My Experience with Student Support Services at Queen’s
Queen's student bloggers share their experiences of the plethora of support services offered by the university, from academic skills to cost of living schemes.
Careers, Employability and Skills
"In the final year of my undergraduate degree I needed support with writing my CV. Queen's has an expert team within the QUB Careers, Employability and Skills department which were very helpful in giving me tips to write an effective CV. They offer one-to-one appointments to tailor the advice towards my needs, however, there also is the VMock Checker that uses AI to provide detailed feedback in less than 15 seconds! I found this very helpful especially when I was busy juggling my schedule and applying for jobs."
Priscilla Jeyaraj, PhD Medicine, Malaysia
Immigration and visa support
"A few months after coming to Northern Ireland I had some questions regarding my immigration status. Queen’s offers valuable advice on any queries you might have as an international student. Not only that, but they’re right there with you along the way with any immigration decisions you might take or documentation. Stop by for a 5-minute consultation, or if your question is a little more complex, you can e-mail them and request a full meeting!
I’ve also benefited greatly from the Student Wellbeing Service in the One Elmwood building. It’s a safe and confidential space where you can go for any issues with wellbeing and mental health. It’s so important to take care of ourselves and know that there’s help and support here at anytime of day."
Miguel Ruiz Reyes, Psychological Sciences, El Salvador
Bereavement support and Mind Your Mood
"At the start of my second year, I faced a family bereavement and Queen’s was very accommodating to me when I had to travel home for the wake and funeral. I also volunteered at a wellbeing event hosted by the Law Society (in partnership with Mind Your Mood) during my second year, which was a really great event, and I was able to help students get in contact with support services!"
Grace Nelson, LLB Law with Spanish, Donegal, Ireland
Student Wellbeing Service
"I have used the student wellbeing service. The staff there were lovely and provided me with a lot of support; and got me connected with third party support."
Keith See Choy Xing, Law, Malaysia
Cost of living support and Academic English skills
"Queen’s recent initiative to offer free breakfast was an excellent approach to deal with the economic issues many students are facing. I made use of this support initiative and took part in spreading the word through social media. Apart from this, I find the student information point at One Elmwood to be a useful spot for any queries or help!
Moreover, I have attended the Academic English classes during both the first and second semester, which qualified me for a Future-Ready Award! The many support services available in Queen’s, be it The Pantry or the clothing store or the career support, have proven to be commendably helpful in grappling with university challenges!"
Natasha Charles, Anthropology and English, India
Learning Development Service
"I honestly wish I had used them sooner. I found the LDS writing support particularly helpful when I have been unsure how to approach assignments or need academic advice. I also found their services incredibly helpful during exam and assignment season, particularly in my final year when stress levels were high. The staff in both services have been reassuring and understanding and it really helped to know I wasn’t alone in how I was feeling – I can’t recommend these services enough! Through them, Queen’s has created a supportive environment that makes a real difference."
Chloe McCann, BA English, NI
"Queen's cares about every individual student"
"I'm incredibly grateful for them. It is wonderful to feel so supported by the university. Services like The Pantry are a consistent reminder that Queen's cares about every individual student. We aren't just numbers or statistics; we are human beings, and the people at Queen's are dedicated to ensuring we thrive."
Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera, MA Creative Writing, New York, USA
Find out more
A Guide to Support Services at Queen’s
Nurturing Yourself: Relaxation Tips for Queen’s Students
Looking After Your Mental Health as a Queen’s University Student