The Big Plan

• Students keep telling us campus feels dead outside Welcome Week and big one-off events like Squares Fest. Dead was the actual word people used.
• The single most requested thing in our survey feedback, by a wide margin, is more big events throughout the year, not just at the start.
• Almost a third of the friendships made this year came through SU-run events, so when we put things on, they genuinely work.
• One student told us: "The SU events are the reason our campus has the life and spirit it has."

• Run a big End of Term Celebration every single term.
• Bring more music and life to the Squares and campus day to day, not just on the big nights.
• Expand the event offering in our current venues
• Look at evening and weekend opening hours across campus

• Student confidence drops as soon as teaching and assessment begins.
• By the end of Welcome, 85% of students felt settled, but only 75% felt they belonged.
• "I didn't feel settled straight away... Looking back, what helped most was knowing I did not have to do everything at once. Finding your place is not instant. It builds bit by bit."

• Launching a campaign to help students get comfortable with living independently for the first time.
• Extending our events programme and opportunities to meet new faces beyond Welcome.
• Getting ahead of the challenges students face, helping students build the skills, confidence and understanding they need to succeed at university.

• Students moving from Southend and East15 need clear information about what to expect when moving to Colchester.
• Students want to know where they can get support, advice and welfare help when they need it.
• Students want more opportunities to meet people, get involved and feel part of the Colchester community.
• Students need better communication about what is available on campus and in the local area.

• Make it easier to find information about support, services, transport and life in Colchester.
• Work with University departments to make the transition from Southend and East15 to Colchester clearer and more welcoming.
• Create student-focused content that helps members understand life in Colchester and what they can expect.
• Promote activities and opportunities that help students meet people and feel part of the community.
• Keep listening to students throughout the year and use their feedback to improve the experience for everyone.

• 68.2% of students feel like they're gaining the skills and experience to get a job, which means around 1 in 3 students still feel left behind.
• Student voice groups explicitly asked for more specific guidance tailored to actual career roles and far more practical careers support.
• Attendance at standard career support sessions remains low, so we need to bring career opportunities directly to where students already are.

• Put every University and SU job, VTeam role and early-career service in one easy place so you don't miss out.
• Help you translate society Exec, VTeam and leadership roles into clear skills for your CV and LinkedIn.
• Support student-led sessions, workshops and alumni talks right inside the societies you already attend.
• Connect with events across Essex and London, organise group visits and host a student-employer networking event.
• Celebrate your career wins, skills and achievements all year long through SU spaces and socials.

Progress updates coming soon.