Author Archives: Residences Life

Meet the 2019/20 team!

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Welcome to the new academic year! It’s been great getting to know some of you so we thought we’d introduce ourselves! Each member of our wonderful team has written a short bio about themselves so you can get to know us a little bit more.

We’re looking forward to the year ahead and getting to know you all!

Hi I’m Brooke! I am a final year business management and marketing student and one of your Senior Residence Ambassadors. I really enjoy being active as well as trying out exotic foods. 50% of my time at Uni is probably spent in the library trying not to procrastinate (especially during exam period). Top tip for Uni life is try to get the balance between work and play: work hard and start assignments early so you don’t become stressed out but allow yourself down time so your work time is actually productive.
Hi I’m Chloe and I am a final year Occupational Therapy student and a Senior Residences Ambassador. I love to go sailing and I am Brunel Sailing’s Training Captain this year. My hobbies also include figure skating which I did before coming to university but now I enjoy sailing more! My favourite place on campus is locos for the large space and cheap food. My top tip for Uni life would be try out as many new societies and sports as possible to meet new people and learn new skills. Also, our union has made it free to join sports societies, you only pay for your sports insurance and have access to loads of different sports!
Hi my name is Chloe and I am a second year Business and Management (Accounting) student and one of your Senior Residence Ambassadors. During my first year I was part of the Calisthenics society and a keen participant in Active@Brunel Pole dancing, both of which I find are great ways to keep fit and motivated! I also like to get involved with lots of fundraising so if you see me around campus, come and say hello! My top tip for living in halls is to plan the meals you are going to eat, at the start of the week or before you go shopping and make sure you always take a shopping list with you. This can help you save money as it helps you avoid unnecessary purchases as well as remind you to buy fruit and vegetables! I also found that it helps to wake up early and do something productive outside of your flat on days that you don’t have morning lectures, because you then come back refreshed and more motivated to do work and make the most of your university experience.
Hi I’m Harriet! I am a final year Sports and Exercise sciences student here at Brunel. My first and second year at University was an amazing experience filled with so many great memories! I credit this to joining Brunel Women’s football club. Whilst also playing for QPR FC Women’s alongside University football. One thing I love about the club is that there are TWO teams at Brunel and another social team which means I was able to meet lots of amazing people along the way with similar interests as myself! So with no surprise my top tip for really embracing University life is to join a team or society in the first few weeks of term 1. It’s a brilliant way to make friends and is an ideal healthy break from academic work.
Hello, my name is Adefela and I am a 3rd Year English with Creative Writing student. I am The Rock Foundation President and in my free time I like writing poetry and prose, freelance journalism, going to the gym, blogging and shopping. My favourite place on campus to study is the third floor in the Library. My top tip for studying at Brunel is to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you – read emails and newsletters to find out what you can do to maximise the money you’re spending here! Part of making the 9k worth it is throwing yourself into opportunities as a student here that other people don’t get. Finally my top tip for living in halls is to keep your environment as clean as you can. A clean room, organised belongings and efficient routine are good for your mental health.
Hi its Ben, I am a Level 5 Masters MEng studying Mechanical Engineering. I am part of BrunelCU and the Brunel Filipino society. I enjoy music production, piano, guitar, digital art and all kinds of movies and games 👌 My favourite place to study on campus is the 1st floor of the library (in a small corner) and I like to eat in the Canteen. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, people aren’t as scary as they look. My top tip for living in halls is to make a food budget, it’s pretty easy to spend too much.
Hello! I’m Charlie, a second year student studying Sport and Exercise Sciences. My favourite hobby of all is weight training, I like to think of the gym as my second home considering the fact that I am there so much. The best place to study on campus really depends on how you prefer to learn, so it could be the library, in your room, or outside on the quad. The library is my favourite because it’s great for group study sessions with bookable rooms and also silent zones to help you really focus. I have a lot of tips for you about university life so I’ll give you the main ones. Firstly, learn how to manage your money and ensure that you plan what you’re going to spend your money on so that you’re not left in an awkward situation. Secondly, don’t worry if you’re picky when choosing your friends. You’re bound to meet a multitude of new people at university and I won’t lie, you’re not going to get along with everyone so don’t worry if one person doesn’t understand you, because plenty of people will. Lastly, the most important tip I have is to be yourself. University is a place for you to show who you are as a person and how you want to be seen in today’s world. Don’t feel as if you have to put on an act to impress people, because you are a unique individual that doesn’t require a filter to fit in. My top tip for new students that are living in halls would be to be friendly and try to get to know everyone because you’re all in the same situation at the end of the day. Despite it being relatively awkward at the start, the people you’re living with are likely to become some of your closest mates by the end of year. I hope this helps you to know a bit more about me and also to help you have an excellent start to your journey at Brunel University.
Hey everyone, my name is Christelle, I’m in my final year of study in Accounting and Finance. I’m part of Brunel’s Netball and will be their Secretary for this year. I love to sing and I currently run a gospel choir at home. My favourite place to study would be a classroom in Eastern Gateway. I love to eat at Locos, especially with their new menu. My top tip for uni life would be to take every single opportunity given to you, even if you’re terrified! Living in halls is so much fun, make friends and make your room your own so you feel at home!
Hello my name is Daveon and I am a second year student, studying Sport and Exercise Scienece. First year was a joy being part of the Brunel Men’s Football team. Having played football since the age of 6, my passion for game has been great, leading into my desire to one day get into coaching. Great to start my second season after a successful 1st season. My top tip for university life is to be able to join a sport club or society makes it easier socialising. Also always be friendly with your flat mates to build a solid relationship whilst living in halls.
My whole name rhymes (Eniola Motunrola Babalola) but just call me Eni! 4th year economics student at Brunel, just finished my placement year in HM Treasury. My hobbies are napping in patches of sunlight, listening to podcasts, playing games and travelling I love how multicultural Brunel is. My top tip for uni life is to just embrace chaos and try to go with the flow as much as possible. You have more fun when you let your walls down and try new things, especially outside of your comfort zone. My advice for halls living is to try real hard to be patient with and friendly to all of your flatmates – even when it’s hard.
Hello, I’m George and I am a third year History and Politics student here at Brunel. My university experience has been amazing at Brunel thanks to the welcoming I received in the Meeting House. I found it difficult to make friends at first, so I used my second year to reach out and find great friends through both the secular and faith-based societies that run through the Meeting House. I am an active member of the Catholic Society but have connections with the mature student’s society, LGBT society, and the board games society. In my spare time I am both a musician and a writer. I have worked on musical projects across a variety of genres from EDM to heavy metal. As a writer, I write short stories in the fantasy and sci-fi genres. My top tip for university life is to look for societies in the first few weeks of term, as they are the easiest way to meet people, and to always be open to new experiences.
Hello, my name is Giulia and I’m going into my second year of study in biomedical sciences. I’m not part of any societies but I managed to get involved in various activities and make friends from different places/environments. I took part in sport societies such as pole dancing and calisthenics. My hobbies are having movie or game nights with friends. I’m also an active person going to the gym to keep myself in shape. I’m planning on joining societies and taking part in volunteering opportunities so I can experience the uni life even more and also gaining work experience! The best place for me to study is 2nd floor in the library where I feel the best vibe for that. Also, when the weather is nice I like sitting outside 1966 and grab a coffee. Favourite place to eat has to be The Junction because it has really good food, hot and cold, at a decent price. My top tip for uni life is to balance having fun with studying and also joining societies. In the case of living in the halls my top tip is to try to get along with your flatmates as much as possible and keep the kitchen clean. Also bring a drying rack!
Hello my name is Heather. I’m in my Second year at Brunel and studying Computer Science. My Favourite place to study is in the private Library room, however, more often than not I end up studying in my room as I chat to everyone and don’t get my work done! My favourite place to eat on campus is the Coffee room as they do the best hot chocolates. Top tip for university life: is to get as involved as you can in the social aspect and the learning aspect of university life. There are so many opportunities at Brunel, and you get as much out of the year as you put in. Top tip for living in halls is to make a group chat with your flatmates, it’s really good for planning nights out or asking anyone if they have any milk.
Hello, my name is Hope and I am a second year sociology student. I play for Brunel’s women’s football team and also have a gym membership which helps me balance my social life and work life. I would highly recommend joining a society in your first year as you may learn new skills/improve on current skills, but more importantly you’ll have a group of familiar and friendly faces that have connected you through the enjoyment of the society. If the societies aren’t your thing then, my favourite place on campus is Locos because it provides a place to be social in with a range of food, drink, pool tables and different activities through-out the week like karaoke! My top tip for living in Brunel Halls would be cook meals with your flat mates as you may get new ideas from them and it creates a friendly environment to live in.
Hello my name is Hrithik Yes my name is a bit difficult to pronounce.. So my friends call me by my nick name “Hunny”. I’m currently a 2nd year business management student. I’ve been part of the Brunel students union since the day I came here. From student rep to union volunteer to student ambassador to LBIC Representative. I’ve really enjoyed my time being involved with them. My favourite place on campus to study is library but only between 1am to 5am. My top tip for students is to get involved in society, clubs, events or anything as much as possible for your self-development. Well the top tip for living in halls is to respect your flat mates if you want respect and cooperation from them.
Hi I’m Jemmar. I study Politics and Sociology, going into final year. I love dancing, reading and writing. I love the library, books and I get to see all my friends. Favourite place to eat is a friend’s kitchen when we decide to all come together and cook for the friendship group. My top tip for university life is utilise the services the university provides, they actually made a huge difference in grade outcomes and top tip for living in halls is socialise and make lots of friends.
Hello my name is Katherine and I’m in my final year studying Psychology. I a member of the LGBT+, Target Shooting, First Aid and Wildlife and Conservation societies. I recommend joining as many societies as you can in your first year. In my free time I enjoy listening to podcasts, reading, and teaching myself some language. My favourite thing to eat on campus is the lentil chips in Costcutter, they’re great for a healthy (ish) study snack. My top tips for hall living are: get some good pjs just in case the fire alarm goes off, and don’t be afraid to spend time in communal areas and introduce yourself. Making a cake to share helps to break the ice! Remember everyone is in the same boat, worrying about the same things.
Hello! I’m Keiran, sometimes known as Morgan. I’m a third year games design student from Singapore. I am also part of the Drama society! My top tip for living in halls would be to clean up the common areas for sure! For the courtesy of others, make the space you share with them as neat and clean as possible.
Hi, I’m Meerali Patel, currently a Banking and Finance BSc (Hons) student. I’m starting my second year, I am an active member of several societies such as Hindu society, KC Society, Bright Futures Society and many more. I am also part of the committee for several societies. I lived on campus last year and I highly recommend it, it’s a great way to make new friends and experience student life. I’d make the most of it especially getting to know your flat mates as they’re your little family at university for the next year. Use the Welcome week to get to know your whereabouts and the local area, trust me you’ll thank me later… Hope you’ll have a great time and enjoy it as much as I did.
Hi I’m Nathan, I’m a second year, studying Business and I’m currently in the Voleyball 1st team, I enjoy meeting new people and seeing different faces as well as learning about different cultures. I’m an international student and I have lived in the USA, France, South Africa and Argentina. My favourite place on campus to eat is Broosters, the best is the caesar salad with chicken and halloumi! My tip for uni life is to enjoy while you can because you’re never going to have as much free time again. That is, unless your unemployed. As for living in halls I recommend to meet as many people as possible within the first week or two.
Hi, my name is Ola, I study Mechanical and Energy Engineering and I am due to start my fourth year. Whilst I am excited to graduate and move on to the next challenge, I am going to miss all the friends and events I have had the opportunity to meet and attend during my time at Brunel. I am part of societies on campus such as EQ8 (engineering society) and TRF (Christian society) which have allowed to expand my horizon and meet people of different backgrounds. I am massive fan of football, basketball and travelling, last year I had the opportunity to spend 2-months in China via Brunel and whilst still hoping to see Lebron James play next season. My top tip for staying in halls is to be really social and be considerate of others, especially when playing music and of people’s personal space.
Hi I’m Paige and I am going into second year creative writing. I run my own blog in my spare time as I hope my future career path will be in journalism. I lived in Wales before coming to Brunel. My top tip is to make sure you socialise with people as you’ll be miserable spending all your time away from everyone.
Hi, my name is Rifah and I’m currently a second year law student. I’m involved in the Unicef society and have recently been elected as chair. This has allowed me to meet other students with similar interests to me. My favourite place to study on campus is the law library which is on the 3rd floor because it’s extremely quiet. The best place to eat on campus is Roosters because it is great value for money! My top tip for university is to remain true to yourself and do things that you enjoy. The best advice I received for living in halls is to find the cheapest place for your weekly shop!
Hi my name is Rose and I’m a second year Business Management with accounting student. My first year was a time of big chances for me. I very much enjoyed the university atmosphere and my course. I also joined the first aid and musical theatre societies which was an amazing experience which has helped me to meet likeminded people with similar interests and I would recommend to everyone to find something that interests them and join a society as it is a great way to meet new people outside of the classroom. I’m looking forward to welcoming all new and returning students here at Brunel.
Hi, my name is Ross and I’m a second year Industrial Design student here at Brunel. I am currently a member of the Design Society, and would encourage people to join societies that link with your course as well as others that might interest you. During first year I attended social events for Rowing and Cheerleading with friends. Joining the social events is one of the best ways to put yourself out there. My hobbies include cooking and baking. I love making food and trying new things. I would encourage trying to cook a group meal at somepoint between friends or your flat. It’s a great way to get to know people. My favorite place to study on campus is the Design studios in the Michael Sterling building. Its nice being surrounded by other course members even if a bit distracting at times. Favorite place to eat on campus is Izzi’s if I’m not cooking my own food. They are open late and have a great seating area including pool tables looking over the quad. My top tip for university life; Enjoy yourself and go out a lot during first year in the week, Karaoke on Tuesday or Atik on Wednesday. Making friends and getting to know new people is the most important. Top tip for living in halls; Laundry is very expensive, set a day you do laundry and share loads with flatmates to make it cheaper.
My name is Siobhan and I am a 4th year studying Biomedical Science at Brunel and my experience at university has been amazing. This is partly due to making full use of the resources here. I have just finished a placement at the university and the people I have met through this, and through my course have made my university life more enjoyable. I would definitely recommend taking a year to do a placement so you can get a break from uni life for a year and meet new people. My top tip for living in halls is to enjoy your first year, and to introduce yourself to all your flat mates when you move in. The people I met of my first day have been my housemates for the last 3 years, so I am very glad I knocked on their door on the first day!
Hello my name is Sofia and I’m currently in my second year of studying computer science, which I enjoy greatly, partly due to my passion for programming. I joined the sailing society towards the end of my first year and hope to continue to participate in it further in my second year as well. My favourite place to study is in Wilfred Brown but if an event is being held there I head to the 2nd or 3rd floor of the library as these are the quieter areas in the library. I tend to frequent the Subway on campus, especially during exam times due to its close proximity to my favourite study areas. My advice for dealing with university life is to make a rough plan of what and when you are going to do things each week to prevent burning out.
My name is Victor, and I’m in my sixth and final year at Brunel studying a masters in Environmental Management. I am currently a member of Brunel Lacrosse and have been for the past four years. In addition to playing lacrosse, I enjoy SCUBA diving, rugby and reading in my free time. My favourite study space on campus is any of the cafés, as they provide a nice relaxed atmosphere (and more importantly coffee). My favourite place to grab a bite to eat on campus is Locos, it’s a great place to relax after a long day. My top tip for university life is to never be afraid to ask for help from friends or staff, it’s easy to get overwhelmed living and studying away from home. My top tip for living in halls is to cook for yourself as often as possible, it keeps costs down and is healthier than getting take out.

Move-in Sunday

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Move-in Sunday is fast approaching and with that in mind we want to prepare you for what’s going to happen when you arrive!

For students moving into campus accommodation, Sunday 15th is going to be a big day. Keys to your rooms can be collected between 8 am – 8pm in the Wilfred Brown building, located next to the main car park on campus. This will be your first stop when you arrive and will be your first chance to meet us, your Residences Ambassadors! This will be the first year on the job for the majority of us and we’re really looking forward to meeting you all. We’ll be situated in the Wilfred Brown building all day, welcoming you to Brunel, handing out parking permits and answering any questions you might have. You’ll also find some of us at other points around campus throughout the day to help you through this big move.

When you receive your keys, you’ll also receive a free wristband in the same envelope. This will have the name of the complex you’ll be moving into and is a great way to find people who live near you!

Large Trolleys will be available to hire for an hour at a time, to help you move your heavy boxes and belongings. There will be a £20 deposit for each trolley and this will be refunded once you return the trolley to one of the three points across campus.

So what’s going on on-campus? This year is our biggest move-in day to date. We’ve really upped the ante since last year and turned the day into a huge event across campus! There’ll be everything from live music to street food, games and more so make sure you make the most of all that’s going on and meet lots of new like-minded people.

Finally, this week we’re busy delivering care packages to each of your rooms ready for you on Sunday! These boxes will be packed with useful things you might need during your first week while you find your feet. We hope you are looking forward to moving in and don’t forget to contact us if you have any questions!

Our top tips for moving in:

  • Keep your registration documents at the top of your luggage so they are easy to access when you need them.
  • Introduce yourself to your flat mates and create a group chat if you haven’t already done so. This way you can easily find out what Welcome Week activities everyone is planning to go to on campus and you can all go together.
  • Come along to RA’s Live on Monday and Tuesday in Lecture Centre 068, to learn all about living in halls and ask any questions you might have. This is a great chance to meet the Residences Ambassadors assigned to your hall for the first time and meet other people who will be living with you if you haven’t met them already.

Let The Countdown Begin!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.