Student Event: Wellbeing
On the 11th February 2020, the Faculty International Office of Social Sciences hosted our second student event for the academic year. Our office takes the pastoral care of our international students very seriously, and we hosted this event to address the important topic of student wellbeing.
The programme of the event was a series of helpful sessions to give our international students across the Faculty, the access to the advice and support that they need in order to succeed in their studies at Southampton.
The first session was run by Faculty Senior tutor Graham Baxendale and Claudette Wilkins from the Student Experience team. This session advised students on the Special Considerations/Extension processes. In addition, they gave information about the PAT System at the University and outlined how the Personal Academic Tutor and Senior Tutor roles support student’s welfare during their studies.
This was then followed by a SUSU & Student led session by Dan Bedingfield, Parth Pandya, and Jo Lisney. They gave information about SUSU and how students can get involved. They also offered their own insights into the topic of ‘Self-care’ and provided attendees with strategies for maintaining their work/life balance. They emphasised the value of peer support for student wellbeing and explained how and why it is so important.
Next Ru Prescott from Enabling Services ran a session that gave an overview of Enabling Services, as well as highlighting the Student Support Recommendations for students with disabilities (including mental health conditions) and Specific Learning Difficulties. They informed attendees of the wealth of wellbeing support available to all students including self-help, groups & workshops, counselling, and the First Support team.
Finally, Lina Al Jabbar from Student Life made students aware of the Student Life support available. Lina explained that any focussed sessions are planned by their practitioners, and also promoted upcoming events that students may find beneficial to attend.
After the sessions finished, the students and speakers in attendance relaxed together with some drinks and snacks, allowing discussions to continue.
The Faculty International Office team hopes that our international students who attended benefit from the advice provided. We very much look forward to hosting our final student event from the series next month for careers and further study!
