What will Freshers’ Week be like?
At the moment, the University has plans to ensure that there’s a variety of activities for you to get involved with during Welcome Week, no matter your circumstances. Just like with the University’s academic plan, your social life will be getting the ‘Chester Blend’ approach, with a combination of online events and socially-distanced events on campus. You’ll get regular updates from the University and your subject department in the lead-up to Induction Week, and I highly recommend you follow Chester Students’ Union on social media for the latest news and updates on student activities and advice! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram| YouTube
What extracurricular activities can I get involved with?
Sports and societies are such a great way to make friends at university, so the University and the Chester Students’ Union are working hard to make sure that you have a great experience getting involved this September! The specific activities the societies run will depend a lot on their theme (and there are lots! Check out the CSU’s website for the full list here), but every committee is being encouraged to think creatively and plan activities both online and in small socially distanced groups where possible!
As for sports, this year the CSU is introducing ‘Chester Rules’, which is a campaign to get active through customised non-contact sports and games that can be played and enjoyed with social distancing in mind. As well as the major sports, there will be personal training sessions, Couch to 5k and social walking groups – so there’s something for everyone!
I also can’t help but take this opportunity to recommend you look into volunteering when you start university – this is a great way to meet new people, give back to the community, get active (if you want!) and learn new skills, enhancing your CV. As well as being a Digital Ambassador and volunteering virtually this way, I am also a Project Leader for one of our Student-Led Projects, Chester Student Dog Walkers. There are opportunities no matter what interests you have or how much time you can commit, so definitely keep an eye on the volunteering page when you’re enrolled!
How will classes run in September? Will there be any lectures in person?
Earlier in this blog, I mentioned the ‘Chester Blend’ – this is the University’s plan to conduct as much face-to-face teaching as is safe and practicable alongside innovative, interactive online content. The University worked closely with student representatives from Chester Students’ Union to develop this with students’ feedback at the heart of it. And rest assured your online learning will not be lesser – the University of Chester have recently invested in additional e-resources such as 200,000 new e-books for its libraries, to support remote learning!
Through this blended learning approach, you’ll still have face-to-face learning wherever possible, in small, safely socially-distanced groups. Larger, online lectures for greater numbers of students can be viewed remotely. The online lectures may be interactive or recorded in advance for you to watch at a time that suits you. All of this has been designed with student feedback and safety in mind, ensuring you get the same high-quality learning and social experience as a student here at the University of Chester.
What health and safety measures have been put in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission?
This is probably the question on everybody’s mind, so I had to include it! The University of Chester have worked very hard over the last few months to design and implement a health and safety plan in response to COVID-19.
- Existing cleaning and hygiene measures will increase in depth and frequency, particularly with regard to high-contact touch points (e.g. door handles, light switches, taps etc.) and accommodation.
- Hand sanitisers and one-way systems have been implemented across all campuses and in particular high-traffic communal areas.
- Social distancing will be enforced for group sessions in lecture theatres, laboratories and other specialist facilities.
- Catering outlets will provide take-away meals, with a click and collect service available for catered residential students.
The President of Chester Students’ Union, El, also recently gave an overview of the social distancing and hygiene measures that have been put in place on campus for students this September, and about how both teaching and socialising will work at the University of Chester. Take a look.
