Joshie Christian, VP Education
Exam Season is upon us (so good luck from all of us at SUSU!), so it’s time for another Exam Season Special, including a few updates/reminders plus info about free giveaways and events that tap into that need to get in a break to destress.
Getting ahead with some exam season info!
Exam error reporting changes! I covered the main changes in Semester 1, but working with your feedback from that version, we’ve made a few tweaks!
We’ve clarified that the big issues (the ones that affect all students at once, like when formula sheets, diagrams, or other exam materials are missing) should still be fixed by the exams team during the exam.
We’ve made sure the process is just as quick and easy in Computer-Aided exams, with a dedicated CA Exam sheet for you to log the error.
We’re encouraging invigilators to minimise disruption to your exam time by allowing you to fill in your sticker during the exam and then completing the log of the error after the exam is over.
I’ll also be available by email to support with any questions during and after exam season, and I’m always happy to make sure we receive clear communication about how errors are being handled; email me via vpeducation@soton.ac.uk!
Bring your ID Card to your exams! You will need to show your card at the door (or on the MySouthampton App in a pinch), and you will need to check your seat number in advance. I always forget and have to traipse up to the front of the room to ask where my seat is! If you need calculators but forget one last minute, we have a stock of them in the SUSU Shop!
Remember that the timetable changes! The examination timetable can sometimes change last minute, even during the exam season, so keep an eye on it! Most changes are also communicated to you through an email, but if something changes and you spot that no email was sent, let me know, and we’ll follow up on making sure everyone is kept informed.
Events and giveaways for SUSU’s “You Are More Than”
My team are zipping from campus to campus (we’ve been to WSA and Avenue already this week) with free fruit, pastries, breakfast bars, plus our ever-popular sleep kits, some exam season info booklets, and all the time in the world to say hi to you wherever you are and chat about how exam season is going. We want to give you opportunities to access the rest, enrichment, or support that this month might be lacking right now, so look out for the You Are More Than activities.
And it doesn’t end there! Rounding off the exam season package we have:
Dig through the full list of what’s on – Alongside Sabbs on Tour, other events for the campaign include Give It A Go sessions with Zumba and Yoga!
My blog from last semester on the cosy study spots you might have forgotten…
The campaign playlist is about looking after your mental health and taking breaks!
Good luck – we’re here for you!
As always, reach out if there’s anything that needs sorting, and we will let you know how we can support you! Don’t forget to vote in the Summer Elections from the 12th to the 14th of March, and I can’t wait to meet all of you who are about to join our wonderful Senior Reps!!!
All the very best from me,
Joshie Christian – VP Education
Emma Brown, Union President
University of Southampton Travel Survey – I need your help!
We need as many people as possible to complete the University’s travel survey. I’ve been working loads on buses this year – there’s a real chance we can make important changes to the buses before September, but we need the evidence to do so. Share the survey with your friends and add as much detail as you can. Real changes could happen: new routes, better frequency, price changes, and other transport improvements. But none of that happens if we can’t show there’s a problem. That evidence has to come from you.
So, if you’ve ever been stuck waiting for a bus that didn’t show up, or stuck like sardines in a busy bus, or just wish getting to campus wasn’t such a nightmare – fill in the survey and tell us all about it.
SUSU History Project
I’m also working on a project celebrating SUSU’s history and I’d love your help. Got any old photos of the University or SUSU? Know any alumni who might have some? Drop me an email at president@soton.ac.uk – I’d really love to hear from you on this.
Exam Season Treats in the Meal Deal!
Exams are nearly here, so good news – select lollies and slushies are now included in the SUSU shop meal deal! Treat yourself, you’ve earned it.
Renting Changes You Need to Know About
The Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect 1st May 2026, and it affects anyone in private rented accommodation. Your 12-month contract automatically switches to a rolling tenancy, rent increases get more notice, and landlords have less power to evict. If you’re planning to leave on your original end date, give two months’ notice to be safe. This doesn’t apply to university halls or private halls (PBSAs). Get in touch with the Advice Centre if you have any questions – you can meet with an advisor for free, confidential support.
Ge 'Sparkle' Gao, VP Communities
Over the past month, I’ve mainly been working on planning and filming anti-fraud content, focusing on issues that are especially relevant to students, such as job scams and impersonation scams. I’ve also been working closely with societies, helping with photography and content to boost visibility and engagement. As activities resume after the Easter break, if any societies would like to film promo videos or collaborate on content, feel free to email me or drop a DM to @susu_socs on Instagram 🙂
In addition, communication with Chinese students is an area I have been actively and consistently developing throughout my time in this role. I have explored a variety of methods and platforms to better reach and engage Chinese students. However, careful analysis has shown that WeChat has underperformed as a communication channel for SUSU, while effective use of Xiaohongshu brings considerable cost and resource challenges. While this is really disappointing, I remain committed — alongside SUSU — to improving our engagement with Chinese students and to continuing to seek more effective and sustainable alternatives.
So I’d really like to hear directly from Chinese students. If most information is shared only through platforms like Instagram, does that feel accessible to you? Or do you feel like you’re not being fully reached or represented? What platforms do you usually rely on? If WeChat and Xiaohongshu aren’t options, what would work better for you?
If you have any thoughts, I’d genuinely love to hear them — you can email me at vpcommunities@soton.ac.uk or message @susu_socs on Instagram. I’ll be reading all the feedback carefully, and I really hope to use it to push for more inclusive and effective communication for Chinese students.
Inclusion Update
This fortnight, your inclusion update is being written by Joshie, your VP Education.
Students have had feedback about the recent redesign of many of the University of Southampton’s webpages. I’ve been working with the Digital Accessibility team to highlight the accessibility issues that the redesign has posed, including the heavy use of serif fonts, poor contrast, and issues with screen readers. If you have any comments or feedback, please contribute to the conversation and help me out in our efforts to have these issues addressed. Email me via vpeducation@soton.ac.uk!
Travis Arthur, VP Sports
With the support of Southampton Sport, I have secured Sponsorship for this year’s Team Southampton Sports Awards. This contribution has enabled the ticket cost to be reduced significantly for all clubs and teams to just £18 per person, helping ensure the event remains accessible and inclusive for as many students as possible. The Team Southampton Sports Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals, teams, and clubs across Team Southampton over the past year. The awards ceremony takes place on Friday 01 of May at St Mary’s Stadium. All nominations will be reviewed by myself (VP Sports), the Sports Executive Committee, and the Sports Coordinators, with priority consideration given to graduating students to ensure their contributions are recognised before leaving the University. The evening will include a two-course meal, two complimentary drink tokens, photo opportunities within the stadium, and a DJ to round off the celebrations after the awards ceremony. Let’s make this year’s awards bigger and better than ever – secure your tickets and get ready for an unforgettable night of celebrating Team Southampton’s successes.
Varsity tickets are now on sale via the Box Office, and preparations are well underway for another exciting week of competition and Team Southampton spirit. This year, there are two ticket options available: a standard Varsity ticket (Without the after party) for £20, and a Varsity ticket including the After Party for £26. Both options include a Varsity T-shirt as well as transport to and from fixtures during the main Varsity week, helping ensure players and supporters can travel together and fully take part in the experience. Varsity T-shirts will be available for collection from SUSU Reception from 20 April, with sizes ranging from Small to 2XL. Shirt sizes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and ticket confirmation from the Box Office will be required for collection. We look forward to bringing the Team Southampton community together once again for an unforgettable Varsity week and encourage everyone to secure their tickets and get involved.
The Varsity After Party ticket includes a Fishies wristband, providing entry until 23:20 to the official Varsity After Party hosted at Circuit on Sunday 10 May. Entry after 23:20 is not guaranteed, and further details on wristband collection will be shared soon. While entry may be available on the door, this will depend on venue capacity and cannot be guaranteed.
You can also reach me anytime via the @team_soton Instagram, on Teams or by email at vpsports@soton.ac.uk. Alternatively, you can book in a meeting with me via my bookings page.
You Make Change Updates
You Make Change update: Thank you as always for your ideas and queries. We look forward to receiving more submissions in the next two weeks!
