Monthly Archives: October 2018

Making the most of studying abroad

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by Klaudia (Student Blogger: BBA Hons International Business Management) 

Deciding about studying abroad undoubtedly may be one of both the most difficult and exciting decisions of your life. As you are going to step out of your comfort zone, there are various challenges you are going to face as well as the best moments of your life right in front of you. The list of amazing things about studying abroad is probably endless, however there are also some challenging aspects which you have to deal with.
University life sounds exciting by itself. New place, new people, new life. At first, as for an international student, it was a big transition for me. Moving out far away from home, leaving my school friends and family, being made to squeeze all my life into suitcase was challenging and a brave step into new chapter of my life. Despite ‘daily basics’ like cooking or doing laundry, I also had to deal with learning differences of studying in foreign country.

Language barrier
One of the most common and obvious issues for international students is the language barrier. For some it may mean struggling to learn new language pretty much from the scratch, or just being forced to face the ‘real’ conversation and strong local accent. The fact that many academic staff are coming from different backgrounds makes it an incredibly diverse place. Don’t be surprised when you meet a lecturer from your own country! Few first lectures may be a huge transition for you, however with every day you will get used to it.

Academic Differences
When you study in a different country the workload may be different to what you were used to. However, the biggest difference I had to deal with was the emphasis on independent studying. You are going to realise that your timetable actually does not have that many classes in comparison to the amount you had in high school. It is because university studying requires from you a lot of independent studying as well as group projects. At first you may feel the freedom of having a lot of free time, but be aware that there are many things to be done outside the class as well. So my biggest advice is to get a small planner and write down all the things you need to do. My university life became easier since I started scheduling my day so I am aware of upcoming deadlines and coursework material.

Adjusting to new ways of learning can be hard, and you realise how much you are probably used to a particular pattern of studying. However, stepping out from your comfort zone will help you to make the most of your life and develop yourself. It will also be beneficial for your future career and will make you a better learner.
If you need help, remember that you can always seek for help from university staff. You will find many academic support services on campus — some specifically for international students — ranging from library workshops to academic writing assistance and tutors.

Making the most of freedom

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by Will (Student Blogger: BSc Hons Entrepreneurship and Management) 

As a student who had selected to study “Entrepreneurship” coming from a background of A levels in Biology, Politics and Economics, uncertainty of how my university life would materialise is an understatement. From early on in my study of the subject I was presented with the problem of not having a set strict criterion of reading and material to learn. The field of entrepreneurship is still to this day open to interpretation on how best to learn and practice it. This was the first time in my educational journey that I had been allowed to pursue my own interests within an area of study. I found this impossible to begin with, as I couldn’t stand not having a set path leading from study to exam. In the crudest sense I had to expand my mind and stop worrying about what might happen, while focusing on what I could make happen.

The main way I overcame this problem was talking to the professors and course leaders of entrepreneurship. Despite being a confident person even this was daunting, as the perception and attitude of professors is so much different from that of traditional teachers. It therefore took me until around my third week of study to approach my professor after my lecture and explain my dilemma. I was undoubtedly nervous of what the answer would be. I felt that it would confirm my skepticism for entrepreneurship and show my ineptitude at grasping the concept of university styled study.

I was therefore more than slightly shocked to learn that many students had voiced almost identical concerns to my own earlier on in the term, and in fact in earlier academic years. It soon became apparent that each cohort of students studying entrepreneurship and almost all other degrees always included those unable to initially grasp the great freedom given in how one may study.

However, this mere conversation with my professor though explained to me that my problem was not unique, did not solve the situation. I was told in a later conversation with the module leader that the best way to comprehend and therefore take advantage of the freedom we were given to study with, was to practice. Plain and simple I was told to take my first essay with a pinch of salt and just be inventive with it, allowing myself to study many areas related to the title and focus on the most enjoyable from there.

To say that this immediately fixed my dilemma wouldn’t be telling the truth. However, it was clear that from then on I was on the path of recovery or so to speak. Since that first essay, which incidentally received a good mark, I have embraced and improved on building my own path using what I enjoy, rather than what I think I must endure.
This is a problem that I must admit is not totally absent from my university experience yet. However, it is a problem that is now much less significant much more solvable and one I honestly am enjoying conquering.

Presenting like a pro

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by Maria (Student Blogger: MSc Management) 

Assignments and projects are a big part of studying towards your degree, and many of them end with an event that is dreaded by many students – presentations. It is understandable that presenting in front of your professors and peers can be intimidating, especially for freshers that aren’t used to doing it. If you are anything like me, public speaking isn’t something that comes naturally to you, however this doesn’t mean that you can’t learn how to ace a presentation.

Presentations became a big part of my life once I started my undergrad. Suddenly, I had to go from presenting a few times a year to 2-3 times per week! As someone who is a bit shy and introverted, you can imagine I wasn’t too excited about this, still it was something I had to do.

Here are my “key pieces of wisdom” I have gathered during the last five years:

Get to know the topic well
During a presentation, professors will try to challenge your arguments and ask questions about the topic. It can sometimes be seen as a bit “cruel”, but they check how well you know the topic by assessing how you react to unexpected questions. The more you know about the topic you are presenting, the more confident you feel about what you are saying. The confidence you have about the topic will make you feel more at ease when talking about it.

Change your mind-set on presenting
Presentations aren’t something that you will only use in the classroom and then forget about. It’s true what are teachers and professors have been saying our entire lives – you will have to present in the workplace. And trust me, it’s much easier and a lot less risky to present to a professor than to your boss or your clients. However, no program will have a separate module where they teach you how to present. The only way to master this skill is to utilize the opportunities you are given throughout your courses. Think of these presentation days as a free workshop you are getting on how to present. In the classroom, you can always ask for feedback from your professor or your peers on how to improve on your presentation skills. It’s a luxury that many do not have once they start working, so take advantage of it and try to get in as much practice as you can before you graduate.

Time Keeping & Rehearsing
Although it may seem obvious, time-keeping is especially important in these situations, and not only for grading purposes. It happens quite often that your presentation is taking a lot longer than you thought, and this can lead to a state of panic. Instead of just going through the key points, when we are running out of time, we all tend to rush to try to make all our points and showcase all the work we did. However, this never really works. Rushing leads to a lot of mistakes and frustration, and it also makes it harder for people to understand what you’re saying. Rehearsing makes it substantially easier to know how much time your presentation takes. It also makes it easier to improvise if you forget something.

Putting your health first

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by Sophia (Student Blogger: Law)

I initially entered Lancaster University as a Law student, back in 2016. I was so incredibly excited, and I knew Lancaster Uni was the right place for me, but my mental health at the time was particularly fragile. I met amazing friends, whom I still live with this year, but I found myself repeatedly unable to fulfil the required workload and I gradually fell behind.

In January of 2017, I made the incredibly difficult decision to intercalate, and then ultimately to withdraw from my Law degree. I knew that I wanted to return to Lancaster university, and with tremendous help from staff, I was able to find a course at the university that would be more suited to my academic style, ability and interests. Fast forward 2 years, and I have never been happier. I have learned more about myself as a person and about what I want from life in the 18 months I have been a student at Lancaster, than I had in the prior 18 years of my life.

There are 2 crucial things I’ve found key to avoid becoming overwhelmed at University, and this advice applies whether you’re a soon-to-be student, or you’re in your final year:

1) Your health should be the most important consideration in your life:
Yes, your university work is crucial, but the thing that allows you to do your work effectively is being in a good physical and mental state. It is totally normal to have days when the last thing you want to do is read; everyone has slow mornings! However, if you have a history of poor mental health or if you’ve just moved to University, you need to figure out whether you’re just having a rough day or actually if your mental health is on the decline. If you think it’s the latter, it’s vital that you give yourself a break, even if you feel like it’s not a good idea. Repeatedly trying to summon the strength to sit down and do that work is going to do far more harm than good. Go for a walk with your housemates, call your parents, go to a cafe and treat yourself to something for trying to do your work, and most importantly do NOT beat yourself up about it!

2) Keeping a routine:
For the most part, having even a vaguely sketched out routine to plan out your days can make completing your work far less daunting. But again, don’t be upset with yourself if you don’t stick to it rigidly! The great thing about University is that your days are largely your own. You may have lectures, seminars, or labs depending on your subject throughout the day, but at some point you will also have free periods in which to do your work or see a friend. Keeping certain times like your evenings free for socialisation or societies often provide a motivation to get your work done. Always reward yourself for hard work!