This summer term, post-16 students got a taste of university life through our series of “Day in the Life” events. The programme invited students to shadow university ambassadors in their chosen subject area for a day at Anglia Ruskin University or the University of Essex. Before the day even begun, students got to develop their independence by making their own way to the event. Once on campus, students participated in subject-specific workshops, a library skills session and a campus tour, with plenty of opportunities to socialise with current university students throughout the day.
Here’s the 3 events we ran across May:
Business Taster Day at Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford) 7th May
Students interested in business studies had the opportunity to attend taster lectures on supply chain management and the differences between leadership and management. The interactive nature of the lectures allowed students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world business scenarios, preparing them for future studies and careers in the field. Learning about supply chain management and the array of careers available was particularly insightful for students that hadn’t previously considered this as a degree or career choice.
Students responded positively to the day and commented that it had been helpful in giving them a better insight into the two specific business topics covered and what student life would look like generally.
Business & Economics and Law & Criminology at University of Essex (Colchester) 19th May
The day at the University of Essex began with a ‘Meet the Ambassadors’ coffee stop, during which the students had the opportunity to engage with current student ambassadors and were provided with a brief welcome talk outlining the programme for the day. Following this introduction, students attended their chosen academic taster session, with two options available: Business and Economics, or Law and Criminology.
The Business and Economics session, led by an experienced academic, introduced students to a newly developed and innovative course. The session explored fundamental economic principles and examined their application within real-world business contexts. Through interactive discussion and applied examples, students were encouraged to think critically about global economic issues and reflect on potential career pathways within the field. Simultaneously, the Law and Criminology session focused on the theme of gangs, analysing their defining characteristics, the social and psychological factors contributing to their formation, and how criminological theory and practice seek to address gang-related activity. This session facilitated thoughtful discussion and engagement, offering valuable insight into criminal behaviour and the workings of the justice system.
Across both taster sessions, students demonstrated strong engagement and enthusiasm. Many reported feeling inspired and more assured in their academic ambitions, describing the day as intellectually stimulating, highly enjoyable, and a true glimpse into university life at Essex!
Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford) 21st May
The taster sessions focused on practical skills needed for the medicine course and had students taking part in practicals such as resuscitation using medical dummies as well as taking blood pressures. This taster session also gave the students an opportunity to ask questions to a current lecturer and find out more about the admissions process for securing a place on the medicine course.
The students engaged well in the day and found being able to speak to the Student Ambassadors who study medicine particularly beneficial. They also commented on the practical elements of the day and found this particularly helpful in giving them an insight into what it would be like to study medicine at university.
Overall, our series of “Day in the Life” events have been a fantastic opportunity for students to make informed decisions about their future, building confidence and excitement for the next step in their education. From navigating the campus environment to engaging with lecturers, attendees were able to gain an insider’s view of what it would be like to study a specific course and student life more generally.
Interested in taking part in future events? Sign up to our Make Happen newsletter by completing the ‘Stay Updated’ section at the bottom of our home page.
By Outreach Officers Lucy Moir, Iustina Popa and Jess Glassock