Ruvimbo Ushewokunze

What is a typical day in your student life like? 

Typically I usually wake up; have breakfast, walk to campus, attend some lectures and then head to the Teaching and Learning Building to do some work afterwards, trying to keep on top of things. I’ll stay there for a few hours and then I’ll go and meet some friends and do an activity like baking, a fitness class or watching a movie. After this I’ll usually head home and to chef up some dinner, my favourite thing to make at the moment is chicken wings with sweet potato. After a good meal, I like to wind down in my room by watching Netflix, listening to music or reading a book! 

What made you choose the University of Birmingham, and how did it stand out to you during your decision-making process? 

When deciding on universities, initially I wasn’t really sure what I was actually looking for. And many of the universities I visited just didn’t stand out to me either due to the campus or the course or the whole vibe. But with UoB I was instantly attracted to the whole uni, from the module leads, to how current students spoke about the Business department. The campus and all it had to offer for sure stood out for me and of course I thought the university having its own train station was super cool as well as convenient.

Did you attend any events, open days etc?

When deciding on UoB as my first choice I attended an open day in the summer as well as an Offer Holder Day in the spring time, allowed me to see UoB on both sides of the year, confirming my love for the Uni. 

Why did you choose to study this course?

I chose to student Business Management with Marketing as I love marketing and I want to have my own business in the future. This course has the perfect balance of business principles as well as marketing fundamentals, which has provided me with the perfect balance. I also really enjoy that there are more practical module options, specifically Events and Festival Management has been one of my favourite modules so far where we have gotten to plan and create our own hypothetical event. This was such a cool experience and different way of learning and applying content, which is essential within the business world.

What stood out for you?

Something that has stood out for me is the opportunities that the business school provides as well as the support, they are always offering school trips, experiences and volunteering opportunities. As well as supporting students with business ideas, CV help and placement search. One of my favourite pick me ups during the week is the £6 voucher for business school students that can get you food at certain places on campus, this helps to relieve some stress of the adding up cost of buying food at uni. 

What is student life like for you?

Studying at UoB is wonderful, there is always something going on, whether its hanging out with friends, trying out different societies like BenchBall, gospel choir, doing a sports class or just simply going on a walk. UoB also has so many different events on campus from the monthly market with so many different vendors offering things for affordable prices, the Christmas market, Iftar, UoB Xtra, fun fairs in the summer on the Vale and so much more.

One of my favourite things about UoB is the campus it is beautiful with traditional aspects as well as more modern designs. Some of my favourite places on campus include the Teaching and Learning building, Engineering Building and Collaborative Teaching and Learning building. These are the best for studying, with a nice aesthetic modern vibe, slightly social but a good lock in can take place! 

Next I really love sitting outside, near the Guild, on the Vale, or in the Green Heart, if I just need to chill or unwind after a busy day at Uni. For UoB I love that there is always something to do with your friends, I almost feel like I’m never at home, because I am so busy! Now during the summer term, uni is over and there truly is an adventure everyday, from shopping in Bullring, walking in Lickey Hills, travelling to London or Manchester, as well as events in Digbeth or picnics in Cannon Hill Park, and the amount of BBQs that we have had is truly getting out of hand lol. But I can honestly vouch and say that life at UoB is so much fun!

What is your online experience like?

When it comes to keeping on top of things, its important to take the time to go through your own work but there are for sure times that I struggle, get confused or have questions. Most modules have drop in times, but when in need, I turn to discussion boards or email my module lead, this a great way of getting a response to a question quickly. Personally I really enjoy my course as it is the perfect balance of theory, through lectures and practise, through group projects. Although group projects can be controversial I do often enjoy them, as I get to work with new people and we come together to produce a good result, but even if they aren’t for you there are plenty of individual assignments where you can put what you have learnt into practise.

With my very busy social life and studying at the same time as well as other life commitments, I have to ensure I balance my time correctly to ensure I can get my work done on time, I find using canvas to see and view my assignments, create a timetable and writing things down in my planner ensures I can both get those good grades and enjoy at the same time!

This course has opened me up to so much, and had enabled me to become more tech savvy, with us using lots of online platforms, which will be helpful in the future as well as navigating Claude AI lol. I enjoy online learning as I can do my work from anywhere and everything is connected, it makes it easier to work with people and learn in a less traditional manner!