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- by Charlotte King
- In Other
Posted Sept. 26, 2014
Places to Find In Your University in Your First Week
As a postgraduate student, starting university is a t-shirt you have already worn so the typical Fresher activities of the first week of the new term – making (and losing) friends, sampling a variety of never-heard-of alcoholic drinks and decorating your room with cheap posters – are things that you probably don’t feel a burning desire to engage with. However, joining any new university brings with it a certain unfamiliarity, and, with lectures and tutorials not yet fully underway, the first week is the ideal time to find those important places that will become a part of postgraduate life .
Library Services As a postgraduate you will already know the value of the main university library, which you came to rely upon during your undergraduate days, sourcing those impossible-to-find, out-of-print textbooks which have long since ceased to exist elsewhere.
However, it is well-worth exploring the campus for smaller, dustier libraries which may carry additional stock, such as within your department building or your college (if your institution operates a collegiate system). Less well-visited than the central library, these hidden gems might prevent you from getting in the scrum for the only copy of a set text as well as providing you with alternatives which your counterparts overlook.
Departmental Offices As a postgraduate student, with your first degree safely tucked under your belt, you are likely to enjoy a more respectful relationship with the college lecturers. Getting your face known could be beneficial in the long run, both with the department secretary and the head of department – especially if you aspire to a future career in academia.
Student Welfare Office Personal difficulties – relationship, health, bereavement or financial – can strike anyone at any time, often without warning, and have the potential to adversely affect your learning. Similarly, if you are an international postgraduate student arriving in the UK for the first time, the welfare service can support your integration and provide practical advice in relation to visa renewals. Knowing where to seek help should you require it could save you time and stress at a later date, so check out the location of the office and the range of services it offers.
Computing Facilities If you aren’t fortunate to have your own computer or laptop (or printer!), you’ll certainly need to have ready access to IT throughout your course. Somewhat predictably the university library and computing centre will offer these facilities but are likely to be in high demand just when you need them, so find out whether other computers are available in, for example, your college or department. This might save you trawling the campus hunting for an available PC when the pressure is on to complete an assignment or project.
Meeting and Information Points Finally, building a network of contacts with your fellow postgraduates will help to ease you through the rigours of your course so find out the various places where contact can be made with others. From lecture theatres to coffee shops and the postgraduate common room to the department noticeboard, these locations are likely to become a familiar stomping ground during your time as a postgraduate.
Early familiarity with your university will help you to settle into your surroundings more quickly as well as saving you time once your course is underway – so spend the first few days orientating yourself and you’ll feel more at home in no time.
Related articles
Library Services As a postgraduate you will already know the value of the main university library, which you came to rely upon during your undergraduate days, sourcing those impossible-to-find, out-of-print textbooks which have long since ceased to exist elsewhere.
However, it is well-worth exploring the campus for smaller, dustier libraries which may carry additional stock, such as within your department building or your college (if your institution operates a collegiate system). Less well-visited than the central library, these hidden gems might prevent you from getting in the scrum for the only copy of a set text as well as providing you with alternatives which your counterparts overlook.
Departmental Offices As a postgraduate student, with your first degree safely tucked under your belt, you are likely to enjoy a more respectful relationship with the college lecturers. Getting your face known could be beneficial in the long run, both with the department secretary and the head of department – especially if you aspire to a future career in academia.
Student Welfare Office Personal difficulties – relationship, health, bereavement or financial – can strike anyone at any time, often without warning, and have the potential to adversely affect your learning. Similarly, if you are an international postgraduate student arriving in the UK for the first time, the welfare service can support your integration and provide practical advice in relation to visa renewals. Knowing where to seek help should you require it could save you time and stress at a later date, so check out the location of the office and the range of services it offers.
Computing Facilities If you aren’t fortunate to have your own computer or laptop (or printer!), you’ll certainly need to have ready access to IT throughout your course. Somewhat predictably the university library and computing centre will offer these facilities but are likely to be in high demand just when you need them, so find out whether other computers are available in, for example, your college or department. This might save you trawling the campus hunting for an available PC when the pressure is on to complete an assignment or project.
Meeting and Information Points Finally, building a network of contacts with your fellow postgraduates will help to ease you through the rigours of your course so find out the various places where contact can be made with others. From lecture theatres to coffee shops and the postgraduate common room to the department noticeboard, these locations are likely to become a familiar stomping ground during your time as a postgraduate.
Early familiarity with your university will help you to settle into your surroundings more quickly as well as saving you time once your course is underway – so spend the first few days orientating yourself and you’ll feel more at home in no time.
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