STUDENT LIFE

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• STUDENT LIFE

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Decisions, decisions...

• Where should I study? What subject?
• How hard will I need to work?
• What should I do in my spare time?
• How should I spend my student loan?

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It's Your Choice!

• It really is up to you, for all those
  questions...
• Going to university gives you a huge amount of
  independence.
• You are considered an adult in all stages of
  university.
• Your parents know what you decide to tell them!

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Academic Life

• 300 universities and colleges, and 50,000 courses
  in Britain.
• So many options!
• Do you want to study a subject like English,
  Maths, Chemistry... or something more unusual?

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Academic Life

• Football Studies, University of Luton
• Puppetry, Central School of Speech and Drama
  (London)
• Viticulture and Oenology, University of Brighton

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Academic Life

• Take your time and make the right choice for you.
• Choosing a university and course are two hugely
  important decisions.
• Don't be pressured into a degree you know you
  won't enjoy.
• Consider employment prospects.

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Studying Contact Time

• Different from what you are used to in school or
  college.
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Practicals

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Lectures

• Often large audiences, presentation, note taking,
  QA, 50 minutes long...

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Seminars

• Small groups, exchange of ideas, intensive study
  directed by lecturer or graduate student.
• - Varies between subjects.
• e.g. Discuss book (English), discuss problem
  sheet (Economics)...

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Practicals

• Chance to apply knowledge taught in lectures, and
  ask lecturers questions. Practicals mainly in
  science degrees.
• - Pen and paper problem sheet in teams.
• - Electronic circuit design in pairs.
• - Programming.
• - etc.

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Self-Study

• In most degrees, the majority of timetable slots
  are empty.
• What should you do in these slots?

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Self-Study

• A degree requires considerably more independent
  work than A Levels, etc.
• You don't have to study.
• It's your own choice...
• ...but what's the point of paying for a degree if
  you only go and fail?
• Self-motivation and organisation.
• There are deadlines to meet decide how to meet
  them!

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Assessment

• Depends on modules you take
• One-off exams.
• Essays.
• Presentations
• Practical work.
• Continuous assessment.
• Dissertation / final year project.

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Social Life

• New city, new people.
• It's a fresh start be who you want to be.
• Societies, sports teams, and clubs.
• There WILL be students out there who share your
  interests.

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Social Life

• Bars, nightclubs.
• Freshers' week (fortnight at York!).
• Alcohol...
• Don't go mad!!
• Societies and events exist for the many students
  who choose not to drink.

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Social Life
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Reality Check

• Big transition from living with your parents, to
  looking after yourself in a halls of residence.
• Cooking, cleaning, washing...
• Can't be avoided!
• Plenty of time in the summer to learn!

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Reality Check

• Whether from loans, grants, or private funding,
  you will suddenly have a lot of money to spend.
• Learn to budget.
• Try and save some money.
• Don't overspend...
• ...but don't be stingy enjoy yourself from
  time-to-time.

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Help! I need help!

• Lots of help available to students.
• Academic support (course supervisor)
• Financial support (grants, loans, etc.)
• Counselling and welfare
• Career advice
• Health centre
• Students' Union
• Academic and Welfare Officer
• Emergency Loans

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University is a learning experience in so many
ways these will be some of the most important
and, hopefully, some of the best years of your
life, so . . . ENJOY THEM!!!
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The End

• Thanks for your attention!
• Any questions?