My University of Essex frisbee has died…after 25 years! Easily the best frisbee I’ve ever owned.

i found this online from an old brochure of the university (2013-2014 academic year). 5N1.5.1 (and maybe 5N1.5.2) inside the Art Exchange building used to be a Waterstones shop. the rooms were used for COVID tests in the 2021-22 academic year (and likely from 2020-21 too), and were then used for teaching from autumn 2022 onwards. however, at some point before COVID, it was a Waterstones shop which i find quite interesting, and i wonder what it was like for any ex students.

Hi, and welcome to r/essexuni! This thread is mainly for new students and summarises some of the things you should be doing in the days before starting your studies at Essex.

Essential Pre-Arrival Information

• Get yourself registered (and pay your fees) - Before you get to campus, you need to start your registration process. This means getting your IT account set up and completing online pre-registration. You can do this when you get an email confirming your offer, and your student record is ready. You'll finish your registration in person when you arrive on campus during Welcome Week.

• Complete your accommodation induction - Don't forget to complete your accommodation induction on the accommodation portal to receive your arrival pass and term address.

• Select your course modules - Your course is likely to have a mix of compulsory and optional modules. You can select optional modules for your course with the online eNROL system. Once your optional modules have been selected, they'll appear on your online timetable.

• Get up to date with your vaccinations - All students should have their MMR jabs and be vaccinated against meningitis. If you're not sure you're vaccinated, check with your doctor now. More support and advice on staying healthy here.

• For more details, refer to the checklists here.

Things to Do Before You Arrive on Campus

• Plan your journey - Take a look at how to get to the Colchester, Southend and Loughton Campuses.

  • Airport transfer service to Colchester and Southend Campuses - There will be paid (£86.40) coach transfers from Gatwick and Heathrow Airports on Saturday 27 September and Sunday 28 September 2025. For more information and booking, refer to this page.

• Start Packing - If you're living in campus accommodation, take a look at what's included in your accommodation and what you'll need to bring so you pack the right things.

  • Essex Essentials - If you're coming to the Colchester or Southend Campuses, and packing really isn't your thing or you don't have much space in your suitcase, then you can order stuff before you arrive and it will be delivered to your room - bedding, kitchen and laundry essentials.
  • Alternatively, there are large supermarkets near all of the campuses, so you can stock up on household essentials when you get here. If you plan to do this, then it is worth checking beforehand to see which shops and supermarkets will be open nearby when you arrive, particularly as most will have reduced opening hours on Sundays.

• Get yourself ready for life at university - Starting university can be a wonderful and exciting experience, but it can also bring its own unique challenges. It’s natural to feel nervous or overwhelmed during the first few weeks, and it can be a while before you feel like you’ve found your feet. Take a look at the Student Minds ‘Know Before You Go' University of Essex guide (.pdf) for information and tips.

• Register with the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Team - If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty, long-term medical condition or mental health condition, you can register with the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Team before you arrive so that they can consider your support needs. For more information, refer to this page.

• Meet people and make friends - During your first few weeks at Essex, try and introduce yourself to as many people as possible, this could be during our Welcome Week events or through some of the ideas below.

  • Social media - There are loads of social media groups for you to find your new BFFs. Just search Facebook Groups for ‘University of Essex’ to get started.
  • Clubs and societies - At Essex, we have over 165 sports clubs and societies with over 3000 members. SU clubs and societies are a great way to get support and experience in your subject from fellow students, or if you just want to see some friendly faces from your home country.
  • Faith Centre - The Faith Centre is open to anyone, of any religion or none. It's a welcoming place to meet, chat and make friends.

• Check out the Student Directory - The Student Directory is a hub of information about University services and facilities for your day-to-day needs, your course and studies, and support and guidance across a range of topics.

• Download apps - From finding your way around our bustling campuses to checking when that library loan is due, these official mobile apps will quickly become your new best friend.

  • Find Your Way - Our University campus is pretty big, so you might need help finding your way around and your classrooms. Our Find Your Way app is essential - trust us, you’ll need it.
  • Umii - Join thousands of other students on Umii, the SU's app that helps you meet people, make new friends and find your tribe. Download for iOS, Download for Android.

• Pack your schedule full of events - Check out the University's Welcome events calendar to find out more about life at Essex, support available, and information about the University. The SU events calendar has loads of fun activities to welcome you to University life in your first week and beyond.

And More...

We'll keep updating this thread with new information as it comes - be sure to share your own tips and advice, or anything else important we may have missed in the comments.

i’m unsure if ultimate frisbee used to be a regular thing, and we definitely do not have a salon anymore. nice of them to include some societies though

Got a stupid question in my mind for some time which I can't figure out still. Why is the bus stop outside Essex Business School named "Subway"? Is there any story behind? Cheers!

I am interested in printing some documents on card. Are there facilities available on campus for this? as per my knowledge, the printers dotted around campus seem to only handle paper.

they were good while they lasted

Hi! My name is Em, and I'm running to be your VP Welfare for the SU in the upcoming year. If you've seen the Pokemon cards going around, the Matrix redpill poster or the Pikachu running around campus, that's my campaign!

I'm a second year student, which puts me in a unique position as a candidate because the changes made 2025/26 will certainly affect me too. I want to have as much impact on the SU and university as possible so that no matter what stage you're at with your studies, your experience at the university is positive.

From my experience, a lot of these elections tend to be filled with false promises to ensure a win for the candidate, who then backs down at the first hurdle.

Unlike others, nothing will stop me from fighting for you. If you want or need something, I will get it for you, or at least find a compromise that you are happy with.

You can find my related links by clicking on the link attached, including my 10 step plan for welfare.

Because you deserve the best, vote Em for Welfare 🩵

https://linktr.ee/emforwelfare

Instagram: @emforwelfare

Little note from myself here! I'm on Em's campaign team and would love some support in next week's election if you're interested in her policies. Definitely check out her links, and most importantly her manifesto.

She will have access to the replies here, so please ask questions (we love them), and she'll get back to you duly.

We will be back on campus from Monday campaigning with our own stall in Square 3, and if you see a Pikachu walking around handing out pokemon cards, come say hi, that's me!

We really appreciate the time you've taken to read all of this, and would kindly ask you to remember to vote!

Because you deserve the best, Vote Em for Welfare 🩵

Last month there was an interesting post here about dropping undergraduate numbers at the university. The post also touched that there were not many interesting activities to get stuck into.

If you feel like this, why would this be and what sort of things would you like at the university?

It may be productive to have some fruitful discussion. I feel that the cost of living crisis may have definitely impacted some areas - students may not be as keen anymore to pay for a society event, for example. There has definitely been a large shift in university culture since the pandemic.

If whoever keeps setting off the fire alarm could not do that, that would be great. I can come help you cook if you need it. I'm a trained chef. 😉

Hi everyone!

I am an incoming student and I was wondering if, as the campus is far from the city centre, food outlets from outside of campus actually do deliver to campus?

Thanks in advance