Lois Downes

Being part of a society

When I first joined university, I was anxious about making friends and meeting people. Initially, I didn’t join any societies (which is something I massively regret!). However, as I’ve progressed through my degree, I was made aware of lots of exciting opportunities offered by various societies 😁 You can find a list of all of…

Best places for new (and not-so-new) students to visit in Brighton

University – there’s so much to see and do!

I have so many good memories from my time in Brighton so it’s hard to choose just one. Looking back on first year, my favourite memories include, winning the poster competition in the first week (funnily enough, the group I worked in turned out to be my best friends and I even lived with them…

Living away from home for the first time [video]

5 things I wish I had known before university

Everyone is in the same boat – put yourself out there, join societies (!!), talk to people around campus and on your course. I struggled in the first month because I felt I didn’t have any friends, but when I spoke with the friends I have now, they felt the same way! Keep on top…

Student ambassadors working at an open day

Part-time job opportunities

There is so much to do when you move to a new city and start university; I know from experience that the excitement of having so much to do, so many places to go and having so many new restaurants to try can be super exciting … until your student loan runs out! It’s important…

Positivity

Sometimes it is difficult to stay positive when there’s a lot on your plate and things aren’t necessarily going your way. I’ve learnt from my experiences how best to combat these negative moods and thought I’d share my top tips with you: Set small goals – even though small goals may seem insignificant, you’ll feel…

Getting ready for university: what to pack

When I first went to uni, I was told that you shouldn’t return home for the first month so that you get used to your surroundings, make friends, and overcome your homesickness. Therefore, it was important to me that I had a home away from home. I took a lot of photos with me which…

Dealing with stress

When we’re stressed we complain about it, but we don’t actually do anything to reduce it! So I’ve put together 4 top tips in order to help manage stress during hectic times: 1. Don’t let work pile up and use your free time wisely. Create a weekly planner and look ahead to the next…

What to expect after accepting an offer

Oh, what a journey these last few months have been! I’m sure you’re fed up of UCAS and are excited that it’s all over with – but what next? Open Days 🏫 Once you decide which universities are your firm and insurance choices, it’s a good idea to go back to the universities and visit….