As part of your course at UHI North, West and Hebrides, you may be asked to take part in a residential. This usually means staying away from home for a few days to take part in group activities, fieldwork, or practical learning experiences.

Residentials are often a compulsory part of your course, but it’s always worth checking with your lecturer or programme leader to see whether alternatives or adjustments are possible if you have concerns. This section is designed to help you prepare, plan ahead, and know what support is available to make your residential experience as positive and accessible as possible.

Residentials can be exciting opportunities to learn in a different environment and get to know your classmates. However, they can also present challenges. Changes to routine, unfamiliar surroundings, social expectations, shared accommodation, and sensory differences (such as noise, light, or crowding) can all create stress or anxiety.

Staff understand that everyone experiences residentials differently, and the college can make adjustments to help meet your needs. Talking about your requirements early can make a big difference to how comfortable and confident you feel during the trip.

You might find:

• The change of environment or routine unsettling.

• Social interactions (such as group activities or shared rooms) tiring or stressful.

• Noise levels, smells, or lighting in accommodation or travel settings overwhelming.

• Uncertainty about the timetable or expectations increasing anxiety.

• Difficulty managing downtime or finding space to decompress.

These are all valid experiences and there are practical steps you can take to prepare.

• Ask for a timetable in advance so you know what to expect each day.

• Share any dietary requirements as early as possible.

• Check whether there will be a quiet room or space you can use if you need a break.

• Ask what the format of sessions will be – for example, group work, lectures, or practical tasks – so you can prepare mentally and practically. Perhaps find out if there will be any ice breaker activities.

• Find out about accommodation and transport arrangements (e.g. room sharing, travel times, facilities).

• Request a sunflower lanyard or similar discrete signal if this helps others recognise that you might need extra time or understanding.

• Discuss your PLSP (Personal Learning Support Plan) with your academic staff before the residential; staff usually meet students one-to-one and can check whether adjustments are in place.

• Plan for downtime – bring sensory supports, comfort items, or familiar routines that help you relax

• Can I have a copy of the residential timetable in advance?

• Are there dietary options suitable for me?

• Will there be a quiet space available if I need time out?

• What is the format of the sessions (e.g. lectures, practicals, group work)?

• Can I request a sunflower lanyard or other identifier if I want one?

• What are the accommodation and transport arrangements – and can adjustments be made if needed?

• Who should I contact if I feel overwhelmed or need support during the residential?

• Can I meet with my academic staff beforehand to discuss my PLSP and any required adjustments?

This was one particular student’s experience of a Psychology Residential at UHI North, West and Hebrides:

“In the psychology course residentials happen once a year, normally in March. They typically consist of lectures and labs (activity-based sessions) in various rooms in Inverness college. The timetable is usually released a few weeks before a long with room numbers and maps, if you’re not familiar with the college I found it helpful to print off the map and highlight the rooms I would be going to. Modules that have sessions at the residential often have more information in the module tile in Brightspace so it can be useful to look at that first, if it would help you, you can also ask for more information about sessions on the timetable beforehand.

There is always a quiet space available, and you can pop out to take a break at any time during sessions, they won’t question you on where you’re going or why. Lecturers can also be made aware of any other accommodations you need beforehand.

I found it helpful/important to remember that the group work you do during the residential isn’t marked as group work, you have all the materials to double check the work needed for assignments done at the residential. There may be small competitions/prizes at the residential but these don’t impact your assignments at all.”