33 young people met at the University of Essex in June for our annual Summer Sleepover. Over the course of three action packed days, students experienced a taste of university life.
Delivered collaboratively by the University’s Outreach team and the Make Happen, this was a fantastic opportunity for a students to experience the benefits and realities of their next steps. The experience aimed to offer students the chance to stay on-campus in student accommodation, take part in academic tasters and sample the social side of university. Along the way, students developed the leadership and independence skills needed for their future pathways.
Two highlights from the experience were sessions from Debate Mate and Verian. The former presented a Debating Challenge with the students, tasking them with developing their oracy and communication skills. On the other hand, Verian explored the pathways into Social Research careers. Students also enjoyed a task around exploring the proposed social media ban for under 16’s which prompted some impassioned debates.
It wasn’t all work and no play though as students made the most of the university’s social spaces. Coaches from the Essex Rebels Basketball team were on hand to run drills with the young people in the Essex Sports Arena. Students also got stuck in with a Quiz Night and a screening of the England vs Ghana Football World Cup Match.
A popular activity this year was the Cook Night Challenge. Armed with a budget, teams of 6 students were tasked with designing their own dinner and ordering the ingredients. Students then competed against each other to create the best meal and be crowned cook night challenge. Dishes included tomato soup from scratch, smash burgers and katsu curry.
Despite experiencing record high June temperatures, all of the students embraced the experience and challenged themselves to think about education in a different way.
I’ll round up this piece by leaving a lovely review left by one of the students in our post-event survey:
“I think this experience has been one of the most memorable school moments I have made. I was able to make new friends and get closer to the ones I have. I have also learnt so much that makes me more excited for my future. I rate it a 10/10 on my scale.”
By Perry James, Outreach Officer at Make Happen