There's nothing like waiting for your last semester uni results. This isn't the time to stress - there's nothing you can do to change the result (you don't even know them!) or change the date you will get the result.
So what's worse is waiting on the day of receiving your uni results. Some students may receive them by mail, others by email and even less via sms on their phone. I for one, am waiting on an SMS from my University for my results.
This was my final semester of my undergraduate degree(does happy dance!). Next year though, I will embark on my Masters - anyone else as crazy as I am? ;-)
Leave me a comment below if you are commencing or recommencing post graduate studies next year! (maybe we can work it out together!)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Day of the Exam
What do you do on the day of your exam?
Last Friday, I had my final exam for completion of my teaching degree. So, what did my day look like prior to the exam? Relaxation.
In between rereading my exam notes, I;
-went out for a coffee
-did some shopping
-did activities with my son
-surfed the webs
This meant I went into my exam with reduced stress levels and because I didn't study by cramming the night before, my brain didn't feel overloaded.
Exam Outcome: I'll keep you posted :)
Last Friday, I had my final exam for completion of my teaching degree. So, what did my day look like prior to the exam? Relaxation.
In between rereading my exam notes, I;
-went out for a coffee
-did some shopping
-did activities with my son
-surfed the webs
This meant I went into my exam with reduced stress levels and because I didn't study by cramming the night before, my brain didn't feel overloaded.
Exam Outcome: I'll keep you posted :)
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Is there a textbook?
This was one of the questions asked by a student this week on the online study forum at Uni. Now my original post was going to be about 'how to get back into study mode as the new uni semester begins' but that is quite irrelevant if you don't know what you are meant to study!
Now i'm unsure whether this student is new to Uni but during my four years of study, i have only ever had one subject that did NOT have a textbook. Why does this concern me? As someone who is almost addicted to it and has written a book on studying externally, it makes me wonder how a new or general student thinks.
So my new tip of the week is:
Always assume there is a required textbook for a unit:
Read all unit and assessment information. After checking with the Uni bookshop for required texts for each unit to be studied for the semester, and you still have no textbook for a specific unit then double check with your lecturer that there is no textbook required. And don't leave until week 3 into the semester to find this out!
Another query into week 3 of the semester was: so is the assessment just discussing activities and submitting this?
A very vague question and very far from the required assessment task. Not only has this person put their admission of not reading the unit information on a public forum, the lecture can also see this.
My next tip of the week is:
Download ALL unit information and assessment tasks (and read it!)which is available at the start of the new semester. Don't leave it until week 3 to ask where this information can be found.
By all means if you would class yourself as a 'loafer' (see a previous blog post) or you like to leave things to the last minute it may be hard to change your ways. However, your grades are most likely to reflect this and if you make it known on your public uni forum - the lecturer will also know this!
Now i'm unsure whether this student is new to Uni but during my four years of study, i have only ever had one subject that did NOT have a textbook. Why does this concern me? As someone who is almost addicted to it and has written a book on studying externally, it makes me wonder how a new or general student thinks.
So my new tip of the week is:
Always assume there is a required textbook for a unit:
Read all unit and assessment information. After checking with the Uni bookshop for required texts for each unit to be studied for the semester, and you still have no textbook for a specific unit then double check with your lecturer that there is no textbook required. And don't leave until week 3 into the semester to find this out!
Another query into week 3 of the semester was: so is the assessment just discussing activities and submitting this?
A very vague question and very far from the required assessment task. Not only has this person put their admission of not reading the unit information on a public forum, the lecture can also see this.
My next tip of the week is:
Download ALL unit information and assessment tasks (and read it!)which is available at the start of the new semester. Don't leave it until week 3 to ask where this information can be found.
By all means if you would class yourself as a 'loafer' (see a previous blog post) or you like to leave things to the last minute it may be hard to change your ways. However, your grades are most likely to reflect this and if you make it known on your public uni forum - the lecturer will also know this!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Studying and working
Studying and working can be done. It is just a matter of whether you work part time, full time, casually and have children in the mix. You may need to consider a part time study load at the beginning and increase the number of units the following semester if you think you can juggle you time and work commitments.
One thing that I cannot reiterate enough is to have a diary and use it! It can be a physical or an electronic one. Either way, diarise all your assignment due dates, dedicated study hours as well as social and work commitments to help you plan your semester. Don’t forget to include break days such as that Saturday trip to the beach!
As a mum of one who works from home part time and studies full time, I can only provide an insight from that perspective. I invite you to comment below with your tips on how you juggle your study load and work commitments.
Remember it can be done - just take one day at a time :)
One thing that I cannot reiterate enough is to have a diary and use it! It can be a physical or an electronic one. Either way, diarise all your assignment due dates, dedicated study hours as well as social and work commitments to help you plan your semester. Don’t forget to include break days such as that Saturday trip to the beach!
As a mum of one who works from home part time and studies full time, I can only provide an insight from that perspective. I invite you to comment below with your tips on how you juggle your study load and work commitments.
Remember it can be done - just take one day at a time :)
Monday, April 19, 2010
University Student Etiquette
Don’t be seen as the rude student who thinks of themselves as above everyone else. Here are some tips for some common student etiquette:
Don’t
- make a habit of arriving to tutorials or lectures late -
besides being rude, the lecturer will know you for the wrong reasons
- put your feet up on the seat in front of you – especially if someone is sitting there
- make out you know more than the lecturer – no one likes a ‘know it all’
- be too critical of another’s work especially if you haven’t done any yourself
- be the loafer when working on the group assignment – this is a quick way to lose friends
- put negative comments about lecturers or fellow students on your online social network page- anyone can access the internet and it will only reflect negatively on you
- ignore people – network and you will probably learn a thing or two
- forget who will be marking your assignment – ask questions and if you get a grade you are unhappy about – approach the marker sensibly and preferably after you have had a day to think about it.
- Write on the online Uni forum anything you may regret as it is not easily deleted
University is a fun time of learning. Don’t let poor student etiquette get in the way of making new friends, learning and generally enjoying University life.
Feel free to add your own tips!
Don’t
- make a habit of arriving to tutorials or lectures late -
besides being rude, the lecturer will know you for the wrong reasons
- put your feet up on the seat in front of you – especially if someone is sitting there
- make out you know more than the lecturer – no one likes a ‘know it all’
- be too critical of another’s work especially if you haven’t done any yourself
- be the loafer when working on the group assignment – this is a quick way to lose friends
- put negative comments about lecturers or fellow students on your online social network page- anyone can access the internet and it will only reflect negatively on you
- ignore people – network and you will probably learn a thing or two
- forget who will be marking your assignment – ask questions and if you get a grade you are unhappy about – approach the marker sensibly and preferably after you have had a day to think about it.
- Write on the online Uni forum anything you may regret as it is not easily deleted
University is a fun time of learning. Don’t let poor student etiquette get in the way of making new friends, learning and generally enjoying University life.
Feel free to add your own tips!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Making friends at University
Making friends at University (Uni) when an external student is a little more difficult than if you are attending lectures on campus. You are not likely to see fellow students face to face unless you attend an Intensive School (where you attend a few days on campus with other external students) or have an examination with other students from your area.However, you can get to know people quite well through online communication.
Here are my tips to getting to know others in your course.
1. Introduce yourself in your online unit and read fellow students introductions – comment if someone has a similar interest to you or lives in a nearby location.
2. Find out who lives in your area that is studying your units. Usually a list of names and locations are made available to students studying the same units.
3. If attending an Intensive school, organise to meet with someone you have been chatting to within the unit.
4. If group work is required within a unit, join early, introduce yourself and make regular contributions.
5. Contribute to forum discussions and comment on fellow students posts. It is a great way to learn more about a person.
Your time at University is not only about learning but it also has an important social aspect. You never know, you might just find a lifelong friend!
Here are my tips to getting to know others in your course.
1. Introduce yourself in your online unit and read fellow students introductions – comment if someone has a similar interest to you or lives in a nearby location.
2. Find out who lives in your area that is studying your units. Usually a list of names and locations are made available to students studying the same units.
3. If attending an Intensive school, organise to meet with someone you have been chatting to within the unit.
4. If group work is required within a unit, join early, introduce yourself and make regular contributions.
5. Contribute to forum discussions and comment on fellow students posts. It is a great way to learn more about a person.
Your time at University is not only about learning but it also has an important social aspect. You never know, you might just find a lifelong friend!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Residential Schools
“The hardest thing to open is a closed mind.”
Author Unknown
Many Universities that offer external studies require students to attend a residential school or intensive school. This is where you need to attend the University for approximately three to five days.
Usually the cheapest way is to stay on campus in the dormitories if this option is available. The alternative is to source private accommodation at a nearby motel which can work out to be quite expensive.
Residential schools are what you make it. It is a time to meet and get to know your fellow students face to face and possibly make lasting friendships. Although the timetable scheduling can be full on with lecture after lecture and tutorial after tutorial, make the most of the opportunity by networking with other students and lecturers.
Ensure you are well prepared for lectures and tutorials with appropriate notes, texts and pen and paper or your laptop. You will find you will gain further insights and possible hints and tips for the exam and assignment. It is also a great opportunity to speak with your lecturer if you have any questions regarding aspects of the unit.
Your first residential school can be daunting but go in with an open mind and think of it as an adventure.
My top 5 tips for a successful residential school;
1. Keep an open mind - going in with a positive mindset
2. Get to know someone in your online tutorial group and plan to meet up with them
3. Familiarise yourself with a map of the campus – usually downloadable from your University website
4. Be prepared – read the text chapter required before arriving on your first day, have a notepad and pen ready
5. Smile and socialise with fellow students – there will be lots of interesting people to meet!
Author Unknown
Many Universities that offer external studies require students to attend a residential school or intensive school. This is where you need to attend the University for approximately three to five days.
Usually the cheapest way is to stay on campus in the dormitories if this option is available. The alternative is to source private accommodation at a nearby motel which can work out to be quite expensive.
Residential schools are what you make it. It is a time to meet and get to know your fellow students face to face and possibly make lasting friendships. Although the timetable scheduling can be full on with lecture after lecture and tutorial after tutorial, make the most of the opportunity by networking with other students and lecturers.
Ensure you are well prepared for lectures and tutorials with appropriate notes, texts and pen and paper or your laptop. You will find you will gain further insights and possible hints and tips for the exam and assignment. It is also a great opportunity to speak with your lecturer if you have any questions regarding aspects of the unit.
Your first residential school can be daunting but go in with an open mind and think of it as an adventure.
My top 5 tips for a successful residential school;
1. Keep an open mind - going in with a positive mindset
2. Get to know someone in your online tutorial group and plan to meet up with them
3. Familiarise yourself with a map of the campus – usually downloadable from your University website
4. Be prepared – read the text chapter required before arriving on your first day, have a notepad and pen ready
5. Smile and socialise with fellow students – there will be lots of interesting people to meet!
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