LSE Students' Union

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Making your New Home More You: Tips for Furnishing and Decorating your New Home

You’re finally coming to LSE! Despite all the obstacles that 2020 has put in your way, you’ve made it. To a new city (perhaps), to a new university (probably), and ready for the next exciting new chapter of your life (hopefully).

But for those of you who are moving to London, you’re now faced with the mammoth task of decorating your new home, possibly for the first time.

Unsure where to start? Worry not!

We’re here to reassure you that you can make your new dwelling more than just a place to rest your head at night. You can make it a place that feels like home. Your home. And all of this is achievable on a student budget.

Before we continue…

All students have a part to play in keeping themselves and the rest of the LSE community safe. This isn’t just applicable when you are on campus or in LSE spaces, it also applies for when you are off campus as well. This is why the recommended guidance and advice should be followed at all times, including but not limited to: adhering to a safe distance, wearing recommended protective equipment and practising good hygiene and sanitation.

We strongly advise all students to check for the most up-to-date advice and government guidelines and follow them when sourcing items for your new homes. Many retailers and outlets have put in place practices to support the safe visits of its customers, so we recommend looking on their websites before visiting. There will most likely be safety precautions that you will need to take prior to your visit and practices that you’ll need to follow during your visit, so make sure you are aware of these and follow them when visiting shops, retailers and outlets.

It’s important for all of our students to keep safe, especially those at a high risk. To find out if you fall into a high risk category and for more information about the precautions you should take, please click here.

Here are some of our top tips!:

Second hand needn’t mean second best!

Student accommodation often comes furnished or part-furnished, so check your halls or tenancy agreement to find out. If you do need to buy some furniture, why not buy second hand? Not only is it more affordable but it’s sustainable too! And you’ll be surprised at how good the condition is of some second hand items – it really is true what they say, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure!

Finding second hand items has never been easier - buy from fellow LSE students on our exclusive LSESU marketplace on Paperclip or check out Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace to find items in your area.

Plus, you could set yourself up with a little Upcycling project! Grab some paint, varnish and sandpaper and you could turn an old unit into a stylish work of art! Read more here about how to get started with Upcycling.

Teamwork makes the dream work

Why not organise a group trip to Ikea? For any of you who don’t know, Ikea is the go-to place for furniture and homewares. Get lost with your new flatmates in Ikea’s infamous in-store maze and test who has the best flat pack assembly skills! Trust us, with Ikea products, these skills will come in handy…(everything needs to be assembled!)

Of course, you will need to ensure you are only organising trips with people that the government guidance allows you to go with, such as those within your household or bubble. It’s also important to remember to follow the recommended advice, including keeping a safe distance from other customers and to practice good hygiene and sanitation when in-store. Check out Ikea’s website for their safety practices.

Bring your walls to life

No money for Monet? No problem. You don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy art in your new home.

Prints can be expensive. So why not try making your own? From floral to geometric to motivational quotes, you’ll find loads of fancy wrapping paper or postcards in shops like Paperchase. If you’re more of a music fan, search your local charity shop or record store to find record covers from your favourite artists. Find a few that you like, slot them into a frame (Ikea, Amazon , Wilko or charity shops are great places to look for frames) and voila! – an expensive looking piece of art for a fraction of the price.

Small independent businesses sometimes offer affordable prints through sites like etsy or look out for poster sales at the Saw Swee Hock building (Your Students’ Union – that’s us!

Create your own art! We have the best way to get started with this. Visit the LSESU website and make sure you attend the Virtual Welcome Fair to find art-based societies and events!

You’ll of course need a way to hang your art. Most tenancy agreements don’t permit you to stick blue tack on your walls, so here’s some alternative ideas:

If you don’t already have hooks, you may be able to negotiate with your landlord or agent for them to put some up, so try to start this conversation if you feel comfortable.

Command picture hanging strips claim to leave no damage on walls! But definitely do your research and read some user reviews to make up your mind before purchasing.

Magnetic poster bars allow you to hang posters without blue tack – this is another one to research into!

Cover yourself in comfort

Rugs, duvet covers, cushions and throws – all of these are great investments that can add a splash of colour and personality to your room with minimal effort. Better still, you can use them to wrap yourself warm on those cold winter nights. Brrrrr!

And if you like them – and why wouldn’t you? They’re to your taste… AND. THEY’RE. COSY! – there’s no reason for them to not accompany you in your next move. Ikea, Wilko, Primark and Amazon are some good places to start!

 Bring the outside in

Not only do plants look great, but research suggests that indoor plants can improve wellbeing and productivity too. You could consider a cactus for a low maintenance option that’s likely to survive university holidays, or herbs for the added benefit of being edible (think basil for Italian recipes, mint for mint tea and mojitos, or a chilli plant if you like to live life on the wild side!).

Shine a light on it

Whether you need to study or relax, the right lighting can set the mood. Invest in fairy lights and a bedside lamp to create a low-lit, relaxing environment, or a desk light for when you need to focus on your studies.

Changing the lampshade on your main light can change how bright your room is but also lets you stamp your personality on your space!

 Home is where the heart is

It goes without saying that decorating your new home with photos of your friends and family and personal mementos can help make you feel more at home. Stuck for where to put them? If frames aren’t really your thing, you could try sticking them on a pinboard or pegging them to a piece of string or ribbon

Switch it up

Rearranging your furniture is a zero-cost way to make a space work for you. Whether you’ve decided to adopt the principles of feng shui or simply want to be able to access that awkwardly placed plug, moving things arounds periodically can have the added effect of completely rejuvenating your room… for free!

Got other suggestions? Better still, got pictures of how you’ve made your new home more you?

We’d love to see them!

Tag us on Instagram @lsesu with your top tips and pics under the hashtag #MyNewLSEHome.

Come on, We’ve shared our ideas, now it’s your turn!

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The Postgrad & PhD Hotlist: key initiatives you should know about

Hello to all of our Postgraduate students! First and foremost, we want to wish you a very warm welcome to LSE. We are LSESU, your Students’ Union, and we are a student-led organisation that exist to represent you and ensure you have the best student experience possible. We are the home of many things – including extra curricular activities, your student representatives, the all-important student advice service as well as a range of initiatives and programmes for student enhancement.

This blog will give you a run-down of some of the key events and initiatives that you should know about as an incoming postgraduate student. So better keep some notes and save the dates!

First things first…You are the majority!

As postgraduate students, whether you are a postgraduate taught or postgraduate research student, you make up two thirds of the entire student body. You represent the heart and soul of the community at LSE, and the events and initiatives we’re about to walk you through, prove that! Whether you want to use your voice to change LSE for the better, or simply wish to join in for some postgraduate activities - we are here to support you and we have ways to help you do just that.

Representation

LSESU (your Students’ Union) is student-led, and at the forefront of this organisation are your Sabbatical Officers. These are students who campaign for and represent you, full-time. They are paid and work at LSESU for the current year, acting on the issues you care about! You can read more about them by checking out our Big Names on Campus Part 1 – Your Sabbatical Officers

But it doesn’t just stop there. In October, will be searching for a new addition to the Sabbatical Officer team – the Postgraduate Students’ Officer. This position is also paid, but is part time so that the Postgraduate that is elected can balance it alongside their studies. You can nominate yourself for this position as part of the Michaelmas Term Elections! Keep an eye out on our website here for more details.

Wait! There’s still more…In addition to our full-time Sabbatical Officers, we also have Part Time Officers (‘PTOs’). They represent a wide variety of student demographics, ranging from Women’s Officer and Black and Minority Ethnic Officer to International Students and Mature & Part Time Students’ Officer.

Within the Part Time Officer roster, there are positions for PhD and Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) representatives. You can nominate yourself for these positions too! And could be working at LSESU to represent these student communities on a part time and voluntary basis. Find the full list, how to run for election, and how to get in touch with your PTOs here.

Create change

Every year, we facilitate a number of student-led changes to benefit and support the Postgraduate community here at LSE. All you need to have, is ideas! We have initiatives and programmes that can support you with the rest.

Here’s a few of the ways you can get involved:

Become an Academic Representative for your course! Represent your cohort and advocate your departments for change at termly meetings. If you have thoughts on how to improve your educational experience, consider putting yourself forward! Find out more here

Run a campaign! We can provide the resources you need to run a successful campaign. Make your ideas happen and create long lasting change to support your fellow Postgraduates at LSE by getting involved with the LSESU Campaigns Hub.

Have an idea? An initiative? An event? But no funding? Don’t let money be a barrier to you doing something awesome for yourselves and fellow postgraduates. Apply for the Student Union Fund and make it happen!

You can find out more by exploring our website.

Social

We put on a number of events throughout the year specifically for postgraduate students. Past events have included a free breakfast social, a postgraduate party, or thesis writing events in our cafes. This year, while they will undoubtedly look a little different in accordance with the recommended advice and guidance, we will still be putting together a number of virtual events to ensure you can keep in touch with your community here at LSE.

Why not check out some of our upcoming (virtual) Welcome events:

PhD Students Intro to LSESU

Environmentalism at LSE

Campaigns Showcase

Morning Yoga 

Language Cafe

But there’s lots more! Check out our Welcome website for details on the events and for upcoming announcements on further event releases. And if you want to be notified when the next events go live, sign up to our exclusive welcome mailing list.

Community

Student groups, meaning our sports clubs, media groups and societies, are the heart and soul of student life at LSE, and becoming a member is the best way to get more out of your time at university.  Like us, they also have your safety as their priority, and will be adjusting their activities to support the safe participation of their members.

Societies are groups of students who share a common interest and provide opportunities for you to meet new people, pick up skills for later life and have fun while you do it. The media groups facilitate the voices of the LSE community through their high quality journalism, reporting and content production. Our sports clubs play a combination of social and competitive sport, all while enjoying the community benefits of being a member of the Athletics Union. Best of all, all of these are entirely student-led!

Whether you're looking to take up a new hobby or want to keep up an existing interest, there is something for everyone – from academic and political endeavours to celebrating culture, as well as more light-hearted interests such as music, dance and games.

There are even some societies that have committee members dedicated to Postgraduate engagement and support through their society activities. With 250+ sports clubs and societies, we guarantee that there will be something for everyone. See our full list here.

At the same time, we appreciate that student group memberships aren’t necessarily for everyone. If you would like to seek out other ways to connect with Postgraduates, you can request to join our LSE Postgraduate Community or LSE PhD and MPhil Community on Facebook to reach out to your peers digitally.

Support

We know that life as a postgraduate can have its ups and downs, and your Students’ Union is here to support you throughout all aspects of your LSE journey.

We offer students the opportunity to receive free, confidential advice from our LSESU Advice Service. The service is completely independent from LSE, and our advisers can support you on academic, housing and financial matters including access to hardship and childcare funds. Here are some of the ways that the Advice Service can assist you:

Academic Support:

Appeals: We can assist when appealing an Upgrade (MPhil to PhD).

Complaints: We can support you in pursuing the formal Complaints procedure. This can be about other students, academics, departments or procedures.

Academic Misconduct: We are on hand to support any student who undergoes the academic misconduct procedure if they have been accused of academic misconduct, plagiarism or collusion.

Disciplinary: We can support you if you are called in for a Disciplinary meeting.

General: We can provide general advice on any other academic process, such as Inclusion Plans, Deferrals, Extensions, Interruptions, Withdrawal or Fitness to Study.

Housing

We can provide general advice on any housing matter either for private rented or halls and can signpost to relevant agencies. This includes contract checks, advice on landlord/agents issues, deposits, and council tax.

Make sure you check out our All you need to know about housing event as part of Welcome Week. Reserve your free place and tune in from the comfort of your own home. 

Funding

Hardship: This fund is available if something unexpected happens that means you are struggling to pay for basic living expenses such as rent or food

Childcare: This is similar to the Hardship fund, but when students are struggling to meet childcare costs

GGSF (Graduation Gown Support Fund): For students who cannot afford the cost of gown hire for their graduation ceremony.

Get in touch!

We are here to support you in making the most of your time here at LSE! Contact us at any time and we will be here to help.

Even if a service isn’t listed above, definitely reach out to us! It doesn’t matter if you aren’t sure who to go to for resolving an issue or to pursue any ideas you have, we can point you in the right direction.

You can email us at [email protected] or drop us a DM on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We hope you are looking forward to beginning your Postgraduate study here and we can’t wait to welcome you to LSE in a few weeks time. In the meantime, the best ways to stay updated are by signing up to the Welcome Mailing List and by keeping a close eye on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Website.

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Your guide to Sports & Physical Activity at LSESU: The Gym, The Athletics Union, Active Lifestyle and more...

You told us you wanted to know about Sports and Physical Activity...well, here you go! Here at LSESU (Your Students’ Union), we are the hub of all student activities and we have a range of things you can get involved in outside of your studies, and sports are no exception!

Whether you want to get active, play competitively, campaign for change, build sporting communities or even to dabble in a bit of social sport - we are sure that you’ll find something within our Sports and Physical Activity offering that will fit your needs! 

Before we continue…

We (LSE Students’ Union) are working with the School on the safe return to campus for all of our students. This includes re-working and adjusting our programmes, our initiatives, our ways of working and our different spaces. To make this as safe as is possible, it’s going to take a little bit of time. We will also be taking into account any changes in Government guidance that occur between now and September.

This means that some of our Sports and Physical Activity initiatives are going to be subject to change. Any updates will be cited on the relevant web pages. One of the best ways to stay updated is to sign up to our Welcome Mailing list by clicking here.

It is important for all of our students to follow the latest recommended advice for keeping safe, especially those who are at a high risk. It may be that you will need to follow the governments advice in relation to your ability to participate in various activities listed here. To find out if you fall into a high risk category and for more information about the precautions you should take, please click here.

Athletics Union (AU) 

The Athletics Union or AU is the heart and soul of LSE for all those who enjoy playing sports, attending socials and campaigning for important causes.

As a student run organisation that contains over 40+ sports clubs, the AU is welcome to anyone interested in playing sports at any level. Members can play with their teams both socially or competitively in British University & College Sports League (BUCS) and London University Sports Leagues (LUSL).

The AU is led by Ceri Doyle, the AU President, and AU Executive team - all of them are current LSE students! They can be contacted through Facebook or Instagram and their role is to oversee Sport at LSE, to organise AU events, and to represent all AU members.

To become a member of any LSE sports club, students must buy a compulsory membership for the AU; which opens up a world of opportunities and experiences…

So, what exactly is this exciting world which you are about to enter?

Sports

LSESU has a wide variety of sports for you to join. From Kabaddi to Ultimate Frisbee, we are sure you will find something to get stuck into! Teams usually train and compete each week at facilities in and around LSE. This provides a perfect opportunity to release any stress and get active at the same time!  For AU members, their sports club often becomes a home away from home whilst at LSE!

Whilst the sporting calendar will initially look a little different due to the developments this year, each club has been working hard to develop new and exciting ways to meet up and train. As with all student groups putting on events and initiatives, they will be taking into account any recommended guidance from LSESU, the School and the Government throughout Welcome and beyond, and are working to ensuring safe participation in sports for their members.

Socials

Throughout the academic year the AU organises social events which are open to all members to attend. Often hailed as the highlights of the year, the largest events such as Carol, Fight Night and AU Ball are experiences you will never forget. AU events provide you with the opportunity to socialise within your team as well as to meet many new people from across the variety of sports whom you may never otherwise meet during your time at LSE.

As you can imagine, they are still in the planning process and will be ensuring that the AU social calendar hosts safe experiences for members and attendees, in line with the most up-to-date guidance. Keep an eye on their Facebook and Instagram pages for further updates!

Campaigns

The AU also organises campaign events and collaborates with other student bodies in order to actively support important causes. Successful past campaigns which we continue to support include This LSE Girl Can and Hands Off LSE. As a member of the AU, you are in the position to have your voice heard and promoted in order to help ensure our campaigns have the greatest impact. Student athletes at the LSE have the passion and ability to make sure that our world of sport also serves to create a better wider world for all.

The LSESU Gym

The LSESU Gym offers a wide variety of facilities, including a range of resistance machines, cardio equipment and an extended free weights area, all featuring Technogym equipment. We aim to keep prices low and provide an excellent service that suits your needs. Membership of the LSESU Gym also includes free access to a range of fitness classes which cater for every level of ability available to all students and staff at LSE. We run various activities offering you fun, sociable and stress relieving activities all year round. Find out more HERE.

Your safety is our utmost priority! In line with current guidance, our LSESU Gym will be opening in September with some changes and modifications to usual practices. Sign up to our Exclusive Welcome Mailing List and keep an eye on our Website, Facebook and Twitter pages for further announcements.

Active Lifestyle

Active Lifestyle is a physical activity and fitness programme available to all students and staff at LSE. We run various activities offering you fun, sociable and stress relieving activities all year round. You don't need to join a team, have any kit, or pay a lot of money! Every session is open to all, whether you have experience or not - there is an opportunity for everyone across all abilities. You can come to one or many sessions, whatever takes your fancy! 

Want to see what it’s all about? We’re running a range of Active Lifestyle sessions as part of the Welcome Week Events Calendar! We have options for physical participation (at capped capacity and inline with current guidance) and also for digital participation via Zoom. Head over to our Welcome Website to bag your tickets now! 

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Virtual LSE: an insight into online teaching

This year has set a precedent for higher education; with in-person teaching becoming less of a norm and office hours turning into one-to-one Zoom calls, your time at university might be a little different than you expected. Indeed, the university experience has changed this year’s incoming cohort. While things may seem quite different and may be a little difficult to get used to at first, there are many ways in which you can make small changes to continue to maximise your learning experience.

So, in order to prepare you for what to expect for your first term of digital teaching, we’ve got some tips, advice, and words of encouragement for you! This blog includes insights from former LSE students who experienced digital learning first hand last term. Everyone’s experience is different and when it comes to online learning – there is no one size fits all. These are the insights and thoughts of some of last years’ cohort, you may find some of it fits your experience and you may find some of it doesn’t. Our best advice is to take onboard the thoughts below but keep an open mind when starting in September.

Before we continue...

For anyone who isn’t aware, there have been a number of changes from what has been known as the usual educational experience at university for this year. We (your Students’ Union) and the School are committed to a safe return to campus for all of our students. This includes re-working and adjusting our programmes, our initiatives, our ways of working and our different spaces. We will also be taking into account any changes in Government guidance that occur between now and September.

At LSE this year, teaching will be a combination of virtual and in-person contact time. For the full details on the changes to the student experience for Michaelmas Term, please click here to read them on LSE’s updates page.

Regardless as to how your timetable looks, it is important to remember that we all have a part to play in keeping ourselves and the LSE community safe, which is why the reccomended guidance should be followed for any contact hours facilitated in-person. It's important for all of our students to keep safe, especially those at a high risk. To find out if you fall into a high risk category and for more information about the precautions you should take, please click here.

What does a virtual LSE look like?

The shift towards online learning has tested many preconceptions of what learning is and should be. In the last term of the last academic year, students saw every aspect of teaching and learning adapt to the logistical challenges of space and time. Defying these challenges, students were able to continue working (almost) as normal; lectures, seminars, and office hours were all adapted to fit the needs of both student and lecturer.

Bearing in mind that most universities (LSE included) intend on having a “blended approach” for (at least) the first term of the academic year, meaning that university students will be able to have a mix of online and in-person learning. While some larger lectures will be moved online, class sizes will simply be smaller than usual to ensure that any in-person teaching falls in line with government guidelines. Should the recommended advice and guidelines change, then so will any forms of in-person teaching.

The change to online lectures has arguably been one of the easiest to get used to for our current students. Depending on your lecturers’ preferences, lectures may be pre-recorded or live-recorded – each have their respective advantages and disadvantages. However, the general positive of having online lectures is that you don’t have to worry about getting ready in time for lectures – you can jump straight onto Zoom at the start time attend the live lecture (with your audio and microphone off)! We do however recommend where possible, getting yourselves ready and to your online classrooms promptly in the same way as you would in-person, as this is beneficial for maintaining a good routine and wellbeing while staying in your homes for long periods of time.

In terms of virtual classes and your teachers’ expectations, you’re still expected to complete your readings and assignments as you usually would (so don’t think you can slack so easily!). However, this isn’t really deemed as an issue as students have a far more flexible timetable with more free time to complete your readings! Just think about all the time you will have saved from not having to travel onto campus and into your classrooms – utilising this extra hour or two for your readings or assignments is a good habit to start implementing. As previously mentioned, classes are likely to remain in-person though slightly smaller in size than usual.

What are the benefits of online teaching?

Greater flexibility and convenience

You don’t have to worry about waking up super early for a 9am lecture and making your way to and from campus during peak hours. You can literally just listen to your lecture in the comfort of your home with no rushing to get the right train or bus, and what’s better is that you can re-watch them (or if they’re pre-recorded, playback something you missed)! It’s advised to give your lecture your full attention and best to not be doing tasks other than taking notes while your teacher is talking, but if you do find yourself having a late start to the morning, you can eat your breakfast with your microphone and camera off – providing it doesn’t prevent you from listening effectively! 

One of the other advantages to having online lectures is that they can sometimes be more interactive than in-person lectures as lecturers find it slightly difficult to tell how their students are receiving the session. You may find your professors and teachers double-checking that everyone is okay with the setup – they might ask you if you’re “still there?”, to which you might have to respond with Zoom’s ‘thumbs up’ feature or, if your camera is on, a little smile and nod. 

It reduces your travel and food costs

Studying from home will mean that you won’t have to worry about buying lunch around campus and getting the bus or tube every day. Typically, students spend quite a lot on these things on a daily basis, so not having to do so every day will massively help you with your budgeting concerns!

New and exciting forms of socialising

With the move online, you’ll find yourself more able to adapt to the virtual university scene. This could mean that you find it easier to organise study groups and even host virtual dinners or drinks – both of which might sound a little weird but has nevertheless have worked out for many students! Some departments even host weekly virtual get-togethers, during which students and staff are able to interact with each other outside of class time (for some LSE departments, such efforts had not been so significant prior to Covid-19).

What have been the challenges and how can you manage them?

Self-discipline and time management

While classes are still likely to be in-person but slightly smaller than usual in size, close gatherings should be strictly monitored – and while the School is implementing new practices to ensure it is safe as possible, it is also your responsibility as an individual to ensure that you’re following the guidelines. This isn’t just for your own safety, but it is also for everyone’s around you – we all have a part to play in keeping the LSE community as safe as possible.

While you may be unable to hang out with friends and course mates that are not within your household, you should try to arrange regular Zoom get-togethers to replicate the typical experiences of socialising with course mates. Even if you are tempted, it’s important to remember that we all have to work together to keep everyone safe and that the recommended advice is there for a reason – so start to create the habit of conducting your social activities through Zoom, social media and other digital means rather than face-to-face contact.

Less face-to-face interactions

With online freshers’ events and limited in-person contact, you may feel that your face-to-face interactions are a little limited in the interests of safety. Due to the bizarre nature of virtual learning spaces, your fellow course mates may not seem so active in terms of participating during classes, but it is only due to the way things are structured. There will definitely be a continuation of long and awkward silences during your classes and seminars – those don’t really go away – so we recommend that you take some extra time to prepare some questions or points to discuss in class (just to fill those awkward pauses). 

But just because your face-to-face interactions will probably be less, it doesn’t have to mean that your social interactions diminish. Remember what we said about those regular Zoom get-togethers? Really try and up your “virtual” socials and digital calls or chats with people - it’s really important to maintain a positive mental health and wellbeing during a year that will inevitably have it’s ups and it’s downs

Reliance on technology

The immediate issue with online learning, quite understandably, is that you feel like you are spending a lot of money for what is essentially a video call with a lot of jittering and awkward silences. Of course, this might not seem like the university experience you signed up for.

Try to remember that while the delivery is different, that the expertise and knowledge that you are gaining from your tutors, lecturers and departments is the same. That and the fact that we’re prioritising your safety – so being behind the screen for your lectures that are digital really is the best option for you and everyone around you.

It really just a matter of learning how to deal and adapt to these changes in interactions. Once you form the right habits, you’ll get used to the new way of doing things. So, have a quick read of the following tips to adapting to virtual learning!

Tips for adapting to Virtual LSE learning!

Always test your internet connection, microphone, and speakers before attending a class! But if you’re attending a lecture, remember to turn off your microphone and camera.

Try to maximise your contact (hours)! With distanced learning, it is even more important that you actively seek out ways to engage with people in your department: try to arrange for extra virtual contact time with fellow course mates and book virtual office hours with your lecturers/teachers (this will help you immensely during assessment periods).

During classes and lectures, always keep something to eat/drink at your side! Remember to stay hydrated and energised with some water, a tea/coffee, and a little snack – trust us, you’re going to need it!

It might be tempting to just lay in bed while watching a lecture, but you’ll be much more productive if you organise yourself and study in a clean and comfortable environment, ideally with a desk.

Finally, remember to maintain a healthy balance of work and play! Take a break from studying every now and then – go for a walk or even a socially-distanced meetup with others in your household or bubble!

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A-Level Results 2020

LSESU strives to champion the voices of past, current and future students. We are disheartened and dismayed at the treatment of A-level students over the past week.

The algorithm originally used to moderate results privileged those from wealthier backgrounds and fee-paying schools, leaving many students with downgraded results and uncertainty over their future. But we stand in solidarity with those who protested the government for a U-turn; this victory is yours. We hope this means that students across the country are now in receipt of grades that are reflective of their hard work however we must not ignore the fact that, for many, the University admissions process is still far from fair. There are inherent inequalities in the predicted grades process, with black students being the most under-predicted ethnicity at 7.1% and 22 times more likely to have their application investigated by UCAS than their white counterparts. We all must work to uncover the structural racism permeates into all educational spaces and the urgent need to dismantle the discriminatory practices that result. We must also recognise that the effects of the algorithm reflect the wider educational inequality that exists in the UK; disproportionately impacting those from students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, in receipt of free-school meals and those in care.

LSE has confirmed that they will honour the offers already made based on moderated grades and are working with UCAS to obtain the Centre Assessment Grades (that are now being used to determine A Level results). We urge LSE to be flexible in its admissions, especially to those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and continue its much-needed work on widening participation. In particular we echo the calls from the Sutton Trust and LSESU Labour Society’s open letter for LSE to expand the scope and transparency around contextual offers for applicants which take into account the circumstances in which students undertake their exams. Offer holders can find more information here.

We look forward to welcoming the new students at LSE this year with open arms.

- Your Sabbatical Team, Ellie, David, Bali & Laura

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Inclusive LSE: the initiatives and projects you should know about

When you set foot on campus, you’ll soon realise that LSE is incredibly diverse!  There’s a huge variety in where your course mates come from (over 145 countries!), what their backgrounds are, what they like to do in their spare time and what’s important to them.

At LSESU, we want to make sure that everyone feels accepted and welcomed on campus. That’s why we have Part-Time Officers (student volunteers) who represent particular parts of the student community so that everyone’s voices are heard. We also put on events, initiatives and 

Here is a run-down of some of the elements of life at LSE that support the inclusion, acceptance and celebration of student diversity:

Pride Alliance, Rainbow Lanyards, Pronouns…

The LGBT Officer, Thiago, is really keen to make LSE more LGBT-friendly place and will work with the LGBT society, Pride Alliance, to organise a Welcome event for LGBT students and allies, and bring you a spectacular programme of events for LGBT history month. LSE staff and students can also choose to wear a rainbow coloured lanyard courtesy of the staff network Spectrum, and some LSESU staff wear pronoun badges to show we’re an inclusive organisation. 

Gender Neutral Toilets, Free Menstrual Products…

Previous campaigning by LSESU ensured that there are gender neutral toilets in every building on campus and this year we want to make sure there are baby changing facilities in Saw Swee Hock (SSH) as well. A preceding women’s officer introduced free menstrual products in SSH so that hopefully no student will have to experience period poverty. If you want to work on extending this to all LSE buildings, the Women’s Officer, Sumaya, would love to hear from you. 

Root out Racism, Black History Month, Justice for LSE Cleaners…

The Part-Time Officers, alongside the Sabbatical Officers, have been calling on LSE to root out racism on campus. The recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in the US galvanised the student community to address the longstanding issue of racism in education. The BME Officer, Sabir, Anti-Racism Officer, Faiso, and International Officer, Edouard, and the Sabbatical Officers of the Students’ Union, will work to make the curriculum less Eurocentric and fight for LSE cleaners to be treated fairly.

Alongside this, LSESU will also celebrate Black History Month in October. Last year student societies such as ACS, the staff network EmbRace and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion department organised many thought-provoking and celebratory events. Delicious Caribbean food, a Black history walk and a seminar on Islam in Africa were all part of the offering. 

Interfaith, Cultural Diversity, Dietary Requirements…

Bringing your culture and celebrations to your new home is important, and it is so much more fun to do it with other people. The India society and the Bangla society have both won awards for their events, so if you join them, you know you’re joining a thriving community. For those more spiritually and/or religiously inclined, the Faith Centre and faith societies are your first port of call campus.  For eating halal or kosher, LSESU food outlets have knowledgeable staff who can provide the info you’re looking for, and there is also a vegetarian and vegan cafe, called the Shaw Cafe in the New Academic Building. 

Hardship Fund, Childcare Costs, The LSE Nursery…

Knowing how to get around campus may be a bit trickier if you didn’t have parents or someone in your immediate family who went to university. For students with children, navigating finding a nursery or working in a job as well as studying may make it harder to feel connected to the student community. Your Community & Welfare Officer, Laura, will work on fighting the closure of the nursery, which is due to shut after providing 50 years of on-campus childcare. She will soon be seeking your views on the impacts and benefits this has for student parents.

Everyone faces bumps in the road at university. That’s why we have a Hardship Fund, a pot of money administered by the LSESU Advice Service that students can apply for if they are facing difficulty. Any student can apply for the Hardship Fund, but if you have unforeseen circumstances because you have medical costs, need to find childcare or if you have costs associated with your right to choose, you could be eligible for a financial award.

Social Mobility, Disabled and Mature & Part-Time Students’ Officers…

The Social Mobility & Class Officer, Isra, would be really interested to hear how you’re experiencing campus, especially during the pandemic. Definitely share your views, as your Part Time Officers are some of the people who can actually do something about any issues or barriers to your student experience.

We’ll also be electing a Mature and Part-Time Students Officer and a Disabled Students Officer in Michaelmas Term, as representatives for the respective student communities. These two positions will be elected in the Michaelmas Term Elections 2020, so if you would like to help make LSE more inclusive for everyone, make sure you get involved. The first step is to nominate yourself, which is basically putting your name forward - that’s all it takes! Find out more about the elections here.

LSESU is here to provide opportunities for everyone in the student community to get involved, and we are also here to represent you. The friendly, inclusive spirit you will find at LSESU is down to students like you who volunteer a bit of their time to help others! Making change at LSE is a rewarding experience and the perfect way to meet like-minded people. This year the SU will be running campaigns on the Climate Emergency, Black Lives Matter, Diversifying the Curriculum, the LSE Nursery, LGBT inclusivity, and Hands Off LSE. We provide all the training and support you need to hit the ground running. Sounds like you? Get in touch with us at [email protected]! We’d love to hear from you.

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The Big Names on Campus Part 2: Your Part-Time Officers

We know that arriving at the LSE can be a bit overwhelming, so we want to do as much as possible to help you work out what’s what, and who’s who, on campus. You may have seen our recent The Big Names on Campus Part 1 blog, which gave you a run-down of your 4 full time Sabbatical Officers.

Well, now it’s now time for Part 2! An introduction to your elected Part-Time Officers, who are here to represent you this academic year. All of your Part-Time Officers are current students at LSE, and were elected by the student body in March 2020. Alongside the Sabbatical Officers, they decide how we do things here at LSESU and run their own campaigns, events, and projects all year.

So, without much further ado – here is your Big Names on Campus Part 2: your Part-Time Officers!  

Faiso Kadiye, your Anti-Racism Officer 

Pronouns: She/Her

Faiso studies International Relations here at LSE and lives in West London. As your Anti-Racism Officer, she’ll be working to challenge racism at LSE and beyond. One thing she wants to do is make a clearer and easier system for reporting racism on campus, which is something she’ll be working on through this year.

Last year, Faiso was the Head of Events for the LSESU Islamic Society, and she runs a blog with her friend Tarin, where they discuss different topics. When asked about what her favourite thing is at LSE, Faiso said “it would be how busy it keeps you! Whether its academics or societies there's always something going on somewhere so there's never a dull moment.”

Ceri Doyle, your Athletics Union (AU) President

Pronouns: She/Her

Alongside being your Athletics Union President, Ceri is also studying for a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. This year she’s looking forward to running lots of great (virtual) socials, in what will be a slightly different academic year to what she’d imagined.

She’s been a member of the Athletics Union since her first year, and has been a part of the LSESU Netball club for three years. She has also worked in much-loved LSESU bar, the Three Tuns, since her first year. When asked how new students can make the most out of life at LSE she said “Join the AU, obviously! It’s such a great community to be a part of”

If you’d like to contact Ceri, you can follow the LSE Athletics Union on Instagram or like their Facebook page to stay updated (@lseathleticsunion). You can also email her at [email protected] with any questions, queries or suggestions.

Sabir Abdullahi, your BME Students' Officer

Pronouns: He/Him

Sabir is a Law student, who has been part of several societies such as the LSESU Islamic Society, LSESU Somali Society, and LSESU Law Society!

This year, as your Black & Minority Ethnic Students Officer, he wants to work on improving the LSESU BME Mentoring Scheme programme, an initiative whereby BME students can apply to be mentored by a member of LSE’s alumni. He wants to ensure that more students are aware of the scheme this year and to encourage students to get involved in this opportunity. If you’re interested in the BME Mentoring Scheme, make sure to keep an eye out for applications opening in Michaelmas Term!

When asked how students can make the most of LSE, he said to make as many friends as possible, and be sure to use lecturers’ office hours! Check out our recent How to make friends and meet people at LSE this year blog for tips on how to get started.

Ellie Cottrell, your Environment and Ethics Officer

Pronouns: She/Her

Ellie is a third year LLB Laws student. One thing Ellie wants to do as your Environment and Ethics Officer is reduce waste on campus. Some of the ways she wants to work to make campus more sustainable is by: eliminating non-recyclable packaging, making sure LSE recycle their food waste, improving accountability for sustainable building design on campus.

Ellie has been really active at LSE outside of her studies – she has been involved in the LSESU Boxing Society, LSESU UN Society, and LSESU Law Society. Alongside this, she has helped to plan LSESU’s Summer Ball (which was unfortunately postponed), and has been an academic representative. If you’d like to be an academic representative, make sure to ask your programme leader about how you can get involved.

When we asked Ellie about an important service that she thinks students should know about, she said that you can dispose of e-waste, batteries, phones etc in an environmentally friendly way around campus at LSE – don’t just put them in the bin!

Edouard Panciulo, your International Students’ Officer

As your International Students’ Officer this year, Edouard will be working to represent the views of International Students. He is here to listen to your views and raise your concerns with the relevant staff and committees across LSESU and the School.

Every student faces challenges at university, and International Students have to face the often tough transition from leaving their home countries to living full time here in the UK. If you are ever facing an issue, Edouard is the person to speak to – as he can not only advocate on your behalf, but he can give you first hand advice from his student experience.

Keep an eye out for Edouard’s projects, initiatives and events for International Students’ throughout the year!

Thiago Fonseca Pontes, your LGBT+ Students' Officer

Pronouns: He/Him

Alongside serving as this year’s LGBT+ Officer, Thiago is studying International Social and Public Policy. This year, he is looking forward to representing and connecting with the Queer community at LSE, and is aiming to deliver on the plan he promised in his manifesto.

When we asked Thiago for some advice for new students on, he said, “Be kind to yourself and others, it’s the best way to be. And make the most of and enjoy your university experience”

You can also follow find out more about Thiago and his work by following him on Instagram @queerlse!

Isra Saker, your Social Mobility and Class Officer

Pronouns: She/Her

Isra is currently studying for her BA in International History. When we asked Isra what she wants to achieve this year, she said that she wants to “change the negative narrative around ‘working-class’ people”.

Alongside her studies, Isra has been involved in the LSESU Islamic Society (she led their Charity Week in 2019), LSESU Netball, Interfaith initiatives, PakSoc and more! When we asked Isra how students can make the most out of their time at LSE, her advice was to “get involved and take risks to do new things!”

Sumaya Osman, your Women’s Officer

Pronouns: She/Her

Sumaya studies International Social and Public Policy with Politics. Outside of studying, she was previous the President of the Somali Society, which she set up with some friends. As your Women’s Officer, she will be working throughout the year to represent the views of women across LSE, implementing initiatives and projects to support this community of students.

When we asked Sumaya for advice on how students can make the most out of LSE she said to get stuck in and utilise all that LSE has to offer - everything is a learning experience!

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There's a WHAT Society?! From Beekeeping and Poker to Bhangra and Mahjong, the niche societies you didn't know LSESU had...

At LSESU, we are truly blessed - and we’re about to tell you why. At the heart of our 250 societies are a range of incredibly enthusiastic students, who invest time in their studies and career (like all LSE students!), but also manage to find time to build communities with other students that share the same interests. It’s safe to say, our students are pretty awesome.

Joining a society is a great way to make friends, and that doesn’t just go for LSE! Statistics show that students who are a part of a sports club or society, have a better time at University compared with those who haven’t. We don’t exactly have a reference for you on this, but let’s get real - we don’t really need one. All you have to do is speak to a LSESU club or society member, and you’ll see why this sounds completely accurate to us! 

The Societies at LSESU are known for their world leading events, unforgettable activities and charitable natures, but there is SO much more to the 250 Societies at LSESU than this. Our societies are split into different categories, and today we’re going to be opening your eyes to the wonderful world of our LSESU Activity & Special Interest Societies.

Before we continue...

We (LSE Students’ Union) are working with the School on the safe return to campus for all of our students. This includes re-working and adjusting our programmes, our initiatives, our ways of working and our different spaces. To make this as safe as is possible, it’s going to take a little bit of time. We will also be taking into account any changes in Government guidance that occur between now and September.

Our LSESU Societies are undertaking similar practices, looking at how they can execute their events, initiatives, socials and activities in the safest way possible for their members. This may mean the vast majority of activities are digital, but there could also be possibilities for physical participation providing it is in line with the recommended guidance. All of their activities will be subject to changes based on the most up-to-date advice and recommendations from LSESU, the School and the Government. 

This means that some of the activities referenced below could be subject to change. Any updates will be cited on their relevant web pages, so keep regular tabs on society webpages and social media channels for their respective updates. One of the best ways to stay updated with general information about Welcome and your arrival is by signing up to our Welcome Mailing list by clicking here.

LSESU's Activity & Special Interest Societies

Now, some of you may look at the list of these societies and think...”Well, I’ve never even heard of this?”. And we get that, we do. BUT, there may be some of you who realise that there are actually others out there who also enjoy your niche interest! If the latter is you, let’s just say, you may have already found your place in a community at University. 

So…What Activity and Special Interest societies are we talking about then? Well, we currently have over 30 to choose from - but new societies are made every year by students, so this number could rise! 

If you’re someone who really appreciates experimenting with your drinks, we have the Bacchus Wine, Cocktail, Coffee or Tea society to choose from. Better make sure you arrive at any virtual or physical socials parched, as we're pretty sure we know what may be on the agenda!

Or maybe you like to spend your free time competing in gaming competitions or just playing them at your leisure? Then you can choose from Chess, Tabletop Games, Mahjong, or Quiz club - just to name a few. 

If these aren't quite the special interest hobby you had in mind, our students also like to spend time challenging themselves in the different areas they’re passionate about. They hold debates and talks on current affairs with other institutions across the country. Our TEDxLSE society is known for their panel events and conferences, including their TEDxWomenLSE Conference.

LSE are renowned for the keeping of two beehives right here on campus, and our Beekeeping society is lucky to get hands-on experience working towards maintaining the hive and protecting the bees. Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve watched our beloved bees’ cameo in the Netflix’ Documentary ‘Down To Earth’? Yeah that’s right, we fancy. 

And there you have it! A whistle-stop tour of some of our Activity & Special Interest societies. If you are looking to join a Society, memberships have now launched for this year and you can purchase your membership by clicking here.

There is no limit to the type of societies that LSESU has, so if you can’t find the special interest society to match your niche, then there’s always room for you to start your own! It’s super easy, all you have to do is follow the instructions here.

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How to meet people and make friends this year at LSE

Welcome to LSE! The first couple of weeks at LSE are a pretty nerve-wracking time for most, especially when making friends with people you don’t know. The first thing to remember, as an incoming student, is that practically everyone is in the same position as you. You might find that finding the right friends can happen totally out of the blue or, in some cases, that it actually takes more time to figure out what kinds of friendships you want to build.

So, whether you’re based in London, somewhere else in the UK or even overseas – here are a few ways you can start mingling and begin making friends at LSE!

*Reminder: Please note that with the following recommendations, you should remember to follow the most up-to-date COVID-19 guidelines on social distancing.  It is important for all of our students to follow the latest reccomended advice for keeping safe, especially those who are at a high risk. It may be that you will need to follow the governments advice in relation to your ability to participate in various activities listed here. To find out if you fall into a high risk category and for more information about the precautions you should take, please click here.

Start with your housemates/flatmates...

University halls are a perfect environment to begin socialising as you will be living among quite a large student community. Like you, everyone is in a new place, trying to find their bearings and most importantly, trying to make friends. Most people start making friends in halls as you will all be living in the same building and (depending on your halls catering) cooking and/or eating with them!

Similarly, if you are living in intercollegiate University of London (UoL) halls, you will be able to meet an even wider range of students from other universities!

The same goes for private accommodation or rented houses. Remember – regardless as to what property you’re in, people will be just as keen as you to make new friends, so you can also try conversating in common spaces like the canteen or the kitchen as long as you are at a safe distance. 

If you’re invited to something, whether it be a socially distanced gathering in the park or walk into the city – you should at least consider going along (if you feel comfortable). Indeed, there may be some situations or activities that you might not always be able to partake in (like with those from other households), but if you are able, even popping along for a short while will be a good opportunity for you to start mingling with people.

Don’t worry or panic if you don’t click right away with the people living in your accommodation, it is really quite down to luck as to who you get put with, and – as we’ll show you – there are plenty of other opportunities to meet people elsewhere!

… and with your classmates

If you’re a commuter or living away from London, don’t worry – we’re about to go through all the other ways that you guys can find new people! Online learning may present a new dimension to making friends in lectures and seminars, but it’s still possible to build connections with your peers. At the end of the day, this is a really great place to start reaching out to people, as you already share a common interest!

Firstly, you'll need to find an appropriate way to contact them. There are many ways to find your peers - you can ask them yourselves if you have group work or seminars with them, you can also try asking your department if they can assist you. Try posting in the LSESU Facebook Community Groups (Undergrad, Postgrad, PhD, Freshers, International Students, BME Students) to see if any of your course mates are in there too - we've put the links for these at the bottom of this blog post.

Already sharing a common interest, it will be pretty easy to strike up a conversation - for instance, why you chose to study the subject, how you're finding the course and, the dreaded question‚ "did you do the readings?". Most academic departments organise some form of a welcome party or social event, which of course will probably be digital this year, and this is a really good way to start meeting people on your course and in your department.

From general conversation starters, you'll find that conversations will naturally flow into other topics regarding student life:

What halls or accommodation are they staying at?

Which Welcome events are they attending?

What societies or clubs are they interested in joining?

This way, you'll have something non-course related to reference back to next time you chat to them.

Got a break in between classes? Why not suggest having a virtual lunch with some of your course mates who have the same schedule? Lunch or dinner breaks are great for really getting to know your course mates. Plus, if you have peers who are scattered across the globe, it may be a nice way to start gaining insights into the different cuisines, cultures and lifestyles that you all lead.

Generally, social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram etc) is a great way to connect with your course mates, develop friendships outside of contact hours, throw around a bit of banter and even catch up on anything you may have missed in classes. If one hasn't been created already, you could try and set one up with the people you have already introduced yourself to.

Get yourselves along to the “virtual” events

 With everything going digital at the moment (our events calendar included), it’s even easier to get yourselves along to some of our Welcome events as well as the events held by our student groups. We won’t go into this one in too much detail, but rest assured that the recent changes haven’t stopped us from whipping up a calendar of events for you to join!

Make sure you’re signed up to our Welcome Mailing list for all the latest updates on the official LSESU Welcome Events calendar. Read more about the sorts of events you can expect in your first term in our latest blog – Your guide to: Events at LSESU.

Join clubs and societies!

So, we’ve probably said this so many times already, but it is really true – joining societies and clubs is an excellent way to meet like-minded people! LSESU boasts more than 200 societies, well over 50 sports clubs, and 4 student media groups. These groups cover a range of special interest, faith & cultural, careers, arts & performance, charity, campaigning & political and academic interests. So, we’re pretty sure that you’ll going to find at least one society that takes your fancy!

For many, being part of a student group for special interests can be like having a second home. You’ll be surrounded by people who share similar interests, similar cultural backgrounds, and unique skillsets as you. The best part is, you can join these communities digitally as membership can be bought from our website.

In addition to being able to meet like-minded people, every society, club or media group comes with its own social life which you can also become a part of. Besides career panels and special guest lectures, societies play a key part in students’ social lives as the committees frequently organize a wide range of socials, trips, and get togethers – so there is bound to be a society-held events that suits your fancy!

Whether it’s talking about something you’re passionate about, or bonding over trying a new sport, you are guaranteed to find something that suits you among the 200+ LSESU student groups. If you are still not sure and want to start up a society of your own, we’ll even give you the support to start your own!

Facebook is your best friend

If you want to start at LSE with a few pre-made contacts, getting in touch with people online can be a much easier to make friends.

We at LSESU manage a number of Facebook Community Groups where you can connect with students before your arrival at LSE. Of course, you will have to confirm your full LSE course and year of study to be accepted into the groups, so that we can keep these groups purely for student and LSESU communication, and to keep out those dodgy promoters and housing companies that we all hate. Below are the links to our Facebook Community Groups:

The Official LSE Undergraduate Community The Official LSE Postgraduate Community The Official LSE International Student Community The Official LSE BME* Student Community The Official LSE PHD & MPhil Community The Official LSE Freshers Community 20-21

Many courses have their own Facebook groups and so do most of the halls of residence – so you can get chatting to your future course mates and neighbours, and even begin suggesting some meetups during the first week.

Our last pieces of advice …

Say the magic word

Don’t be afraid to say ‘hi’ first. Sometimes, you’ll find that you will have to put yourself out there to start a conversation, even if it means stepping outside your comfort zone. People are probably just as friendly and eager to make friends as you are, you it’s just a matter of breaking the ice (remember - everyone is in the same boat)!

Stay open-minded

You might already have an idea of what ‘type’ of friend you are looking for, but don’t let that limit who you have a conversation with! LSE is a highly international university, with over 160 nationalities represented within its student body (that’s more than the United Nations!)

So, get ready to meet all kinds of different people from all over the world; it’s amazing how much you can find in common with someone who’s lived on the other side of the world to you! Stay open minded, listen, be welcoming, and you could find yourself some life-long friendships during your time here.

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Your guide to: Events at LSESU

You guys said you wanted more information about events at LSE - well here you go! We run lots of different events throughout the year: some are going to be run by LSESU (that’s us!), while others will be organised and run by students or student groups and societies. Either way, there’s lots to get involved in during Michaelmas Term – you’re bound to find something that tickles your fancy! 

So, here’s a quick rundown on the various kinds of events that we’ve got coming up this term…

Before we continue – we (your Students’ Union) are committed to ensuring our events and initiatives are as safe as possible for our new and returning students. We will be taking on board guidance from the School in the coming weeks and months, which means some events listed here could be subject to changes. Keep checking the relevant web pages on our website for the latest updates.

It is important for all of our students to follow the latest recommended advice for keeping safe, especially those who are at a high risk. It may be that you will need to follow the governments advice in relation to your ability to participate in various activities listed here. To find out if you fall into a high risk category and for more information about the precautions you should take, please click here.

Welcome Events:

Welcome events don’t stop after your first week! They continue throughout the months of September and October and are definitely best way to kickstart your year at LSE. While we’re still in the process of cooking up an exciting calendar of events for you, you can expect a range of activities to come: from yoga retreats to bingo, wellbeing workshops to student meet & greets, you can rest assured that we’ve got you covered!

More announcements about our Welcome Week events will be coming very soon, so make sure you sign up to our Welcome Mailing List and follow our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages!

‘Give It A Go’ Week:

Do you have a particular club or society that you’re interested in joining? Why not try them out for free during ‘Give It A Go’ week? Starting in October, ‘Give It A Go’ sessions are great way to try out a club or society with no pressure to join afterwards. These sessions are organised by students to give new students the chance to have a taste of what societies and sports clubs are actually like without having to pay the membership fee to join.

There will be a lot of these sessions taking place throughout the dedicated ‘Give It A Go’ week and throughout Michaelmas Term, so keep an eye on our Give it a go page for more information.

Student socials:

LSESU runs regular community socials throughout the year to bring you guys together with students of similar interests, courses, and backgrounds. Last year, we held a range of postgraduate and international student socials, and we anticipate this will continue “virtually”! This is a great way to meet like-minded students. Watch out for updates on our What’s on Calendar and our Facebook page to see these pop up throughout the year.

With over 250 student groups at LSESU, the events held by our sports clubs and societies make up a big part of the LSESU events calendar. While some events will be strictly for members of a particular club, society or student group, there will be some events that are open to all students or even the public. A number of student groups are taking their events digital, meaning you can attend from the comfort of your own homes!

These could be anything and everything, and due to the diverse nature of our student groups, these events will cover a broad range of interests so there is bound to be something you can get involved in! Keep an eye on our What’s on Calendar to be the first to hear about these. You can also find individual club, society or student group social media pages for additional updates on our Join in section.

Fun at Three Tuns!

Your student bar, the Three Tuns (aka “Tuns”), is located on the ground floor of the Saw Swee Hock. It is due to re-open for Michaelmas Term subject to the latest guidance.

Throughout your time at LSE, the Three Tuns bar will host an exciting range of themed nights – including quizzes, open mic nights, game nights, karaoke, live DJ’s and a whole lot more! For now, these will be ones that you can “digitally” pop along to or stream, so keep your eyes peeled for updates on these events in our Welcome Newsletters and on our Facebook page.

Black History Month:

Throughout the month of October, LSESU will be putting on a big celebration of black culture for Black History Month! Last years’ BHM underwent a revamp at the hands of your former Education Officer: we had film screenings, photo exhibitions, public lectures, workshops and so much more!

You can understandably expect it to be a little different this year, but we’re working on a line-up of events and initiatives for the LSE student community to get involved in - so remember to keep an eye on our social media channels for more information.

Officer events:

LSESU is ran by 17 student officers: 5 are full time and 12 are part time. These students are elected by the rest of the LSE student population in the termly elections that take place every year. Depending on the officers’ priorities, they will run and host different types of events to serve the interests of the student body… that’s you guys!

As the leaders of the Students’ Union, your safety is their utmost priority, and they will be looking at how all students can access their projects through digital and virtual means. Here are just some of the examples of student officer-led events from previous years:

Festival of Creativity – A month of events dedicated to celebrating the bustling and diverse creative scene at LSE, brought to you by a former General Secretary.

Green Week – Organised by a former Environment & Ethics Officer, this week-long calendar of events aimed to promote sustainable living and environmental awareness among the student body.

Pride Week – Brought to you by your former LGBT+ Officer, this week-long calendar of events aimed to bring together and celebrate the LGBT+ community at LSE! Examples of Pride Week events include: free public lectures, LGBTea and Coffee mornings, and our LSESU Pride club night at “Tuns”!

Tea & Talking – Brought to you by your former Community & Welfare Officer, T&T sessions were regularly held throughout the year to give students a chance to kick back and de-stress (with free tea and cake!) with fellow LSE students in order to take a break from studying.

Rag Week – Organised by your former Raising & Giving (RAG) Officer, RAG week raised money through a week of fun and exciting fundraising initiatives for their annual partner charities (this includes the RAG band for Freshers week).

So clearly, you have a lot of different events to look forward to this term! This outline of your upcoming events is just a brief snapshot of what you can expect from Michaelmas Term. So, in order to make sure you can participate in these events – make sure you are signed up to our Welcome Mailing List, and to keep a watch out on our LSESU Website and our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages for further announcements!

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A message from LSE Students’ Union: MSc Dissertation Extensions

Over the last few weeks, we have been in discussions with staff and students across LSE regarding dissertation deadlines for Master’s students.

Originally, we had wished to support the call for a school-wide extension to dissertations, as we believe that it would be the most inclusive and just reaction to the difficulties imposed by Covid-19. However, it is clear that the School will not change their current extension policy. We understand that this is unwelcome news and, as our Education Officer is an MSc student themselves, we share the frustration and disappointment.

We also understand the position of the School and the pressures facing individual departments and their staff. Staff have to complete the many steps and deadlines involved marking the dissertations and deciding overall classifications, as well as graduation itself. Beyond this, the same staff are planning and preparing for all aspects of managing the start of the new academic year for continuing and incoming students in revolutionarily different circumstances. As such, a blanket extension would significantly impact on the time they have available to carry out their other duties and meet the required deadlines.

Given this, we encourage students to submit requests for extensions if they feel that their current deadline is not manageable or is leading to anxiety. If you feel that your performance has been affected significantly by Covid-19 or any other factors, please submit Exceptional Circumstances. The form is not the friendliest, but it is your only way of contextualising your performance within your own personal circumstances. We understand that recounting your own personal experiences can be difficult and unpleasant, but at this stage it is the only option open to us. The deadline for ECs is tight, so please ensure that you submit them within five days of your dissertation submission.

LSE has noted that deferral for the dissertation is also an option, with early submission in Lent Term allowing for graduation in summer 2021. Whilst this may not be suitable for many people, it delays receiving your degree by half a year rather than a full year. Some departments will allow you to keep the same dissertation topic and your Education Officer, Bali, will be in contact with Departmental Managers to request that this policy is taken on across the board.

All departments should allow for individual requests for extensions, as a part of access and inclusion policies. If your department is refusing extensions altogether or is unclear on the length you can apply for please contact your programme manager (feel free to copy us in via [email protected]), you can find a template below to help you get started. If your cohort is still experiencing difficulties please email Bali, your Education Officer at [email protected]. 

If you are having individual difficulties, wish to discuss your options or would like any help filling in the necessary forms, please contact [email protected] who will be able to assist with individual cases.

We will keep a close eye on how this progresses, as well as how this affects student experiences and results. 

Please feel free to feedback to us regarding this stance or any other concerns or questions you may have.

- Your Sabbatical Officer Team,

Bali Birch-Lee (Education Officer) David Gordon (General Secretary) Ellie Duplock (Activities and Development Officer) Laura Goddard (Communities and Welfare Officer)

Sample Email Template:

Dear [insert name],

Our cohort for [insert course] feels unsure of the departmental regulations surrounding individual extensions and deferrals for dissertations.

Could you answer the following?

Is the department accepting individual extensions?

What is the maximum amount of time we can request for an extension?

If we were to request a deferral, would we be able to retain our dissertation project?

If we would like to defer, what would be the new date for dissertation submission?

Best wishes,

2019/2020 Cohort for [insert course].

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The Big Names on Campus Part 1 - Your Sabbatical Officers

Coming to LSE can be daunting, and we know that you guys may be feeling understandably nervous. One thing that will definitely help you is finding out as much information as you can – that way, you can be as well-informed as you can and jump right into life at LSE! 

Speaking of important information…have you heard about your Sabbatical Officers? Your Students’ Union is run by 5 full time sabbatical officers and 12 part time officers. They were elected by the rest of the student body last year, and they are the ones who decide what we do for the next academic year. In other words, they basically call the shots here at LSESU.

For all of you guys, they are very important people to know for two main reasons: No. 1 – they are the ones who can actually DO something about a problem you could be having at LSE, so raise any concerns to them! No. 2 – your sabbatical officers have done the whole student experience from start to finish, so they have a wealth of advice and tips to offer.

So here we go, this is your part 1 of the Big Names on Campus – a quick introduction to your Sabbatical Officers:

David Gordon, Your General Secretary

Pronouns: He/Him Instagram: @david_gordon24 Facebook: David Gordon Email: [email protected] “Hey everyone! I have no doubt that you are all excited about joining us at LSE. I’m your General Secretary (AKA President) for the next academic year 2020-2021 and served as your Community & Welfare officer last year. LSE has such a diverse and vibrant community, and I can’t wait to meet you all!

I’m a graduate of BSc Philosophy, Logic & Scientific Method and lived in Carr-Saunders hall in my first year, where I was the Vice-President of the hall’s committee. During my studies, I was a part of the LSESU Men’s Rugby Club and the LSESU Mixed Lacrosse Club, which was fantastic - I loved being part of both clubs, being able to play the sports, to get stuck into the social side that comes with being a part of the Athletics Union, as well as the opportunities to focus on and challenge sports culture at LSE. There was also a lot of activism and campaigning which was great to support and be a part of. Making sure LSE is a safe and welcoming place for everyone is our top priority as officers, with plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Here are the top 2 things that I think you should do in your first year:

Get involved. Whether you want to take part in a new sport, or join a society, make sure you try new things and explore what LSE has to offer. If a new class mate invites you to an event, whether its online or in person, try it out. The best thing about LSE is the people, so connecting with people through the SU and your department is one of the most rewarding things you can do.

Come and say hi to us, your Sabbatical Officers! Our job is to represent you full time, we are here to support you in your time at LSE by lobbying for change and empowering you with opportunities. If you think there’s something we could to do help, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

One service that I think you should really familiarise yourselves with is the LSESU Advice Service. They can help you with a range of issues or can signpost you to the relevant services who can offer further support. The truth is, we can all have problems at LSE, but the important thing is that you use the support services available to you if you need them. Even if you just need to talk it out with someone, go and speak to the Advice Team.

My general advice for all you new students would be to take it at your own pace. I know how quickly everything can go during Welcome and that you are presented with a whirlwind of information; especially as we head into a new and unfamiliar kind of learning environment. And while you’re trying to make the most of this new and exciting experience, remember just to take it easy. And no matter what you want to get out of LSE, there will be people who want the same thing - so go out there, find them and do it together!”

Ellie Duplock, Your Activities & Development Officer

Pronouns: She/Her Instagram: ellie_activitiesdevelopment Email: [email protected]

“Hey everyone! My name is Ellie and I’m going to be your Activities & Development Officer for the upcoming year. I hope you are excited to start your LSE journey!

I’ve just graduated from LSE with a degree in International Social & Public Policy. I lived in Bankside Halls as well as in Camden and Holloway during my time here. Sports played a big part in me LSE experience. I was the Vice Captain of the AU Waterpolo Womens’ Team in my second year, then was a member of the Athletics Union (AU) Executive Team and AU Boxing Secretary in my third year, as well as playing in the fifth team of AU Netball! Taking part in the AU Fight Night in my second year and then running the event in my third year were the highlights of my time at university!

My favourite thing about LSE is probably the location – it’s right in the heart of the city! I'm from North East London originally, but living in central meant I did a lot more exploring this year, and it helped me make the most of being at a university. We’re so lucky that LSE is in such a good location.

The top 2 things I think new students should this year:

Join a club or society – definitely one of the best ways to make the most of your university experience!

Make the most of your contact time / office hours. Starting classes can feel a little overwhelming at first, but your class teachers and lecturers will always be happy to help.

For me, the most important service that I think students should be aware of is the Students’ Union (LSESU)! When I was a student, I didn't really make the most of the support and guidance they offer until I became part of the Athletics Union Executive Team in my third year. The LSE Volunteering Centre is also fantastic and I wish I'd looked more into that when I was a student!

In terms of my priorities for the year, you should definitely keep an eye out for the Visual Art Showcase that I’m planning, in conjunction with the LSESU Creative Network! It aims to highlight the incredible creative work that our students do. There’s lots of other projects in the works right now that I’ll be sharing details of through the year, with potential for one really big change for LSESU aswell, so watch out for these!”

Bali Birch-Lee, Your Education Officer

Pronouns: They/Them Twitter: @theotherbali Email: [email protected]

“Hello! I hope you are all looking forward to your arrival in September. I’m Bali and I’ll be your Education Officer for the upcoming year. I studied an MSc in Political Sociology here at LSE and actually did my undergraduate degree over at Cambridge, where I studied Education.

I didn’t live in halls, I rented privately with my partner, a 45-minute bus ride from campus. This worked really well for me as it allowed me to keep a distance between my work and chill spaces, plus it gave me a lot of time to read on the bus! 

I wasn’t part of any clubs or societies during my Postgraduate study here at LSE, but I did perform in one of the “LSE Chill night” music events and sang with the Philosophy and Logic department band…not sure how this managed to slide seeing as I wasn’t actually a student of their department, but hey ho!

My favourite thing about LSE is the wide array of people you get to meet! It’s such a diverse place. I think there are 2 very important things all new students need to do in their first year:

Find out how you learn best! LSE can be quite a different experience to school or work environments – or even previous universities. Take some time to work out how you want to organise your time and which learning approaches work best for you. 

Seek out those interesting discussions! Challenge people, bounce your thoughts off one-another and explore the topics that really tickle your curiosity. If there is someone in a class with you who you have a bit of an academic crush on, talk to them! So much learning and processing can happen in the conversations that you strike up outside of the classrooms. 

In my opinion, The LSESU Advice Service is the most important service to know about! I didn’t really understand what it was until I became a Sabbatical Officer and I wish I had taken the time to find out when I was a Postgrad. They do such incredible work supporting students, providing help and guidance whatever issue a student may be facing.

I’m working on a lot of priorities this year, but I would definitely say that our work on Diversification and Decolonisation of the Curriculum is something to watch out for. I’m really looking forward to working to make the curriculum more inclusive! We are looking to holding talks and events to provide extra-curricular opportunities to engage with more diverse and radical topics, as well as addressing courses and departments. If you’re interested, then definitely keep an eye out for ways you can get involved!” 

Laura Goddard, Your Community & Welfare Officer

Pronouns: She/Her Instagram: @laura_communitywelfare Email: [email protected]

“Hi guys! I’m Laura, your Community & Welfare Officer for 2020-2021. Congratulations on securing your place at LSE, I can’t wait to welcome you to LSE in a few weeks time!

I initially started doing a Politics and International Relations here at LSE, but at the end of my first year decided to switch to a straight International Relations course. I’ve just graduated, I lived in Connaught Hall which is an intercollegiate hall right on Tavistock Square – I definitely took for granted the 15/20 min walk onto campus! Personally, I loved my living experience and I got to meet people from KCL and UCL as well as LSE.

When studying, joining AU Mixed Lacrosse club was probably the best decision I made. It was a super sociable club and I learned a new sport completely from scratch. I went on to join the Mixed Lacrosse committee in second year and became club captain in my third!

My favourite thing about LSE, as cliché as it sounds, is the people. Everyone you meet has such impressive life experience and that’s so inspiring for your own future and goals. It’s a really motivating environment to be in!

The top 2 things I think you should do are:

Find a society or sports club that feels right for you – it’s not just about playing the sport, you will form a really strong and tight knit community with other members. They were like a second family to me!

Consider volunteering with the LSE Volunteer Centre – your first year will be a whirlwind, but making time to give back is so important. It also has amazing benefits in terms of your mental health and wellbeing.

I echo what my fellow Sabbatical officers have said - the most important service that I think you need to know about is without a doubt the LSESU Advice Service. You can get free, impartial advice on any issue that you may be facing while you are at LSE, with advisors who are incredibly understanding and have been trained in dealing with a wide range of issues.

This year I am focusing on improving all students’ experience of LSE’s mental health services and sexual violence support because to me; nothing is more important than the wellbeing and the support services available for you at LSE, and they need to reflect the diversity of its student body. I’ll be updating you on the progress of this throughout the year, stay tuned!”

Your Sabbatical Officers work full time for LSE Students’ Union to represent your views and negotiate with the School to improve your student experience. If you have an issue, want to raise a concern or feel like a change needs to happen at LSE – these are the people who can do something about it. They are open to your suggestions and feedback, and welcome your insights on how they can improve your experience at LSE. You can reach out to David, Ellie, Bali and Laura on their respective emails.

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How to have the best student life at LSE: A guide to your Students’ Union (LSESU)

So you’re coming to LSE! You’ve probably heard tons about the School itself, you’ve probably done a bit of research into living in London and you may have heard a few things about the LSE experience from other students…but have you heard about your Students’ Union (SU)?

LSE Students’ Union is where you need to be looking to find those all important extra’s to your university experience. Because let’s face it – there’s more to LSE than just getting your degree! Here’s the low-down of what your SU does and how it’s an integral part of having a great student life at LSE.

The Basics

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) is an organisation that is run by LSE students, for LSE students! We are a not-for-profit, which basically means that all of the money we make through selling tickets, products and whatever else, will be reinvested back into student activities and services for you guys.

Why we are important:

We are here to put the fun in your LSE experience and make sure that you get the most out of student life. After all, you’re all going to be working hard…so you need to play hard too!

LSESU is made up of 3 strands:

Student Communities

We can help you meet those lifelong friends that you all look for at university – with over 300 societies, sports clubs and student groups, as well as our programme of social fitness classes, getting involved with LSESU is how you can find your communities. If you want to connect with and meet new people during your time at LSE, our Student Communities strand is where you need to look.

Student Voice

All year round, we have got your back – our Student Voice strand is home to the LSESU Advice Service, our different funding pots and dedicated teams of staff are here to support you through all stages of your journey at LSE. It is where our Campaigns Hub lies for all support for student activism, and is how our democratic structures including the Union General Meeting and Termly Elections are administered. Oh, and it’s also home to your all-important course representatives!

In a nutshell – if you need any help, guidance or support throughout your university experience…Student Voice is where you need to go!

Social

We are the home of all those awesome events and memorable experiences outside of lectures that you will all talk about years after you have graduated. Whether that is through our diverse What’s on calendar on our website, or through the events held by our many clubs, societies and student groups.

Our LSESU spaces are also a great way to get social, whether that is by taking a break in between classes, for meet ups with friends or attending our dedicated events. You can find our social spaces, namely our Denning Learning Café, Three Tuns Bar and The Venue, right here in the Saw Swee Hock Building.

So what’s this “run by students” thing about?

LSESU is led and directed by 17 student officers, 5 are full time and 12 are part time. Whatever they want to focus on, whatever initiatives they want to implement – we make it happen. These officers are LSE students who are elected by the rest of the student body (you!) in the termly elections.

Oh, and they also have the power to influence the highest levels of management at the school itself, so if you have an issue, your officers are the ones you should voice it to. This is why you should always vote in the elections, because your vote can put the students who will benefit you the best in these positions!

So how can LSESU help me have the best student life?

Here’s a quick, whistle-stop tour of the key ways LSESU can add some fun to your student life:

Student groups:

Joining a student group is one of the best ways that you can make friends, de-stress from those intense periods of study and basically let your hair down! We have 200+ societies, 40+ sports clubs and 5 media groups.

Can’t find something you’re interested in? Start your own society! We’ll give you the support you need to get it done. Find out more on our website, and meet all of the student groups themselves at our Welcome Fair!

Events:

We host a TON of events every term. Our What’s on calendar will be your holy grail to finding out about all those exciting, awesome and new experiences that you can be a part of.

Looking for something more specialised? Don’t worry, we host student specific events such as postgraduate events and international students’ meet ups and our 250+ student groups regularly put on interest or activity-related ones.

Funding:

Got an idea? Don’t let money be a barrier to your creativity. We have a Students’ Union Fund that is available for you guys to put on your own events, implement new initiatives and make your big ideas a reality…all you have to do is apply!

You can ask for up to £20,000 to make your big ideas happen. It’s a great way to utilise your spare time, enrich your CV, improve the student lives of your peers and make a historical impact at LSE for years to come!

Campaigning:

LSESU has a long history of campaigning. If you are passionate about an issue, cause or movement, get involved with our Campaigns Hub! They can help you with guidance, support, funding, resources and specialist coaching to ensure you are well-equipped to make your project happen.

It’s also a great way to find your fellow activists at LSE. Campaigns Hub can help you connect with fellow students who share the same passions for the issues that you care about. There are people out there across LSE who will be willing to fight these issues with you – all you have to do is find them!

Advice:

The university experience is one of the best ones you’ll have, but there can be challenges that you face along the way. Don’t worry though, because we have a free, confidential Advice Service that can help you with whatever problem you may be facing! Whether you just want to talk an issue through with someone, or if you need dedicated support, they are here for you every step of the way.

The LSESU Advice service specialises in supporting you with academic, financial and housing related issues, but can signpost you to relevant support services outside of these areas too.  Everyone will run into a bump in the road at LSE, but we can help you get your student life back on track. 

Fitness:

Want to get moving while you study? Whether you’re a gym bunny or a class pass kind of person, we have a range of ways that you can keep fit while at LSE. Check out our LSESU Gym and Fitness Class Pass and see which one works best for you.

Can’t wait until September?

Have a good old wander through our website, it’s got all the information you will need about LSESU on here. Plus, make sure you are signed up to our exclusive mailing list and are following our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts to stay updated with the latest news about Welcome!

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Your guide to extra curricular activities: how to get involved physically and virtually

This year is going to be seeing quite a few changes. But one thing that won’t change, is that your Students’ Union (LSESU) has plenty of extra-curricular activities available for you to get involved in. The university experience is about much more than your degree – it’s also about the initiatives, projects, events and programmes that you can get involved outside of this!

Extra curricular activities have many benefits. Not only are you getting more from your university experience for your tuition fees, but it can also help your professional and personal development. It is also good for maintaining the right balance between leisure and study time, and can contribute to positive mental health, wellbeing and happiness. 

Before we continue…

We (LSE Students’ Union) are working with the School on the safe return to campus for all of our students. This includes re-working and adjusting our programmes, our initiatives, our ways of working and our different spaces. To make this as safe as is possible, it’s going to take a little bit of time. We will also be taking into account any changes in Government guidance that occur between now and September.

This means that our extra curricular activities are going to be subject to change. Any updates will be cited on the relevant web pages. One of the best ways to stay updated is to sign up to our Welcome Mailing list by clicking here.

Events

Digital?: Yes – Some events are solely digital. Some events may have digital counterparts and can be watched or streamed at home. Physical?: Yes – some events may have physical attendance.

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to make the best use of your time outside of lectures! We (your Students’ Union) are the home of all the fun things, so you can expect our events to be ones to remember. We run a wide range of events throughout the year and will also be running virtual events that students can tune into on Zoom. Make sure you are following our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, and keep an eye on our What’s on calendar for the latest event releases.

Raising & Giving

Digital?: Yes – there may be digital participation on an initiative-by-initiative basis. Donations or sponsorship can be administered online. Physical?: Yes – some initiatives will have physical participation.

The LSESU Raising and Giving society (RAG) is a three-times award winning society that raises money every year for amazing causes. It allows students to get involved in fun, exciting and memorable acts of fundraising.

Some of their fundraising initiatives can also be done solo or remotely, so you can still give back if you are a distance learner, overseas student or if you’re social distancing. There are also team or paired opportunities for a chance to do some charitable work with your peers! Head over to the RAG page on our website to find out more.

Students’ Union Fund

Digital?: Yes – Applications are digital. Project planning and execution can be done digitally (you can control this, it’s your project!) Physical?: Yes – You can choose whether you have any physical execution as part of your projects.

Here at LSESU, we encourage students to develop and implement their own projects. So much so, that we have even set aside a big pot of money just for you guys, so that you can make your big ideas happen!

We have a Student Union Fund that grants sums of money to students who have ideas for projects or initiatives, and you can apply for up to £20,000! Funding can be granted to any idea for any project, by any student or any student group…all you have to do is apply!

The best thing about this is that you really can access it anywhere. If your project is a physical one, you can still plan it or execute it digitally, so it doesn’t matter whether you are in London or not – this won’t be a barrier to pulling off your big ideas!

Active Lifestyle

Digital?: Yes – Online classes will be available via a new app. Physical?: Yes – physical attendance will be available.

Our fitness class timetable is a great way to get moving in a more social environment, where you can make friends and get fit at the same time. Getting involved in our weekly classes is a fantastic way to maintain good wellbeing and mental health at LSE.

A class pass can cost you as little as £20 and will grant you unlimited access to all of the fitness classes that run throughout the term! Our class timetable includes Pilates, Self Defence, Yoga, Boxfit, Zumba,  HIIT and so much more. Find out more about our Active Lifestyle Classes here.

Campaigns Hub

Digital?: Yes – Campaigns hub and campaign support can be accessed digitally, campaigns can be planned and executed digitally. Physical?: Yes - You can plan physical elements as part of your campaign.

Is there a cause that you feel passionate about? At LSESU, we have a dedicated Campaigns Hub, which helps students facilitate, plan and run their own campaigns. In the past, students have seen big wins both at LSE but also in the wider world! Whether you are an activist to the core or are simply interested in acting on one particular issue, Campaigns Hub will be able to support you in the ways that you need. It’s also a great way to connect with and meet like-minded individuals.

The current situation has meant that lots of things have had to change and adapt, but that shouldn’t put a hault to student activism. This is the perfect opportunity to consider the prospects of running a solely digital campaign! What better way to start an interview than by explaining how you had an idea for addressing an issue, you acted on it and it resulted in making a permanent, long lasting and historical change…in the middle of a pandemic? There’s no reason why this can’t be you! Find out more here

AU Sports Clubs & BUCS

Digital?: Yes – Some socials may be held digitally. You can connect digitally with club members via email and Facebook Groups or Pages. Physical?: TBC – opportunities are largely physical participation but could be changing due to Covid-19, always check the relevant club pages for the most up-to-date information.

And now for the more obvious ones, joining a student group. Joining one of our LSESU Sports Clubs also means that you become part of the Athletics Union. The Athletics Union is a large community of students who are interested in playing sport at any level, and it is a great way to make friends.

We have over 40 Athletics Union Sports Clubs that you can join, read more about them on our website. Most student groups will be running Give it a go sessions in the 1st term, so keep an eye on the Give it a go Calendar to spot any free taster sessions for the clubs that you’re interested in.

Societies

Digital?: Yes – some socials and events may be held digitally. You can connect digitally with societies via email and Facebook Groups or Pages Physical?: TBC – opportunities may include physical participation but could be changing due to Covid-19.

From Debate and United Nations to Beekeeping and Cocktails, we’ve got such a huge range of societies for you to get involved in. No matter what your interests, beliefs or hobbies, we’re sure that you’ll find at least one that takes your fancy (we have over 200!). Or even if you don’t, you can easily start up your own society with the help of our Societies team.

This is a great way to make friends and engage in your favourite things or pass times. Check out the full list of societies here. There will also be give it a go sessions for societies, so keep your eyes on the give it a go calendar.

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A message from LSE Students’ Union: The NSS 2020 Results

The NSS 2020 results were recently released, which gave insight into student perceptions and satisfaction across LSE. Below is the statement from your Sabbatical Officers regarding the results: 

The results from the National Student Survey (NSS) 2020 have been released. As your representatives in the SU we are delighted to see satisfaction in the SU has rose from 34.3% to 48.2%! This is a reflection of the incredible efforts of the SU staff members and the former Sabbatical Officers – Zulum, David, Jack, Martha and Anoushka – this past year. Whilst this score is lower than sector average and we still have work to do, this is a positive sign and we reinstate our commitment to putting students at the heart of all the work we carry out.

As for LSE itself, it has seen an impressive leap in overall satisfaction from 77.5% to 83.7%, with increases in scores across all categories. This follows from 2019 being the first time in 7 years that LSE had seen an overall improvement and indicates LSE’s investment into student opportunities and experience is beginning to pay off. However, the end of the academic year saw some unprecedented challenges for students both personally and academically as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. We recognise the frustrations and disappointment felt by students in light of LSE’s decision not to adopt a policy of no detriment which hit those in marginalised communities hardest during a time when COVID pushed a worrying number of students into hardship. As we look towards the return to campus in September, the SU is ensuring that student wellbeing is the priority at the heart of all decisions made.

The results have highlighted areas in which the School needs to focus on and which areas are a priority for us this year, as your sabbatical officers. There is a significant disparity in levels of satisfaction for some student groups. For instance, disabled students are, overall, less satisfied than those without a disability (74.36% satisfaction amongst those with a specific learning disability, 81.08% satisfaction amongst those with another type of disability and 84.33% satisfaction amongst those without a disability). Most notably, there is a large disparity between satisfaction levels for black students and white students, with 57.14% satisfaction for black students compared to 84.16% for white students. This is down overall from 73.33% last year. These results make it painfully clear that LSE does not provide adequately for black students and further emphasises the need for structural and systemic change. The Sabbatical and Part-time Officers are scoping out a project to ensure the SU and LSE prioritise anti-racism and enact meaningful action to advance the Black Lives Matter movement.

It seems we are now on a more positive upwards pattern when it comes to student satisfaction but we cannot let this dampen aspirations to improve LSE further. The Students’ Union will continue to ensure student voice is the driving force behind decisions going into the next academic year to ensure that the progress that has been made is experienced by all students at LSE.

 - Your Sabbatical Officers, David Gordon, General Secretary Bali Birch-Lee, Education Officer Laura Goddard, Community & Welfare Officer Eleanor Duplock, Activities & Development Officer

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The results day conundrum: what are my options?

It’s here. The moment you’ve either been eagerly anticipating or anxiously dreading (or, most likely, a bit of both): 16 July. Results Day.

Hopefully the results have confirmed what you expected, or, even more hopefully, perhaps they have proved a pleasant surprise. If you’re reading this, however, chances are you feel the results fell somewhat short of what your hard work deserved. Perhaps this was due to circumstances outside your control. Maybe you feel these haven’t been considered by the School. Or maybe they have, but unsatisfactorily so. Alternatively, perhaps you just feel that some great injustice has been served at your expense, and now you are seeking a way to see that injustice overturned.

If any of this rings true, a simple question might be now swimming around in your head:

What are my options?

Well, there are two. But they are time-sensitive, and they won’t be applicable to every situation.

Let’s explore them.

Option 1: Submitting an Academic Appeal

This is the main mechanism by which you can challenge a result – and you’ve got a small window (10 working days) in which to do it.

In essence there are two grounds on which you can appeal:

1.     Procedural Error

2.     New Information about Exceptional Circumstances (ECs)

You can appeal under either (or both) and have until 11.59pm on 30 July to submit your completed form, along with any relevant evidence. If you think you might struggle to meet this deadline and have a good reason, you’re encouraged to contact the Assessment Regulations Team (ART) ASAP, and certainly before the deadline.

Appeals forms can be found here and must be submitted via this link. We’re able to look over a copy of your form before you submit it provided we receive it well in advance of the deadline. Email us at [email protected] for more information.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, you will have the option of entering stage 2 of the appeals process. At this stage there are three grounds on which you can appeal (see paragraph 10.1 of the regulations), and you’ll have a further 10 working days in which to submit it (starting from the day you receive the outcome to your first appeal).

The second appeal stage is a new and welcome change to the LSE’s academic regulations, and the result of many years of campaigning from us at the LSE Students’ Union (LSESU).

You can read more about the academic appeals process, including finding a copy of the regulations, guidance and form, by clicking here.

Ground 1: Procedural Error

The first ground under which you can appeal (under stage 1) is ‘procedural error.’

The School describes this as an instance where “the Exam Board did not follow the correct procedure such that there is reasonable doubt that the decision would have been the same if the correct procedure had been followed.”

This can encompass anything from an administrative mistake to a wider procedural irregularity. In plain English this means that something happened after you submitted your assessment that shouldn’t have happened. It might be that your classification was incorrectly calculated because some completed modules were omitted, for example, or perhaps you had a successful EC claim, but the Exam Board didn’t consider it. Or it could be any other error which occurred at the School level after you clicked ‘submit’.

Fortunately, the vast majority of cases don’t contain procedural errors. But some do. And if you’re one of them, an appeal is the way get the error rectified.

The evidence requirements for an appeal on this ground will depend on the situation. If in doubt, drop us an email.

Ground 2: New Information about Exceptional Circumstances (ECs)

ECs are classified as circumstances which “would normally be sudden, unforeseen, out of the student’s control and proximate to the assessment(s) in question.”

There is a separate process for submitting an EC claim, the deadline for which is “seven days after your final School assessment in the relevant academic year.”

As this deadline has now passed, if you feel you have valid ECs, you would now need to raise it via an appeal. However, you would need to:

Explain and evidence the ECs that affected the assessment in question

Provide a good reason (with evidence) for not submitting an EC application at the time

The Standards of Evidence document outlines the kind of evidence the School would expect to see under different scenarios.

It is important to note that LSE operates a “Fit to Sit” policy. In effect this means that once you enter an exam room (or in the COVID era, once you accept/commence an online assessment) you are deeming yourself fit enough to undertake the assessment in question.

The reason it is necessary to highlight this is because the School would expect students who were not fit enough to take their assessments to have either deferred them or to have sought an extension. Given that the criteria and evidence requirements for both deferrals and extensions were relaxed in light of the pandemic, any successful appeal under the EC ground will need to provide a good reason why these options weren’t explored at the time (particularly the deferral). There may well be strong reasons (for example, linked to mental or physical ill health) why you didn’t, but you will need to provide evidence.

Unsure whether this applies to your situation? Email us.

There are two final points to be made about appeals based on ECs.

The first is that you can only appeal:

Your final degree classification

Not being awarded a degree, or a decision to class you as a “Final Fail”

A mark or grade of “Absent,” “Incomplete” or “Fail”

The second is that your marks must be borderline. More specifically, you need to meet the following conditions:

Your classification marks are no more than three marks below the next higher classification in a single course, and/or:

Your aggregate is no more than fifteen marks away from the next higher classification on aggregate if you are an undergraduate student; or no more than ten marks away from the next higher classification on aggregate if you are a postgraduate student

If your appeal is based on new information about ECs, and doesn’t satisfy the above criteria, it is highly likely that your appeal will be unsuccessful.

What you can’t appeal

You cannot appeal just because you disagree with your results. Or rather, you can, but it will be rejected unless you also satisfy at least one of the two grounds listed earlier in this blog.

You are also likely to be unsuccessful in your appeal if it is based on some level of dissatisfaction with how the course was run (a common query relates to teaching). That is not to say that you cannot raise your grievances, only that they must be raised via the complaints process instead (which we can also advise on).

And then there is “questioning academic judgement,” one of the most common reasons why appeals are rejected.

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA), a body which performs an ombudsman-like function for the HE sector (and to whom you can complain if you remain unhappy with the outcome after progressing through both appeal stages) describes academic judgement as “a judgment that is made about a matter where only the opinion of an academic expert is sufficient.”

Unsure whether your appeal might be veering in this direction? Contact us for advice.

Option 2: Putting in an Administrative Mark Check

In short, this provides an opportunity to check whether any administrative errors occurred in the time between your work being marked and then subsequently communicated to you. Errors of this kind are rare, but that is not to say that they never happen.

You can only undertake a mark check for ratified final results that are either:

Failed courses

Passed courses with borderline marks

Passed components with borderline marks

The definition of “borderline” is “where your mark is no more than 3 marks away from the next higher classification boundary in a single course.”

There is a cost of £10 for each course mark you ask to be checked, and the deadline is the same as for submitting an appeal (30 July).

Further details on the administrative mark check can be found here.

Still unsure what to do?

That’s understandable. The appeals regulations are long and complex, and there really is no way to relay all this information succinctly without omitting crucial information. Trust me, we’ve been trying for years!

Sometimes the best way to find out what to do is the old-fashioned way – by speaking to someone. Sure, COVID-19 has robbed us of the ability to meet face-to-face (for now), but there’s still the telephone, Zoom, Teams and even the trusty old email. And we’re accessible via them all.

What exactly can you do for me?

Because LSESU is independent from LSE, we can provide tailored advice designed to increase the likelihood of you achieving a positive outcome.

We can look over copies of your form and evidence (provided we receive them well in advance of the deadline) and can advise all throughout the appeals process, right up to the OIA stage.

So, do you still need help? Let us know. That’s what we’re here for.

  Blog written by Ricardo Visinho.

Ricardo is the Advice Manager in the LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) and a member of the LSESU Advice Service.

 The LSESU Advice Service

Impartial. Supportive. Confidential.

The LSESU Advice Service is based on the 3rd floor of the Saw Swee Hock Building and we provide free, independent and confidential advice to all LSE students on academic and housing matters. We also administer the Hardship Fund, the Childcare Fund and the Graduation Gown Support Fund (GGSF).

 Due to the ongoing Coronavirus situation we are currently not on campus. However, we are still open and can instead be accessed by emailing [email protected]. You can also book a telephone or Zoom appointment with an adviser through Student Hub.

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Update regarding Education Officer 2020-21

As many of you are aware, in our March Lent Term elections we successfully elected four new Sabbatical Officers - David Gordon (General Secretary), Eileen Gbagbo (Education Officer), Eleanor Duplock (Activities and Development Officer), Laura Goddard (Community and Welfare Officer).

Since then, a lot has changed around us including a lockdown across many countries, students returning to their respective countries, new and different opportunities arising and much more. Due to the current circumstances, our incoming Education Officer, Eileen decided to take up a different opportunity, choosing to follow a different career path. Whilst we are sad to see that Eileen won't be joining the Officer team this year, we are completely supportive of Eileen's decision to pursue a different path, and we wish her the best of luck.

The coming academic year is incredibly important for our students, and is one in which new ways of teaching and access to education will be undergoing transformation and change. It is important for our students to have a dedicated representative for Education at LSE. After consulting with the Students’ Union Trustee Board, and going back to the Lent Term election results, we are pleased to announce that our new Education Officer will be Bali Birch-Lee. We reran the Lent Term election with Eileen as a withdrawn candidate, and duly elected Bali.

Bali is a current Masters student studying Political Sociology, and also has an undergraduate degree in Education. Bali will initially be joining the Sabbatical Officer team on a part-time basis from July 13th in order to complete their current studies. From July 27th, they will be joining in a full-time position. We are incredibly excited to welcome Bali, and look forward to introducing them to our students across LSE. Keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks.

Bali’s manifesto: bit.ly/balimanifesto