University of Reading Outreach Trip
By Grace Kendall, SUN Outreach Co-ordinator
For many students, visiting a university campus for the first time can be very impactful, broadening horizons and highlighting possible pathways. Recently, nearly 40 students from St Vincent Sixth Form College had the opportunity to experience university life during a trip to University of Reading; the feedback from the students post-event echoed the importance and impact that trips like this mean to students.
I got an idea of how uni life would look. I discovered a whole new world inside the campus. The student union had shops, a social club and even a hairdressers and mobile phone shop. I realised there is a whole social side of university such as meeting new friends, house mates, having fun with the clubs and societies. It’s the next step of your life spent with others in the same position as you.
Edie, Student
The day began with a warm welcome from a current University of Reading student, who guided the group around the campus and showed them the many facilities. Students were also given a schedule of lectures and activities designed to mirror the university learning experience.
The trip offered both academic and vocational learners the chance to step into the world of higher education. Throughout the day, students attended subject taster sessions in areas such as digital arts, history, law, media, psychology and sociology. The sessions explored fascinating topics from how companies use influencers to promote products, to discussions around environmental issues such as giving rivers legal rights. These sessions showed students that university learning goes far beyond what they might expect from traditional classroom lessons.
Walking through lecture halls, visiting the library, and exploring the students’ union, all aided the students in imagining what studying at university could really be like. One student, Kaiden, who is currently studying Psychology, Criminology and Law, saw the trip as a valuable opportunity to explore future options.
I thought it would be a good opportunity to see what uni as a whole was like and to get a grasp on what one I would maybe want to go to.
Kaiden, Student
This event was arranged by Claire Swann, our SUN progression Mentor at St Vincent College, alongside teachers at the college to help raise the young people’s aspirations, and debunk some myths around higher education.
We were there with an inner-city London college and our students really benefitted from being in classes with students asking different questions. It was nice for our students to be exposed to different people.
Claire Swann, SUN Progression Mentor at St Vincent College
Experiences like these remind students of the future opportunities available to them. By exploring campuses, attending lectures, and speaking to current students, they gain confidence in their ambitions, and a better understanding of the paths available to them. You can read more about this trip via the article link below.
Grace Kendall
SUN Outreach Co-ordinator
