The Big Weekend Chronicles: Year Three

This was my third time at the Big Weekend, but my first with a residential ticket, two nights on campus that offered a genuine glimpse into student life and campus living.

The day commenced with collecting the necessary keys for my accommodation. As often happens, unexpected issues arose, a bent key and incorrect access card, but these matters were swiftly resolved. Following several hours of meaningful discussions with fellow alumni, the first scheduled activity was the welcome reception and quiz night.

Entering the quiz, I remained optimistic due to prior success but was quickly reminded of the event's challenging nature. Fortunately, Chris, a walking encyclopaedia, led our table to win the first round by a narrow margin. While I contributed by correctly answering a particularly difficult question about "sniggling," which refers to fishing for eels, we ultimately missed out on the second round. Nonetheless, the evening was enjoyable and fostered camaraderie among participants.

The second day began at an early hour, affording time to reflect and begin documenting the event. By 7:30 a.m., I visited the sports dock gym as planned, though my companions overslept. Undeterred, I completed a thorough workout, including cycling, rowing, and the stair master, leaving me energized for the remainder of the day.

Over breakfast, conversations with alumni covered diverse topics, from workplace culture to advancements in artificial intelligence. A scheduled Health MOT confirmed my good health and revealed minor surprises regarding my height and flexibility, sparking light-hearted exchanges with others. Lunch featured an excellent Greek-inspired menu, followed by an insightful presentation by Jaz Marfo, Career Coach, on personal branding and professional networking, an area of growing personal interest. The afternoon offered various workshops (Candle Making masterclass, DIY Terrarium Making and Scavenger Hunt); I selected the DIY Terrarium Making session, which aligned well with my interests and proved highly enjoyable.

The highlight of the day was of course the Gala Dinner, hosted abroad Theresa Joanne and themed around Caribbean culture. It was evident that organizers had implemented feedback from previous years, resulting in a fresh and elevated experience. The evening included engaging games such as Connect 4 and Limbo, which, as it turned out, I wasn’t too bad at, followed by dinner and lively dancing, concluding with a pleasant walk back to the residence halls just before midnight.

The third day began with an inadvertent lockout from my room, marking the second such incident within eight hours. According to site security personnel, this situation is not uncommon, which was reassuring. Activities shifted to the Stratford Campus, where a presentation by Sommer Currie on work-life harmony emphasized strategies and boundaries for balanced living. Following lunch and the group photograph, attendees were presented with a selection of sessions: "Navigating Career Transitions" by Bukola Adebusoye, "Prioritising Recovery: The Key to Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing" by Kaydene Parker, and a Lego workshop focused on building your dream job led by Ben Mizen. I chose to participate in the Lego workshop, which proved to be both enjoyable and highly informative. The event concluded with a keynote panel discussion on building a healthy lifestyle, featuring distinguished alumni and industry professionals.

In summary, this year’s Big Weekend exceeded previous years in every respect, offering substantial opportunities for learning, growth, and community building. I extend sincere thanks to Charlie Werren, Kamile Hudson, Rhonda A., and the entire organizing team for delivering an exceptional program. I look forward to what the next event will bring.