Preparing for your exams

This is from our December newsletter and again we have to thank Anna for putting this together.

With the examination period starting in a few days, some of you will be wrapping up your work. Others might be feeling lost, stressed or unmotivated.

 Think positive

Fortunately, it is never too late to start. Don’t concentrate on what you haven’t done throughout the semester. Instead, think what you can do now to improve your situation. Surfing the Internet is not permitted during the exams so if you are reading this, there is probably some time left to revise. Take this as your advantage and think how you can use it best. Is there some time-wasting activity in other areas of your life that you can cut down on, like knitting or surfing the web…?
If you feel you’re behind, be strategic and decide which topics are of most value.

Reorganise

During the exam, your answers should not just reproduce the lecture notes ? reorganising the information will earn you a few extra points. So, while you’re revising, try to be reflective, and try to connect the information from various areas to give a broader view. Define the jargon used by lecturers. If you’ve done any extra reading, try to show it in your answers. Change the examples given at the lecture and think of some other logic which can be used to order information in your argument. Reinterpretation of the topic will ensure the marker that you really understand it and give you an edge needed for that A grade. Just make sure you don’t get carried away!

Trivial matters

Make sure you know where the exam is. This might seem trivial, but Turnbull Hall is not marked on the standard University map, and it can be easily confused with Turnbull Room. A trip to the location will help, especially if you’re nervous.

If it is the first time you will be sitting an exam at Glasgow, get hold of a past paper and read the instructions from the first page. There is little time to do it before the exam. The instructions contain information on exam procedure, for example that you are not supposed to write on the left page of your answer book.

Also, don’t forget to bring a working black pen and your matriculation card to the exam.

Anna Dzieciol (4th Yr Psychology) 

Welcome back (work experience)

We haven’t used the blog much for a while but thought it would be a good way of sharing information that is published via our e-newsletter.  For the October edition then we asked Anna, one of our student volunteers currently in 3rd year studying Paychology, to write something about the benefits of and finding work experience. 

Getting work experience
The new academic year has just started, and naturally everybody is more concentrated on the routine of going to (or missing) lectures rather than summer placements. But, careers are worth considering even now, as both work experience and graduate job markets are getting very competitive. Therefore, even if you are a first year student, it would be beneficial for you to start thinking about life outside university. The University hosts the Internship Fair on 28th October in the Hunter Halls – a good starting point to get work experience.

Where to find vacancies
Have a look at the Glasgow Uni Careers Service (see their website), who offer advice on jobs, placements, internships, voluntary employment and much more. They list opportunities exclusive to Glasgow Uni students under their Club 21 program. In addition, vacancies are advertised through JEM. If you are stuck, you can speak to one of the advisors on various aspect of getting a job. They will help you to write a CV, or talk you through some career options you might not have thought of before.
It is also worth searching other websites on the Internet, such as www.prospects.ac.uk and www.milkround.org , and keep an eye on newspapers’ job sections and the Job Centre. You may not realise that application deadlines for summer programs end early in 2009.

Networking
The huge disadvantage of advertised positions is that competition is often enormous. Therefore, to be one step ahead of the crowd, you need to ask around about hidden opportunities. This process, called networking, is often dreaded by students. In reality, it’s rather simple: if you are doing a science degree, e-mail researchers at your department about volunteering as an assistant; if you’re a business student phone up relevant companies from Yellow Pages and ask about possible placements. The possibilities are endless. If you are proactive, you have a very good chance of getting a positive response.

Off-campus accommodation

Again I have to thank Jennifer for this post as it is taken from an e-mail she wrote to another student in response to a question about finding off-campus accommodation.  I was just looking over it and again, realised that it was so full of useful information that I thought I should post it on our blog.    As always if anyone has anything to add or disagrees then feel free to leave a comment.

‘Finding housing off-campus is not a problem. You can start looking now for a place on the internet, but if you’re like me you might want to see it in person before signing. It’s a good idea to come a couple weeks beforehand not only to find a flat but to get adjusted to being in a new place before the course starts, too.

While you’re looking, the cheapest places to stay are at a guest house, a bed and breakfast, or in Glasgow Uni’s temporary accommodations. Try filling out hotel and residence enquiry forms at: http://www.cvso.co.uk/accommodation/accm_intro_300905.htm. CVSO is affiliated with the University and give discounts on hotels. It’s best to book soon in time for the end of the summer. You can also look online for guest houses/B&Bs bordering on Kelvingrove Park/Sauchiehall Street or on Great Western Road to be close to the Uni. The three I’ve tried and found to be fine are:www.alamoguesthouse.com

www.devoncovehotel.com

www.kelvinhotel.com

The University’s Residential Services give a great overview of how to get started, where to look, and what to look for in off-campus housing, or private accommodations: www.accom.gla.ac.uk. You have to register for the database, but the registration number on your acceptance letter should do the trick. I highly recommend this database, as the landlords seemed like the most enthusiastic ones in helping students when I was looking for a place. As would always be the case, please inspect each place carefully to make sure they are following the rules (as outlined in the PAD site mentioned). Also see the Student Representative Council site http://www.src.gla.ac.uk/advice/accommodation/ for helpful advice.Another route to try is the multitude of ads posted in the window of a convenience store on Byres Rd, a bit south of University Ave. It will be the one with little pieces of paper all over the inside of the store window – and with the people squinting at it carefully with pen and paper in hand. On top of that, there are some private companies that specifically provide student housing: www.unite-students.com, for one (there’s another but I’m not finding the web address at the moment). You can also search online for places. Try flats to rent/let in Glasgow at:http://glasgow.gumtree.com

www.citylets.co.uk

www.s1rental.com

www.lettingweb.com

www.accommodationforstudents.com

One warning when you look for places to share: look to share with other postgrad students. For one, there is a tax on renting called Council Tax which you don’t have to pay at all if you’re a full-time student living only with other students – and if you fill out their exemption form. ‘

 More info on University accommodation in our next post… I hope.

Just like any other city…

Last week we received an e-mail enquiring about how safe Glasgow is as a city. 

I thought it would be helpful to publish the response to that enquiry – written by one of our postgraduate e-mentors.  Anyway, here is the edited version -

‘…yes, you’re right. Glasgow is just like any other city. Like London, you’ll be safe if you know the regions and stay street-smart. Glasgow University and its student accommodations are situated in the West End, which is clean and quiet. The city is quite proud of the West End for its generally up-scale atmosphere. As an American student at Glasgow for the last two years, I’ve felt safe, secure and happy here, and I don’t think you’ll need to worry. The West End is best characterized by its coffee shops, Kelvingrove Park and the Botanic Gardens, and Kelvingrove Museum. On top of that, it is big enough to have everything you need for shopping, study and entertainment as a student. The main shopping street is Byres Rd, which also has many restaurants and a few bars for a mature nightlife scene.The other main regions are City Centre, the East End and the South. City Centre, with its renowned pedestrian shopping streets and tourism spots is much more busy and metropolitan. There are a lot of cultural attractions, including cinema, opera, theatre and modern art. It is also the buzzing centre of nightlife activity on weekends, with many trendy bars and nightclubs on the pedestrian streets. According to the newest article I could find on crime in Glasgow, this weekend activity is where Glasgow got its reputation for crime – and the police are visibly cracking down it every weekend. (I also found the articles about high crime in Glasgow are mostly from 2002 and 2003.) The BBC News article from Nov. 2006 is here:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6187292.stm. The residential East End and some parts of the South are on the rough side and should be avoided at night.Some links to check out More information than you’ll ever want on Glasgow (plus the majorregions):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GlasgowAn excellent interactive map of the city:http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=55.853304~-4.2982&style=r&lvl=

Applying to the University of Glasgow (a very quick guide for international students)

Its the time of year when, understandably, we start getting quite alot of enquiries from International students asking us for information on how to apply to the University.  As a service we don’t deal with applications, so we end up sending folk to the International and Postgraduate Service website, which contains all the necessary information – application forms, prospectus request forms and contact details of the members of staff at the University who can help. 

So, if you fall into the International student category and would like more info on applying to the Uni or you want to request a prospectus you’re best of starting your search here – http://www.gla.ac.uk/international/

Glasgow student atlas

Please juat ignore this post, this doesn’t work very well anyway…

—————————————————– 

If you haven’t already noticed I’ve added a map of Glasgow to our sidebar (if you can’t see it try scrolling down to the bottom of the page) which sits below the other links.   

At the moment it is set to show the location of the Student Network office, which is roughly north east of the main University building – if you enlarge the map and zoom out a bit you’ll see the entire campus. 

I’ll be adding to the map and I’m also hoping that over the course of the next few weeks and months it will be added to by current Glasgow University students, which would make it a very useful resource to anyone thinking of studying here.  If you are a current student or know Glasgow at all and would like to add something to the map – somewhere you think everyone should know about - then please feel free to do so.    Also, if you want to find a particular place then let us know and we can add it to the map.

OK, I think its all very self explanatory.

The Glasgow climate

‘Glasgow University’ by Laura Watson

Originally uploaded by University of Glasgow Student Network.

Its that time of year when we start getting lots of e-mail enquiries from students in different parts of the world, all of whom seem to be worried about our climate.

If you are worried then take a look at some of the photo’s, especially those of the main building, recently posted to our Flickr account – www.flickr.com/photos/studentnetwork All of the photo’s on this site are by current students, some of them local and some international. The photo I have chosen, to illustrate my point (see above) is by Laura Watson and, as the title suggests, was taken on a typically wet Glasgow day. Doesn’t look that bad though does it – must have been a passing shower. And if you bother to take the time to look at our site there are even some photo’s with clear blue sky… proof if you ever needed it that it doesn’t always rain in Glasgow (and that the camera never lies…).

My point is however that the weather here isn’t really that bad and actually shouldn’t really be a major factor in whether you choose to come to study at Glasgow or not.

If further proof was needed then check out or student blogs as well – www.gla.ac.uk/services/studentnetwork/studentblogs/ – where the subject of the weather crops up more than once…

January update

Given that its only the 5th of January (though some of us have already been back at work for a few days) there hasn’t been that much happening in the office.   There will be soon hopefully, if I can motivate myself to get some work done… Anyway, here’s a quick oultine of what’s happening this semester.

E-mentoring

As always, if you would like to contact one of our student e-mentors, whether you are a prospective student wanting to know about the University, or a current student needing some advice on your coursework (or forthcoming exams) please get in touch via the website.

Photoblogging

As has been mentioned in the previous post I’m hoping to gt together a group of students to develop a photoblog, viewable through our website and focussing on the student experience at the University.  The main aims are to create an online community of students with similar interests and to provide a resource to prospective students wishing to study at Glasgow University.  If you’re a current student and you’re intrested in taking part then please get in touch, I’m hoping to get this started at the beginning of February.

Creative Writing

Our ever popular creative writing workshops start up again on January the 30th.  if you would like to participate I’m afraid we only have space on the 1-3pm slot, starting on the 30th.  These workshops are not credit bearing very informal and aim to provide the space and opportunity for current GU students to meet and be given the support to experiment and develop their work. They are not credit bearing.  For more info see our webpages http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/studentnetwork/creativewriting/  If we can’t accommodate you you could always try Liz Lochheads workshop which normally takes place on a thursday from 11am in room 303, 7 University Gardens. 

Blogging

Please check out our student blogs, links on the right hand side and let us know what you think.  Also, if you are a current studens and have a blog that you think is relevant let us know and we’ll put a link on our site. 

Cheers and Happy New Year.

photoblogging

This photo was taken near my office and is part of an ongoing series documenting discarded chairs that I’ve come across on the streets of Glasgow.  It has absolutely nothing to do with my work here at the Uni – its really just a test to find out about posting photo’s from flickr.  Seems to work better than posting directly into wordpress and it doesn’t seem to use up any of your wordpress memory allocation.

If you’re interested click on the photo and this will take you to my flickr account – where there are a few other discarded chairs.

I’m testing this because I’m hoping to set up a Student Network/Glasgow Uni photoblog project next semester but also, Tatiana (who is doing our PG blog using wordpress) has been experiencing quite a few problems when uploading photo’s into wordpress and I wanted to try and sort this out.

So, the first thing to do is open a flickr account and upload your photo’s (though you do have a 20mb monthly upload limit!).  Once you’ve done this follow these instructions which I’ve pasted from the worpress FAQ section.

1. Sign up for a Flickr account
2. Log on to flickr.com and go to Your Account
3. Under the Blogging heading, click Your Blogs
4. Click Set up a new blog
5. Select WordPress blog and click Next
6. Enter the API endpoint:
   http://yourblogname.wordpress.com/xmlrpc.php
7. Enter your WordPress.com login and password and click Next
8. Finish the form (it may have been changed)
9. When you want to blog a photo, look for the Blog This button right above it (you may have to click the photo first to make the buttons appear above it)
10. In the popup, click your blog’s name and finish the form that appears.

Before you post its worth choosing a layout option – you should see this option after you’ve set everything up. 

You can also post with text, or add the text once it’s in your blog.

What to do over Christmas and New Year?

With the Christmas holidays fast approaching the University of Glasgow and the SRC have put together a ‘Vacation Activities’ website (hosted by the SRC), with information on what’s going in Glasgow and beyond during the holiday period. 

If you’re sticking around over the Christmas holidays and you’re wondering what to do you can find it on http://www.glasgowstudent.net/events/vacation/. 

You’ll also find some useful suggestions made by current students, on what’s good to do over the holidays, published on our very own website – http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/studentnetwork/frequentlyaskedquestions/.