Brum Bulletin: Closing the year in style
The Brum Bulletin - your student news
In this issue...
- Our Christmas opening hours.
- From affordable gift ideas to supporting your mental health in the winter, students blog on the festive period.
- Student Yael shares what Hanukkah means to her.
- Caitlin's top 5 study spaces on campus.
- Meeting Michael Rosen; the meme-legend.
- Final chance to win UoB merch.
News
Christmas hours
While many of you travel away from Birmingham during the vacation period, we know that some of you may choose to stay on or near campus over the Christmas period. Explore opening hours.
Happy Hanukkah
"Candles, presents, donuts and chocolate coins. These are a few words I use when I tell my non-Jewish friends about Hannukah. But what exactly is Hanukkah?..." Continue reading.
Affordable gift ideas
If you're looking for a cheap and cheerful way to exchange gifts this Christmas, then check out Student Natalie's round up of budget-friendly gift exchange games. Browse ideas.
My five fave study spaces
As we're coming to the end of semester, many of you are working on assessments. Need some inspo of where to go for your next study sesh? Student Caitlin shares her favourite places to get some work done. Browse Caitlin's picks.
Managing recovery
The festive period looks different for everyone, and it's ok if you're struggling. Final-year student Alfie shares his advice on managing addiction recovery over Christmas. Hear from Alfie.
Wellbeing in winter
During winter you might find yourself feeling a bit flat. Student Ellen shares how she prioritises her mental health and wellbeing during this time of year to boost her mood. Read Ellen's blog.
Celebrating Thanksgiving
While many of you travel away from Birmingham during the vacation period, we know that some of you may choose to stay on or near campus over the Christmas period. Read Natalie's blog.
Have your Say is coming...
Fancy the opportunity to win £150? In the new year eligible students will be granted the opportunity to reflect on your university experience by completing a student survey. Five students will be chosen at random per survey to win the prize so be ready for the new year to share your views. More on student surveys.
Hey, you're the meme guy!
We sat down with beloved Children's Author and Poet, Michael Rosen, to discuss his lecture on happiness, his time at university and the iconic meme that transformed him into a viral internet sensation. Read the interview.
PG Corner
Welcome to the latest updates from the University Graduate School (UGS) specifically for postgraduate students.
PGR Shut Up and Work
Prepare for the holidays and finish up your deadlines with dedicated co-working sessions. Join Shut Up and Work online (12 December, 09.30-15:00), and in-person at the Main Library, (13 December, 09.30-16:00).
PGR Study Spaces Over Christmas
Westmere House will be closed from 21 December and will reopen on 2 January 2025. If you need a place to work over the Christmas break, the Researcher Suite in the Main Library will be open on 23 December and 27-29 December 2024 from 10:00-16:00. All campus buildings will reopen for their usual term-time hours on 2 January 2025.
Three Minute Thesis 2025: Open for entries!
Three Minute Thesis (3MT) challenges doctoral researchers to deliver a captivating, three-minute presentation about their research to a non-specialist audience. Gain recognition and enhance your communication skills whilst competing for cash prizes and a spot in the national competition.
Birmingham's Christmas Market
Did you know that the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest German Christmas Market outside of central Europe? It's open until 24 Dec. Student Content Shaper Natalie takes us along on her visit. Watch the video.
Sustainability at UoB
Student Success in Global Sustainability Competition
Three teams of University of Birmingham students have made it to the final of the international Reimagine our Future sustainability competition for undergraduates! The projects include topics such as ways to grow sugar beet more sustainably, creating an app to enable festival goers to be more sustainable and a new labelling method for recycling. The grand final is on the 7 December. Good luck!
Look out next year for ways to get involved during UoB Xtra and at the start of the new academic year.
Our greenest graduations yet
The Conferences and Events team has worked really hard with Food, Beverage and Retail to bring down the carbon footprint of events, and this year’s winter graduations are the greenest yet, with eco decorations and a low-carbon menu.
Our diary picks
The Little Mermaid - Disability History Month screening and discussion
Thursday 12 December, from 17:00
Muirhead Tower (G15)
We're hosting a special, free-to-attend event on fairy tales and disability. Free to attend but book a place on Eventbrite to help us monitor numbers. The film will be screened with English subtitles. Please contact Dr Catherine Lester with any queries.
Therapy Dogs at the Library
Thursday 12 December, 10:00-15:00
Main Library
Take a break from your studies and cuddle the Pets as Therapy dogs in the Wellbeing area on the Ground Floor of Main Library. They'll also be information tables from Wellbeing, Disability, Security, Academic Skills, and more.
Rise and Shine yoga at grounded.
Friday 13 December, 8:30-9:30
grounded. Selly Oak, Bournbrook Road
Get your day off to the best possible start with a gentle flow practice to help awaken and stretch out the body. Like all grounded. Selly Oak workshops, this session is free on a pay as you please basis. Book your place.
Active Residences
From 14 December-12 January
Sports and Fitness
Get your festive fitness fix for free over the holidays. You can enjoy everything from yoga to Pilates, tennis to badminton. Events will be added throughout so check the timetable each week, as well as the Sport & Fitness app.
Letter Writing Workshop
Monday 16 December, 12:00-14:00
The Guild of Students, Amos Room
Are you an international student who is not travelling home for the holiday? Join us at this free workshop where you can write a letter to your loved ones.
Visit our What's On page for the latest student events.
The most magical festive evening
Birmingham Botanical Gardens are offering UoB students 25% off for Luminate Live; a spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue. Just use code bbu25 (Lower case) until 13 December, and show your university ID on entry. Enjoy a wonderful night.
Last chance to win UoB merch
We're giving away a hoodie, insulated water bottle and umbrella separately to three lucky students so you can rep UoB wherever you are. All you have to do is answer a simple question, it's really that easy... Hurry, entries close soon.
And finally
20% off a Student Art Pass
Gain access to hundreds of the UK’s best cultural destinations for less with a Student Art Pass. The best part? Until Friday 6 December, you can save 20%.
Reminder to keep your home safe over the holidays
With lots of you heading home for Christmas, we’re sharing some top tips for how to keep your house safe while you’re away.
Want to write a blog for us for our birthday?
Soon we'll be celebrating the University of Birmingham's 125th birthday! To celebrate we're looking for your stories - for example do you have a family member that studied at Birmingham? What differences are there between studying then and now? Contact studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk and pitch an idea for a blog where to help capture our history. If your work is posted, you'll get a £15 Amazon voucher.
9 to Thrive: Workplace Diaries podcast
From start-up CEO’s, self-made millionaires to Influencer Marketing freelancers, check out Careers Network’s new podcast bringing you insider knowledge and secrets into the world of 21st century employability!
If you have any suggestions for the student newsletter please email: studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk.