Unlocking the virtual Student Experience

Posted on by Shannon McCaul

Student sitting down on a red couch in the Learning Zone. The student is looking at something on his phone and smiling

Feeling the teams fatigue?

Want to literally do anything other than stare at your screen?

Sick of scrolling through Netflix, only to find a show with a horrific ending, making you wish you hadn’t wasted time watching it in the first place?

With all of these questions in mind, it is no surprise to anyone that the student experience has suffered this year! Not only have our academic lives been challenged but our social interactions have been cut off too.

There is so much more to a university experience than lectures, seminars, workshops and deadlines…there are hobbies, interests, communities, friendships and new experiences waiting to be explored. Although, engaging in the social side of Lancaster through a screen might be difficult and monotonous, the alternative is not engaging at all, and to me that seems a whole lot worse!

There are so many different student groups to join and get involved with! Not only do you make friends, create memories and keep your mind and body active, but you also get 10 points towards the Lancaster Award for each society or campus activity you get involved in!

Here are the activities you can get involved with:

to name a few… but let’s look into a couple of them! Our student led groups have been working so hard behind the scenes to provide socials, content and activities for the whole Lancaster community to engage with, despite the frustrations they have encountered themselves.

Our Student Media teams have come together this year and offered students a joint membership of only £5. This membership allows you to join LA1TV, Bailrigg FM and SCAN (our on campus TV, Radio and Newspaper outlets). If you have a passion for something and want to share it, then that's all that you need! Join student media to write articles, broadcast on radio or even edit video content The possibilities are endless!

Our VP Sport has launched the OLancaster Games, this term – where sports teams, colleges and societies are battling it out in weekly challenges to see who can come out on top! The latest challenge was the longest collective plank! Join any of our clubs and join in with activities such as this, they don’t require staring at a screen, they keep you active and they also bring you into the wider Lancaster community.

We also have so many groups, using the wonders of Instagram to share amazing content, our cinema, Take2 hold weekly quizzes on stories and the inspirational and motivational society, and the mental health society share quotes and positivity, weekly.

There are so many opportunities for you to explore! Follow the links, explore social media and join in! Don’t let your student experience suffer this year, unlock life-long memories and friendships! Before we know it we will be back to normal and you can chat to your new teammate with a pint in hand, it’s time to make those future friendships, today!

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Heyyy, Shannon McCaul here, your VP Societies & Media at the Students’ Union. I am a former Advertising and Marketing Management Student and I work as one of your elected officers to enhance and improve the student experience. This year has been a tough one for all, but I’m here to let you know that there are groups and communities to join, ways to build friendships and that your Lancaster experience can start now, all you need to do, is unlock it!

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The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.

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