By Nikoleta Vargova, Year 3 BA Architecture NTU student

University is an experience like no other. It is different from college, jobs and other experiences. University has so much to offer and it can be overwhelming. Friends can help to make this journey less stressful and create unique memories. But making friends doesn’t come easily to everyone. How can we use NTU resources to help with this?

NTU hosts many events and activities, such as NTU Arts. A simple search for ‘NTU Arts What’s on’ provides a list of events and activities which are mostly free to join! I have attended Acrylic tile painting sessions, and my art is displayed in the Dryden building now! You don’t need to be creative to join these sessions. The staff are very friendly and welcoming and there are a lot of opportunities to talk to new people. 

I also enjoy attending their creating writing socials which take place weekly. The sessions consist of activities and opportunities to meet and talk to people around you. I enjoy these sessions as I enjoy expressing myself through writing. The sessions have also helped to improve my skills and learn that writing can help express yourself in many different ways. They also hold competitions and a showcase at the end of the year to commend students. 

NTU has a Global Lounge in both the City and Clifton campus. The lounges host activities that can be found on their website and on Instagram. Even without an event, you can go there, use the board games, coffee, tea and chill. Last week, I went to a brunch event they had, and we met a student studying here for the first term, from Finland! We met at the entrance of the building and started talking. We then walked around the city together as I and my group of friends had planned to before, and it was her second day in Nottingham so we showed her around. It was nice to meet someone new and hear about Finland.

I am always searching for things to do, activities to try. I find that it is easier to try new things now, at university. So, I am always exploring NTU websites, finding out about their language programs, events and societies. For example, I recently went on a trip to IKEA with the NTSU. I invited my friends from my course and we had so much fun eating food, walking around and doing mini-photoshoots in different rooms. We also spoke to staff and other people that joined the trip. 

NTU has a lot to offer for students and staff, which I am thankful for.

For help, advice and resources whilst studying at NTU, take a look at the following for sources of support.
Support from NTU
Self-Care books in NTU’s libraries
Silvercloud: SilverCloud is our online system designed to help with a range of mental health issues.
Health and Wellbeing resources
NTSU Information and Advice service
Wellness in Mind: Advice and support for anyone in Nottingham experiencing issues with their mental wellbeing
Student Minds or Student Space
10 Keys to happiness
Mind
Papyrus