INFORMATION FOR CURRENT STUDENTS

Transition

• Transition Contacts
• Preparing for UCL
• Settling in at UCL
• Studying at UCL
• Getting Started
• Getting Academic
• Getting Involved
• Getting Organised
• Joining UCL
• Getting Help
• Study Skills
• Transition Mentors
• Student Profiles
• Moodle
• FAQs
• Extended Project
• Research and Evaluation
• Awards and Recognition
• Uni-link
• National Transition Conference 2012

Transition

Getting involved in campus life

Here are some links to the many pages on the UCL and UCL Union website with information about opportunities to get involved in clubs and other social events and activities on campus.

Other ways to get involved:

• Volunteering

The Volunteering Services Unit (VSU) is dedicated to helping connect UCL students in community projects across London. We can connect you with one of over 300 charities, help you set up your own project, and also offer a range of one-off volunteering activities. There are five experienced members of staff, making us one of the  biggest university volunteering departments in the UK.

Getting involved in volunteering is a great way to get settled at UCL, make new friends, and to discover London. Our research shows that it can also help increase your chances of getting a paid job. To find out what other students have said about volunteering, visit www.uclunion.org/volunteers/why-volunteer.php

The VSU is a joint project of UCL and UCL Union. You’ll find us on the first floor of the Lewis Building at the top of Gower Street, and online at www.uclu.org/volunteers. Feel free to email us at volunteering@ucl.ac.uk or phone on 020 7679 2512.

• Student Ambassadors, Mentors and Tutors

Become a representative of the university, mainly working with students in schools and colleges. This is a great way for you to develop transferable skills, such as communication, leadership and self confidence, and to get involved with the local community. 

‘I joined the student tutoring scheme, and the Student Ambassador scheme. Both changed my way of thinking and saved me from dropping out. I owe a lot to these schemes, they basically changed my life!’ Raz

• UCL Union

Visit the Union website for information about:

• UCL Union Entertainment
• Clubs and Societies
• Sport and Fitness
• Volunteering 
• Cafes and bars
• Events
• Jobs
• Rights & Advice

‘At Freshers Fayre you will find all the clubs and societies that UCL has to offer, wanting to recruit you. Try some of them out see if you like them. If not don’t despair, there is so much else to do, like volunteering, mentoring to name but a few. I’m not a big drinker so getting smashed wasn’t an attractive prospect. But that doesn’t mean that you will have nothing to do. UCL is in London, so there is a wealth of galleries, theatres and exhibitions. University is what you make of it. Everyone’s experience of it is different and I think that is the great thing about it.’ Jess

‘I would say get involved in the clubs and societies you have an interest in. Don’t expect to make friends ‘instantly’ as with all good things this takes time. Although I personally derived little satisfaction from University clubs, I did manage to make good friends with a few people. I don’t drink very much and so we spent our leisure time going to the cinema, theatre, art galleries, flea markets, Kew Gardens, music gigs, out to dinner and for coffee. ’ Nada

• Department-based social events

A lot of departments have their own student societies, which are a great way to meet other people on your course, particularly later year students who can give you all kinds of advice about studying in the department. Check out whether your department has a student common room or tea room as well.

• UCL Events

You can go to a range of public events at UCL, including lectures, performances and exhibitions.

• UCL Bloomsbury Theatre

The UCL Bloomsbury Theatre is UCL's own London West End theatre - enjoy drama, comedy, dance and more!

• Student-Led Projects

If there is an activity or issue you want to be involved with but you can't find an existing project or society then why not set one up yourself!

For example, a second year Information Management for Business student has created PlanetTechNews, a website that aggregates the best in science and technology news from around the web.

There is a lot of support available for student-led projects through the Innovations Programme run by Volunteering Services Unit. Please find more information on setting up your own society on the Students Union's website.

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