3 Feb 2025 - Welcome Back Week is here!

It’s here - welcome to Welcome Back Week! As we start Semester 2, take a look at new (and not so new) opportunities you can take advantage of during the rest of the academic year.

We’re marking Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week with our annual Light Up The Night walk this evening (3 February) and a film screening on Thursday (6 February). Find out more about support if you - or someone you know - has experienced sexual violence or harassment.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is reporting an increase in bird flu across the UK. Although the risk to humans is low, please:

On many programmes at York, you have the opportunity to step outside your degree by taking a module in a different department - we call these ‘elective modules’. Applications are now open if you’re interested in tackling sustainability challenges or choosing a language option as part of your degree. Find out about studying beyond your department.

Don’t want to commit module credits? You can also take a language course in addition to your programme. Come to a forthcoming Languages For All information talk on 5 or 13 February to find out more.

The Academic Skills Community offers a range of academic skills workshops throughout the year. See what’s coming up on time management, presenting, critical thinking, academic reading and writing and more! There’s a special focus this semester on getting started on your dissertation for both undergraduates and postgraduates.

It’s Time to Talk Day on Thursday. It’s okay if you’re not feeling as raring to go as others might be. It’s important to talk to friends about how you’re feeling - or download the TalkCampus app to talk to a worldwide community of students available 24/7. 

This week and every week there are a range of people at the University ready to listen and support you on any aspect of life. Whether it’s support for more practical matters or support for your wellbeing, we can help. From the Student Hub to your college team, student wellbeing officers to our Sexual Violence Liaison Officers or the Open Door team - please, reach out. 

Disability drop-in sessions as well as money advice sessions for disabled and neurodivergent students continue throughout Semester 2.

There’s lots to get stuck into in Semester 2 for your personal and professional development:

This Race Equality Week, find out about our actions and initiatives addressing barriers to race equality. We’re encouraging everyone to take part in the Race Equality Matters 5-Day Challenge. Take part in a different challenge each day with videos, articles or activities to help you reflect and take actions that will lead to change.

Log on to Handshake, our careers platform, for jobs and opportunities:

See all updates for students on our website:

Things to know this week is produced and distributed by the University's Internal Communications Team. Please email any feedback to 
university-internal-comms@york.ac.uk.

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