Working hard and doing well in your studies should always be your main focus at university. But what you get up to in your spare time is also important: extracurricular activities are a great way to have fun, make friends and learn new skills.
At the University of Sussex, you could be volunteering in the local community, running your own summer research project or even developing a killer startup business idea. Sussex students make the most of every opportunity — here’s how:
Clubbing – without the late nights
There are hundreds of clubs and societies at Sussex, run by their members and the student union. With choices as diverse as Game of Thrones, basketball and debating, there’s bound to be something you want to join — and could even help you pick up skills that you can use in the workplace later on. For example, student media teams produce TV and radio shows and the Badger newspaper, which are the perfect starting point for people hoping to eventually work in those fields.
Don’t follow – lead
Show employers you’re serious about your career by taking part in Sussex’s Learning to Lead programme, run by an international management consultancy firm. Free of charge, it’s an intensive leadership training scheme that teaches presentation skills and management techniques, and it’s open to all Sussex students.
Work it
Juggling your university commitments while holding a part-time job can be a challenge — but you’ll also learn how to manage your time and get valuable work experience. And of course, you’ll be helping to fund your living costs too. With its thriving tourist industry, Brighton is a good place to look for part-time work. You could even spend your summer on the beach as a lifeguard.
Be the next Mark Zuckerberg
The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at Sussex, nurtured by the groundbreaking StartUp Sussex scheme. If you have a winning idea, you can take part in workshops and business training to create a business plan and potentially win up to £10,000 to develop your business.
Get a career head start
Summer internships are a fantastic way to get experience in a particular job or industry and can even lead to a permanent job offer after graduation. You don’t have to restrict yourself to working in the UK, either. The new Sussex China internship programme will be supporting up to 300 Sussex students in internships in Chinese companies by 2018/2019.
A summer of discovery
If a career in research or academia is something you’re considering, the Junior Research Associates scheme is another brilliant summer option. You’ll spend the holidays running your own research project working alongside Sussex research faculty, supported by a bursary to help cover your living costs.
Be the change
Giving back through volunteering can be extremely rewarding — and it’s a good way to get more involved with the Brighton community. Sussex students can volunteer to mentor local secondary school students, or work as community reps, acting as ambassadors to local residents.
But don’t forget to relax…
University can be a hectic and sometimes stressful experience, with many demands competing for your time. Don’t burn out: make space for relaxation and leisure time alongside your extracurricular activities and study commitments.
When it comes to extracurricular activities at the University of Sussex, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Just remember that whatever you choose to get involved with could also be an ideal opportunity to learn useful skills and gain experiences that could help you stand out from the graduate crowd. So why not seize every opportunity, and have fun along the way?
