Category Archives: Behaviour and Responsibilities

Behaviour and Responsibilities, Health and Wellbeing, Our Community, Wellbeing

Think First – Winter Wellness

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Winter can be tough. It’s cold, the days are short, and it can be hard to motivate yourself to stay active. Sometimes you just want to eat some comfort food, curl up on the sofa and watch Netflix. However you’re feeling, here are a few ways to help get you through the winter staying healthy and well. 

Schedule down time and get plenty of sleep  

Lack of sleep combined with too much stress makes you more susceptible to illnesses. Getting a good night’s sleep helps your body recover and fend off infection, while time spent relaxing and doing activities you enjoy will help you feel less stressed. If you feel overwhelmed with study, try planning your week ahead and include time for leisure. Visit our support and wellbeing pages to see what support UC can offer. 

Exercise  

Although the cold weather and short days can decrease your motivation, exercise actually helps to build your immune system. Get out into the winter sunshine and breathe in some fresh air. Even a short walk around the block is helpful. Check out the UC RecCentre and see what’s on offer at UC Sport.  

Eat a balanced diet  

In the winter, it is tempting to rely on comfort foods, but it is important to stock up on plenty of fruit and vegetables to give your immune system the fuel and nutrients it needs to thrive. Fresh produce is pricier in the winter, which can be difficult on a student budget, so buy in-season specials. Frozen or canned fruits and vegetables are more affordable while still offering the same health benefits.  

Open windows  

Living in a cold, damp flat can make you sick. Open windows and air out the house for a short time every day, especially when cooking or showering. This will decrease dampness and mould, and make the house easier to heat.  

Stay home if you’re sick  

If you’re feeling unwell the best thing to do is stay at home. Going to that party this weekend might be tempting, but you could pass the virus to your friends and whānau. Stay home, and make sure you and your mates are well enough to enjoy what winter has to offer. The UC Health Centre is here to help you stay healthy and well while you’re studying.   

Behaviour and Responsibilities, Community notice, Health and Fitness

Think first – cycling in winter

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Cycling can be a great way to travel to UC. However, with reduced daylight hours and wet weather, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you and your bike are prepared for riding this winter season.  

Check out our safety tips and stay light, bright and on your bike this winter! 

Ride to the conditions  

  • Wet weather makes surfaces slippery.  
  • Beware of road markings, manhole covers and leaves – try to avoid braking or turning sharply as you cross them.  
  • Ride slower in wet conditions to keep control.  
  • Watch your following distances.  
  • Maintain a good road position and don’t ride in the gutter. 
  • Always watch for cars, other cyclists and pedestrians.   

Use the right gear and equipment  

  • Gloves help you maintain a good grip in cold and wet conditions.  
  • Rain jackets – make sure your jacket won’t get caught in the chain or other moving parts.  
  • Mudguards can help keep you clean (and a little drier) on wet roads.   
  • Lights…and a reflective vest  

Look after your bike   

  • Check your brakes work well, as they can wear down quicker in wet and dirty conditions.  
  • No matter where you leave it, always lock it. We recommend using a good quality D-Lock to deter potential thieves.  
  • Does your bike need some winter TLC to get it road ready? Bring it along to Dr Bike, our free weekly bike service, outside C Block lawn on Thursday afternoons from 1pm – 2.30pm.   
Behaviour and Responsibilities, Community notice, Health and Wellbeing, Student life, The Community, Wellbeing

Think First – Winter Safety

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Welcome to Semester 2! The campus is bustling with lots of people around, so here’s a checklist to keep yourself safe when you’re out and about.  

Be safe on your commute 

  • Allow time to fully defrost your car. It’s not a great look (and also illegal) to peer through a defrosted section the size of your hand!  
  • Take care on painted surfaces and in areas that don’t get much sun during winter when you are walking, scootering or skateboarding.  
  • Consider your footwear (is it really the season for jandles?), use handrails when you can and if it’s safer, opt to walk on the grass during frosty mornings.  

Keep an eye on your surroundings 

We know how easy it is to keep scrolling on your phone while you’re on the move, so make sure you know where you’re going, or who might be coming towards you. Watch out for crowds in between lectures and look up when you’re crossing roads. 

Keep your emergency contact details up-to-date 

Winter is a great time to take a minute to log into myUC and check if your emergency details are still correct.  

Security on UC Te Ara Pourewa o Ngāi Tahu | Help Point Towers  

Have you spotted the Help Towers on campus? There are 13 in total, and you can use them to quickly call Security at any time – push the black button for information and the red button in an emergency.   

Save UC Security’s number in your phone – 0800 823 637  

UC Security staff are on campus 24/7, so someone will always be there to help you in an emergency at UC. Be prepared by saving UC Security’s number in your phone: 0800 823 637. 

Do you know where the Emergency Procedures are located around your lectures?   

All departments have an Emergency Procedures flip chart outlining what to do in different types of emergencies. The flip charts are on display throughout the University and can be found in all lecture theatres. A PDF version of each page can be found on the UC website Emergency Procedures page.  

 Assura: 

We need your help to keep our campus safe. If you see something unsafe or get injured while on campus, it is super easy to let us know. Assura is our easy to use health and safety reporting system. Reporting through Assura will increase our visibility of hazards, so we can correct any issues and make UC safer. Health and safety is everyone’s responsibility, and by working together we can protect our community. More information on reporting an incident or hazard can be found on the UC website Report an Incident page.