Navigating Student Life: Strategies for LSST Students to Thrive
By Henrieta Surikovaite and Dionysios Giatras, Student Engagement Officers at LSST’s Elephant & Castle Campus
Embarking on a higher education course is an exhilarating yet demanding chapter in a student’s journey. Excelling in academic and personal growth requires the skill of navigating this phase effectively. This article aims to provide LSST students with useful insights and resources to help manage their academic responsibilities and build social connections, as well as highlight the existing resources and services available that support student well-being and success.
1. Balancing Academic Responsibilities: Managing academic responsibilities is key to maintaining success at LSST. To effectively handle coursework, presentations, and assignments, students can implement strategies such as creating a study schedule, breaking tasks into smaller achievable goals, and seeking counsel from Academic Support, Lecturers, and their Personal Academic Tutor. In addition, utilising time management techniques, such as the Pomodoro Technique (mentioned by Chinwe Atumuto, a Lecturer in Health at LSST’s Elephant and Castle, in her thought-provoking blog titled “Tips for Effective Exam Preparation”) can help improve focus and productivity.
2. Building Social Connections: Social relationships play a vital role in student life, contributing to overall well-being and academic engagement and collaboration. LSST students can explore various avenues to build social connections, such as becoming a Student Ambassador, joining LSST’s Student Union, creating and joining student clubs or societies related to their interests, attending campus events, and participating in extracurricular activities. Engaging in such activities helps students meet like-minded individuals, develop friendships, and create a sense of belonging within all our campus communities.
3. Using Current Resources and Services: Using LSST Elephant and Castle campus as an example, there is a range of resources and services aimed at supporting student well-being and success, many of these departments are found across other LSST campuses as well, such as Aston, Wembley and Luton. LSST students are encouraged to take advantage of these valuable resources which include:
♦ Academic Support (AS): The AS department offers study skills workshops, coaches on assignment briefs, LSST Connect or structuring coursework to help students excel in their chosen course. Students can schedule appointments with academic advisors for coaching on academic planning.
♦Career Services: The Career Hub assists students in exploring career options, developing job search strategies, and refining their professional skills. They provide a CV and resume building, interview preparation, networking opportunities to enhance students’ employability and tailored workshops based on the student’s respective course.
♦ Well-being Team: The Well-being Team provides a safe and confidential space for you to discuss your concerns without judgment. They offer guidance, coping strategies, and signposting to appropriate resources or appropriate counselling services for mental health challenges.
♦ Engagement Team: The engagement team at Elephant and Castle (where the authors work) provides resources and services to support LSST student well-being and success. The team offers student support and advice, promotes the development of clubs and societies, organises events, and collaborates with the Well-being team, Academic Support and Student Support to assist with student queries. LSST students are encouraged to take advantage of these valuable resources for an enhanced student experience.
4. Engaging with Student Workshops: Most of our LSST campuses regularly organise student workshops covering a wide range of topics, including time management, study skills, stress management, and career development. LSST students should participate in these workshops to gain valuable insights, learn new strategies, and connect with peers who are also striving for academic success. You can get more information on what workshops are available from your lecturers or the notice board in the library.
Successfully navigating student life at LSST requires a proactive approach to managing your academic responsibilities and building social connections with your peers. By implementing effective time management strategies, seeking academic support, and utilising the existing resources and services available on their respective campus, LSST students can enhance their academic performance, personal well-being, and overall student experience. Embracing the opportunities provided by the support systems in each campus, will empower LSST students to thrive academically, socially, and personally throughout their educational journey.
For more details please contact your Student Engagement Officers at your respective campus via www.lsst.ac/support-and-facilities/student-support/