University of Aberdeen Blog

We are well into summer now and I have been working my way through my backlog of leisure reading.  I have finally finished Les liaisons dangereuses, which was definitely worth the wait.  I cannot decide on what to read next, I am torn between War and Peace (third and final attempt) or Dan Brown the Lost Symbol.  No doubt Dan Brown will win, I fancy some light reading before the heavy duty academic reading begins again.  My core text year is the wonderfully written but very long Art Through The Ages. The sad thing is I am really excited to get going again.  At first I loved the freedom of the summer break, relaxing and working but without the cares of looming deadlines.  Now, I am desperate for them.  History of Art is a change of discipline for me and I am excited at the prospect.  I have started to read around the subject, in order to get a feel for the periods or artists that interest me the most. 

The University is a busy place at the moment, well for the staff anyway!  Everyone is preparing for the new students from mid September and then of course the infamous August Open Day.  The Open Day will on the 31^st August and we hope for a glorious day.  There will be a full schedule of events including campus tours, academic talks and general information on entering University.  If you have not booked your place please visit www.abdn.ac.uk/openday.  You will also be able to download the schedule of activities, so that you can plan your day.  There will also be a party for prospective students on the evening of the 30^th August.  This will be a great chance for you to let your hair down and meet some current students and ask any questions that I am sure you will have.

For those readers that will be starting with us in September, I am sure that you are both excited and apprehensive. Do not be, as everyone will be in the same boat as you.  Everyone will want to make new friends, and before you know it you will be on the train/bus/plane home and wondering where the term went.  We have organised numerous events and induction events.  The New Students website is an excellent resource for finding out everything you need to know.  It details everything from e-registration to Freshers’ Events.  You can find it at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/newstudents/.  Remember that yours truly and many other Student Ambassadors will be on hand from Welcome Weekend and throughout Freshers’ Week should you need any help/advice/chat.  We are to be easily found sporting our sexy bright red t-shirts!

Signing off for now and I hope to see many of you soon.

Daliah

My sister Evelyne graduated last week with a BSc in Environmental Science. To mark the occasion my parents came over from Luxembourg and spent a week travelling around Scotland with Evelyne and her boyfriend. Due to my work schedule and my PhD I could not accompany them on any of their day trips, but I was treated to some delicious meals while they were here. I also missed the graduation ceremony proper, but I have graduated twice from the University of Aberdeen already, so I am fairly familiar with the pomp and circumstance of it all. Some people prefer to graduate in absentia, but I personally feel that attending the ceremony and dressing up in the gown and fancy clothes is the best way to celebrate successfully finishing a degree. Of course, just because you are a graduate now does not mean that all ties with the university are cut. Quite the contrary, you join an ever increasing number of alumni with ties and connections all over the world. This allows you to keep up to date about what is happening at the University of Aberdeen and to stay in touch with your former colleagues and friends.

Of course, the fact that graduation week has come and gone means that the University will soon gear up to welcome the new students that start their degree in September 2010. Some of which are already on campus as part of the Associate Student Scheme that allows unconditional firm students to join the university community a few months early and make use of all of our state of the art facilities, such as the Aberdeen Sports Village. Which means that by the time Freshers’ Week rolls around they will already be old hats at student life. Those that cannot take part in the Associate Student Scheme, but would still like to get an advance look at the university can always visit us during our upcoming Open Day on Tuesday, 31st August 2010. There is even the chance to stay over in our halls of residence the night before and get the full student experience. For more information and in order to book a place, simply visit www.abdn.ac.uk/openday

Until the next time, be well in all things.

David

As avid readers of the SRAS blog know, I am not the only member of my family that is a student at the University of Aberdeen. One of my cousins is doing an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology and one of my sisters is doing an undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences. Or, rather I should say was doing an undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences. She finished her last 4^th year exam two weeks ago and has recently been told that she has received a 2:1. The whole family is, of course, very proud of her and my parents will be visiting Aberdeen at the beginning of July for her graduation ceremony. Which is good, because I do not think I will see my parents till Christmas otherwise, as I am very busy with my PhD right now. My sister enjoyed her time at the University of Aberdeen and it was good fun having her around, but she will now unfortunately leave to pursue postgraduate studies in Edinburgh. This gives me just one more reason to visit Edinburgh, so I am not complaining too much. And my cousin will be in Aberdeen for another two years, so I will still have some family around.

If you want to find out why my family loves studying at the University of Aberdeen, why not come and visit us on our annual Open Day on Tuesday, 31^st August 2010. For more information visit www.abdn.ac.uk/openday

I should probably get back to my studies, to keep the momentum going and to finish the chapter I am currently working on, so I can take some days off to help my sister celebrate her graduation in July. Until the next time, be well in all things

David

Well exams are finally over and the time has come to start planning the summer. Most people go a little mad during the exam period as revision takes over their lives. As such, most people also go a little crazy when exams are over, but with celebrating. My own celebrations this year were a little subdued due to sheer exhaustion. I celebrated by going with some friends to see an advance preview of the new Shrek film, which was amazing even if a little childish. Following this, we walked down to the beach which, as it was a lovely day, was a brilliant plan.

However, one of the problems with term being over is that we have to start planning our summer. While my friends are going on holidays and working with charities, I am staying put. I have never quite understood the need of most students to abandon the city when the holidays come, as I love Aberdeen. So the plan so far is to stay in Aberdeen and work. Being in Aberdeen also makes things easier when it comes to moving. Rather than having to put all my things in storage, I can just move straight from my current flat into the new one. I am looking forward to moving, even if the new flat is about an extra half hours walk from uni. However, the kitchen is much larger which in my eyes more than makes up for the walk!

Luckily for me, my parents like Aberdeen as much as I do and so they have lovingly volunteered to come and move all of my things for me. I shall head down to England for my sisters 21^st birthday and my parents are driving me back. Not only are they happy to move all of my stuff (and there is rather a lot of it!), they are also going to save me the return train fare. Going home for the first time since Easter will give me a chance to catch up with all of my family, but hopefully to have a little fun as well. Last summer I more than doubled my return luggage after going on a rather large spending spree so I think it’s lucky that I’m being driven back! Following the big move, I have plans to visit a friend in Kent for a few days and do lots of touristy things in London.

The summer break will be nicely rounded off by the University Open Day. It’s a fantastic day which I think all Student Ambassadors love to work at. Campus is once again buzzing and we have the chance to show off the University that we love. If you wish to book a place or get more information, please refer to our website at: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/openday

It’s heard to believe that this time four years ago; I was sitting at home desperately cramming for my Physics A-level exam with no ideas or plans as to whether or not I’d go to university. And today I’m sitting back enjoying the fact that I have completed my undergraduate degree. It’s a strange feeling; you feel relieved that the years of essays, lab reports and exams are now behind you, and excited about starting something brand new. Yet for me finally finishing my degree has felt a lot weirder that I had expected. Before I started my research project for my dissertation I had made up my mind that going on to study medicine was next step after graduation. It had been something I’d wanted to do for as long as I can remember, and I think I have few blog posts talking about it. Then I spent 12 weeks working on a project which involved trying to find a biological cause for depression, and I have to admit whilst the endless typing and reading was quite exhausting, it was really enjoyable and interesting, and has left me wondering about if maybe I’d like to continue researching in that field by doing a Masters or a PhD. However it is still early days and I have three months in which to make up my mind, and after having had such a great experience at the University of Aberdeen these last four years (after having made that decision on a whim), I’m sure I’ll be figure out what I want to do next. You never know, I might be Dr Nooreen Akhtar PhD which I think has a pretty good ring to it.

Anyways… moving on to a more fun topic, it’s now the beginning of the summer holidays and even though it hasn’t even been a week since finishing my exams, my calendar is starting to look pretty full. This weekend I am getting fitted for my bridesmaid dress for when my best friends’ (they’re getting married to each other) wedding in July. In three weeks time I will be jetting off to see my parents and should be back in time for graduation.  August will be spent jetting back and forth between Aberdeen and London for yet another wedding (which has been made a lot easier that there are direct flights between Aberdeen and London), and finally Open Day 2010 which I always look forward to. And remember if you want to see me wandering around campus in a bright red t-shirt you can book a place at www.abdn.ac.uk/openday.

Right all this thinking and planning as made me rather hungry so I think it may be time to stop writing. Best of luck to anyone who has an exam to sit, remember just think about all the exciting things you have planned over the summer, that’s the thought that always get me through.

Nooreen

After three years of study and numerous deadlines and exams, I have officially completed my undergraduate career at the University of Aberdeen.  I had my last exam on Wednesday morning and after a nerve racking two hours I am free to enjoy the summer weather!  I cannot believe that I will graduate in five weeks.

Speaking of graduation I just purchased my Ball tickets for a fun filled night including a Champagne Reception, Casino, and Ceilidh and after party and I am very excited.  I have bought a lovely dress and painful (but beautiful) shoes to mark the occasion.  Although, I think that I am getting a little ahead of myself.  First we actually have the ceremony.  Whilst studying you do not really think about your achievements enough.  Then before you know it, the years have passed and you are ordering academic gowns and photograph packages (courtesy of my blessed parents).  You realise that gaining a degree from an ancient, picturesque and research strong University is something to be very proud of.  I will be very sad to leave…

However, I will not be gone for too long.  After a very relaxing summer, I will be returning in September to read for the MLitt Art in Scotland.  It is a Masters degree in the History of Art with an emphasis on Scottish Art.  After my dissertation concentrating on the effect of disease on art, this course seemed perfect.  It helps that there will be lovely trips to Paris see these paintings in situ!

For those of you thinking of UCAS applications this year, why not plan a little trip to Aberdeen. The annual Open Day that this year will be held on the 31st August.  It is a chance for prospective students to find about the University, meet the academics, look around the campus and hopefully choose us to read for your degree.  It will start at 8:45am and there will be the chance to stay over in Hillhead Halls for the night.  Please see http://www.abdn.ac.uk/openday/ for more details and I hope to see many of you there!

Daliah

Aberdeen is currently basking in glorious sunshine and almost everyone you meet has a smile on their face and a spring in their step. I say almost everyone, as it is revision week and some people are worrying about exams, which start next week. As a PhD student I do not have exams, but I still remember what it was like as an undergraduate student. I was never a fan of exams, but nowadays I occasionally wish I still had exams. Because if I had exams I might have three weeks of stress and revision and worrying and all that jazz, but afterwards I would be free for the whole summer and able to relax and unwind. As it is I will spend the whole summer in Aberdeen trying my best to write at least a page and a half per day. Still, it is not all bad, as I will not be totally alone. As I have mentioned on this blog before, I have an amazing circle of friends here at the University of Aberdeen. Some are people I have only met this year; some are people dating back from my first year in Aberdeen. The best thing about being at university is definitely the people you meet and the friendships you make. Of course, not all of them will be in Aberdeen over the summer, but there will be enough left to have BBQs and coffee breaks with. Unfortunately, some friends will not be coming back after the summer. My best friend for the past seven years has recently joined the Navy and now resides down in Dartmouth, while one of my fellow PhD students and close friends is moving back home to the States to finish writing up his thesis. I am not very happy about this, but such is life and I wish them all the best. And just because they are leaving Aberdeen does not mean that the friendships will end. I am still in regular contact with people I met on campus all the way back in 2002 when I started out in Aberdeen. Staying in touch is fairly easy these days, and I am certain we will see each other again.

I’ve just been asked to be Senior Student Ambassador again for this year’s Open Day which will be held on Tuesday 31^st August – I will have mixed emotions however as I love the Open Day and the buzz round the campus but it will be my last at the University L

Anyways, I think that is enough from me for now. The sunshine and a farewell dinner are calling. I hope that those of you joining us this September will make the same amazing friendships that I made. Who knows, maybe I will be one of those friends J

Until the next time, be well in all things

David

I know it has been absolute ages since I last wrote a blog entry. I have been very busy with my studies and I took some time off work to focus on them. The campus has been rather quiet and empty for the past three weeks as it was the University of Aberdeen’s Easter break. Not being able to make it home for Easter turned out to be a bit of a blessing this year, as it means I am not grounded somewhere in an airport due to volcanic ash covering most of Europe. A large number of my fellow students have not been as lucky and are currently trying their best to make their way back to Aberdeen as today is the first day of the summer term. Of course, some of them will probably enjoy having a prolonged Easter break J

A number of people that were hoping to come and visit Aberdeen in order to be shown around campus by one of our student ambassadors also had to cancel their trips due to the current situation. However, preparations are well under way for our university wide Open Day on Tuesday, 31^st August 2010, when we expect to welcome about 6,000 visitors to the university. This Open Day will be of special significance to me as it will probably be my last Open Day as a student ambassador. I will really miss my job, which has allowed me to meet people from all over the world and show them the university I have come to love so much. If anyone wants to be present for one of my last campus tours ever, you can find more information by visiting www.abdn.ac.uk/openday. An online booking form will be available in the near future.

Until the next time, be well in all things.

David

On Tuesday, the 1^st September 2009 the University of Aberdeen held its annual Open Day and once again over 6,000 visitors flocked to the campus to get a feel for the university and meet with academics and members of the recruitment and admissions staff. On top of the chance to listen to a number of talks and presentations on a wide range of issues concerning students, visitors could also go on a tour of the campus and our new sports facilities, as well as visiting various departments. The weather played along beautifully and the atmosphere on campus was really good. The day before the Open Day about 200 prospective students and their parents stayed over in halls of residence to get a taste of student life. There was a student party with a pub quiz and some karaoke (the highlight of which was me and my fellow student ambassador Sean singing ‘I Got You Babe’ by Sonny&Cher).

This was my 5^th Open Day as a student ambassador and once again I thoroughly enjoyed meeting loads of new people and showing them around campus, despite only getting 3 hours of sleep and my feet hurting a lot by the end of the day. We had a number of new student ambassadors starting this year and they turned out to be a very friendly and helpful bunch and it was good fun working with them. I am already looking forward to next year’s Open Day on Tuesday, the 31^st August 2010, which will probably be my last Open Day at the University of Aberdeen unfortunately.

After the hustle and bustle of the Open Day the campus has quieted down again, but will roar back to life in just over a week when Freshers’ Week 2009 kicks off. Freshers’ Week is great fun and gives students new and old a chance to settle in, sign up to one of our 58 sports teams and 105 student societies, and have a bit of fun before classes start the week after. After the long, quiet summer it will be fun to have the campus thronging with students again and to catch up with friends that were gone all summer. And as I am involved in a number of societies it will also give me the chance to meet some of our new students and make new friends. Which is what being at university is all about.

Until the next time, be well in all things.

David

Those of you following this blog should know by now that I like going to the gym and staying fit. At the moment the university’s gym is closed down which is rather annoying as I have had to get a temporary membership in a different (and more expensive) gym. But it will be worth it in the long run, trust me. On Monday I was lucky enough to be part of a tour of the new Sports Village which will open on the 24^th August 2009. To say that I was impressed is a blatant understatement. The new gym will probably be one of the best in Scotland and will make sure that students at Aberdeen can stay healthy and fit and participate in almost any sport imaginable. I was mostly interested in the fitness suite which has over 100 cardio-vascular and muscular machines, all of which have TV screens and can be programmed with exercises tailor-made for individual students! And the best thing is it will only cost £15/month or £11/month if you opt for the Off-Peak membership. And if you sign up for an entire year in advance you get a 10% discount (making it £162 or £118 for the whole year). Your membership will give you access to the swimming pool, the fitness suite, the performance gym, the squash and badminton courts, as well as over 60 fitness and health classes per week. While our swimming pool will originally stay in the King’s Pavilion (the Olympic swimming pool will not be ready till 2012), it is being refurbished (the main reason why our gym is currently closed down).  Those of you visiting the Open Day on the 1^st September 2009 will have the chance to go on a tour of the Sports Village. For more information in the meantime just redirect your browsers to http://www.aberdeensportsvillage.com/ and prepare to be dazzled.

I think I will head over to my interim gym tonight to make the most of my temporary membership and to get fit enough for our new gym. Until the next time, be well in all things.

David