Transcript (from 2011): Demystifying the first year of your degree

Demystifying your first year at
Birkbeck
Annette McCone
Widening Access and Retention
Aim
• provide
an overview of the academic year
• explore how you might be feeling
• banish myths and misconceptions
• provide first hand experience of life at
Birkbeck
Butterflies
Nervous
Excitement
Meeting new people
Meeting new people
Learning something new
Learning something new
Coping with the demands of Rising to the challenge of
the course
the course
Finding time to study
Enjoying time spent
studying
Not completing/defer/take a
break
Graduating
The first year – 3 terms
• Autumn (3rd October – 16th December)
• Spring (9th January – 23rd March)
• Summer (23rd April until 6th July)
Autumn – what to expect
• 12 weeks
• 1st week induction; student handbook; getting to know
staff and fellow students
• Teaching – lectures, seminars, labs
• Reading week half way through – catch up or get ahead
• Stay Ahead Programme – November
• Preparing for assessment – December
• Meeting first deadline – December/January
A typical week – your timetable
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Sun
am
8-12
Gym/
Work
Work
Gym/
Work
Work
Work
HW and HW and
errands errands
pm
12 - 6
Work
Work
Work
Work
Work
Study
Eve
6-9
BBK
BBK
BBK
gym
Family/ Study
Friends/
Fun
Night
9 - 12
TV
Library
key
reading
key
reading
Family/ Family/ TV
Friends/ Friends/
Fun
Fun
Family/
Friends/
Fun
TV
Spring Term
• 12 weeks
• “January Blues”
• Using feedback from term one assessments to “feed
forward”
• Revisit and review work from Autumn term
• Reading Week – catch up or get ahead
• Preparing for exams – identify a study buddy
Summer Term
•
•
•
•
•
•
Consolidating knowledge from previous terms
Exam revision – consider taking block of annual leave?
Exams – always during the working day
Preparing for next year
Update your CV
Enjoy the break!
Five fast facts
• There is 24 hour access to the building – study rooms
are always available – Room 536
• There are showers available – ask reception for the key
• There is a cash machine and prayer room at the School
of Oriental and African Studies
• ULU has the largest swimming pool in central London –
gym is £26.00 direct debit but can pay daily £4.50
• Buy one get one free at the BBK bar on a Friday …