Well, hello, I’m Sanjeev Bhaskar, Chancellor of the University.
You’re coming to Sussex! Congratulations, you’ve made an excellent choice, not just because I will hopefully get to meet you when you graduate.
I’ll be wearing this, I always dress like this by the way, but because I know you’ll have a great time while benefiting from a very special Sussex education. You’ll be with others from across the globe, the UK and our own Brighton neighbourhood.
And whether or not you share the same taste in music or pizza toppings or films, it doesn’t matter because you’re here to learn and experience new things and you’ll be doing it on our beautiful campus, close to the South Downs and the sea, and the fabulous city of Brighton.
We’re also just over an hour away from London by train. It’s all pretty cool, right? I still remember how overwhelming it was when I went to university.
So I’m thinking of all of you, who’ll be away from home finding your way around a new campus, a new city or even a new country.
But don’t ever be embarrassed or shy to reach out and ask for help.
Your mental health is paramount. Also, don’t forget to enjoy yourself, whether that’s a quiet walk on the beach. In sports, in art, as part of a society or club, or engaging with Brighton’s vibrant social scene, education is about so much more than the degree. We want you to emerge from your Sussex experience, wiser and better prepared for the challenges beyond.
So if you don’t know already, learn how to use a washing machine.
Learn how to cook even just one dish, and then pack your bags, give your loved ones a big hug, and be ready to embrace the next exciting stage of your life’s journey.
We’re here waiting to welcome you.
