The Brum Bulletin 15/12/2021

Welcome to your final Brum Bulletin of 2021! As we come to the end of the semester, we’re getting ready for the Christmas holidays and the main assessment season in January. Try to find a balance between relaxing and revising, so you are refreshed and prepared for the New Year. Creating a revision timetable is a good way to plan your days, allowing yourself time to study and to have some well-deserved festive fun. Download our UoBe Ready study planner template to get you started. 

Make sure you stay updated with government COVID guidelines over the break, particularly with the presence of the new Omicron variant. Please remember to keep taking your lateral flow tests, and particularly before you travel home and again before you come back in January. Lateral flow test kits are available from the Aston Webb Student Hub.

University facilities may close at times throughout the Christmas break, so make sure you know what’s open and when. Find out more about opening times here.

We hope you all have a wonderful break, but before you go, check out what events and notices are still to come before and after the holidays. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Countdown to Christmas Round Up

We hope you've enjoyed the festive events happening on campus, we know we have! See if you can spot yourself in the highlights film! Watch now

UoBe Ready: What support is available to me?

Our 'Making it Happen' campaign highlights how your feedback shapes your experience. You told us that you wanted more support during assessment season, so check out the ways that we can help you get the most out of assessments. You’ve got this but we’re here to help, from study support to extenuating circumstances. Check out the UoBe Ready student intranet page for more information.

The Vice Chancellor’s Challenge is now open!

This is a fantastic opportunity to work on a topic that excites you. As part of a team, develop your own unique solution to a real-world issue and gain invaluable experience and skills for your future career! You could potentially receive up to £10,000 of funding for your business idea! Find out more.

What will you #JustBe for 2022?

Fancy seeing yourself projected on Old Joe in January? To celebrate the launch of the UoBe Festival, we’re asking you to share a photo of what you want to #JustBe in 2022. Check out last year’s #JustBe projections - UoBe Festival: My one word for 2021. 

Submit your #JustBe photo

Win £500 worth of vouchers

IT Services would really love to hear your views on digital services at the University. Complete the Digital Experience Insights survey before Friday 7 January and you could win £500 Amazon vouchers. Have your say

Safety on and around Campus

A lot has been happening this semester, in connection with the Guild and police, to keep your campus and our community safe. Check out some existing and upcoming safety initiatives and activities. Find out more.

Dates for your diary

Crafted in Time: Watercolour Workshop 

Thursday 16 December, 6-8pm,  Lapworth Museum

Explore the Lapworth Museum’s collection of magnificent minerals and join artist Mita Solanky in creating your own ‘Wild Mineral Land Escape’. Unlock your imagination and creativity while you learn exciting painting techniques and build a unique collaged piece of artwork. All materials and equipment will be provided, although you are welcome to bring your own. Register here.

Chronic Breathlessness Dance Workshop

Saturday 18 December, 11-12noon, The Exchange, Centenary Square

The Breathe Well study explores ways to improve diagnosis and treatment for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). People with COPD often struggle with fatigue, breathlessness, fear, and loneliness. But it is possible to reduce these feelings through physical activity, education, and group support. Come along and try it – all are welcome. Find out more.

Guest lecture: Afghanistan health system

Monday 20 December, 12noon-1pm, Online

Join Dr Nasrullah Orya, CEO of Aga Khan Health Services Afghanistan (an international NGO) as he talks about Afghanistan’s health system and the issues it is currently facing. This lecture is now happening online. Sign up here.

Information for all International Students

In our last update to our International Student community in November, we confirmed our expectation that all students should be present in Birmingham for teaching in Semester 2 - commencing 31 January 2022. Please take some time to read these important updates regarding travelling to and studying on campus, particularly as the new Omicron variant develops. Read the Update.

What's on in Brum?

Looking for something to do over the break? Head down to Luna Springs and enjoy ice skating as well as some tasty food and drink. Bag yourself a discount when you show your Student ID card too. Find out more.

PG Corner

The University Graduate School is thrilled to launch ‘UGS Talks’, an exciting new series of events to bring Birmingham's postgrad community together.

Join us for TED-style talks from leading researchers, alumni and postgraduate students, and meet new faces of the postgrad community across the University over coffee and cake.

Sign up for our first UGS Talks event on Tuesday 25 January 2022, 12-4pm, in the Bramall Music Building, and keep an eye on UGS webpages for details of our stellar alumni speakers and future UGS Talks programme!

And finally...

• Congratulations UoB University Challenge Team! Congratulations to our University Challenge team who went toe-to-toe with St Andrew's and won 255-50 on Monday evening! They advance to the quarter-finals now, make sure to follow their progress! Watch the episode.
• Paid roles for students. Get involved in next year’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, a once in a lifetime chance to work at a large global event. We have a range of paid roles for UoB students across Accommodation, Cleaning, Food and Beverage, and Community Living teams. Apply today.
• Take part in our Library survey. Whether it's eBooks, physical spaces, or the help we provide, how can we make your experience of using the library better? Please let us know your thoughts. Take our short anonymous survey – it should only take a few minutes.
• Semester 2 timetables released. Timetables have now been released for semester 2 in the MyUoB app, make sure you know what your modules are and when! Find out how to check your timetable and all the information you need. Find out more.
• Updated Covid guidance for students. Following the UK government’s new guidelines for universities, we have updated our information relating to Covid-19 measures. While there is only a brief time before the Christmas vacation, please read these important updates.
• Travel tips for a smart ride on trains. A fantastic way to travel and discover the city is by train. Check out these six top tips for travelling to, from and around Birmingham by rail. 

If you have any suggestions for the student newsletter please email studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk.