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(Russian for hello!) Well as we have reached the end of the academic year I wanted to let you know what we have been up tp on your behalf, before I go into this I just want to add that the School Representatives are here for you. We raise your concerns and feedback info to you, we represent you to the best of our ability . . . . but we need to know what your frustrations or concerns are so that we can raise them.
We want to make YOUR Student Experience the best possible experience but we do need you to come forward to do that..
Sitting Back and relaxing. The Second year went surprisingly quick, it seems like only yesterday I was first going to University and wondering if Python was really a big scary snake or some strange IT initiation ceremony. Suddenly, I am preparing for the final year of my undergraduate degree. I do not regret going to Wolverhampton University at all. Though time has flown, it has not gone without lessons learnt. I thought I would take this time to tell you about the 10 essential things I have learnt from my second year here at Wolverhampton University. Hopefully, you can take this knowledge with you as you all start your undergraduate odyssey in a few months.
1. Everything counts 100% in the Second Year. Most undergraduate courses, the grades you get in the first year don't count for the final classification (but still pass them!!). But in the second year, everything you achieve starts to count towards your degree. This is a big shock, this is "Now Real!" the second year your grades DO count to that final shiny degree. The first year is welcome to University life, and the same attitude might not work for the second year as it did for the opening!
2. Library – take advantage of it: in the first year, I rarely did any essential reading. In the second year, it was hard to convince me to come out of the library. Make sure you benefit from the resources Wolverhampton Universities libraries have to offer. Even better there is a Starbucks across the courtyard . . . just in case of a rehydration emergency
3. Meet with your lecturers: in the first year, I only met with my personal tutor once for advice with my work. I tried to figure everything out for myself. However, with the second year's grades counting towards my degree, I took my work more earnestly, I used the experience of the academics to evaluate my work. It's an excellent way for them to get to know you more, as well as ensuring that the work you're submitting is your best possible work
4. References: after you finish a module within your degree. If you feel you've done an especially great job, you can ask your lecturers for a reference it is probable they'll be happy to help and provide you one. References can help with work experience across the summer or internships and jobs when you leave University!
5. Who you live with can make a massive difference to your life: who you choose to live within the second year can hugely influence the experience at University. THe people that you live with should be at the least tolerable but shoudl be more exceptional. If you're always struggling with people, it'll make University seem intolerable – which is unquestionably the very last thing it should be! My advice is to live with people you understand well, you get along with and do their dishes in a reasonable amount of time and make the odd coffee run never hurt
6. Home: make sure you find the time to go back home this year. During the first year, everything is all geared around trying to get to know the people you live with and the people on your course that there is rarely any time to go home and visit your family and friends. In the second year, make sure to go and visit your parents, (of course, only if you want to!) as it's a great way to help reduce stress and come back to feeling at one with yourself.
7. Friends: sometimes amid all the anxiety and worries about assignments and exams, it's hard to appreciate the small things your friends do for you. Simple things such as asking if you're okay or bringing you a cup of ta or coffee are the best!. The second-year really opened my eyes to who my real friends are here at University. I made it my mission to know that I appreciate their support and to ensure I provided them with the support they also needed throughout their life at University. Like with any academic stage we all need our friends to help us to get along.
8. Relax and breathe: We all forget that we need to take time for ourselves to just relax and bring us individually back to ground. Sometimes it's difficult to forget that these grades are not who we are—just something we've accomplished.
9. To Party or Not to party that is the question: I felt I didn't have time with the amount of work I wanted to put into my degree. Some people analysed me for this and declared I wasn't embracing University student life. But, going out does not define your reality at University. Of course, it is a lot of pleasure to go and enjoy time with friends – but if you don't, that doesn't mean you cannot have a great time in other ways. Do not feel peer pressured to do things you don't want to do because that is what is expected of you as a University student.
10. Remember that it's nearly over: I was so busy trying to do my work this year that didn't see the fact that my undergraduate experience is almost over. This time next year, I will have finished my degree, and I will be moving on to the next thing. Being able to understand that my time here at University is limited makes me appreciate the experience more. Seize every moment as it occurs and enjoy yourself. These ARE THE BEST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE!!!
I wish you all the best for your summer break, Plase do feel free to engage with me, send me your concerns or worries, we are all at UNI together
And now by popular demand . . . a Dad joke
I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down!
See you next Year
Jeff Thompson