One of the key programmes run by the society is our parenting system which sees students in the years above becoming an immediate port of call for advice and support for our first years whether that’s help with module choices, finding second year accommodation or adjusting to university life.
In the Summer of first year, students ‘propose’ to one another often in funny and surprising ways in order to become parents when they are in their second year. Parents are introduced to their first-year children before they even begin their studies at the University of Birmingham.
All of our families are tailor-made according to forms which are filled out by both parents and children. All events run by the society are available to all students, however we do host particular events to accommodate certain requests from our members, such as events for LGBT+ students, disabled students, and students with a particular hobby or interest. Our socials always accommodate for those who choose not to drink alcohol.
Not only is it extremely useful for first years to have contact with people who have gone through very similar experiences, but parents and children often become great friends allowing different year groups to easily mix as fourth year ‘grandparents’ step in to offer insights into the year abroad experience.
We have an integration rep on committee whose job it is to ensure that all of the year groups, international student and exchange students mix effectively. First years propose as part of our parenting system!