Kia ora koutou katoa,

With the month ticking over to July we are officially more than halfway through the year! (Hasn’t that gone quickly!) To celebrate the fact that we are able to hold social functions again, a new event has been added to the Re-Ori calendar specifically for postgraduate students!

The Postgrad Schmooze, on the 9th of July, is an amazing opportunity to make new friends and enjoy some stunning canapés on the house. There will also be representatives from the UC Postgrad community who will join us for the evening. More information can be found here.

As I am sure you are all aware, this year Gradfest was held virtually. A number of useful sessions were held to make sure you get the most out of your postgraduate research experience. If you missed out, or you want to re-watch some sessions, you can find recordings on the PG Research Learn page here.

Thesis in Three (3MT) is happening again this year. If you have not heard of this competition before, the goal is to describe your research in a three minute presentation that includes the use of a single slide. Each year there is a College and University which has some great prize money up for grabs! The details for this year are be finalised, but I thought it would be good to give you a heads-up that it is happening so that you can get prepared! The winners of the UC round will compete in the 3MT competition at the University of Queensland. This year the final competition will be held virtually. More information can be found here.

Last year some of you may have been part of a series of yoga classes that were run specifically for postgrads with a focus on health and wellbeing. This year we are unable to facilitate the same sessions in person, but we have been able to support something that I think is even better. We have teamed up with Yoga LIVE and have put together an amazing deal for postgrads. Three times a week, there will be 20-minute live online yoga classes in a private Facebook group. The goal is to ensure participants are feeling calmer and more focused to manage their workload and lifestyle. This will be kicking off in semester 2 with a special deal of $5 for the first month! Keep your eyes peeled for more info soon. If you would like to know more about how the classes run, check out the link here.

Remember to take care of yourself and your mates during the winter months. UC Student Care is an awesome team that may be able to help you. If you would like to talk with someone, please make an appointment using their online booking system. Their website also has lists of existing online resources that you may find useful. The Mental Health Foundation website has a whole section on apps, e-therapy and guided self-help.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties that will have an impact on your studies, you may be eligible for financial support from grants such as the Kono iti Hardship Grant. Please contact the UCSA Advocacy & Welfare Team to discuss your situation. They will assess your circumstances and may make a further referral to Student Care if your situation fits the criteria for the International Student Welfare Fund.

As always, if you have any ideas on how the UCSA can improve the postgrad experience, please get in contact. I would love to hear your ideas on areas that we can improve on. Feel free to get in contact with me via email: postgraduate@ucsa.org.nz or Facebook.

Ngā mihi,

George Stilwell
Postgraduate Representative
2020 UCSA Executive