The Spirit of Sussex Award is the University’s accredited scheme to reward you for the things you do outside of your degree during your time at Sussex.

By logging each extracurricular activity in the Spirit of Sussex Award platform, you can work your way up to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. Prepare for double celebrations at graduation, as your extra achievement will be awarded at your ceremony!

From part time work, to SU events, to sustainability initiatives – there’s no end to the activities you can log points for!

Hear from a recent Gold Awardee, Stefanny De Morais

We chatted with recent alumna and Chevening Scholar, Stefanny De Morais. An Afro-entrepreneur with an Afrocentric brand in Brazil, Stefanny achieved a Gold Spirit of Sussex Award and was also a runner up for an Exceptional Leader self-nomination award.

Stefanny shared how the Spirit of Sussex Award positively impacted her time at Sussex, and will benefit her in her life after graduation.

Why did you choose Sussex and what did you study?

I chose the University of Sussex during my application process for the Chevening Scholarship. The first motivator was that the scholarship manager in Brazil had studied at Sussex, which caught my attention and led me to learn more about the University. Additionally, the Sussex campus and its Innovation Centre were important factors in my decision, and I believe the Master's courses in innovation and entrepreneurship were the perfect match for my professional goals at the time.

Why did you get involved in the Spirit of Sussex Award?

During my undergraduate years, I wasn’t able to get as involved in extracurricular activities as I would have liked. So, during my Master’s, I was determined to make the most of this experience. Having a central platform where I could organise and track these activities was really exciting, and it also helped me learn about other opportunities that were available.

What were some of the highlights of your engagement with the Spirit of Sussex Award?

The main activities I engaged in included ELAS classes to improve my English, mentoring other students regarding Canva and assessments, attending events related to innovation and technology, and, especially, a new project at the University called Changing the Face of Consultancy. In this project, we had the opportunity to analyse a socially impactful company and propose improvements and innovations for its sustainability. Along with the report, we were given the chance to travel to Wales to deepen our recommendations. It was an incredible experience!

How did taking part in the Spirit of Sussex Award benefit you during your time at Sussex?

One of the best things about participating in the Spirit of Sussex activities and the project I mentioned earlier was the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences with people from other courses and also to learn from them.

Do you have any advice for students unsure how to get involved in extracurricular and voluntary activities?

My advice is not to try to do everything — it’s impossible to participate in all activities at once. Keep an eye on the University emails, check the Spirit of Sussex portal regularly, and choose three areas of interest or activities that appeal to you, then organise your schedule around them. Another tip is to synchronise your personal calendar with the University’s so you can stay organised and avoid missing classes because of extracurricular activities. And have fun! Not all activities need to be focused on your CV; some can just be for fun and for meeting people.

Finally, how will the award help you in the future?

I believe having this award will add an extra star to my degree, highlighting my commitment during my Master’s program. It could also enhance my CV for potential future doctoral studies.

Not started logging points yet? It’s so easy to get started – simply log into the platform using your University email and password, and start browsing the categories!