As part of the University of Westminster’s ongoing commitment to supporting student transitions, the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation and the University of Westminster Students’ Union (UWSU) hosted the What We Wish You Knew panel series as part of the Quintin Hogg Trust’s Transition Project. The series brought together second and third-year students to share their lived experiences and practical advice with incoming peers across the University, helping them settle into their first year of study.
Each panel welcomed new students and gave them the chance to hear directly from their peers about navigating their first year. Discussions ranged from balancing academic expectations and managing deadlines to building confidence in seminars, making friends and embracing opportunities both on and off campus.
The sessions were moderated by Associate Head of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dr Caroline Smith, Associate Head of Westminster Business School (WBS) Yasmin Kulasi, and the UWSU’s Vice-President for Undergraduate Education Muhammad Barik Ullah. Panellists included Vinayak Batra, Abdeldjouad Chettibi and Zara Farladzhova from Westminster Business School, Charlene Okai, Catherine Mwewa Fumbeshi, Amber Atilgan and Kane Ingham from Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Levroy Mateus Trindade, Swarda Yeolekar and Lara Siburu Poirier from the College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries (DCDI), who all provided thoughtful and inspiring insights for the new students.
The panels also aimed to promote the new My Westminster Journey module, which all incoming foundation, first year and direct entry second year students are automatically enrolled in. The module is designed to introduce and signpost students to the full range of services available across the University and is delivered through weekly themes and videos co-created and filmed with Student Ambassadors. My Westminster Journey reflects the same ethos of peer-to-peer guidance at the heart of the panel series, ensuring that new students feel supported from the very beginning of their journey.
The panels concluded with an invitation to continue these conversations beyond the event itself, encouraging students to stay connected with each other, with the UWSU and with the many services and communities available at the University.
By centring on peer-to-peer advice, the panels reaffirmed a core value of the Quintin Hogg Trust (QHT) Transitions Project, in which students are not just recipients of support, but active co-creators of the university experience. The team involved in the project include Norah Soufraji, Daniela de Dilva and James Fenton, who partnered with UWSU College Coordinators Adnan Rahman, Maya Ismail and Saadah Osman, to host the series.
Dr Caroline Smith said: “This friendly event enabled our fantastic continuing students to share their experiences with our new students offering advice and signposting beneficial societies and support.”
The panel series directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, 4: Quality Education and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation at the University of Westminster.
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