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Rhiannon, Larissa and Sanya are your Student Advisers for the Faculty of Life Sciences. Scroll down for more information about events and to learn about them.
What I do
Hi, I’m Rhiannon. I am the Student Adviser for the School of Pharmacy and Human Sciences. I am here for you as a key point of contact during the first year of your undergraduate studies. I am available to discuss any wellbeing, support, and student experience matters.
Who am I?
- About Rhiannon
What was your experience of Further/Higher education like?
I did a Biological Sciences degree at University of Leeds after leaving school, then a few years later studied MSc Psychology in London. I had an amazing experience with both, though they were very different.
Whilst studying in Leeds, I remember feeling so excited but also slightly overwhelmed by the experience of living independently for the first time in a new city. There were some elements of the course I found very challenging - I often struggled to manage my time effectively and would find myself rushing through work at the very last minute. Looking back, I wish I’d been more aware of support services available as I think they could have helped me balance my time and cope with feelings of stress, especially around exam periods. Overall, I learnt so much during that time and have so many amazing memories from those years!
By the time I started my master’s degree, I felt a lot more focused and able to find a balance between my studies and other aspects of life. Everything takes practice!
What do you like most about your work as a Student Adviser?
I love meeting and working with all the brilliant students at UCL! As much as I am here to help and support students, I often find that I learn a lot from them too.
What's a surprising or interesting fact about yourself?
I used to work at a bowling alley where I had to dress up in a mascot dog suit for kid’s birthday parties – you never know where life’s journey will take you!
What I do
Hi, I’m Larissa. I am the Student Adviser for Biological Science and Neuroscience and I am here for you as a key point of contact during the first year of your undergraduate studies. I am available to discuss any wellbeing, support, and student experience matters.
Who am I?
- About Larissa
What was your experience of Further/Higher education like?
My experience at university was a bit of a roller-coaster. Having lived in London my whole life, I was desperate to get that ‘full university experience’ by moving as far away from home as possible and learning to live independently, so I went to The University of Leeds. However, despite having one of the best years of my life, I also found it very difficult and isolating being so far away from my friends and family, and therefore transferred home for Years 2 and 3 to The University of Greenwich where I continued my studies in London. I was very grateful for the experience of living away for the year, however was glad to return home to London for my final years of study!
What do you like most about your work as a Student Adviser?
My favourite part within my role as a Student Adviser is the rapport we build up with our students during their undergraduate degree, offering students that safe space to talk whilst engaging and enabling them. It’s so rewarding to be part of a student’s undergraduate journey, seeing them progress throughout the year and hearing of their achievements.
What's a surprising or interesting fact about yourself?
I used to swim competitively for my London Borough, training up to 8 times a week both morning and evening and competing across the country in different competitions.
What I do
Hi, I’m Sanya. I am the Student Adviser for Biochemistry, Biomedical Science and Pharmacology and I am here for you as a key point of contact during the first year of your undergraduate studies. I am available to discuss any wellbeing, support, and student experience matters.
Who am I?
- About Sanya
What was your experience of further or higher education like?
My experience of higher education was liberating! I learnt a lot about myself and the world, and most importantly that you can have fun alongside studying (who would have ever thought?!)
Who or what made the biggest positive impact on you when you were studying? And how did they support you?
My mum always told me that if I failed at something, “it’s okay, and try again!” She also always folded my books away when I fell asleep over them studying!
What working achievements or initiatives are you most proud of?
I developed an NHS training programmes for managers working in A&E to better manage the mental health of their employees. Doctors reported boosted morale and managers reported increased productivity and fewer work errors. This training was then expanded across the trust, and we saw reduced absenteeism and sick leave.
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
You are a miracle who is capable of so much more than you could ever imagine!
What would it surprise people to know about you?
Prince William shook my hand! So, I am basically royalty now!
Events
Working within Student Support and Wellbeing Services, we will be hosting a range of events and activities during term time to support your Social bonding, Skills for life, and Wellbeing at university. Explore the workshops and activities you can join throughout the academic year listed below, then click the event hyperlink to book your place.
- Term 1: September - December 2025
Your guide to thrive - CRAFTING CONNECTIONS, Wednesday 12 November, 1-3pm, Bloomsbury campus (room TBC)
Come and meet fellow Life, Medical, Brain, and Population Health Sciences students in a relaxed creative workshop! It’s mid-term, and you’re due a time-out. You are warmly invited to join us for an afternoon of relaxed drawing and making alongside your UCL peers.No experience necessary, all equipment provided. We’ll be sure to bring the snacks!
Looking to make new connections with fellow students? Then it’s time to (ahem) ‘draw out’ your creative self!
Your School of Life and Medical Sciences Student Advisers will also be available if you have any questions about your studies or university life.
Book your place for Crafting Connections (Please note: Location to be confirmed)
- Term 2: January - March 2026
More information coming soon.
- Term 3: April - June 2026
More information coming soon.
FLS Wellbeing
Student Advisers support 1st Year undergraduates in the Faculty of Life Sciences. For support or to make a referal for Undergraduate students from Year 2 onwards including PGT and PGR please email fls.studentwellbeing@ucl.ac.uk