Valentine’s Day Special

Navigating love and everything in-between at university can feel… complicated.

In this #ValentinesDay episode of #ARUReadsReddit, Ellen is joined by Sharon (Domestic Abuse Education) and Sophie (Domestic Abuse Awareness Ambassador & Sexual Violence Advocate) to dive into real stories and questions about relationships at university.

Together, they unpack what healthy vs. unhealthy relationships look like, how to balance romance and studying, managing competitive partners, and what really happens to uni relationships after graduation.

Expect honest conversations, expert insight, personal experiences—and of course—a look at Reddit’s top comments to see how their advice stacks up.

🧵 Reddit Stories:

01:28: Are long-term relationships possible at uni? Are long term relationships possible in uni? : r/UniUK - (https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/1iwpdyf/are_long_term_relationships_possible_in_uni/)

07:47: Is it normal for my boyfriend to compete with me academically? Is it normal for my boyfriend to compete with me in uni : r/relationship_advice - (https://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/comments/gv7ptl/is_it_normal_for_my_boyfriend_to_compete_with_me/)

26:47: Do uni relationships survive after graduation? uni relationships after graduation? : r/UniUK - (⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/1jmzvn2/uni_relationships_after_graduation/⁠) #ARUInLove Stories: those who met their partners at ARU: https://www.aru.ac.uk/aru-in-love

Alumni Office support: https://www.aru.ac.uk/graduation-and-alumni

💙 Need support?

If anything discussed today resonates with you, ARU offers:

Sharon, Domestic Abuse Education: https://domesticabuseeducation.co.uk/team-member/sharon-livermore-mbe/

Domestic Abuse Awareness Ambassadors: http://arul.ink/m/DA-and-SV-support

Sexual Violence Advocacy Service: https://www.aru.ac.uk/current-students/health-and-wellbeing/sexual-violence-support

Wellbeing and counselling services: https://www.aru.ac.uk/current-students/health-and-wellbeing/counselling-and-mental-health-support

You’re never alone - reach out whenever you need to talk.

🎧 Watch, listen & join the conversation

This episode is available in both audio and video. Watch more from the ARU Reads Reddit playlist here: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYYDrq64zvBDoiV4BgU2sFH0IaAIb7bjc

💬 Featuring insights on:

What healthy relationship behaviours look like

Recognising red flags and unhealthy dynamics

Balancing love, friendships, and your academic journey

How relationships can evolve after uni

Real ARU stories - including couples who met at ARU, proposed at graduation, or found their way back to each other years later

How to access support from ARU services

For an accessible version of this episode watch on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: https://youtu.be/qoJQ1ayL41w

Production: Hannah Gladwin

Sound & video: Rowan James

We’re back again chatting all things student life and this time we’re taking on winter wellbeing. ❄️ 

Ellen is joined by El from Team ARU and Alex from the iCentre to talk January Blues, staying active when it’s freezing outside, handling finalyear stress, and finding that sweet balance between uni, exercise and having an actual social life. 

If you're starting uni in January, stressing about deadlines, or just trying to get through the darker months without hibernating — we’ve got you. 

Jump to the good bits: 
00:00: Intro  

01:21: Starting uni in winter (and surviving it) https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/17kqi9c/winter_depression/

18:22: Struggling in your final year?  https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/t921ca/are_any_other_final_year_students_really/

25:30: Balancing study, health, work + social life / https://www.reddit.com/r/productivity/comments/zgsdrc/how_to_manage_uni_work_and_socializing_and_gym/  

Resources:  

ARU wellbeing support: https://aru.ac.uk/wellbeing  
Sport at ARU: https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/student-experience/sport 

Mental health resources: https://arul.ink/m/mental-health 

Chat to a current student: https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/chat-to-our-students 
Book your next Open Day: https://aru.ac.uk/openday 

For an accessible version of this episode watch on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube (⁠https://youtu.be/uv8Nis159Fw)

Production: Hannah Gladwin 
Sound & video: Rowan James 

#TeamARU #ARUSport #JanuaryBlues 

Today we’re discussing some haunted halls and being ghosted by your landlord…

Atticus and Stewart from the Residential Team at ARU join our host Ellen to chat about some of these questions that Redditors have asked about housing at university.

Halloween Pumpkins Event Info:

🎃 Chelmsford Campus
📍Students' Union 🗓️ Monday 27 October 🕓 16:00 – 18:00 🎃 55 Pumpkins

__________

🎃 Writtle Campus
📍The Baa 🗓️ Tuesday 28 October 🕖 19:00 – 21:00 🎃 60 Pumpkins

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🎃 Cambridge Campus
📍The Coslett Café 🗓️ Wednesday 29 October 🕓 16:00 – 18:00 🎃 95 Pumpkins

Resources:

Accommodation at ARU: https://arul.ink/accommodation

Private housing information: https://arul.ink/private-rented

ARU Student Pad: https://www.angliastudentpad.co.uk/

ARU Guarantor Service Provided by Housing Hand: https://housinghand-8789491.hs-sites.com/aru

House Hunting team email: [email protected]

Read the original Reddit stories here:

If you have any thoughts or advice for the posters, please leave a comment below!

• Story one: I think my flatmate is avoiding us: r/UniUK https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/1g6758k/i_think_my_flatmate_is_avoiding_us/
• Story two: My roommate and I are too poor rn to go all out with decorations but we I love halloween : r/halloween: https://www.reddit.com/r/halloween/comments/j3hr90/my_roommate_and_i_are_too_poor_rn_to_go_all_out/
• Story three: Nearly a month into tenancy and still haven't heard from or seen landlord. : r/UniUK: https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/ptvjoy/nearly_a_month_into_tenancy_and_still_havent/

For an accessible version of this episode watch on ⁠YouTube (https://youtu.be/6l4IyTp10lA)

Production: Hannah Gladwin

Sound, video recording: Rowan James

Sound, video editing: Rowan James

A podcast exploring emotions, sustainability and positive action, with Professor Rosie Robison

Feeling overwhelmed by climate change? In the third edition of this podcast, ARU Professor of Social Sustainability Rosie Robison explores whether encountering new environments and cultures can help shift our perspectives.

Joined by nature and education expert Dan Ryan and environmental social scientist Dr Zareen Bharucha, they explore the role of emotion in sparking meaningful action.

By the end of the episode, you might just discover some surprising reasons to feel more positive. Dive deeper into these conversations on Rosie’s website: www.begreenchange.com

For an accessible version of this episode watch on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ (⁠⁠https://youtu.be/AclqDK94UfA⁠⁠)

Listen to previous episodes: ⁠Spotify⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/45DYDgrS4rJmjVK51iTkiA?si=3NUspB_fTwiKOagp1b4qsQ) and ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ (⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aru-podcast/id1469428173).

Production: Rosie Robison and Rowan James

Sound recording and editing: Rowan James

Once again, we are reacting to Reddit threads, where we answer your questions around all things university. In this episode, we discuss Results Day and Clearing… and even react to one Redditor who is overthinking accepting their offer at ARU – what will Ellen, Tom and Alex have to say about that?

As our guests mentioned, our Clearing staff and student ambassadors are a friendly bunch and are here to guide you through your options.

Call us on 01245 686868 or visit aru.ac.uk/clearing to find out more.

Jump to each discussion here:

01:28: How does Clearing work? https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/10ucudn/how_does_clearing_work/

08:17: Results Day stress: https://www.reddit.com/r/alevel/comments/1eptr9z/results_day_stress/

13:15: Can we learn which courses are going to be in Clearing? https://www.reddit.com/r/6thForm/comments/1jtpzfh/can_we_learn_which_courses_are_going_to_be_on/

18:48: Regret accepting Anglia Ruskin offer? https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/1jnev6t/regret_accepting_anglia_ruskin_offer/

Watch episode 2 ‘Mapping out your student journey’, where we discuss Open Days, starting university and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om3GAcqNi3g

Chat to a current student: Chat to our students or staff - ARU (https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/chat-to-our-students)

For an accessible version of this episode watch on Youtube (https://youtu.be/lDj4sUrS_XM)

Production: Hannah Gladwin

Sound, video recording: Rowan James

Sound, video editing: Rowan James

In this episode of ARU Reads Reddit; Ellen, Karl and Ross give their take on starting university as a queer person, support from ARU, what to wear on pride - and more! 🏳️‍🌈

For support, visit: https://www.angliastudent.com/advice/https://www.aru.ac.uk/current-students/health-and-wellbeing?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=wellbeing

Check out our video - What's everyone wearing at Cambridge Pride 🌈https://www.instagram.com/reel/DK9mJrgMV08/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MTJoODV5MGE4NWV0Yw==

For an accessible version of this episode watch on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx7u2Qfsw0c)

Production: Hannah Gladwin, Ada Tuna

Sound, video recording: Rowan James

Sound editing: Rowan James

Video editing: Ada Tuna

Introducing our second episode of ARU Reads Reddit. The them of this episode is 'mapping out your student experience' - Ellen, Partha and Tammi discuss whether Open Days are useful, commuting vs. living away from home and your unpopular opinions. The question is... do you need a chore chart?

Timestamps:

01:24: How important are Open Days? r/UniUK: https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/1fbseyz/how_important_are_open_days/?rdt=59271

10:00: Commuting to university: r/UniUK: https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/153rvev/commuting_to_university/

20:05: What is actually your unpopular uni opinion? r/UniUK: https://www.reddit.com/r/UniUK/comments/1bfek9c/what_is_your_actually_unpopular_uni_opinion/

Book your Open Day: https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/open-day/open-day-form-ug

Choosing where to live: at home or on campus? https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/preparing-for-study/where-to-live-at-university

For an accessible version of this episode watch on Youtube (https://youtu.be/om3GAcqNi3g)

Production: Hannah Gladwin

Sound, video recording and editing: Rowan James

A podcast exploring emotions, sustainability and positive action, with Professor Rosie Robison

Feeling overwhelmed by climate change? In the second edition of this podcast, ARU Professor of Social Sustainability Rosie Robison explores why the obvious action may not always be the most helpful one, when it comes to managing our feelings about climate change. Joined by child and adolescent therapist Deb Lane and activist Manda Brookman, they explore the role of emotion in sparking meaningful action. By the end of the episode, you might just discover some surprising reasons to feel more positive. Dive deeper into these conversations on Rosie’s website: www.begreenchange.com (https://www.begreenchange.com)

Details of books mentioned in this episode: “Don't even think about it, why our brains are wired to ignore climate change” by George Marshall; “Wilful Blindness” by Margaret Heffernan; “Rocking the boat” by Debra Meyerson.

Event presented as part of the Cambridge Festival (https://www.aru.ac.uk/events/cambridge-festival) .

For an accessible version of this episode watch on ⁠YouTube⁠ (⁠https://youtu.be/GT3CLkmnr3M⁠)

Listen to the previous episode: Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qYGeL9nHn2rQkKtEYeqNZ?si=bd78f159bf2e49c7) and Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-feel-better-about-climate-change/id1469428173?i=1000673577274).

Production: Rosie Robison and Rowan James

Sound recording and editing: Rowan James

In this episode of our podcast, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Peter Cowley about the important role accelerators play in the success of start-ups. We explored crucial topics such as the ideal timing for a start-up to seek accelerator support, how to choose the right accelerator, and the significant impact accelerators have on the overall growth of a company. Additionally, we explored the details of equity arrangements within these settings. During our discussion, we asked several key questions to Dr. Cowley, including an explanation of what an accelerator programme is and how it differs from other forms of start-up support, the key benefits entrepreneurs can gain from participating in accelerator programmes, and how to identify and choose the right accelerator. We also discussed the role of mentorship in the success of start-ups within accelerator programmes, the qualities successful accelerator applicants typically possess, and how accelerator programmes assist start-ups in navigating the complexities of IP commercialisation. Dr. Cowley also shared his insights on the importance of having a clear IP strategy before entering an accelerator programme and his vision for the future of accelerator programmes and their impact on the start-up ecosystem.