My Experience with YSJ Student Services
I’ve been in full-time education with York St John for four years. In that time, I have turned to several of the university’s student services for support and guidance. My experience with YSJ Student Services has made me feel secure and advocated for within the YSJ community and this is why!
Wellbeing and Welfare
The first student service I connected with was the wellbeing and welfare team. I started seeing the wellbeing team for mental health support during my first year. We continued these sessions periodically throughout my entire university journey. Their support offered me guidance throughout my bachelor’s degree and I am forever grateful for what our sessions have granted me. The team provides mental health, emotional, and wellbeing support to everyone in the YSJ community. If you feel you might benefit from their support, I recommend self-referring for an appointment or attending one of their drop-in sessions.
The university’s Welfare Advisers can provide guidance on welfare challenges, including sexual assault, domestic violence, pregnancy, police or crime matters, or other issues having a serious impact on you or your studies. I have visited the welfare team once while at YSJ, following an incident off campus on a night out. The team listened to my story, provided further helpful resources, and assisted me with reporting the incident to the police. Having the team there to help me through such a distressing event made me feel incredibly supported and advocated for. If you are facing a welfare challenge and need support, you can make an appointment with a welfare adviser or use the online Report and Support service to make a report of bullying, harassment, racism, sexual misconduct, or hate crime. Reports can be made anonymously or with contact details.
Disability Support
Despite knowing about Disability Support throughout my time at YSJ, I didn’t reach out to them until my master’s degree. I have struggled with dyslexia since I was a child, and despite getting extra support for it during my early education, I have never been officially diagnosed. Since I didn’t have a diagnosis, I assumed I would not be eligible for extra support despite knowing I needed it. I was halfway through my master’s when I discovered the university offers a free online dyslexia screening to help those with dyslexia get a Learner Adjustment Plan. Following the screening, I made an appointment with a YSJ disability practitioner to discuss a LAP. I really wish I had done this sooner! My plan provided me with the extra support I needed to reach my full potential. My disability practitioner even advised me on resources available in the university library that could offer me further support.
Disability Support is available to current students with a long-term health condition, mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty. If this sounds like you, I recommend registering for support and having a chat with the team to see what they can do for you!
Student Careers Support and Opportunities
Of all the student services I have used while at YSJ Careers and Opportunities has provided me with the most! The team supports students with finding part-time jobs, provides local internship roles and global opportunities, and hosts workshops designed to increase employability and career skills.
Through Careers and Opportunities, I have found and worked in internship roles in the university and the York area. These internships have granted me amazing working experience and industry skills. More recently, I applied for their Kickstart Programme to help develop my entrepreneurial idea. This programme provided me with a business advisor, funding, and skills workshops, all of which supported me in getting my start-up off the ground!
The team also provides lifelong career support to all YSJ alumni. Since graduating, I have received guidance from the team with updating my CV, writing cover letters, and building my LinkedIn presence.
