University of Aberdeen Blog

I don’t know what it is about November, but it always seems to be the month where my calendar starts to fill up and I tend to be running frantically from building to building. It may sound a tad stressful, but once it all gets going it’s actually quite good fun.

The month started with the last of the Halloween parties and the monthly AUSA council meeting. I sit on the Societies Union Committee, which is responsible for promoting societies and their social events, sorting out the distribution of money to different societies and giving advice, support and training to any society which needs it.  The council meeting itself was quite good fun, especially as Soc Union managed to get a few policies approved so our President was quite happy.

This week has involved the odd late night spent working on an important section of my project. I tend to have meetings with both my supervisors every week and twice a month I have to update them with the progress I have made so far. This week it is the research questions aspect of my project, and so far they seem to be shaping up quite nicely, though I think I have a fair bit to do before I can let my supervisors see them.    

And finally the last important date in my diary is Scottish Mental Health Research Network conference down in Glasgow, where there will be a lot of talks linked to my project and hopefully will be a good opportunity to network. I’m actually a bit nervous as I have never been to a conference before, and have never had to spend an entire day wandering around in a suit, but I have a feeling that this is the sleep deprivation talking.  

So fellow readers, as you can see life has become quite busy, so this blog post will be my last as a student ambassador. I have had an amazing three years working for the department and meeting new students, and will miss typing away about the random things I have been up to. But like they say, when one door closes another opens, so let’s see what happens next J

Nooreen

As you are no doubt aware yesterday was Halloween, which means that the streets of Aberdeen were overrun with ghouls, vampires, Lady Gagas, and many other assorted monsters. Having such a large student population, the scariest day of the year is always a fun time around here. There are always many events on, catering to everyone’s tastes and moods. This year I decided to take things slow and not head out into town. I spent the evening in with some good friends, pizza, and music. This was a wise decision, as I had work today and a meeting with my supervisor. Nonetheless, I am feeling rather tired which is apparently due to my body adjusting to the clocks changing. Or so I have been told. Anyways, that is about all I have time for today. Once I am fully awake again, I will write more. Until the next time, be well in all things.

David

In a frantic day, I am taking this rare chance to have a snack and update my blog. I must say, it really is a frantic time of year. During the October school holidays, we have lots of people coming to visit and so we do a lot of campus tours. If you wish to organise one, please visit: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/undergraduate/open-days.php it’s also a busy time of year academically. As well having to study for the courses I am doing this semester, we are also having to try and finalise our dissertation topics and begin all of our research. I decided to write on the Reformation and although I am having a little trouble trying to focus, I think that it will be on the Dissolution of Monasteries in Northern England. My sneaky inclusion of Northern England means that for any research trips, I will (hopefully) be able to stay at home. I am planning on going home during reading week to do some preliminary research and indulge in some home cooking…..not that I don’t enjoy cooking myself.

Due to the pressures of time, I have become an expert in making meals quickly, but when I have a little more time, I love to bake. Being involved in society fundraising is a fantastic opportunity to arrange bake-sales and other events that encourage indulgent baking time. The Catholic Society, of which I am former treasurer is set to hold it’s second bring a dish night of the term. The first was a great success with people making a whole range of national dishes – and there were lots of scrumptious puddings too! (I will be making much cake for this event!) We then went on to play board games which when combined with wine become much more fun! I really have never played a game of Articulate like it! Events like this really open you up to all of the different cultures at the University, not just with food, but also the different approaches to games. We currently have about 20% International students from around 120 different nationalities, and so if you are an International student considering attending Aberdeen, you can feel safe in the knowledge that you would not be the only one. More information for International Students can be found on our website at: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/international/index.php

But as for now, time really has caught up with me and I have to get back to my work, or my lecturers will be rather unimpressed with my lack of reading!

Today fellow readers I am writing my blog from my new office, yes that is right I am officially a registered Postgraduate student doing an MPhil in Mental Health with a view to convert my project into a PhD. It has been a busy couple of weeks trying to adapt to a new style of learning, sorting out paperwork and trying to read through the mountain of background reading I have to do, but all in all I absolutely love it.

My typical day at the moment involves getting to my office at 9am, and after sifting through my unread emails and making a cup of tea I tend to make a start on my reading for the day. As it is only the first month of my project, background reading takes up most of my day, but there are the occasional departmental meetings, a couple of lectures and a weekly meeting with my supervisor that I have to prepare for. Most research students also get given special research notebooks that are filled in with all your ideas and plans for your project, and eventually go on to become the book that contains all your results and methodology. So by the time my brain begins to throb from all the new terms and theories I’ve had to learn, its 6pm and time to head home to relax. However I have made the effort to get involved in student activities so that my life does not end up revolving around my research. I am back on the Societies Union Committee for the AUSA and also plan to get involved in the new AU Psychiatric Society, who have a screening of Shutter Island next week and a talk on the media and mental health.

So, as you may have gathered my life as a postgrad is very different from my undergraduate degree. It does take a while to get used (especially having to wake up at half seven every morning), but the thing that makes it easier is that I am reading and researching a topic that I am really interested in, so while sitting in an office for about 8 or 9 hours reading may sound tedious, time just flies past because I enjoy it. However dear readers, I have a 150 page document to get through by the end of today and an important meeting tomorrow to prepare for, so goodbye for now and hope you’ve all been enjoying your half-term holidays.

Nooreen   

Last week was my ninth Freshers’ Week as a student at the University of Aberdeen and as far as Freshers’ Weeks go it was pretty quiet and relaxing. I did not really attend any of the myriad events aimed at new students, not because they are not fun, but more because of “been there, done that”. I spent most of the week catching up with friends returning from their summer breaks and getting everything sorted for my last year at university. I did bump into some people I gave campus tours to, which is always good fun, and I did sign up to a number of societies. The highlight of the week for me was the weekend, which included a good friend’s birthday party, a visit from two of my sisters, and the first official meeting of one of my societies.

As befits everyone’s post Freshers’ Week mood, the new term is starting on a grey and chilly Monday morning. For me the week ahead will consist mostly of gym trips, research, work, and introductory meetings of a number of societies I signed up, as well as catching up with some friends I have not had the chance to see yet. Speaking of going to the gym, I think I will keep this blog entry short and head over to the Aberdeen Sports Village now to get my body into shape for the week ahead. Until the next time, be well in all things

David

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

Today marks the last day of classes for this semester. I have to say I could not be happier. I have 2 weeks for revision and then just one exam. I think most people feel the same way after the mad rush at the end of term. This past week has been a tough one as I attempted (and failed) to finish 2 essays before the joint birthday party of 3 friends. There is only so much reading you can do before your brain starts to fry!

As I failed in my attempts to finish before the party, I had to leave after an hour in order to go home and write. However, I only have myself and my poor planning to blame.

This past week we also held the AGM for our society. I have been the treasurer for the Catholic Society for the past two years and I am happily standing down and taking a break. I very happy to know that I am passing on the baton to somebody with much greater mathematical skill than I! Coming in the middle of my stressed out week of essays, I was not looking forward to the AGM. I admit to being rather panicked that nobody would stand for the committee, but I think it was my caffeine induced paranoia talking!

Now that it is all over, well until 1^st June, I have some time to myself and luckily the weather seems to be cooperating. First on the list is a nice relaxing walk to the beach and the largest ice-cream I can find. There is nothing better when the weather is this nice. We really do have to make the most of the sun while we have it. This weekend is also the Word Festival, a literary festival held by the University every year. One of the events that I am most interested in attending is a talk by Pauline McLynn, or Mrs. Doyle as she is better known. Few people know that as well as making a lovely cup of tea, she also is an accomplished novelist!

Today has been one of those days, where you keep finding yourself staring out the window wondering where on earth the last three and a half years have gone. I could assume that this sudden urge to reminisce could be down to the fact that in 3 and a bit months time, I will be enjoying a lovely sunny afternoon at my graduation ceremony, but right now I think it’s more to do with the fact that my dissertation is due is just over a month and well I have appeared to have mastered every form of procrastination. This long list includes learning how to knit, archiving my DVD collection and completing Modern Warfare 2 for the 5^th time. However my latest craze actually gets me out of the house, but there is a bit of a story behind it. A couple of weeks ago, whilst staring blankly at my laptop and feeling a bit down about my dissertation (which ironically enough is about depression) I was suddenly hit by a great idea, I should buy a bicycle. So 3 hours later I had a brand new bike, except having never really owned a bike before, I had no idea what to get and ended up with a child’s bike, and of course I didn’t really notice (I’m not the tallest of people) until I ended up at my local health practice in absolute agony. This is how I learnt that a child’s bike is actually meant for a child as the frame size, wheels etc are all very different, and had resulted in me damaging both my knees. Having learnt my lesson I now have beautiful (adult) bike and I usually cycle 15km everyday. Most days I cycle down to the beach with a packed lunch and with Aberdeen being the sunniest city in Scotland, I usually spend an hour or two sitting in the sand enjoying my sandwich, and then cycle back home refreshed and ready to get back to writing.

Now some of you might think that I am referring to the popular youtube video, but not this time. It actaully refers to possibly the only thought that went through my head as I watched the countdown to 2010 whilst partying hard with my friends. I woke up the next morning and whilst filling in my new calendar I realised that 2010 is actually a pretty important and busy year for me. In 4 months time I have to hand in the final draft of my disseration, 6 months till graduation and my best friends’ wedding, 7 months to a trip to New York and a possible 9 months before I start my new degree (which is still yet to be decided). Usually when I know I have a lot of important things to do, my brain will occasionally go into panic mode, and I’ll end up hiding under my duvet with a cup of tea, but these days I seem to spend most of my free time thinking back to how much my life has changed over the last three and a half years. It only feels like yesterday when I was frantically packing my suitcase with all the things I thought I would need for my first year at university. Having moved around a lot as child, I had always thought that after finishing my undergraduate degree in Aberdeen, I would probably want to move again for my next degree (I just want to get as many fancy letters after my name as possible), but right now whilst sitting back in my comfy office chair and staring out at the university campus, I can happily say that I have no intentions of leaving Aberdeen any time soon.

Anyways enough reminescing for today. Well I know it has been a while since my last blog entry, but I have been a very busy bee. I’ve just started working on my dissertation, which is surprisingly interesting and the best part is that I can work from home, so I get to enjoy a daily lie in . I’ve also decided to do my part for saving the whole planet thing by buying a bicycle, and cycling pretty much everywhere. It’s lucky that Aberdeen is pretty bike friendly otherwise having never ridden a bike on a road before, I’d probably end up under a bus.  However I have discovered the joys of cycling to the beach whenever I feel like it, and how a helmet can be used for other purposes aside from cycling such as protecting my head whilst cleaning a part of my bathroom that has a ridiculously ceiling.

It is now quarter to five, and time for me to start closing things up in the office. So hope everyone had a good new year and good luck in the upcoming exams.

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