University of Aberdeen Blog

It is unfortunate that the University of Aberdeen is currently on its Easter break, because most students are missing out on the rather nice weather we are having at the moment. As always during holidays the campus is rather calm and quiet. So is my house as both of my housemates are out of the country right now. One of them is on an internship at the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington, DC. I did the same internship six years ago as part of my undergraduate degree in History and Politics. It only lasts three weeks, but it is great fun and gives History students a chance to explore Washington, DC while gaining some valuable work experience. It is one of many such opportunities that all students at the University of Aberdeen have as part of their studies here. If any prospective History students are reading this, you can find more information about the Washington placement here http://www.abdn.ac.uk/history/ugrad/washington.shtml

The Easter break lasts for one more week and then the campus will explode with activity again. The first week back is always very busy as AUSA (Aberdeen University Students’ Association – www.ausa.org.uk) is holding its annual elections, giving students a chance to choose who will represent them and who will fight for their rights. A lot of my friends are heavily involved in AUSA, but thankfully they are all standing for different positions so I do not have to choose between them. Being involved in AUSA is not only good fun, but it also looks very good on a CV later on. Last September AUSA moved into its brand new headquarters, allowing them to provide even better services for students.

As you can see there are many ways for students to gain valuable work experience at the University of Aberdeen. If students need some help looking for interesting placements and internships, or if they need advice on how to apply for jobs and such, then they can always turn to our excellent Careers Service (http://www.abdn.ac.uk/careers/).

Speaking of jobs and such, this will in all likelihood be my last ever entry for this blog, as my time as a student ambassador is coming to an end very soon. I have greatly enjoyed my almost six years on the job and will miss it very much. Thankfully, my new job is also at the University of Aberdeen so I do not have to say a final farewell to my work colleagues. I hope you, the readers, have found my blog entries both informative and entertaining and, of course, I hope that you will have as good a time being a student at the University of Aberdeen as I have.

Be well in all things,

David         

Regular readers of this blog are no doubt aware that I am thoroughly enjoying my time as a student at the University of Aberdeen. In the past I have written about the many friends that I have made and the many societies that I have joined over the years. However, there is one aspect of being a student that I have not really mentioned before, but that is nonetheless an important part of the student experience at the University of Aberdeen. As you will no doubt have guessed from the title of this blog entry, I am talking about the sense of belonging and the sense of community that go hand in hand with being a student here.

It is not the easiest concept to put into concrete terms. It is probably best described as the fact that irrespective of what you are studying or where you are from you feel that the University of Aberdeen is Your University and that you are part of a wider community. This feeling can manifest itself in many different forms. For instance earlier this month our boat club successfully won ‘Survival of the Fittest’, the 16^th annual boat race between the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University. While I do not personally have any interest in boat racing and have never been to a single boat race in my life, I was nonetheless pleased that ‘We’ won the race (and just for the record, this was ‘Our’ 14^th victory J For more info visit http://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/details-9979.php).

This sense of community is not just limited to the students, but it also includes all members of staff, from the friendly cleaners making sure your halls of residence are clean and tidy, all the way to our new Principal and Vice-Chancellor. Last Monday, Professor Ian Diamond took some time out of his busy schedule for a special Q&A session with students organised by our Students’ Association. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend myself, but I have been told that the event was well received and that Professor Ian Diamond enjoyed it so much that there will be more of these Q&A sessions in the future.

Until the next time, be well in all things

David

Well the past few weeks have been rather busy for me partially academically and partially socially. But before I could really get into my work for this semester, we still had the exam results to get for last semester. Happily I did rather well in my exams, much better than I was expecting, but it’s the feeling of relief after the anxious weeks of waiting that feels much better. After that was over, I had to settle into the courses for this semester, one of which we had to write an essay per week for the first 3 weeks! We had to read various books and then analyse their approach to History. I have to say, I don’t think I will enjoy this course anywhere near as the others I have taken in the past.

As well as the above course, I have to write my dissertation this term. I now have a set title, a bibliography and extended outline showing my argument. These are the first steps in the process and next is to actually start reading the books on my bibliography. I expect to use about 30 or so different books and journals and then I have my primary sources on top of that so I really should get reading!

On a more personal note, last weekend saw the first of my friends to get married. The bride was my first friend in Aberdeen after we were placed in the same flat in Halls, and she got engaged in that very first semester. But the wedding was also something of a reunion as I got to catch up with all of the friends who graduated last year, including others from our Halls. It just goes to show how well the Accommodation office placed us in first year, that 4 out of the original 6 from that flat in Hector Boece are still great friends after 4 ½ years!

But back in Aberdeen, this past week we held our BSc Applicant day which enabled all of the students who had applied for BSc degrees to come and have a look around and learn more about the courses they had applied for. It was (apart from the weather) a great success and I hope next weeks MA applicant day goes as well. If you have applied for the MA programme and would like to attend the applicant day on March 2^nd, you are still able to register at: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/maapplicantday/ereg/

The University of Aberdeen has two special events coming up that will be of great interest to everyone who has applied to start their studies in September 2011. The Applicant Days give prospective students a chance to talk to academics, visit various departments, have a look around campus, meet with current students, and generally find out all there is to know about the University of Aberdeen firsthand. It is a great way of getting a feel for the place and learning more about what university life is all about.

The first of these days, the Science and Engineering Applicant Day (http://www.abdn.ac.uk/applicantday) is on Wednesday, 23^rd February 2011.

The second of these days, the MA Applicant Day (http://www.abdn.ac.uk/maapplicantday) is on Wednesday, 2^nd March 2011.

I would highly recommend booking a place for one of the Applicant Days (you can do so by clicking on the links above) and I look forward to welcoming you to Aberdeen in the near future.

Until the next time, be well in all things

David

Right, who is excited about second semester?! I hope you have screamed ‘ME!’ at the computer. Well, I am definitely looking forward to my new courses; there is nothing wrong with being a little bit of a geek! Apart from doing some university preparations I have also been helping new postgraduate students to settle in at the Hillhead Halls. It was great to be back in student halls once again, I have even managed to practice my French with new Erasmus students. Welcome to all new students, I hope you have settled in well and are enjoying yourselves already! As Ashley mentioned, there are many amazing events this week and we all should have a little bit of fun before the essay writing will begin again. Go party, sign up for as many societies and sports clubs as you can, I promise it’ll be fun!

Many of you, who have applied to University of Aberdeen, have been getting in touch with us to find out about your offers. We were happy to have received so many applications, however due to such a large amount of applications it is taking a while to get back to all of you. But the University will be sending out the bulk of their decisions in February, with the exception of Medicine and the BEd. Unfortunately, if you have not applied on time late applications will not be considered.

We also received many phone calls from parents with regards to Parents’ Evenings; the letter has all the details on how to sign-up for an evening and also online evenings, there is also additional information can be found on www.abdn.ac.uk/parents-evening. However the letter does not indicate whether or not an offer will be made to the student.

There is also additional information about Saltire Scholarship, the deadline for this year is 17^th June, and applications should include the reference and transcript. The scholarship is open to Canadian, Chinese, Indian and US nationals. Details of the scholarship can be found at: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/international/scholarships.php.

I hope you all will get the letters you are waiting for very soon. Good luck everyone! I’m off to order books for this semester J

So, for many students the horror of exams is finally coming to an end with only 3 days left. Fortunately for me I did not have any exams this year! Woop woop! My lecturers have however made up for that by giving us classes meaning I have been attempting to play with online maps a lot.

Starting tomorrow we have lots of postgraduate students arriving at the University to start classes in the next couple of week. If you are one of those students, welcome to Aberdeen and I am sure you shall see my smiley face around campus quite a lot over the next week. As well as working in the Townhouse, I am also going to be meeting students at the airport. I also have the joy of being the Re-freshers Week Coordinator for the Students’ Association. We have organised lots of amazing events for you to get used to Aberdeen and meet lots of new people. Keep an eye out for people in red t-shirts saying “University of Aberdeen” and green t-shirts saying “Refreshers Week”.

There are going to be lots of events that you can find in your “New Students Guide” and on the Students’ Association website – www.ausa.org.uk, these include campus tours, a “Re-freshers fling” to introduce many of you to Scottish Ceilidh dancing, movie nights, Sports Fayre, Societies Fayre, bus tour, treasure hunt, welcome talks, nights out and many other things too J I am not a new start and I’m getting really excited about it!

I better get back to writing my essay and sorting out all the volunteers for next week. If you need any help next week just speak to someone in either a red or a green t-shirt (I will have both) and we can answer your questions. See you all soon.

Well first of all let me wish you all a Happy New Year. This is my first day back at work since before Christmas and I must say I am finding it a little strange. However it is a more than welcome break from my revision. Exams began on the 17^th, which is when my first exam took place. My next exam isn’t for a week so in my head that leaves plenty of time to face my revision, although I do know that the day before I will be running around panicking like crazy. But I am looking forward to my exams being over. The day after my last exam I will be heading down to Glasgow to celebrate one of my friend’s ‘hen do’ which will be her last mad evening before we all head back to Glasgow to see her married later on in February.

I am really looking forward to both the ‘hen do’ and the wedding as it will give me a chance to catch up with friends that I haven’t really seen since they graduated last year. The week following my first trip to Glasgow also sees the start of the new semester. This means the start of classes again. This coming semester is a very exciting one for me as it my final one at the University. (Unless I decide to do post grad here as well, which is what I would ideally do if I can secure funding.) This semester also sees me having to write my dissertation.

My dissertation is on the Dissolution of Monasteries in Northern England during the Reformation. At the moment this is a vague thing, but we only have 2 weeks to finalise our titles and I must say that I am not looking forward to it. The days before the deadline I can see being fraught with last minute research I probably should have done over Christmas whilst I was actually in Northern England! As I am set to write about 10,000 words on the subject, I will have to do lots of research which is what will take the most time. My plan includes several research trips to places like York, Durham and Lancaster, which means I actually have an excuse to go and stay at home for a while (my parents live in Lancashire) and get spoiled and pampered.

But as for now, I should probably finish up my work and then get home and hit the books!

It gives me great pleasure to wish all of you a Happy New Year on behalf of everyone at the University of Aberdeen. I hope you all had as good a start to 2011 as I did. I started the New Year by celebrating my very first Hogmanay. I know it is hard to believe, but despite having lived and studied in Aberdeen for almost a decade, I have never before celebrated New Year’s Eve in Scotland. I started the evening off by having a raclette (which is not a very traditional Hogmanay dish) with a few friends, before some more people joined us afterwards to help usher in the New Year with good company and a toast or two. All in all, it was a very fun evening and a good start to the New Year.

Of course, for most of you reading this the fact that it is now January means one important thing - the UCAS (www.ucas.com) deadline is fast approaching! The deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, 15th January 2011 for all those wishing to start their studies in September 2011. Now, more than ever before, it is important that you do not miss the UCAS deadline. Last year the University of Aberdeen saw a massive rise in the number of applications and was unable to accept late applications (we were also one of the universities that did not go into Clearing). We are expecting an equally high number of applications for entry in September 2011, so if you wish to study at the University of Aberdeen make sure you submit your application before the deadline. For more information on the deadline visit http://www.ucas.com/news/december/15jan

I wish you all the best of luck with your applications and for 2011 in general, whether you are taking A-Levels, Highers, or a gap year. If all goes well, you might be able to celebrate your first Hogmanay sooner than you think

Until the next time, be well in all things

David

Hello everyone!

Okay, let me introduce myself. My name is Kristina and I am a third year student in the University of Aberdeen, studying French Language and International Relations. The interesting fact about me is that I am originally from Siberia (Yes, that’s right, Siberia!), but before you say it, no I am not use to this cold weather. But I do like snowy weather, it does remind me of home, also it means that we will have white Christmas this year!

Last year I spent my year abroad in one of the most beautiful cities in France, Lyon. It was amazing! I had time to travel and learn more about French culture and its history. It was truly a great experience. Although, I did miss my University, especially life on the campus where everything was nearby and all my friends were there. I was glad to be back at the University and very lucky to get a job as a student ambassador. The University’s Open Day and Freshers’ Week were a great way to meet a lot of interesting people.

Although it was great to be back in Aberdeen and I was very happy to begin my third year of University, I found myself slightly lost, because of the amount of work I had to complete by this Christmas. Temporarily my address changed to the Queen Mother Library! But I have managed to survive and achieve good marks. Now I can relax and enjoy my holidays in sunny Gran Canaria, thanks to my parents! I do hope all of you manage to get home in time for Christmas without any delays!

Enjoy your time by the warm fire in the company of your family and friends. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! I am looking forward to meeting many of you at the University’s Applicant Days.

See you in 2011!

Kristina

Hey Everyone,

My name is Ashley and I am new to the townhouse team here at the University of Aberdeen so starting my very first blog J I suppose the first thing you would like to know is “who am I?” Well I am a Scottish student originally from Arbroath (it’s about an hour south of Aberdeen). I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen in the summer last year, in BSc (Hons) Geography and Geoscience (technically its geography and geology…yes, I like rocks). I am currently doing my postgraduate degree here as well in Environmental Science. I didn’t want to leave the University when I finished as it is such a friendly place and like its own little village within a city.

My course is quite difficult with lots of assessments to do but on the plus side I don’t get any exams in January. I think its kind of a reward for doing so many assessments throughout the year, which I prefer to exams anyway. The courses are a lot more interesting than I first thought they were and are also really varied, i’m doing microbiology courses…I haven’t done any form of biology since Standard Grades (and that was a few years ago) but the lectures are really good for helping when you don’t quite know what is going on. One of the really interesting things about my course was the number of international students in my class. My class is made up of approximately 20 students, only 3 of which are from the UK, the rest are from Nigeria, India and China, so there is a good cultural variation and everyone is from different backgrounds too.

At the moment the classes are all wrapping up for the Christmas holidays with all classes finishing tomorrow for a 3 week break. It is also looking very Christmassy around campus. The Christmas lights are up on Elphinstone and the Christmas tree is covered in lights. The snow also began again overnight so the roads were a little slippy for getting into University this morning but thankfully the gritters have been out clearing the road. It has been snowing quite heavily all day so I am not looking forward to brushing all the snow off my car when I head home this evening. I must admit though, I am really looking forward to playing in the snow like a little child when I go home this Christmas…there is a child in everyone wanting to play in snow J

As most of you probably know there was a webchat last night for prospective students. Do not worry if you missed it, there will be another one in early January to answer any questions you have. For those of you applying for undergraduate degrees through UCAS the deadline is the 15^th of January so make sure you get them in soon. I am currently applying for PhDs with their deadlines being the 13^th of January so I know how you all feel, making sure you put down the right information and that your personal statement looks amazing.

You will be hearing from me again in the New Year when all the festivities are over and I’ll be giving you information about anything exciting that happened over the holiday and if we all survived the snow.

Merry Christmas

Ashley