Christmas at Aber

Throughout December there are a whole host of festive activities and events to get involved in.

The wonderful ResLife Team have really outdone themsELVES this year as they celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with 12 festive events throughout December. All 12 events will be advertised via Instagram & Facebook (@Bywydaberlife IG and BywydaberLife FB). 

These include, among other things, an Open Mic & Pizza night, Movie Nights, Christmas crafts, free coffee with mince pies and writing cards for the local community – come along and get into the festive swing of things

AberSu are doing some amazing community-focused activities throughout December. Check out the Events pages  Events (abersu.co.uk) for up-to-date information on what is happening and how to get involved.

FREE postcards can be collected and posted at the SU reception desk (available from 1 December) for students to send to friends and/or loved ones

AberGlobal Festivities Day, 9 December, 1pm to 3pm – join our international students at the SU Main Hall to sample traditional food, listen to music, and make crafts, from across the world. This is a free event and everyone is warmly welcomed.

The University will be closed from 5pm on Thursday 22 December 2022 and will reopen as normal on Tuesday 3 January 2022. Staff will not be accessing emails during this time as this is a holiday period for them, so to help you whilst we are closed, we have put together some useful links just in case you need support - particularly if this is your first year at University.

Should you need to contact the University over the closure period, visit Campus Reception (at the entrance to Penglais Campus – open 24/7), or ring the University 24/7 Helpline on 01970 622900.

We have a wide range of learning resources and tools to help you study effectively and develop the skills you need to succeed. 

Both Libraries are open the week before Christmas and support is available from Information Services up to 16:30 on Thursday 22 December. The Libraries reopen fully at 08:30 on Tuesday 3 January.

Many library resources are available online via Primo, the library catalogue. Videos are available on “How to find an e-book” and on accessing resources off-campus. For further online support check out the comprehensive LibGuides

Check out the courses and resources available in LinkedIn Learning whether it is for your assignments or just for fun. You can master Excel or the ukulele, learn new study skills or train your brain for happiness. We’ve listed 12 courses for you to explore over the 12 days of Christmas:

1. The pursuit of happiness: how to train your brain for happiness (54 minutes)
2. Making a Short Film: Start to Finish (4 hours 52 minutes)
3. 5-Day Drawing Challenge: Drawing Inspiration (29 minutes)
4. Sleep is your Superpower (34 minutes)
5. Learning Excel 2021 (47 minutes)
6. Expert tips for answering common interview questions (1 hour 14 minutes)
7. The Courage of Self Compassion (43 minutes)
8. Introduction to photography (1 hour 52 minutes)
9. Learning Study Skills (1 hour 36 minutes)
10. Designing a presentation (56 minutes)
11. Ukulele Lessons: Fundamentals (2 hours 11 minutes)
12. Building self-confidence (18 minutes).

All AU students and staff have access to LinkedIn Learning, and if you activate your account before 6 January 2023 you will automatically be entered into a raffle where you will have the opportunity of winning one of three £20 vouchers.

Our friendly Security team as always will be available and on campus 24/7.  The Security office is based in the Campus Reception Building close to the main entrance to the Penglais campus. They will be managing the access to and safety and security of the University buildings and Halls of Residence during the Christmas break. The team will manage and attend incidents and emergencies on Campus as the first response. The Security office can be contacted on +441970 622 900. 

The accommodation office will be open until 17:00 on Thursday 22 December 2022, it will then close until 08:30 on Tuesday 3 January 2023. If you require any support during this time, you can go to the main campus reception which will be staffed 24/7. Opening hours for Residential social spaces between 22 December 2022 and 3 January 2023:

• Y Sgubor - 24/7 access via Aber Card 
• Y Ffald, - 24/7 access via Aber Card 
  
• Rosser Lounge – 24/7 access via Aber Card 
  
• PJM lounge – 24/7 access via Aber Card.

Accommodation Office opening hours will resume on Tuesday 3 January 2023 at 08:30. Campus Security is available 24 hours a day over Christmas and New Year  and can be contacted on 01970 622900. Please note, for any maintenance issues, welfare or well-being concerns, please call the Security team on 01970 622900. 

The Hugh Owen and Physical Sciences Libraries are fully open: 08:30-22:00: Sunday 18 December – Wednesday 21 December and 08:30-16:30 Thursday 22 December.

The Iris de Freitas Study Room is open 24/7 from 16:30 Thursday 22 December until 08:30 Tuesday 3 January for AU students and staff, providing access to study spaces, PCs, group study, food and drink vending machines and a printer/photocopier.

Entry and exit to the Iris de Freitas room over the holidays is via Aber Card swipe through the Herman Ethé room. Watch the video for directions.

The whole of the Hugh Owen Library and the Physical Sciences Library reopens 08:30 Tuesday 3 January.

Please see our webpages for opening hours for the Hugh Owen Library and the Physical Sciences Library.

The Sports Centre closes at 9pm on 22 December 2022 and re-opens 06.30 on 3 January 2023. The Sports Centre Gym only will be open Thursday 29 and Friday 30 December 9am – 2pm. Meanwhile the unmanned gym located downstairs in Sgubor is open every day throughout Christmas 9am – 9pm. 

Most of our catering outlets will be open until 22 December 2022, and will then re-open on Tuesday 3 January 2023. Individual outlet opening hours can be viewed at Christmas 22 and New Year Opening Hours: Hospitality Services, Aberystwyth University. Please note the local stores including CK’s and Subway will be open throughout except for Christmas Day.

The Advice, Information and Money service will be available up until 22 December 2022 and then will return to normal working hours from 3 January 2023.

Emergency funding  can be administered via student-adviser@aber.ac.uk up until 22 December. Beyond this point arrangements will be made for site security to administer these in emergencies.

Our Student Wellbeing Team will be back in attendance on 3 January 2023. Any online forms that are submitted through the break will be triaged on their return and then students will be contacted.

Urgent concerns related to wellbeing, MH and or safety, please see our Crisis webpage that has helpful information and flowcharts to get you to the right help quickly: In Crisis Now?  : Student Support & Careers Services , Aberystwyth University

General wellbeing information, help and advice, students have access to:

Care First: Care First  : Student Support & Careers Services , Aberystwyth University

Togetherall: Togetherall  : Student Support & Careers Services , Aberystwyth University 

Wellbeing  Service A-Z of wellbeing: A-Z of Wellbeing  : Student Support & Careers Services , Aberystwyth University

MH Crisis. Concerned about your safety? please see our Crisis webpage that has helpful information and flowcharts to get you to the right help quickly: In Crisis Now?  : Student Support & Careers Services , Aberystwyth University

• Your local GP for an urgent appointment: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/directory/gps
• NHS Direct Wales: 111 or 0845 46 47
• Local Accident and Emergency Department: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/directory/hospitals/104
• Dial 999
• The Samaritans: Tel: 116 123 (24 hrs a day, 7 days a week) / Welsh Language Line 0300 123 3011 (7pm- 11pm  only, 7 days a week) /                   Email jo@samaritans.org / Web samaritans.org

Under the care of a GP, MH services or other specialists?: We advise you to consider your needs and access to services over the festive season. Make sure you have enough prescribed medication, and you know when the service will be open for appointments if required. Aberystwyth Local GP and hospital information can be found here: Health in Wales | Postcode Search

Want someone to talk to?: The Samaritans are free and confidential.

• Tel: 116 123 (24 hrs a day, 7 days a week)
• Welsh Language Line 0300 123 3011 (7pm- 11pm  only, 7 days a week)    
• Email jo@samaritans.org    
• Web samaritans.org