Author, Olivia Carpenter is the On-Campus Editor at Liverpool Guild Student Media. Liverpool Guild Student Media (LGSM) is a student-led media society, consisting of an online newspaper, radio station and TV channel, aiming to deliver relevant, interesting and entertaining news and stories for the entire student population of the University of Liverpool.
After a very successful and enjoyable first week of the newly introduced STEP Programme held by the University, week two has come to an end with many exciting events held across all departments, from Give it a Go to career-focused Employability Activities. These events are proving to be both academically effective and also casually fun for some social activities to give students a break from studying.
Be sure to check out this link to book places –https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/summer-term-events-programme/
Week Two
Give it a Go
Sessions held throughout the week have ranged from Campus Tours to Herb Plot Planting to a Guided Bike Ride setting off and finishing at Greenbank Student Village. These have been great for helping students explore the city that little bit further than their accommodation or student house, and really get a taste of what Liverpool is about. Whilst also giving Jamie Oliver a run for his money with the growing of tasty blooming herbs from the comfort of one’s own kitchen windowsill!
Other leisurely activities have included a Lunchtime Concert Series of ‘Summer Tunes’ from the Solem Quartet to help you chill out and take a second to enjoy a spot of musical talent.
Guild events
These events always prove to be a great way to socialise in these unusual COVID times when one may have simply forgotten how to hold a conversation! Fear not, the Guild Tea Talks are a great opportunity to catch up with some friends or even make some new pals via zoom! Held every day this week from 11am to 12.30pm students have enjoyed grabbing a hot cup of tea and cosying down on their sofas to chat away with some friends.
Employability Activities
In addition to these great opportunities, the University has held a myriad of Employability Activities to help further your career goals. This has included the InspiredFutures2021 Programme events such as a podcast from Chris Witterick and session ‘Take Control of Your Future with the Future Thief (Jill Hawkins)’, both held online. These activities have given students an insight into industry and the continuous adaptations and change occurring within throughout the pandemic.
The Careers department have held a podcast too on Thursday 22 April with Hannah Forbes from The Funding Crowd as part of the InspiredFutures2021 programme to support students through the funding process in their business journeys.
As well as this, Employer Activities have been popular ranging from an all day Transform Society Challenge on Monday, working on an important project for students, the University and the local community, developing employability skills for future plans, and a Career Connect event with Mindless Academy. Students joined a live journaling workshop, practicing self love and reflection to positively influence mental, physical and emotional wellbeing and reduce levels of anxiety and stress, thereby supplementing their academic studies.
KnowHow
KnowHow always seems to be a fantastic way to support academic development and success through various webinars. This week has seen webinars on writing a literature review and making critical notes from resources held on Tuesday and finding information for your assignment using tools like Discover and writing reports on Wednesday. If your academic capabilities could use a little polishing up in preparation for exam season, definitely give these sessions a go!
Coming up
The STEP Programme is benefitting students across all departments and is proving to be an excellent way of gaining some supplementary experience whether that be academic or for pleasure, alongside their studying.
Hoping to continue this positive impact into next week starting on Monday 26 April we will be given opportunities to go to a Liverpool Cathedral Tour on Monday afternoon followed by STEP’s weekly Virtual Pub Quiz on Oscars held by the Guild from 8-10pm.
Tuesday will see more KnowHow workshops on preparing for essay style online assessments, followed by an engaging talk on why we read novels by Professor Dinah Birch, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Cultural Engagement at the University of Liverpool, who will attempt to answer this question.
A Crafternoon on Ecobricks is going ahead on Tuesday from 4-5:30pm followed by a Career Connect event on how Tesco tackles Food waste through the supply chain at 12:30pm till 1:30pm.
There is plenty to get involved with next week, and STEP hopes to see you there! Enjoy! The programme runs until 7 May – find out more on the My Liverpool app or on the STEP website.