, learn to take a break.  It’s so important to take a break or you’re going to learn about burn-out before you need to. Sometimes when we first start university, we’re so busy moving in a billion different directions that we’re constantly trying to get things done. Sure – you should get out and meet people. Yes – go out have a good time. But … it’s important sometimes to step back to and take a break. You may think that you can surf a two-week long party, but you’ll enjoy it more if you recharge your batteries along the way. Just remember – at university it’s important to also focus on selfcare.

Freshers Tips - Take a Break

Be Yourself

Don’t worry about trying to reinvent your personality. When you get to university. It’s important for you to make sure that you are my 100% you.   It’s really had to keep up an act for three years and the truth is – you won’t anyway.  Trust me, you’ll find that people want to fit in with you as much as you do with them.

Fresher can be one of the best times of your life if you play smart, pace yourself and be brave.


Farrier House Covid Update

Covid-19 Update From The University Of Worcester

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER

Information for students, staff and partners about the coronavirus and our response at the University of Worcester.

The World Health Organisation has labelled the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, defined as a disease that is spreading in multiple countries around the world at the same time.

Latest update – 21 May
The University is preparing to re-start in-person teaching in September, under a careful plan to Save Lives; Protect the NHS; Live; Learn. Professor David Green CBE, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, has outlined the plans in this message to students:

Studying and the Campus in the new academic year (Thu 21 May)

 

Dear Student,

I hope that your health and that of your loved ones is good and that your assessments have been going well.

This email provides you with some information on the approach the University is taking to the new academic year in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Please may I take this opportunity to thank you personally, and also the leaders of the Students’ Union, for the very responsible way in which Worcester students have reacted both individually and together to the pandemic and its effects.

Since the ‘national lockdown’ began in March the focus of the University has been on supporting each and every student to continue with their studies as well as possible in the new circumstances.

I am very grateful to my colleagues who have reacted so positively and professionally to moving teaching, learning and assessment online so that your studies and educational progress can continue as well as possible in the face of the pandemic. Thank-you for all your positive engagement, understanding, suggestions and support.

The University has done our best to support the NHS locally and to contribute to saving as many lives as possible by providing specialist equipment, helping our 3rd year nursing students join the NHS if they so wished, and in other practical ways, as well as by working closely with the Students’ Union in promoting volunteering in particular.

There has been active support for those students who have remained in residence and the big increase in requests for various aspects of student welfare support has been met with the compassion and empathy for which student services at Worcester is renowned.

Arrangements for next Academic year

The next academic year (2020-21) will begin as originally scheduled.

What will next year look like?

Provided the national situation continues to improve, including the effective implementation of the Government’s proposed test, track and trace programme, we hope to be able to move most of our learning back on campus by the start of the term.

We envisage running many in-person lecture programmes, often with smaller groups, strictly respecting physical distancing guidelines, with simultaneous online broadcast where possible and appropriate.

We will aim to deliver the majority of other teaching, including tutorials, workshops, lab work and practicals on campus as long as this can be done in a ‘Covid-19 secure’ way and fully in accordance with Government regulations and World Health Organisation guidance.

This will mean some significant changes – particularly making full use of the teaching day with the timetabling of more late afternoon and early evening classes in particular, in order to avoid busy ‘peaks’ at campus, which would make social distancing difficult. In addition, groups will be split into ‘bubbles’ who will have more teaching together. In some courses we will also use a buddy system for tasks which need to be carried out together.

A great deal of work is currently underway to ensure that our campuses are carefully prepared for the safest possible, socially distanced return to in-person study. Our actions will be guided by science and entirely up-to-date best practice and will likely include, for example:

  • The creation of student residential, study and activities ‘bubbles’, where students are organised into groups;
  • Full use of the contract tracing ‘app’ system. We will aim to be an exemplar generally of the national programme to ‘test, trace and isolate’, ensuring that any case of Covid-19 is quickly identified and that there is the minimum transmission;
  • A further enhanced cleaning regime and the installation of facilities such as outdoor sinks, as well as easy access to hand sanitisers and wipes for computer equipment, desks and other frequently touched items;
  • Careful management of the timetable, making full use of the teaching day, to minimise ‘peak density’ on campus;
  • Physical distancing within our campuses, including increasing the distance between study spaces in such facilities as the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre;
  • One-way circulation within buildings, wherever possible and appropriate;
  • The creation of covered outdoor space for dining and informal learning;
  • The creation of more cycle hoops and car parking spaces and continued access to a bicycle loan scheme;
  • The availability of equipment, such as face shields, to help improve the safety of the whole community as well as managing occasions where social distancing is difficult, such as using public transport.

Acting in this way, we will be highly responsible, aiming to provide outstanding educational opportunities in which our students will be able to both learn and live on campus, as well as virtually. We will of course comply with all relevant government regulations and the latest World Health Organisation guidance and will keep all of our plans under continuous review, ready to act if the situation changes and to make full use of scientific advances. Together with the Students’ Union, we will continue to gather feedback, questions and ideas from our students to inform our approach. Your good ideas are crucial and most welcome so please do share them through our website. Of course, the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and visitors to the University will remain our primary concern and will be the foremost consideration in our decision-making. There will be a special programme of support for students who are unable to come to campus due to their own health condition.

There is a lot of detailed work to do, and we will keep you updated throughout the summer.

As there is so much news about some universities being ‘online for lectures’ all next year, I thought it only right to be in touch now to let you know about the approach that we are taking.

Stay in touch

We remain here to help and support you and will write to you again as we develop more detail about next year, including further timetabling information. Please do refer to our Students’ Union Help and Advice website and continue to follow our Coronavirus FAQ pages as these will be regularly updated with new information. If you have immediate questions, you can contact us at firstpoint@worc.ac.uk.

With all best wishes.

Yours sincerely,

Professor David M A Green CBE
Vice Chancellor & Chief Executive
University of Worcester

26 February 2020


Farrier House - Virginia House Update

New Boutique Accommodation in Worcester

New Boutique Accommodation in Worcester

Virginia House Lifestyle Living. The next step for university students, couples and young working professionals to share contemporary, stylish living focused on community and convenience.

Virginia House, our sister accommodation, is under construction and due to open in September 2020 and will offer luxury boutique living in the heart of Worcester.

Visit the website


Farrier House - Worcester 1000

We are Members of One Worcestershire!

We are members of One Worcestershire!

We love Worcestershire. Proud to be members of @OneWorcestershire – a network of champions for Worcestershire. It reflects the community’s pride in championing the county as a place to live, work, invest and of course, study!

Check out One Worcestershire’s website for more information – http://www.oneworcestershire.com/


Farrier House - Worcester Housing Fair

Farrier House at Worcester SU Housing Fair 2020!

Farrier House at Worcester SU Housing Fair 2020!

Farrier House Student Living will be at the Housing Fair held by Worcester Students’ Union.

Are you a first year looking for a house for the upcoming academic year?

Do you want to find some cool housemates to live with?

We will be there from 11 so pop down and ask us as many questions as you like.

See you there!


Residents Christmas Party 2019

Residents Christmas Party 2019

On Tuesday 3rd December, staff held a Christmas party for residents to celebrate the start of the festivities by eating lots, getting merry and laughing with others.

We had DJ Chris who often entertains at The Hangar come down for a quiz where students were able to win bottles of their favourite alcohol and chocolates, karaoke which was very entertaining and even a casino which kept residents glued!

Events like this are really important to the residents and staff at Farrier House. It gives residents a chance to catch up with their fellow flat mates, including those they may not see as often. It also gives staff a chance to listen to residents with their feedback in a more relaxed, fun environment.

We know that students can spend hours a day in their rooms,studying hard and may go for days without having real conversations. These events are so important as communication and friendships are crucial to ones well-being and mental health.

Thank you to those who attended! Check out some photos which were taken by Andrew who is a student at Worcester University.


Farrier House - Christmas 2019

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Farrier House 🎄🥂❄️

2 December 2019 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Farrier House

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Farrier House, in preparation for our resident party.

We have a Christmas buffet, (plenty) of drink, karaoke, a quiz and casino planned.

Check out the photos of the team’s decorating!


How purpose-built student accommodation delivers more than a place to live...

How purpose-built student accommodation delivers more than a place to live…

Text quoted from Estate Gazette.

“Those in purpose-built student accommodation are 26% more likely to report top grades in their first year, and the trend continues throughout, compared with those living in halls of residence. Ultimately better accommodation results in better grades.”

What is meant by purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)?

Farrier House is a leading PBSA in Worcester. With our communal facilities and dedicated team of staff, we are more than a ‘student house’. Everything in Farrier House has been purpose built to suit our hardworking students, from the TV rooms to the rooftop garden.

It is widely recognised that students are a vulnerable group in society with the pressure of achieving good grades and being away from home which is why it is so important that the students are happy in their accommodation. “Purpose-built student accommodation providers therefore need to proactively consider their customers’ needs and how wellness can tie into student accommodation”.

“As a market advocate, we recently conducted a survey of more than 1,100 students, aiming to identify how quality PBSA can support them. The results were striking. Throughout every year of university, living in PBSA makes for better grades and wellbeing.

The UK’s global reputation for educational excellence is long established, as evidenced by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019 which includes even UK universities in the top 50” – The University of Worcester has been shortlisted in six categories of these prestigious awards.

We are dedicated to continually listening to and meeting student’s needs. What would you desire in your student accommodation if you had the choice?

student-halls-worcester


Farrier House - Student Pizza Party

Pizza Lunch for Our New Overseas Students

Pizza Lunch for Our New Overseas Students

Held an impromptu lunch today to welcome our overseas students to Farrier House and talk more about Worcester and what our lovely city has to offer.

Moving to a different country can seem daunting so we like to encourage students to engage with each other and attend social events held by staff. 😊🍕

Pizza lunch Worcester students