Community and a sense of belonging is so important for all students, but particularly if you’re a student who is living away from home.

Two of our student Digital Media Creators asked students on campus what makes them feel like they belong at Sussex. Watch the video below to see what your fellow students had to say about belonging!

Transcript

Student 1 picks up a volume of the ‘Oxford English Dictionary” from the shelving inside the University Library and flips through its pages as her dialogue is heard in voiceover.

Student 1: When you look inside the dictionary and look at the definition of belonging, it says it's “a feeling of being happy as part of a particular group, and having a good relationship with other members of the group because they welcome and accept you.”

A shot of students walking across Library Square at the University is seen as she continues to talk, and the text “What makes you feel like you belong to Sussex University?” appears in overlay.

Student 1: So, we wanted to know… what makes you feel like you belong at Sussex.

Student 2 is stood outside the Meeting House next to another student (Student 8 later in the video).

Student 2: I feel like I belong at Sussex because of all the help they have to offer. It's a really good uni for mental health and everything else, and I think that's what makes a difference (compared) to loads of other unis.

Student 3 is stood outside next to Library Square.

Student 3: I guess, my course mates. Apart from that, outside of classes, I'm part of the Lacrosse Society so I have a bunch of friends there. I go to Falmer Bar after training and just chill. That's what makes me feel like I belong.

Student 4 is sat at a study desk inside the Library.

Student 4: It's definitely my flat mates. I've been living with them for two and a half years now, since first year in East Slope. And definitely the friends I’ve made on my course.

Student 5 is outside on a lawn with the Library building visible behind them.

Student 5: The great range of societies we have on campus, so there’s something for everyone.

As they continue to speak, a video clip is seen of nine students dancing vigorously in a low lit room with a projector screen in the background showing a slide with a blue background and a group still photo and the text “PERFORMANCE”.

This is followed by a black and white still photo of six students styled in 1950s costumes.

Student 5: For example, I'm part of the Musical Theatre Society. I think if you can join a society, it makes uni a much better experience.

Student 6 is outside near Library Square at dusk.

Student 6: Hi, I'm an international student from Japan. In this country there's so many workshops or times that we can discuss with students, so you can get more deeper information and knowledge from the class. So that's the part I love (about) this University.

Student 7 is heard as a shot of the front entrance to Falmer Quad is shown that has numerous people walking in and out of the Quad, and a skateboarder coming towards camera in the foreground.

Student 7: Sussex (has) quite a nice community feel

Student 7 is sat at a stand near an entrance in Falmer House. Sat next to them is another student wearing a black pullover with “STAFF” and the Students Union logo on the front. Both are wearing orange ‘Sussex Students Union lanyards.

A wide shot of a study area with student’s working on the top floor of the Library, and a shot of numerous students in rugby sportswear in a semi-circle huddle with their arms around each other on the rugby pitch at Falmer Sports Complex are also shown.

Student 7: and it's one of the nice things about this University. Everyone's quite friendly, and everyone sort of gets on, and (there’s) a lot of societies. So, yeah, it's quite nice.

Student 8 is stood next to Student 2 outside the Meeting House as seen earlier.

Student 8: I think they offer like a lot of support, and I think that's… from what I've heard from like other unis, it's not as good… at other places.

Student 1 is heard in voice over as an exterior wide shot from the side of Arts A looking towards Library Square with the Meeting House and Falmer House in the background is seen.

The text “What makes you feel like you belong to Sussex University?” appears in overlay.

Student 1: What makes you feel like you belong at Sussex?