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Akua Afriyie, Paige Lewis and Rhiannon Rashid

Akua, Paige and Rhiannon are your Student Advisers for Biosciences and the School of Pharmacy. Scroll down for more information about events and to learn about them.

Akua Afriyie Student Adviser
What I do

Hi, I’m Akua. I am the Student Adviser for Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Biomedical Science (Suranmes A-L) 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.

 

Contact me via askUCL

Book an appointment

Events

Working within the Student Support and Wellbeing team, I 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 reserve your place. 

Term 1: September 25th - December 15th 2023
Your guide to thrive - Faculty of Life Sciences Games event - 22nd November @ 12:00

Come along to our two hour Faculty of Life Sciences mingle event with games and art activities. This will take place in the IOE building, 20 bedford way, room 739. 

Term 2: January 8th - March 22nd 2024
BEAT THE JANUARY BLUES - JANUARY GAINS - 24TH JANUARY @ 12-2PM (DROP IN)

Feel prepared for the year ahead with our top tips, support and advice on a range of areas, including careers in life sciences, volunteering, housing, money management, time-management, supporting your mental health, and more! Happening in Room 731, IOE Building, 20 Bedford Way. For catering purposes, please register your interest here.

Exam Season Toolkit - ASSESSMENT SUPPORT SESSION - 19TH MARCH @ 11:30AM-12:30PM ON TEAMS

This workshop provides tips and guidance for the end-of-year assessments and looking after your own wellbeing during the period. It will take place on Teams.  Here is the joining link.

Term 3: April 22nd - June 7th 2024

More information coming soon.

Who am I?

About Akua

What was your experience of further or higher education like?

I completed my postgraduate degree in the UK, having completed my first in my home country.  At the start of my course, I experienced isolation caused by leaving home for the first time. However, with support from the university and by actively engaging in social events it helped me overcome feelings of isolation and led to the formation of meaningful connections and friendships that have endured over the years, including one that led to marriage. This added a beautiful dimension to my experience and it’s a testament to the impact of a supportive community and positive outcomes that can result from being open to new experiences.

What do you like the most about your work as a Student Adviser?

I particularly enjoy having one-to-one meetings with students and I prioritise building a supportive and confidential environment for them. This approach fosters a positive and trusting relationship, making students feel comfortable sharing their feelings, concerns, and experiences thereby being able to offer support and/or signpost them to the appropriate services. I also take absolute delight organising study skills workshops and wellbeing events for students. I find that these activities have a positive impact on students' well-being, helping them manage stress, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and develop important life skills.

What's a surprising or interesting gact about yourself?

My friends refer to me as “Mary Poppins” because I carry an umbrella with me whereever I go no matter the weather!

 

SA picture Paige
What I do

Hi, I’m Paige. I am the Student Adviser for Neuroscience, Biological Science and Biomedical Science (Surnames M-Z) 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.

Contact me via askUCL

Book an appointment

Events

Working within the Student Support and Wellbeing team, I 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 reserve your place. 

Term 1: September 25th - December 15th 2023
Your guide to thrive - Assessment and Feedback workshop - 21st November @ 11:30

An hour long online workshop which covers assessment support and engaging with feedback. You can join direcly via this link. The meeting passcode is: tXNghN

Your guide to thrive - Faculty of Life Sciences Games event - 22nd November @ 12:00

Come along to our two hour Faculty of Life Sciences mingle event with games and art activities. This will take place in the IOE building, 20 bedford way, room 739. 

Term 2: January 8th - March 22nd 2024
BEAT THE JANUARY BLUES - JANUARY GAINS - 24TH JANUARY @ 12-2PM (DROP IN)

Feel prepared for the year ahead with our top tips, support and advice on a range of areas, including careers in life sciences, volunteering, housing, money management, time-management, supporting your mental health, and more! Happening in Room 731, IOE Building, 20 Bedford Way. For catering purposes, please register your interest here.

Exam Season Toolkit - ASSESSMENT SUPPORT SESSION - 19TH MARCH @ 11:30AM-12:30PM ON TEAMS

This workshop provides tips and guidance for the end-of-year assessments and looking after your own wellbeing during the period. It will take place on Teams.  Here is the joining link.

Term 3: April 22nd - June 7th 2024

More information coming soon.

Who am I?

About Paige

What was your experience of further or higher education like? 

When I first started university, I found the experience incredibly challenging. I struggled with my mental health and adapting to all the new changes while also being away from home. I decided it was best to take a few months out and try again. I used this time to prepare myself and spend more time researching my options and available support.

When I returned, I made an effort to get involved and establish a good support network to help guide me through which made a huge difference. Overall, I loved my time in university and wish I could do it all over again! I think it is important to remember that although university can be fun and exciting, it is normal to face challenges and it is okay to sometimes not feel your best. There are lots of amazing teams at UCL, like student advisers, who are here to support you along the way.

Who or what made the biggest positive impact on you when you were studying? And how did they support you? 

I received a lot of support from the campus residential support team. They offered wellbeing sessions, crisis support and check ins that really helped me. They also offered me employment opportunities that helped me develop skills that have helped me boost my career. It made a huge difference to me knowing there was a team who could support me through the most difficult times.  

What working achievements or initiatives are you most proud of? 

When I was a student, I was voted into the list of The Tab's Top 100 Most Influential Students 2019. I also won 3 Student Union awards and was nominated for 2 more for my work supporting students and campaigning for change.

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be? 

It is okay not to know what you want to do in life. University is the perfect place to explore your interests and passions and it is ok to change your mind and try new things. Take opportunities, take control of what you want to do and push yourself out of your comfort zone, you may surprise yourself!

What would it surprise people to know about you? 

In university I did some work with radio and TV stations. I did lots of talks on BBC radio and the news on a range of topics. I also contributed to documentaries for Channel 4 and MTV and even had a camera crew follow me around for 2 days!


Student Adviser Rhiannon Rashid
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.

Contact me via askUCL

Book an appointment

Events

Working within the Student Support and Wellbeing team, I 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 reserve your place. 

Term 1: September 25th - December 15th 2023
Your guide to thrive - Assessment and Feedback workshop - 21st November @ 15:00

An hour long online workshop which covers assessment support and engaging with feedback. You can join direcly via this link. The meeting passcode is: dpud4q

Your guide to thrive - Faculty of Life Sciences Games event - 22nd November @ 12:00

Come along to our two hour Faculty of Life Sciences mingle event with games and art activities. This will take place in the IOE building, 20 bedford way, room 739. 

Term 2: January 8th - March 22nd 2024
BEAT THE JANUARY BLUES - JANUARY GAINS - 24TH JANUARY @ 12-2PM (DROP IN)

Feel prepared for the year ahead with our top tips, support and advice on a range of areas, including careers in life sciences, volunteering, housing, money management, time-management, supporting your mental health, and more! Happening in Room 731, IOE Building, 20 Bedford Way. For catering purposes, please register your interest here.

Exam Season Toolkit - ASSESSMENT SUPPORT SESSION - 20TH MARCH @ 12:30-13:30PM ON TEAMS

This workshop provides tips and guidance for the end-of-year assessments and looking after your own wellbeing during the period. It will take place on Teams.  Here is the joining link.

Term 3: April 22nd - June 7th 2024

More information coming soon. 

Who am I?

About Rhiannon

What was your experience of further or 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!

Who or what made the biggest positive impact on you when you were studying? And how did they support you? 

I was lucky enough to find close friends in my halls of residence, who had a really positive impact on my time at university (and continue to today!). They were always there to listen or offer advice when I needed support. 

What working achievements or initiatives are you most proud of? 

I feel proud for completing a master’s degree, because a younger me would never have believed that I could! I’m also proud of the research thesis I wrote for this degree, which explored the impact of problem gambling on family relationships. I felt honoured to have the opportunity to interview such interesting people, who trusted me to listen to their stories and allowed me to ask probing questions on such a personal and sensitive subject.

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be? 

Keep believing in yourself, you’re capable of more than you think!

What would it surprise people to know about you? 

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!

 

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