Do I have time for extracurricular activities?
In my first year of MA Landscape Architecture, I wanted to say ‘yes’ to as many opportunities as possible. Perhaps this is natural for mature or postgraduate students: I was going ‘back’ to uni, and wanted to squeeze every drop of value from the experience that I could. However, once I saw my timetable, I began to question myself. The schedule on the master’s course looked jam-packed, and the range of activities available across campus is endless.
I wanted to do things, but did I really have time?
Instead of signing up to absolutely every fabulous society and event on campus, I decided to focus on extracurricular activities that were related to Landscape Architecture. I’m really glad I made that decision. Participating in practical activities outside the classroom enhanced my learning and my portfolio. It also meant I met students from other years and staff from across the department, which helped me feel more at home.
I think one of the biggest benefits of being a university student is accessing these opportunities and going for them. Thankfully the department and tutors agree!
Sarah Collings
MA Landscape Architecture
So, if you’re interested in finding landscape-related activities outside the classroom, here are my top picks.
Academic Rep
Perfect for: the networker
Being an Academic Rep means representing your year group at meetings with the department. You get to discuss how to improve the course and give feedback on changes.
This is a really great opportunity and you don’t have to commit a lot of time - there are only a handful of meetings each year. My favourite part of this role was attending an away day in Kelham Island, where the Department was discussing ideas to improve group work projects. I had to present my experiences to a room full of academics and support staff, which was quite daunting, but it was really rewarding to feel like the Department was listening to students and actively improving the course.
Volunteering
Perfect for: getting your hands dirty
There are endless volunteering opportunities related to gardening in Sheffield and beyond. In the second semester, I volunteered with my classmates at Ashbank Arts, in Cheshire, to build a pond in their community arts venue.
Volunteering was a chance to see the real-life implementation of some of the things we had been learning in class. It was also a lovely bonding experience with my classmates that made it easier to work together on our group project.
Competitions and events
Perfect for: the practically minded
The careers team highlights any upcoming competitions to students. Putting the skills I was learning to work on projects was invaluable for me. The main event I participated in was the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show. This was a large-scale project that involved submitting a design proposal and building a show garden at Tatton Park in July. The Department supported me (and several other students) with sponsorship and mentoring. This was one of the best networking and learning experiences of my course so far.
Sheffield students showcase design talent at Tatton Park
ATHENA SWAN Student Assessment Team (Gender Equality)
Perfect for: the researcher
This was a paid role that involved working with a team of students to run a focus group discussing the issues of Gender Equality in the Department.
The Department often emails about opportunities to get involved in activities and I joined the ATHENA SWAN team after replying to one of those emails. It was a very interesting project, where I learned skills in research, ethics and focus groups - all very relevant to Landscape practice.
Student Ambassador
Perfect for: the communicator
Being a student ambassador is another paid role in the Department. It is a varied role which can include hosting Open Days or supporting the marketing team.
This is a fun way to earn a bit of money at uni, and the time commitment is flexible. One of the projects I worked on was helping make a new film for the department website. I am now immortalised in the video - I just hope my presence doesn’t put anybody off!
Student Councillor
Perfect for: the aspiring politician
A Student Councillor is a role within the Students' Union, separate from the Department. I attended monthly meetings to vote on union policy.
I found this role to be a bit intimidating at first because you have to be elected and I was relieved to get the job! The union is run democratically, and every Councillor can vote on issues and initiatives. It’s interesting to see what is happening across the University - some topics I voted on were related to mature students, gender equality and student protests.
Study Abroad
Perfect for: the adventurer
The Department of Landscape Architecture has relationships with a number of universities across the world and offers study exchange opportunities for one semester. This autumn, I am spending one semester at Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, near Munich in Germany.
I decided to apply to study abroad because I wanted to see other approaches to Landscape Architecture by living in a new place. As a mature student, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to study abroad, but the host university has helped me with accommodation, visas and all other aspects of the process.
From initially worrying I wouldn’t have time to get involved, I ended up participating in really big projects and even travelling to a new country. All together, these experiences have increased my confidence and my network.
When you have a busy timetable, it can be daunting to commit to additional activities outside of the classroom. But I think one of the biggest benefits of being a university student is accessing these opportunities and going for them. Thankfully the department and tutors agree!