Welcome Guide
Tips for getting started at York St John
Our Student Services teams share their practical tips for settling into university life.
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Complete enrolment in good time
From our Student Records team
Complete your enrolment and registration as soon as you can to make sure your ID card is available in Welcome Week. Read all instructions carefully and make sure your ID card photo meets the criteria.
Have your student ID number to hand in the first few weeks as staff may ask you for this if they need to access your student record.
If you are an international student, action the documentation requests with the Visa and Compliance team so as not to delay access to student ID cards and student status letters.
Get ready for your course
From our Programme Administration and Support Service (PASS) team
Get ready for the start of your course by becoming familiar with where to find details of your academic tutor and timetable.
You can find your academic tutor by logging into your e:Vision account. To view your full timetable of teaching sessions visit the Timetables page or follow the link on the YSJ app.
If you want to make changes to your course or modules, read information and guidance on the Your course pages. It's also worth reading the Exams and assessment information pages for guidance on submitting assessments and arranging extensions.
Check you can access our IT systems
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From our IT Support team
On campus you can access free WiFi (eduroam). Follow our campus WiFi instructions to set this up.
You need to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) when accessing our systems on a PC on campus. Our MFA guide explains how you can set this up.
Moodle is our virtual learning environment (VLE) where lots of your learning will take place. It also makes lots of other systems work. Log into Moodle for the first time using your university login details.
After you have logged into Moodle and eVision for the first time, you can use the MyYSJ app for registering your attendance and checking your timetable. Log an IT job with support@yorksj.ac.uk if you have any issues with either of these. Don't forget to check the app news feeds for events happening across campus!
If you're struggling with any York St John applications, or just want to learn a little more, then you can book an appointment with the Digital Training team or access our self-help resources.
Get to know your housemates
From our Accommodation team
Introduce yourself to your housemates and ask some icebreakers to get to know each other. Exploring York together can be a fun way to bond with your housemates. You can also keep an eye out for events and social opportunities at the University to attend together.
Be respectful of your housemates with regards to noise and behaviour. Make sure that communal areas within the accommodation are kept clean and tidy. Washing up your dishes regularly can help manage time and cleanliness and keep housemates happy.
Consider communal meals or cooking. Plan your meals in advance so you can work to a budget.
Start conversations with other students
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From our Specialist Support team
Be the person to start conversations with other students!
Everyone is feeling as anxious and nervous about talking as you are. If you start a conversation first you'll meet new people and everyone else will be very grateful! Pop into one of our Mature & Commuting student sessions to meet and talk to other students.
Discover how the Library can support your learning
From our Library and Learning Services team
Your Library has lots of ways to support your learning. Use our Getting started with the Library page to find step by step guides on how to achieve common Library goals.
Explore Fountains Learning Centre to find the study areas that work for you. There are silent and quiet individual spaces and group spaces. The Information desks in Fountains and Holgate are the best places to get help.
Each module has a reading list that you'll find in your Moodle modules. This tells you which books and resources your lecturers will use for that module.
Register for a digital employability profile
From our Careers and Student Opportunities team
Speak to our Careers and Student Opportunities teams about how you can use our careers resources, including the new digital employability profile, to help you explore your career options, develop your skills and attributes, and thrive during your studies and beyond.
Practise your interview skills with Shortlist.Me. Use Handshake to get involved with opportunities such as volunteering, internships, and placements.
Book a 1 to 1 appointment with a Student Success Adviser for impartial, personalised information, advice and guidance.
Explore your summer opportunities abroad
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From our Global Opportunities team
Start thinking about your summer global opportunities now and research your options on the Global Opportunities information pages.
Short term global opportunities including international volunteering and summer camps start from just 1 week and are available for all students on any degree. Applications are open now and for the latest updates follow the team on Instagram: @ysjstudentsuccess.
Keep on top of your payments
From our Finance team
Check your e:Vision statement regularly. If you aren't sure about something on it, get in touch with finance@yorksj.ac.uk.
There are several ways you can make payments to us. Explore your options on the Your Finances information pages.
Make any payments to us in good time to account for delays. All payments take at least 1 day to arrive and international payments can take far longer. Make sure you let us know in advance if you won't be able to meet a payment due date.
Plan how you'll manage your living costs
From our Funding Advice team
Check your online student finance account to make sure that your student finance has been approved. Check that you've fully completed your online student registration with York St John to make sure your student loan is released.
Download the Blackbullion app, an online financial wellbeing platform, to help you to manage your money. Create a personalised budget on Blackbullion and stick to it. You can read more tips for managing your budget on our Cost of living support page.
Make sure you know what financial support is available before you need it. Come to a Funding Advice drop-in for further advice and information.
Be kind to yourself and ask for help if you need it
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From our Chaplaincy and Wellbeing teams
Feeling homesick, overwhelmed, anxiety, apprehension, fear and all other emotional responses are a normal part of starting university. Don't panic if you feel like this as it will pass, but do come and chat to us if you need help.
Be kind to yourself. Stick to self-care routines as much as you can, establish supportive sleep, eating and hygiene patterns for yourself and try to prioritise self-care, including relaxation and activities you enjoy. These are just as important as study. Get to know our campus, find your favourite spots to walk, or just sit and breathe. Take time to soak it all in and be mindful to enjoy the moments of calm and joy.
Talk to someone about how you feel, whether this is a friend, family member, partner or professional. You are not alone! The Wellbeing support team and other student services are here to help you. We run mindfulness sessions once a week where you can take a moment to breathe and slow down.
The Chaplaincy team are here for everyone and are always happy to listen. There's space for time out in the Quiet Room (Chapel, 006) where you'll find fidget toys, a sofa and some peace. Find the Chapel Kitchen for a free cup of tea too!
Faith Advisers provide dedicated support for faith groups. Follow the Chaplaincy on Instagram for regular updates: @ysjchaplaincy.
Learn about the specialist support available to you
From our Specialist Support team
The Specialist Support team offers dedicated advice and guidance to all our student communities.
- Commuting students: Pack your bag for University the night before if you've got an early morning so you don't forget your stuff when you're half asleep.
- Student parents: Make the most of the time you have on campus when you can enjoy a coffee by yourself, particularly if you have young children.
- Mature students: Come along to the Mature Student drop in sessions to meet other mature students and brush up on your study skills.
You can access 1 to 1 support for a range of different circumstances. Read more on our Specialist support information page.
