Monday 28th October - Friday 1st November
On this page you can find out key info on Wobble Week, including our full timetable for 2024!
If you have any queries, please contact studentengagement@stmarys.ac.uk.
What's going on in Wobble Week and why do we do it?
Wobble Week is a retention model used at numerous universities across the UK. It exists in recognition of the fact that around this time in the autumn term, many students, especially first year students, can experience a ‘wobble’. This can be big or small and Wobble Week is in place to provide targeted, practical, and pastoral support to our students.
Every year, we collect data from students on the key challenges they are facing, which is then used in order to design a programme of events which directly responds to the needs and issues identified. We provide everything from welfare chats and signposting to support services, to hands-on academic sessions for when it’s all feeling a bit much, to a range of wellbeing initiatives and activities specifically designed to facilitate friendship-making and a sense of belonging. Most importantly, we work hard to normalise the message that ‘It’s Okay to Wobble’ and even to be expected to wobble and to make students feel cared for and supported at St Mary’s.
Led by the Student Engagement Team in Widening Participation since 2021, we are delighted to now collaborate on this project with the Students’ Union.
What's going on in Wobble Week?
Wobble Week 2024 takes place from Monday 28th October - Friday 1st November and includes a range of amazing free events for students. This includes free lunches, sports events, massages, autumnal walks, shared stories from other students about their own wobbles, aromatherapy, support sessions, and much more!
All events are completely free and open to all students, but please be aware that booking is required for two of the sessions due to limited spaces:
- Castle Self-Care & Gift Making: Create your own wellbeing products! Come, relax, and make some self-care aromatherapy items. Perfect for gifts, or just for you! Sign up for this session.
- Spooky Halloween Castle tour! Get free access to the spooky Halloween castle tour (usually priced at £17) and find out the hidden secrets of our very own Gothic castle on campus! Sign up for this session.
Watch out for our Wobble Box, which will be at many of the events throughout the week and in the Shannon Corridor throughout much of Wobble Week. Share a wobble or give advice anonymously to be in with a chance to enter our prize draw.
You can also share your wobbles directly online. Complete the survey between Wednesday 23rd October and Wednesday 6th November to be in the draw.
Full timetable - Wobble Week 2024
View the full Wobble Week timetable
Below you can find this information in text format, which may be easier for you to read. If you have any questions at all, or need this information in another format that is accessible to you, contact studentengagement@stmarys.ac.uk
Location: H102 (Library Computer Room)
Location: Hub, Library
Learn all about our facilities, how to search for items and borrow books, plus ask us any questions about using the library
Location: 1850 Pool Room
Envision your future, create a picture, make it your reality.
Location: R45, Rehab Clinic
Sign up live, or message (rehabclinic@stmarys.ac.uk) to book your 30-minute slot!
Location: 1850 Snug
Play some games & make connections that last!
Location: Dance Studio
Fitness class meets clubbing!
Location: Performance Hall
Represent your halls or join the commuter team - all welcome!
Location: Strawberry Hill House
Glass of bubbly and Halloween tour of Strawberry Hill House! Sign up now.
Location:1850
Warble your wobbles at SMSU's karaoke night!
Location: H102 (Library Computer Room)
Location: Dance Studio
Release stress and find deep relaxation and peace.
Location: Dance Studio
Learn tips from ADHD expert Dr Rachel Gow.
Location: Dance Studio
Navigate the ups & downs with fun, laughter, & movement!
Location: DV Cafe
Come find the Community Safety Partnership, Off the Record young person counselling service, and St Mary's Student Services. Drop-in for information on support available for your mental wellbeing, as well as support and advice regarding additional requirements for a disability, financial concerns and housing queries'.
Location: Hub, Library
No prep required - enjoy great literature, discussion, & company!
Location: Performance Hall
Location: Performance Education Centre (PEC)
An inclusive gym session for students to experience the excellent Performance enhancement centre (PEC) in an inclusive environment. Supervised by a qualified gym coach to assist with any work out queries you can use the fantastic equipment to learn how to improve your physical health. Members of the wellbeing team attend every session if you want to enquire about available services and explore support. Academic staff are on hand to discuss upcoming assignments, past lectures or any academic questions you may have.
Location: Strawberry Hill House
Make your own self care products & Xmas gifts! Sign up now.
Location: Meet at Main Reception
Get to know your environment better - Discover the pretty and fun bits of Twickenham.
Location: E204
Hear from other students on their wobbles & how they’ve overcome them!
Location: H102 (Library Computer Room)
Location: Refectory
Enjoy the special REF menu today with Nigerian lamb curry, jollof rice, & applce crumble with custard.
Location: Student Services
Take a break & reset your mind.
Location: Sport St Mary’s
Support St Mary’s sports clubs as they take on other University’s in this week’s matches!
Location: H102 (Library)
Stop by this sensory friendly space to study, relax, get free snacks, and enter to win a Study Survival Pack!
Location: Online (Zoom)
Don't Let it Brew: Online Tea & Chat with Student Services
Location: DV
Looking for a job, an internship, or mentoring? Come chat with careers!
Location: F4
Come and have a chat with the Student Success team, who can help motivate and get you back on track!
Location: Chaplaincy
Have free hot chocolate & write a letter home - stamps on us!
Location: Commuter Lounge
Games, food, and hangs with fellow commuting students!
Location: Shannon Corridor
Win prizes with the mental health quiz!
Location: R45, Rehab Clinic
Sign up live, or message (rehabclinic@stmarys.ac.uk) to book your 30-minute slot!
Location: The 1850
Come meet and enjoy a snack with other international students!
Location: K17
Join us to explore your creative side in a safe inclusive environment, all equipment provided.
Location: Sport Rehab Clinic (Room 45)
Sign up live, or email (rehabclinic@stmarys.ac.uk) to book your 30-min slot!
Location: Hub, Library
Make fortune cookies & beaded bookmarks with us!
Location: L1
Join your Inclusion VP and make some pizza!
Location: Drama Studio 2
You don’t need to be a drama student to play some drama games!
Location:H102
Stop by this sensory friendly space to study, relax and enter to win a Study Survival Pack!
Location: H102 (Library Computer Room)
Location: 1850 Pool Room
Have a free glass of bubbly and paint a mini canvas!
Location: Hub, Library
Make and swap paper fortune cookies & make beaded bookmarks with us!
Location: 1850 Loft
Join us as we celebrate our black students and staff!
Location: Performance Education Centre (PEC)
An inclusive gym session for students to experience the excellent Performance enhancement centre (PEC) in an inclusive environment. Supervised by a qualified gym coach to assist with any work out queries you can use the fantastic equipment to learn how to improve your physical health. Members of the wellbeing team attend every session if you want to enquire about available services and explore support. Academic staff are on hand to discuss upcoming assignments, past lectures or any academic questions you may have.
Location: The 1850
Halloween club night!
Wobble Week 2023 - Recap Video
Take a look back at some highlights from Wobble Week 2023!
Wobble Week advice from former students and staff
During lockdown, we asked graduates, students and staff for their advice on 'wobbles'. We start off with Jade Salim, Head of Department for Sport and Exercise Science, who has a strong message for anyone struggling with motivation during a tough challenge. Other speakers talk about homesickness, finding your essay writing style, and how to get support as a parent at uni. It also features lacrosse, true-crime podcasts, and a small dog called Buddy.
Contact Us
For more information about Wobble Week, or to get involved, email Elizabeth Parker: studentengagement@stmarys.ac.uk
Additionally, you can keep up with SU events on the SMSU webapge under "What's On".