Building belonging

Week 1: Confidence

Monday 5 to Friday 9 February 2024

This week focuses on building confidence!

Student Recruitment are hosting a Prepping for Postgrad event!

Have you played Among Us or watched The Traitors? Join our Student Success and Employability team co-creators on Friday 9 Feb 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the SU Lounge and play ‘Spot The Imposter’. Book your place to learn more about the graduate attributes, employability skills, and help us catch the Careers imposter by using your skills of persuasion!

Want to meet new people and develop your communication skills? We have a Global Campus Speed Friending event from 1.00pm to 3.00pm on Friday 9 February in the Chapel on York Campus, a Student Parent Social, our Mature Student study sessions, an Academic Discussion group, Seminar Skills and Presentation workshops, and an English Conversation group, and the SU’s Find a Friend Coffee Morning.

The Students’ Union are hosting their annual Refresher’s Week, with lots of activities and events to welcome you (back) to YSJ.

The Welfare team are hosting our next Safety Week to develop confidence in staying safe. Join us on 5 February, 10.00am to 3.00pm, outside the Student’s Union with the Fire Services, RNLI, York Safety Boat and Street Angels. We will also be relaunching YSJ’s Report and Support service for reporting hate crimes, harassment and violence.

“You’ve got this” – Mature Student Workshop on Wednesday 7 February 3.00pm to 4.00pm, LaunchPad. We are inviting all mature students to join us in this session to celebrate how much they’ve achieved, from submitting their application to walking into their first seminar to getting their first assessment in. A member of our Study Development team will be coming along to help students to think about how to plan ahead for success in Semester 2.

Week 3: Authenticity

Monday 19 to Friday 23 February

This week focuses on your authentic self.

Student Success and Employability are hosting events and activities looking at values and decision making.

For International Women’s Day, Insessional Support and Language Development are hosting a discussion around inclusivity. Come along to share your ideas and practice your communication skills.

Look out for Global Campus and their Vision and Mantra boards in Holgate. Who do you want to be, and how is York St John helping you discover your authentic self?

Learn the basics of mindfulness and how to practise them in a weekly session, hosted by Wellbeing and Chaplaincy. Mindfulness sessions take place every Wednesday from 1.15pm to 1.45pm in the Chapel. Everyone is welcome.

Come along to LGBTQ+ History Month event: Can You Adam and Eve It? Queering Heterosexuality.

At 6.00pm on 22 February in Launchpad, come along to a relaxed, trans and queer centred space for LGBTQIA+, trans, non-binary, gender expansive and questioning people. In this session we will gently explore self-expression through creative writing, and low-key creative exercises. The space is held by writer and director Luke Skilbeck (they/he), from queer company Milk Presents. No experience necessary and all welcome. @luke_milk_luke / @milk.presents (Instagram).

Week 5: Empowerment

Monday 4 to Friday 8 March 2024

This week focuses on being empowered.

Student Success and Employability and their Co-Creators will be posting inspiring stories, reels and posts on its Instagram account. Be empowered and follow them on @ysjstudentsuccess

Celebrate Holi, Festival of Colours with us.

Get confident talking about spiritual matters. Grab a drink and join us for a relaxed exploration of the Bible in our 'Beer and Bible' group, meeting Thursdays 5.00pm to 6.30pm in the SU Lounge.

Shape the future of the Students’ Union and participate in the YSJSU Elections.

Interested in writing? Explore York Literature Festival 2024 - Writing the Future Discussion Panel.

Join the Centre for Religion in Society as they host a talk as part of International Women's Day 20WD 2024 -The 'Gender Wars': Radical Feminist Trans Inclusion.

"Creative relaxation for student parents” – Thursday 7 March 2023, 10.00am to 11.00am, the Chapel. We know that student parents are tired and stressed. We know it might have been a long time since you last took a bit of time just to be yourself. We invite you to take an hour out of your hectic schedule to relax just to be you – not mum, dad, parent or guardian. Come along and join us for a restful session of painting pottery, drinking tea and eating biscuits!

Week 7: Creativity

Monday 8 to Friday 12 April 2024

In this week, we will be celebrating your creativity!

On Wednesday 10 April in LaunchPad, Student Success and Employability will be hosting 'Snacks and Ladders', the perfect combination of food and interactive games. Reflect on which skills are showcased through playing games and interacting with team mates. Look out for information to register your place.

The Library’s Games Café will have many board games on the ground floor of Fountains for you to have fun, and develop your communication and strategic thinking skills. Not into games? Our Crafts table will give you a space to create instead.

Learn to knit in weekly 'Knitterati' sessions, every Thursday from 12.00pm to 2.00pm in the Chapel Kitchen. Yarn and needles are provided. You can also bring your own craft project and drop in for a natter, a cup of tea and some relaxing company.

Week 9: Path to graduation

Monday 22 to Friday 26 April 2024

In our Find Your Future week, we are celebrating you, with a showcase of student achievements, and opportunities to start thinking about your next steps in your degree, for future study, or work.

Thinking about postgraduate study? We will have exclusive information about a Postgraduate Week being held on 6 May.

Do you want to impress employers in your job applications and interviews? Join the Digital Training Team who are hosting short courses to upskill you in key Microsoft tools you will need for work: Microsoft for Work CPD courses.

If you’re thinking about what is next for you, have a chat about vocation and think through the spiritual aspects of finding your role in life in the Vocations group. Contact Jane or Darius at chaplaincy@yorksj.ac.uk for more information.

Celebrate your successes, tell us what about your proudest moments and take the opportunity to reflect through a series of feedback boards which will be displayed across campus. Our LaunchPad student Co-Creators will be on hand on Wednesday to hear your thoughts and provide information on careers and opportunity support at YSJ.

The Graduate Careers Day on York Campus is an opportunity to engage with local and regional employers who are recruiting. This event will give you an opportunity to talk to employers and potentially find you first graduate role. Book online at Graduate Careers Day, and join us on Wednesday 24 April, 12.00pm to 3.00pm in Temple Hall.

Week 1: Keeping safe

Monday 25 to Friday 29 September 2023

This week focuses on how you can live safely at university and build safe, respectful relationships.

Our Welfare team will be leading an event that highlights how you can keep yourself and others safe. This event will include representatives from a range of external agencies. 

Staff from our IT Support team will be providing advice and guidance around staying safe online and cyber security.

Week 2: Food and friendship

Monday 2 to Friday 6 October 2023

With a focus on building relationships through food, this week's events are a chance to form new connections with staff and your fellow students.

The Living Lab will be running a range of activities throughout the week, including a People's Assembly on Food and a pilot of a student-led Garden Cafe.

Our Accommodation team will be running a pizza competition, while the Funding Advice team are offering budgeting drop-in sessions to help you plan your food budget.

Over in LaunchPad, you can join the Chaplaincy team for a free lunch (soup, bread and homemade cake) during their weekly Soup-er Space event. This takes place every Tuesday from 12.00pm to 2.00pm. 

The Chaplaincy team also offer a Holy Communion Service in the Chapel every Friday, 12.30pm to 1.00pm. Share bread and wine in this relaxed, informal service. All are welcome.

Week 4: Growth

Monday 16 to Friday 20 October 2023

Focus on your personal growth, confidence and resilience during this week's events.

Join the Living Lab team of community gardening volunteer coordinators to lead activities.

Take part in Digital Training sessions to develop your skills in Excel and Word.

Improve your informal English, make new friends and join in fun activities at the weekly English Conversation Group. This is run by Julie, one of our Chaplaincy Assistants and a CELTA trained teacher. The group meet every Wednesday from 4.00pm to 6.00pm in the Chapel Kitchen.

Grab a drink and join us for a relaxed exploration of the Bible in our 'Beer and Bible' event. Look out for event details nearer the time. No previous experience necessary!

Week 7: De-Stress Fest

Monday 6 to Friday 10 November 2023

The events this week link to personal wellbeing, taking proactive action and the need to relax and find space to breathe.

Our annual De-Stress Fest is run by our Global Campus team in association with our Wellbeing and Welfare team.

Learn the basics of mindfulness and how to practise them in a weekly session, hosted by Wellbeing and Chaplaincy. Mindfulness sessions take place every Wednesday from 1.15pm to 1.45pm in the Contemplation Room (Chapel). Everyone is welcome.

Learn to knit in weekly 'Knitterati' sessions, every Thursday from 12.00pm to 2.00pm in the Chapel Kitchen. Yarn and needles are provided. You can also bring your own craft project and drop in for a natter, a cup of tea and some relaxing company.

Week 9: Celebrate and inspire

Monday 20 to Friday 24 November 2023

As we move towards the end of term, this week focuses on taking time to celebrate, share ideas and inspire others.

More information about activities for the week will be shared on this page nearer the time.