Hello and welcome
We have had a great start to the new term, saying hello to over 6,000 new students and welcoming back many more. We hope you have recovered from the thrills (and possibly stress!) of Arrivals day. Here are some lovely photos from our Southend and Colchester campuses to remind you of what we hope was a happy day. This monthly newsletter will keep you in touch with news and events from the University.

Strangers like us much more than we think
Strangers like us much more than we think, so people shouldn't worry too much about striking up a conversation with someone new.  Latest research from Dr Gillian Sandstrom, from our Department of Psychology, found that when meeting people for the first time, we are our own worst critics and consistently underestimate how much someone enjoys our company. This will be welcome news for all our new students, who have lots of opportunities to meet new people through SU activities.

Looking after our students
Angela Jones is our Head of Student Support. She outlined the vision for student wellbeing in her blog post in May. Here she tells us about the services available for students.

We're in Top 30 of Times Good University Guide 2019 
We've been ranked 29th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 - the definitive rankings for UK universities and the most comprehensive overview of higher education in Britain.

Getting involved and making friends
We are proud of our campus communities and the many varied opportunities available to students. Our What's On diary is packed with activities students can easily turn up to on their own - it's a great way to meet others.

Sage advice on flat sharing
We shared an enjoyable chat with Gemma, Tina and Angela, some of our fantastic housekeepers, to learn their top tips on sharing accommodation.

Essex PhD student helps shape immigration policy 
Immigrant workers tend to be more productive than those born in the UK according to an Essex study which will help shape the country's post-Brexit immigration policy. Economics PhD student Julian Costas-Fernandez contributed to the recently-published Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report for the Home Office.

How does the UK treat refugees? 
Our  award-winning THINK series tackles controversial issues and encourages debate on the moral dilemmas that really matter. Open to staff, students and the general public, it kicks off a new season on 17 October with 'Outtrumping Trump' - a look at how the UK treats refugees. We'll hear from Essex law student Rahaf Sallouta, who came to Britain through the United Nations Refugee Council.