Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students), Professor Kate O'Riordan, wrote to all taught students earlier today. Below you can read her full message:

Hello, 

I wish those of you preparing for your assessments much success. Below you can find more information on some of the support available to you to help you revise. Ray, one of our Digital Media Creators, has also recorded a video on how to use the Skills Hub to prepare for your exams, which you might find helpful.

While it is important that you prepare for your assessments, make sure you also use the break to rest and look after yourself. If you need it, remember we have resources on good mental and emotional health – including 24/7 access to Togetherall, an online community where people share with and support one another anonymously. For those of you staying in Brighton, there are also many activities over the holidays in the latest edition of Experience Sussex!, and I have highlighted some festive events below .

With the events unfolding this week in Syria, we recognise that this may have impact for students from, or with links in the area. We’ve contacted students from Syria direct with information about wellbeing support, please be in contact if this is useful.

Finally, a big thank you to over 700 of you who have left a Whatuni review about Sussex as part of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards! Everyone who leaves a review is entered into a rolling draw where you could win a £100 voucher.

Please read on for your regular update, including: 

• Staying on campus over the vacation
• Preparing for your assessments
• Reporting incidents on campus
• You could win a full-day bus pass!
• Switch off this season
• Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) and IT support over the holidays
• Propose an event as part of the Festival of Ideas 2025 
• Festive events on campus and in Brighton

Staying on campus over the vacation

If you are staying on campus over the winter vacation, make sure to remind yourself of the food outlets opening times.

Operating hours of other campus facilities may also be different over the winter vacation – check out the Student Hub for more information and the latest opening times.

Preparing for your assessments

Check out this Student Hub article that shares the various Library support and resources to help you with your assessments.

Here are some more helpful tips to achieve your best results in your assessments:

• Read through our guide to submitting work and accessing feedback in Canvas. It takes you through the process of submitting assessments online, as well as understanding any feedback from your tutors.
• Revisit our Digital Learning Guide to Sussex Direct and Canvas, which was created by students to help you when preparing for assessments.
• If you have any questions about academic support, contact your teaching team or Faculty Office before the break.

If you experience a short-term, unexpected and beyond your control circumstance that is impacting your academic performance, do review our Exceptional Circumstances webpages. We may be able to provide additional consideration to you should this be needed. Remember, there are important deadlines you must observe should you require this for an assessment.

Reporting incidents on campus

We are aware of recent reports of vandalism on campus, in the Students' Union, and the Library. Investigations are being undertaken to identify those who committed the damage.

This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and not in line with the values we expect members of our community to adhere to. Those responsible, once identified will be managed via the University's student disciplinary processes.

Incidents such as these are rare on campus. Sussex is generally a safe and inclusive community, however it is important to always report any incidents that may occur, so the security team can ensure the continued safety of everyone on campus. Remember that Sussex support services are also there to provide help to students, and you can also use our Report and Support tool if you ever need to report an incident.

You could win a full-day bus pass!

Do you take the bus or train to campus? Prefer to walk or cycle? Tell us your travel habits and views in our Travel Survey, and with your help, we can create a new sustainable travel plan for campus.

Don’t forget to leave your email address at the end of the survey to be in with a chance of winning up to £50 in vouchers. Plus, new prizes have just been added, so everyone who takes part is also in with a chance of winning one of 20 full-day bus passes! Read more on the Student Hub.

Switch off this season

Heading off for the winter break? If you’re living on campus, make sure to complete this quick energy-saving checklist before you leave:

• Turn radiators down: set radiators to their lowest setting by turning the valve fully clockwise
• Switch off lights and lamps: ensure all lights are turned off when not in use
• Unplug electrical devices: items on standby still draw energy - switch off chargers, TVs, speakers, PCs, and any other electrical appliances at the wall.

Doing the above helps to reduce energy waste and supporting our commitment to achieving Net Zero.

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) and IT support over the holidays

The IT Service Desk will be closed over the festive period between Monday 23 December and Wednesday 1 January, so it’s important to remember a couple of things about accessing your IT account – especially if you’re expecting to get a new phone over the holidays. You’ll need to ensure you have your MFA account set up on your new phone to continue accessing important Sussex applications related to your teaching and assessments.

Read more information on the Student Hub about transferring your MFA account to a new phone, and other IT advice for the holidays.

Propose an event as part of the Festival of Ideas 2025 

Sussex Festival of Ideas is returning to campus in April 2025! Now in its fifth year, the Sussex Festival of Ideas connects students, staff and the wider community in a lively programme of talks, events and activities organised by and for students and staff. 

We are looking for students to curate events for the next festival. Funding is available to support up to six events, including technical, marketing and organising support. The deadline for applying is 6 January 2025. Find out more information and how to apply. 

Staying on campus over the holidays? Festive events on campus and in Brighton

We have organised a complete programme of activities for those of you staying on campus during the winter break. We have also compiled a list of fun events and activities to do in Brighton in the latest edition of Experience Sussex!. Some highlights include:

On Tuesday 17 December, the Res Life team is hosting a Christmas movie night in the Student Centre. Check their Instagram @reslifesussex for more fun festive activities.

On Saturday 21 December, Brighton will celebrate the winter solstice with the Burning of the clocks. For more events in the wider Brighton area, explore the Visit Brighton website.

On Christmas day, the University Chaplaincy will hold a Catholic Mass from 11am. From 12 noon to 3pm, students living on campus are invited to the Meeting House for an afternoon of board games, music and refreshments. Check the Student Hub for more information if you’re staying over the holidays.

With best wishes,
     
Kate 

Professor Kate O’Riordan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)