Study at a time that suits you

Feeling like you’re in an environment that allows you to study when you need and/or want to can help tremendously when it comes to settling down and being able to get on with what you want to do. If anything, the less you need to think about it the better the position you’re in. The university has some really good ways to help you do this.

Library

To access the library, you must have your student card to hand. You can get a temporary 24 hour pass by using your student ID number (you can get three passes per year so try not to forget your card).

Within the library there are also rooms you can book to do anything from practising presentations to doing group study. This is a great service as you can have a location where you can control who’s there and how you work.

24 Hour Suite

This room is accessible to anyone who holds a student ID card at any point in the day/night (as the name suggests). This space is really helpful for when you know going home will mean you’ll get no work done.

I like writing essays here as it’s away from my usual place of study, meaning I would only be going into the essay zone to write, making it easier to get away from distractions.

Course Specific Buildings

During the daytime, the doors to all buildings are generally open, allowing whoever needs to gain access on that day to do so. This changes after hours (around 6pm) where you will need a student ID to get in. Your ID will be specific to your course, for example: as a design student, I would be able to use my ID to get into the Art, Design and Architecture building, but not a science or business building.

When it comes to working late (past midnight) you will be visited by the University’s security team as that’s around the time buildings get closed off for the night. If you have a specific reason to be in a building past these hours (you need a special kind of software you don’t have at home and a looming deadline kind of situation) you can ask security – so long as it’s in advance- about staying later.

Personally, I’ve never had trouble with this system, with it being just a quick conversation, and I find it endlessly helpful to know that if things ever get tight deadline wise, there’s a backup option.

Doors

Rooms that have specialist facilities will often have ID access. This ensures everyone has access to the correct area and can’t wander into somewhere private or not relevant to their degree. This can be a pain if you ever forget your card (which I’d be lying to say I haven’t a couple of times), but it really helps to know you’re safe in your area, without interruption or interference.

Security Cameras and Lighting

The entire campus is fitted with security cameras and lights at regular intervals. The lighting situation is something which has been great for me as all the paths which lead to student accommodation/campus buildings are well lit. This means that walking home later or to another building on campus during the evening doesn’t seem such a daunting thing.

Additionally

If you ever have a concern such as someone being where you don’t think they should be, or any suspicious activity you can report it on the University’s Security Hub 01484 472220 (Ext. 2220). Or get in touch with the university’s on site officer Laura Jackson through email l.jackson@hud.ac.uk or call 01484 472125 or even on her mobile on 07939 466979.

Remember, campus staff will be there for you no matter the time of day/night/year.