Hi everyone, and welcome to CU Coventry! My name is Abdullah Sayyed, and I’m your CU Coventry Campus Officer at the Students’ Union. I’m also a final-year Applied Bioscience student here at CUC, so I know what it feels like to walk into the building for the first time, figure out where everything is, meet new people and slowly start finding your feet. So I wanted to help make your few months as easy as possible...

Get to know your campus 

CU Coventry is smaller than the main Coventry University, and I think that can actually be one of its strengths. You’ll quickly start recognising familiar faces, getting to know your lecturers and finding your way around. Take some time during your first few days to explore the building rather than just finding your classroom and leaving! 

CU Coventry has its own library and study facilities, so you have spaces on campus when you need to work independently, catch up on assignments or study between classes. There is also a prayer room available on campus. And if you need a coffee, something to eat or just somewhere to sit between classes, we also have Grind 'n Grain Cafe on campus. 

It can be a nice place to grab something and catch up with friends without having to leave the building. And remember - being based at CU Coventry doesn’t mean you’re limited to what is inside the CUC building. As a CU Coventry student, you can also access a range of Coventry University facilities and services at the main campus, so it’s definitely worth exploring what is available there too. 

Your Students’ Union is for you too! 

This is something I particularly want new CUC students to know. There are lots of Students’ Union activities and events taking place at the main Coventry University campus, and CU Coventry students can get involved in these too. 

A lot of these activities are free of charge, so keep an eye on what’s happening throughout the year. There are opportunities to meet people, try different activities, join sports clubs and societies, and generally take a break from studying. Don't feel that because an event is happening at the main campus rather than inside CUC, it isn't for you.

You are part of the wider Coventry student community too. If you see something you like, get involved! 

University is more than just going to class 

One thing I would really encourage you to do from the beginning is to make the most of your time here beyond your course. Go to an event. Join a sports club or society. Speak to someone you haven't met before. Explore Coventry. Try something completely new! 

It can be tempting, particularly when assignments start piling up, to come in for your classes and head straight home afterwards. But some of the best parts of university happen outside the classroom. Getting involved can make a massive difference to your experience, especially if you’re new to Coventry or the UK. 

A few things to do around Coventry 

If you’re new to the city, give yourself some time to explore it. The city centre is right on your doorstep, and there’s plenty around Coventry once you start looking. You can visit Coventry Cathedral, grab something to eat around FarGo Village, visit the Coventry Transport Museum, or simply find your favourite coffee or food spot with your new course mates. 

And when you have a bit more time, War Memorial Park is a great place to get away from your laptop for a while. My biggest recommendation is simple: don’t just travel between home and university every day. Explore the city you’re going to be calling home while you study here. 

Speak up if you need to

If something isn't working for you, whether it's something about your campus experience, facilities, student life or something you think could simply be better, please say something. 

That's a big part of why I'm here. As your CU Coventry Campus Officer, my role is to represent CUC students and make sure your experiences, concerns and ideas are heard. I’ll be around campus regularly when classes are running, so you don't need to feel like contacting your Students’ Union representative has to be a formal process. 

If you see me around, come and say hello. Tell me what you like about CUC. Tell me what you don't like. Tell me what you think we're missing. Ask me a question. Or just introduce yourself! I was a student here before becoming your Campus Officer, and I'm still a student here now, so I want students to feel that they have someone on campus they can actually approach. 

One last thing… 

Your first few weeks can go incredibly quickly. There will be new names, new rooms, new systems and probably quite a few emails! You don't need to figure everything out immediately. 

Ask questions, speak to people, use the support available to you and give yourself the chance to enjoy university as well as study. CU Coventry might be a smaller campus, but you're still part of a much bigger student community - make the most of both. 

I’m looking forward to meeting you around campus. Welcome to CU Coventry, and I hope you have a brilliant start to your journey here! 

Abdullah.