What's a Wobble Week and why do we do it?
Wobble Week is a retention model used at numerous universities across the UK. It exists in recognition of the fact that around this time in the autumn term, many students, especially first year students, can experience a ‘wobble’. This can be big or small and Wobble Week is in place to provide targeted, practical, and pastoral support to our students.
Every year, we collect data from students on the key challenges they are facing, which is then used in order to design a programme of events which directly responds to the needs and issues identified. We provide everything from welfare chats and signposting to support services, to hands-on academic sessions for when it’s all feeling a bit much, to a range of wellbeing initiatives and activities specifically designed to facilitate friendship-making and a sense of belonging. Most importantly, we work hard to normalise the message that ‘It’s Okay to Wobble’ and even to be expected to wobble and to make students feel cared for and supported at St Mary’s.
Read our report from Wobble Week 2022
Led by the Student Engagement Team in Widening Participation since 2021, we are delighted to now collaborate on this project with the Students’ Union.
What's going on in Wobble Week?
Wobble Week 2023 takes place from Monday 30th October - Friday 3rd November and includes a range of amazing free events for students. This includes free lunches, sports events, massages, autumnal walks, shared stories from other students about their own wobbles, aromatherapy, support sessions, and much more!
All events are completely free and open to all students, but please be aware that booking is required for the following sessions due to limited spaces:
- Aromatherapy Session: Create your own wellbeing products! Come, relax, and make some self-care aromatherapy items. Perfect for gifts, or just for you! Sign up for this session.
- Spooky Halloween Castle tour! Get free access to the spooky Halloween castle tour (usually priced at £17) and find out the hidden secrets of our very own Gothic castle on campus! Sign up for this session.
Watch out for our Wobble Box, which will be at many of the events throughout the week and in the Shannon Corridor throughout much of Wobble Week. Share a wobble or give advice anonymously to be in with a chance to enter our prize draw.
You can also share your wobbles directly online. Complete the survey between Monday 30th October and Wednesday 6th November to be in the draw.
Location: Sport Rehab Clinic (Room 45)
Sign up live, or email rehabclinic@stmarys.ac.uk to book your 30-min slot!
Location: Meet at the main reception
Relax, unwind, and discover the beautiful woods of St Mary's
Location: the Refectory (Ref)
Location: Outside K Block
Location: SU Bar
Get creative this spooky season!
Location: DV Cafe
Meet your Inclusion, International, Disabled, LGBT, Race Equity, Women's, Mature, & Faith & Culture chairs!
Location: SU Bar
Join us to mark Men's Mental Health Month!
Location: Turret Room, Strawberry Hill House (the white castle on campus)
Location: Student Services
Location: Dance Studio
Your choice of virtual fitness classes.
Location: Performance Hall (Sport St Mary’s)
Location: Outside K Block
Free tea & coffee with your SU. Running everyday during Wobble Week!
Location: Library
Get support with everything from navigating the library's resources, to referencing, academic writing, & your IT issues!
Location: The DV Cafe
Come & meet the Race Equity Network & enjoy some free Chai.
Location: Student Services
Location: DV Cafe
A social for all who took part in the SU buddies scheme this year!
Location: Outside K block
Location: The Chaplaincy
Have free hot chocolates, get crafty, & write home (stamps on us!)
Location: Meet at the main entrance to Strawberry Hill House
Note – this event has limited spaces. You can reserve your spot.
Location: Shannon Corridoor
Location: outside K Block
Location: Sport Rehab Clinic (Room 45) Sign up live, or email rehabclinic@stmarys.ac.uk to book your 30-min slot!
Location: Meet at Main Reception
Location: Outside K block
Location: DV Café and Zoom
Wobble Week advice from former students and staff
During lockdown, we asked graduates, students and staff for their advice on 'wobbles'. We start off with Jade Salim, Head of Department for Sport and Exercise Science, who has a strong message for anyone struggling with motivation during a tough challenge. Other speakers talk about homesickness, finding your essay writing style, and how to get support as a parent at uni. It also features lacrosse, true-crime podcasts, and a small dog called Buddy.
Contact Us
For more information about Wobble Week, or to get involved, email Elizabeth Parker: studentengagement@stmarys.ac.uk