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Things to know this week - 18 September 2023: Welcome Week

Posted on 18 September 2023

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

UoY community update

New year, new address
Have you moved address for this academic year? All students need to update your term-time address in e:Vision. New students - this is one of your Freshers Week tasks. Have you done everything on your Things to do in Freshers Week checklist?

Scams: don’t share your personal details
We never offer discounts on tuition or accommodation fees through third parties. If something appears too good to be true, it probably is. Please be vigilant and learn our seven tell-tale signs of a scam.

NEW: Check-In to on-campus teaching sessions
New for 2023/24, you may now need to 'check-in' to your teaching sessions. This will help us identify more quickly if it looks like you might need extra welfare and wellbeing support. Find out more about how Check-In works. You’ll find a quick link to Check-In on the student homepage.

Student Tuition Fee Refund Policy update
The University has updated the Student Tuition Fee Refund Policy to make it simpler and easier to understand. You can find the updated policy on our web pages about leaving the University.

1. What do you want to achieve this year?

Whether you’re new or returning to York, the beginning of the academic year is a great time to think about what you want to achieve throughout this year. Make some time in Freshers Week to explore our brand new Success at York Toolkit. The Toolkit provides a step-by-step guide to help you think about not just what you might want to achieve academically, but also personally and as part of our community. Watch our Introduction to the Success at York Toolkit and take our quick quiz to get thinking about what you can achieve this year.

2. Staying well

In a large community such as ours, we all need to do what we can to minimise the spread of infectious illnesses: 

  • Register with a local doctor
  • Make sure your vaccinations are up to date
  • Learn the tell-tale signs of infectious illnesses

See our student healthcare web page for more information and check your department handbook for what to do if you’re ill and can’t attend teaching sessions.

3. Stay safe on a night out

Our city is known for its quirky venues, traditional pubs, cosy bars and popular clubs. Make sure your night is memorable for the right reasons: stay together, avoid the rivers, and know who you can call on for help. Please also be considerate of our neighbours and keep noise levels down as you return home. Read our tips for staying safe on a safe night out.

4. A message from your Students’ Union

We are so excited to see you all on campus! Take a look at the amazing events taking place across Freshers' Week. Feeling adventurous? Then join us on Viking Raid and venture into the city on your chosen route to explore York's nightlife, as part of York's biggest bar crawl. Not a night owl? No problem! Why not practise some self care and attend our Self-Care Fair? All this and more alongside your college Freshers' events too! Buy a College x YUSU bundle ticket or attend individual events - there is something for everyone. And don't forget to come and explore all that your Students' Union has to offer at Freshers' Fair!

5. Be a student feedback volunteer

Would you be willing to give us feedback or help us with promotions? Sometimes it's just a quick survey, sometimes it's asking you if you can attend a focus group or do a photoshoot. Often we offer vouchers for your time to say thank you. Sign up to be a student feedback volunteer.

Offers, competitions and paid opportunities

Log on to Handshake, our careers platform, for jobs and opportunities.

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.