Demystifying your first year at Birkbeck Angela Dierks Head of My Birkbeck Student Services

Aim provide an overview of the academic year explore how you might be feeling banish myths and misconceptions provide first hand experience of life at Birkbeck

Butterflies NervousExcitement Meeting new people Learning something new Coping with the demands of the course Rising to the challenge of the course Finding time to studyEnjoying time spent studying Not completing/defer/take a break Graduating

A typical week – your timetable MonTuesWedThursFriSatSun am 8-12 Gym/ Work Gym/ Work HW and errands pm Work StudyFamily/ Friends/ Fun Eve 6-9 BBK GymFamily/ Friends/ Fun StudyTV Night TVLibraryKey reading Family/ Friends/ Fun TV

Get organised Learn to manage your time effectively Get a study planner Identify a study space Have system in place for study material

Distractions and procrastination Avoid lots of displacement activities Check that your study goals are realistic – are you trying to do too much? Know yourself Reward yourself Just do it – something is better than nothing Talk to your family members/friends asking them to respect your study time Identify your time wasters

The first year – 3 terms Spring (9 th January – 23 rd March) Summer (23 rd April until 6 th July) Autumn ( 1st October – 14 th December )

Spring– what to expect 11 weeks 1 st week induction; student handbook; getting to know staff and fellow students Teaching – lectures, seminars, labs Reading week half way through – catch up or get ahead Stay Ahead Motivated programme– February Preparing for assessment/exams – February/March Meeting first deadline – March/April

Summer Term 11 weeks Using feedback from term one assessments to feed forward Revisit and review work from Spring term Exam revision – consider taking block of annual leave? Exams – always during the working day Preparing for next year Update your CV Enjoy the break!

Autumn Term Consolidating knowledge from previous terms Teaching – lectures, seminars, labs Reading week half way through – catch up or get ahead Stay Ahead Programme – November Preparing for assessment – December

Support services Birkbeck Students Union (incl. Advice Centre and Counselling Service) Birkbeck Careers Service IT Services Disability and Dyslexia Support International Office Learning support and study sk Library Services Nursery Student Centre

Five fast facts There is 24 hour access to the building – study rooms are always available – Room 536 There are showers available – ask reception for the key There is a cash machine and prayer room at the School of Oriental and African Studies ULU has the largest swimming pool in central London – gym is £26.00 direct debit but can pay daily £4.50 Buy one get one free at the BBK bar on a Friday …