Let The Countdown Begin!

A-Level Results Day is less than a week away so the Residences Ambassadors team want to start helping you prepare for these next steps towards your university journey!

Whether you join us here at Brunel University, or decide to take your education further with another institution, we want to offer some top tips to you for the next few weeks.

Although you might not know your results, it’s a good idea to start preparing now. Here’s a few things you might want to start looking into before the 15th August:

  1. Student Finance – You probably started looking at finance options back when you applied for your course but, if you haven’t, it’s a good idea to research your options now and decide whether or not you will be applying for government funding for your course. You may be entitled to student loans or bursaries but you will need to apply for these in order to be considered. The application is quick and easy but they will need information about those living in your household so be prepared for lots of questions. Sometimes, student finance need a bit more information from you, including proof of ID, so keep checking your post and emails and make sure to respond with the relevant information quickly so that your application doesn’t get delayed. Once you’ve submitted your application it can take between 2 and 8 weeks for the payments to be approved, depending on the information that is provided, so the sooner you complete this process the better. You can find out more information here: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance.
  2. Accommodation – There are lots of accommodation options at Brunel University. We offer standard accommodation and ensuite accommodation. Most flats house 10 students and you will share a kitchen with your fellow flatmates. We’ll ask your top preferences for where you would like to live when you apply so take a look at the options and start the application here: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/life/accommodation. The earlier you submit your application, the better chance we have of allocating you to your first choice. Halls accommodation is guaranteed for all new students starting in September 2019 as long as you apply before Thursday 29th August!
  3. Clearing – University isn’t always the first choice for everyone and might be a path you haven’t considered until now. If you haven’t applied or aren’t sure if you will meet the course requirements, don’t panic! Brunel is one of the many universities that has places available during Clearing. The Clearing period helps us allocate any empty places and is another opportunity for you to access a course you may not have applied for yet. Clearing is already open and ends in September so there’s no need to wait until A-Level results day to apply, you can find the application form and more information about the process here: ttps://www.brunel.ac.uk/clearing-and-adjustment. You can also request a call from one of our dedicated Clearing team on A-Level results day to discuss your options. If you’d like to take a look at the campus, we even have a Clearing mini Open Day on offer on Friday 16th August between 10am and 3pm.

Keep checking in for more of our tips and tricks in the upcoming weeks.

If you need any help or further information, feel free to leave a comment or message the RA team directly via our social media and email links.

Brunel University London Gym

Here at Brunel we have our own gym on campus for the use of students and staff. It’s a great fitness option if you’re looking for a location to get active, work hard, and sweat it out.

Prices start at £16.99 per month for students and there is a range of equipment and classes on offer. If you’re interested, make sure you speak with a member of the Gym team to arrange your membership.

For more information, head over to: http://www.brunel.ac.uk/sport

Registration

Registration at Brunel University begins on Move-In Sunday 15 September 2019. If you’re moving in or have already been on campus for a few days, head over to the sports hall to register for your course. You won’t be classed as fully enrolled until you have registered and, if you’re a first year student at Brunel, you won’t have a student card either.

You’ll need a student card for access to some areas of campus, including the library. This means you won’t be able to print or borrow books so it’s really important you get this sorted before you start your course.

Make your registration even quicker by uploading a picture for your student card onto your eVision portal. We can make your card up for you before you arrive at Brunel and have it ready for you to collect when you move in!

If you don’t make it to registration on Move-In Sunday then don’t panic, we know you might get stuck in traffic or may want to move in a bit later. When you do arrive, just head over to the Student Centre where you can complete registration and collect your student card.

We look forward to meeting you in Welcome Week!

Hillingdon Foodbank

Hillingdon Foodbank does vital work in providing short term and emergency food to people living in the borough and experience crisis or difficult times. Each term, we support the foodbank by donating large quantities of non-perishable food items to help those in need.

You’ll see your RA team out in halls collecting donations at the end of each term so make sure to have a look through your cupboards and donate what you can to support the cause.

British Heart Foundation

Committed to our local charity work, Brunel Residences work closely with the British Heart Foundation to raise donations every year. We host a number of drop-off locations where you can donate any unwanted items to help raise money for vital research into heart and circulatory diseases. Contact your RA team for more information on what is and isn’t accepted, where to donate, and how.

Movie Nights

One of the many events that the RA team arrange and run for Brunel University residents is our movie nights. All students living on campus are invited to join us for a an evening watching one of our favourite films. Previous screenings have included The Breakfast Club and Friday the 13th. We also get into that Christmas spirit every year with a special screening of Elf at the end of term 1.

With exclusive deals on drinks and snacks, make sure to join us for this relaxed social event.

Check back here for updates on our upcoming screenings and follow us on social media to be the first to get notifications on all of our events.

No Shave November

The RA team work hard to make sure that we are continually contributing to both Brunel and the local community. Charity work is a large part of how we give back so we arrange fundraising events for Brunel students to get involved.

Our biggest charity fundraising event runs throughout an entire month as the Residences team take part in No Shave November. We agree to not shave our faces, armpits, or legs for the whole month in order to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support. In 2018 we managed to raise an impressive £750!

This year, we want to raise even more, so we need you! You can help us beat last year’s results by:

  • Taking part – The event is open to everyone living in halls and we would love to see all you Brunel Residents getting involved
  • Spreading the word – Whether you’re taking part or are supporting the Residences team in their efforts, make sure to share the event on social media
  • Donating – We’ll be collecting donations online and in halls, any change you can spare would be greatly appreciated

More details coming soon.

Wax On, Wax Off

Wax On, Wax Off is a unique charity event run by the RA team to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support. Having spent the entire month of November refusing to shave faces, armpits, and legs, the Residences team will compete to become who the Ultimate Waxing Champion.

You can get involved in the fun by entering our raffle to guess who you think will win the challenge, purchase a specialty hot chocolate or a Krispy Kreme donut. All proceeds go to charity and we have lots of special prizes up for grabs.

More details coming soon.