Study Orientation for International Postgraduate Taught Students Sue Rigby Assistant Principal University of Edinburgh

Study Orientation for International Postgraduate Taught Students

Sue RigbyAssistant PrincipalUniversity of Edinburgh

Welcome to the University and to this Orientation day

Introduction content More welcomes People running the programme Context The Challenge Plan for session

Who we are

Tony LynchLanguage specialistJon TurnerInstitute for Academic DevelopmentSandra MorrisDeputy Head, International OfficeJohanna HoltranEdinburgh University Students Association

TimePresentationPresenter2.05Welcome and IntroductionDr Sue Rigby2.15Active LearningProfessor Tony Lynch2.40Time ManagementDr Jon Turner2.55Writing and reading EffectivelyProfessor Tony Lynch3.20Assessment and FeedbackDr Sue Rigby3.50Understanding LocalsProfessor Tony Lynch4.15Help, Advice and resourcesJohanna Holtan and Kim Pearson4.30Getting Out There!Sandra Morris4.40QuestionsAll participants4.50CloseSue Rigby5.00Reception at Appleton Tower FoyerAll participants

Programme context: Scotland and Edinburgh

Edinburgh isnt so much a city, more a way of life ... I doubt Ill ever tire of exploring Edinburgh, on foot or in print. Ian Rankin, bestselling crime writer and alumnus of the University of EdinburghVoted Best place to live in the UK YouGov Poll of 10,000 UK residents, 2009Top 10 best City in the World Voted by Wanderlust readers, 2008

Programme context: Edinburgh University

We are consistently ranked one of the top 50 universities in the world* * THES QS Ranking96% of our disciplines have research that is world leading** 2008 UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise

Sharing our Global Vision withChina.France.Germany.Australia.Switzerland.Norway.India.Belgium.Mexico.America.Africa.Japan.Austria.Fiji.Pakistan.We are also part of the Russell Group which represents 20 of UKs leading Universities.

It is similar to USs Ivy League group of Universities and Australias Group of Eight.

Influencing the world since 1583

Our role in shaping the modern worldOne scientific epoch ended and another began with James Clerk Maxwell the special theory of relativity owes its origins to Maxwells equations of the electromagnetic field. Albert Einstein, physicist and philosopher

Masters study in Edinburgh

Short timescaleHigh expectationsHigh aspirationsLarge investmentLots to do, not just work

-How to succeed and make the most of your studies?

Your blueprint for success assessment and feedback

Your expectations

Vocational or research masters?

Costly should have value to you in future

Should give you specific and generic skills

PTES highlights challenges confidence in new settings, transkills, career support we are working on these, so must you..

Your School

Provides teaching, but you may also take courses from other Schools or CollegesProvides advice and administrative support for your ProgrammeSets and marks your examsThrough the Board of Examiners ratifies your degree award

The academic year 2010/11

DatesEvents19 September 2 DecemberTeaching5-21 DecemberRevision and examsVacation16 January 6 AprilTeaching (ILW)23 April 25 May(Exams), first BOE28 May DissertationsSeptemberFinal Boards of Examiners

Taught component of masters

Two taught semestersMost courses assessed by course work and examMust pass first time, you should check your local progression rules to see if you can continue with the Masters if you fail any elements of a course.

Common marking scheme

MarkWhat it means> 70 %Excellent, really good work60-69%A high level of achievement50-59%Competent but not exceptional40-49%A pass but not at Masters level diploma standard< 40%Fail

Feedback

How to do better next time must be timely and forward lookingComes from Programme Director,Lecturers, DemonstratorsMake sure they do this!

Can come from Peers

Audit yourself how to do this.

Dissertation

Research dissertation over the SummerPrepare for this earlyTalk to staff, use personal contactsMake sure you get on with your SupervisorMake sure you are clear about what is required from youNag, bully, be persistent in getting the help you may need

Where next?

ACTIVE LEARNING Tony LynchEnglish Language Teaching Centre

Expectations of PGs

LECTURES

What are lectures for?One local view:

I dont want just to hear my voice. What I really want is to hear students who are willing to question and challenge me, and take the debate forward.

An alternative view:

Being quiet in class, listening carefully and taking precise notes are regarded as traits of a good student

Decisions in note-making

What the lecturer has saidWhat it meansWhether its important enough to go into your notesHow to note it down efficiently

Is a point important?A critical attitude:AnalysingEvaluatingApplying if relevant

Lecturing stylesReading (more formal language)

Conversational (more informal)

Multi-modal (speech, writing, image, and body language - SWIBL)

Active = InteractiveInteraction inside your head: KELKNOWLEDGE EXPERIENCE LECTURERS WORDS

Interaction with other peopleLECTURER STUDENTS

Lecturers languageMarkers of importanceMarkers of topic changeDIGRESSION and RETURNMarkers of summary / conclusion

But relatively informal speech (so conversation practice helps)

Markers of importanceCentral / key / core / vitalStress / underline / highlight

What this boils down to isThe crux of the matter isThe $64,000 question is

Markers of topic changeHaving looked at X, lets turn to YId like now to move on to

Incidentally / By the way / While I think of it = DIGRESSIONAnyway / As I was saying = RETURN

Markers of summary / conclusionTo sum up / In conclusionWhat does all this mean?

At the end of the dayFor my moneyIn a nutshell

SEMINARS

What are they for?The local view:ExplorationExchange Participation

An alternative view:We just talk

What can go wrong?

It was a disaster. They hadnt done the reading. Nobody wanted to say anything, so I thought we might as well finish early

Stages in participationUnderstandingProcessingForming a response to the speakers pointProducing that responseListening to the next speaker(Understanding, etc.)

Sources of difficulty

Not understanding the previous speaker(s)

Not having anything to say

Having something to say, but not working out your response in time

Improving your understanding

Listen to a range of accents

Listen to discussions

Listen in on others conversations

Improving your speaking

For fluency - talk (to yourself, if necessary) in English

For conciseness : the 4-3-2 technique

Asking questions

Any questions?Complex relationship

Threat to face: - for the person asking - for the person asked

Intercultural differences

An Indonesian exampleTL: Any questions?S: No questions.TL: What about the others?S: They have no questions, either.TL: How do you know they dont have any questions?S: Because...

... you are a good teacher.

Replies to requests

Ill see what I can doIll do my bestIll do what I can

Youre not asking much, are you?Send me an email

Ask

the right question

of the relevant person

at the appropriate time

Time Management

What will be the two biggest time management challenges that you face this year?

Please write them down

General adviceUnderstand yourself:How and when do you work best?What are your bad habits?Rewards and targetsMaintain a healthy work/life balance:Stay healthyDont get over-tiredPace yourself

On-courseManaging your workload: Be preparedQuality of work: CompromiseTask prioritisation: AssignmentsUsing feedbackYou and your co-students are a brilliant resource for one another

Dissertation Projects: planning & managementHave a plan! : the process is significantly aided by clear project designResearch problemspecific questionsmethods and implementationAccept the need for flexibilitySet intermediate targets and short term goals & deadlinesDiscuss with supervisor(s)

Write down two examples of effective time management that you will try to follow this year

www.ed.ac.uk/iad/postgraduates

Reading and Writing Effectively

Tony LynchEnglish Language Teaching Centre

Reading effectively

Economically

Strategically

Selectively

Everyones problems

size of reading lists

making time to do the reading

Strategies Look for clues on priorities Decide your own priorities

Structure your readingSQRRR (SQ3R)

SQRRR Survey (sample, skim) Question Read Recall Review

Advice on effective readingwww.uefap.com

Links Skills Reading Effective reading

Writing EffectivelyKey elements in academic writing:

APPROPRIACY (STYLE)ACCURACYCARE with REFERENCES

Appropriacy

Style = vocabulary > grammarUse your reading to extend your stock of words and expressionsMake a note of those you find usefulUse them in your draftIf in doubt, google for them

AccuracyImportance of writing cycles:Rough planReading and note-makingOutlineFirst draftRevisionSecond draft etc

RevisionThe difference between successful and unsuccessful writers is that the successful ones revise more often.

Final revisionEditingSpellcheckingProofreading

Acknowledging your sourcesThe five Cs:CareConsistencyCompletenessCorrectnesseConomy

Care

If you note down all the details of your sources when you do your reading, this takes care of itself.

It also means you save time when you are finalising your essay.

Consistency

Ask your Programme Director if there is a programme stylesheet for the presentation of References.

If not, analyse and follow the system used in one of the journals you are recommended to read.

CompletenessALL the sources you have used

ALL the details required for the types of source you are using: bookjournal articlechapter in an edited collection, etc.

CorrectnessMake sure you get right:

Spelling of authors names and technical terms in your fieldSurname versus first nameOrder of presentation in your References (alphabetical order, chronological order, etc.)

eConomyBrown, G. (2009) The value of the semi-colon in academic writing. Journal of Pedantry, volume 56, issue 3, pages 200-214.Brown G. 2009. The value of the semi-colon in academic writing. Journal of Pedantry 56/3: 200-214.

Guidance on academic writingwww.uefap.com

Links Skills Writing

Your blueprint for success assessment and feedback

Your expectations

Vocational or research masters?

Costly should have value to you in future

Should give you specific and generic skills

PTES highlights challenges confidence in new settings, transkills, career support we are working on these, so must you..

Your School

Provides teaching, but you may also take courses from other Schools or CollegesProvides advice and administrative support for your ProgrammeSets and marks your examsThrough the Board of Examiners ratifies your degree award

The academic year 2010/11

DatesEvents19 September 2 DecemberTeaching5-21 DecemberRevision and examsVacation16 January 6 AprilTeaching (ILW)23 April 25 May(Exams), first BOE28 May DissertationsSeptemberFinal Boards of Examiners

Taught component of masters

Two taught semestersMost courses assessed by course work and examMust pass first time, you should check your local progression rules to see if you can continue with the Masters if you fail any elements of a course.

Common marking scheme

MarkWhat it means> 70 %Excellent, really good work60-69%A high level of achievement50-59%Competent but not exceptional40-49%A pass but not at Masters level diploma standard< 40%Fail

Feedback

How to do better next time must be timely and forward lookingComes from Programme Director,Lecturers, DemonstratorsMake sure they do this!

Can come from Peers

Audit yourself how to do this.

Dissertation

Research dissertation over the SummerPrepare for this earlyTalk to staff, use personal contactsMake sure you get on with your SupervisorMake sure you are clear about what is required from youNag, bully, be persistent in getting the help you may need

Where next?

UNDERSTANDING LOCALS and MAKING YOURSELF UNDERSTOOD

Tony LynchEnglish Language Teaching Centre

(Video clip)

Comprehensionis active

exploits linguistic input, context, and the listeners background knowledge

involves looking for reasonable interpretations of input

Extract from a radio interview

sex bendersix bendersick spendersuspendersex spender

Six-bender?

Ballyregan Bob

Input: British accents (1955)

What ear jar ye?

High yoldar ye?

Aim seven

Accents

There is no Scottish accent

There are lots of Scottish accents!

Main ones are: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Borders, Galloway, Dundee, Aberdeen, Highland, Western Isles, Orkney, and Shetland

Good news about Scottish accents

partpath

S England /pt//p/ N England/pat//p/ Scotland /paRt//p/

Practical tipsListen to Radio Scotland news:

Newsreader (written English, slight accent)Reporters (spoken from notes, stronger accent)Interviewees (spontaneous, accent/dialect)

Dialect wordsListen out for:-nae instead of nt (cannae, didnae)wee for smallstay for live (where do you stay?)will for shallthats me = Ive finished

Tips for speaking practiceTANDEM (EUSA)

Talk to shop assistants, lab technicians, servitors

Listen out for feedback from people listening to you

PROFILE (book)Principles, Resources and Options for the Independent Learner of EnglishKenneth Anderson & Tony Lynch

Available for 5 from: English Language Teaching Centre21 Hill Place

Thats me

University of Edinburgh HelpAdvice andResources

Kim Pearson and Johanna Holtan

University of Edinburgh

Ongoing visa and immigration advice and services with trained advisors

Police registration


Information EventsWorking after StudiesPreparing to go home


University Sources of HelpCareers ServiceCounselling ServiceStudent Disability ServiceUniversity Health Centre


Other Resources

Online Study Skills Support at the IAD - http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/institute-academic-developmentAlso: courses offered by English Language Teaching CentreInstitute for Academic DevelopmentEUSA

Edinburgh University Students Association

The Advice Place


Best resource?

University staff and other Students..

University of Edinburgh 16th September 2011Sandra Morris, International OfficeJohanna Holtan, EUSA

Edinburgh University Students AssociationStudent LifeFreshers WeekClubs and SocietiesSports FacilitiesVolunteeringEvents ProgrammeGo GlobalPG RepresentationTandem Language Exchange


The International Student Centre (ISC)

The ISC is run by students for students. TripsSocial eventsCoffee eveningsPub NightsFacebook: International Student Centre EdinburghWeb:www.isced.blogspot.com

Edinburgh University Students AssociationThe International Student Centre (ISC)

Friday 16th September @ 13.00 and 16.00Historical Tour of EdinburghMeet outside Teviot Debating Hall

Saturday 17th SeptemberAll day trip to St AndrewsTickets: 8.00


Some examples of events last year

Trip to StirlingTrip to Culzean CastleTrip to LindisfarneTrip to Bamburgh CastleTrip to Loch KatrineTrip to Whisky Distillery

Web:www.isced.blogspot.com


The Universitys Hospitality Scheme

All new international and EU students can apply.

Hosts include staff of the university, alumni, friends of the university, students.

Applications for the Hospitality Scheme for 2011 academic year will open shortly.


Some useful websites and places to gotheOracle.co.uk( Google free things to do in Edinburgh)

Edinburgh.Gumtree.comFor furniture, electrical items, accommodation

Charity ShopsFor clothes

5 Things you MUST do while you are in Edinburgh!!!

You must climb Arthurs SeatYou must attend at least one ceilidhYou must eat haggis (at least once!)You must visit a castleYou must visit another part of Scotland (for instance catch a train to North Berwick)


University of Edinburgh All good people agree, And all good people say, All nice people, like us, are We And everyone else is They: But if you cross over the sea, Instead of over the way, You may end by looking on We As only a sort of They! From We and They, Rudyard Kipling

University of Edinburgh Enjoy your Studies! Enjoy Edinburgh!

Our scientists work beyond the laboratory and journey to far-flung corners of the world. Their discoveries are crucial in shaping our understanding of the Earth and how to nurture it. For example: The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghTop 10 best City in the World (voted by Wanderlust readers,2008)Voted Best place to live in the UK (YouGov Poll of 10,000 UK residents 2009) Ranked on Atmosphere, Reputation, Safety, Friendliness, Cost of living, Ease of getting around, The Buzz, Cuisine, Variety of Shops, Cultural experience

UNESCO World Heritage Centre1st UNESCO City of Literaturec. 0.5 million people live here5 restaurants in Edinburgh with a Michelin starRoyal PalaceVolcanic RockAncient Castle4 miles from the beach15 miles from rural Scotland4 hours by train from London, 1hr flightEdinburgh airport flies to 138 destinations around the world

The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghRanking20th in World (THES, 2009)5th in UK (THES, 2009)RAE - 200896% of our disciplines produce World Leading research in terms of originality, significance and rigour (RAE 2008)5th best in UK in terms of % of world class or international researchAcademic prizes14 staff/ students past and present who have received the Nobel Prize5 who have received the Lasker Award1 person who has received the Fields Medal1 person who has received the Abel prizeSport (http://alumni.eusu.ed.ac.uk/index.php?s=content&p=Alumni)25 Commonwealth Medals3 Euro Championship Medals19 World Championship Medals10 Olympic Medals

The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghEuropeWe are a member of the League of European Research Universities and Eurolife, two European networks of research-focused universities. We host the Europa Institute, a research centre of advanced study on European Integration. Asia/AfricaOur connections to China have been bolstered by the creation of the Confucius Institute. We are a member of the Research Consortium on Educational Outcomes and Poverty (RECOUP), a partnership between universities from the UK, South Asia and Africa. We were selected by UNESCO to host a chair in international development.North AmericaOur association with the US can be traced back to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Two of the Declarations signatories were Edinburgh graduates John Witherspoon and Benjamin Rush. AustraliaThe University signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Macquarie in Sydney to run a joint PhD programme. The University of Edinburgh is also a founding member of global network Universitas 21, which counts the universities of Melbourne, New South Wales and Queensland among its 21 members.

Other factsThe Russell Group: represents the 20 leading UK universities which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector the League of European Research Institutions (LERU): an association of 22 European research-intensive universities sharing the values of high-quality teaching within an environment of internationally competitive research Universitas 21: an international network of 21 leading research-intensive universities in thirteen countries The Coimbra Group: an association of 38 long-established European multidisciplinary universities of high international standard. The Coimbra Group is committed to creating special academic and cultural ties in order to promote, for the benefit of its members, internationalisation, academic collaboration, excellence in learning and research, and service to society 170 international exchange places throughout the world The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghOur MissionThe mission of our University is the creation, dissemination and curation of knowledge. As a world-leading centre of academic excellence we aim to: Enhance our position as one of the worlds leading research and teaching universities and to measure our performance against the highest international standards Provide the highest quality learning and teaching environment for the greater wellbeing of our students and deliver an outstanding educational portfolioProduce graduates fully equipped to achieve the highest personal and professional standards Make a significant, sustainable and socially responsible contribution to Scotland, the UK and the world, promoting health and economic and cultural wellbeing.

HSSAdam Ferguson, PhilosopherAdam Smith, economistDavid Hume, PhilosopherDugald Stewart, PhilosopherGordon Brown, former UK Prime MinisterIan Rankin, writer, creator of the bestselling Rebus novelsJ.M.Barrie , WriterJames Macmillan, ComposerJames Wilson and John Witherspoon, signatories to the US Declaration of IndependenceKenneth Leighton, ComposerLord John Russell (matriculated, not graduated)Lord PalmerstonPeter Mark Roget, lexicographer, created Rogets Thesaurus Robert Louis Stevenson, WriterSir Arthur Conan Doyle, WriterSir Chris Hoy, CyclistSir Walter Scott, WriterSir Walter Scott, writer, author of literature classics including Rob Roy and IvanhoeSir Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the UK, Literature Nobel Prize winner and Rector of the University from 19291932.MVMArthur Ignatius Conan Doyle - novelist. Charles Darwin - briefly studied medicine at Edinburgh. Erasmus Darwin physician, poet, author and evolutionary biologist. James Gregory - President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and author. James Syme - pioneering Scottish surgeon. John Batty Tuke - pioneering neuroscientist. John Fothergill (1712 1780), English physician, plant collector, philanthropist Joseph Black - discoverer of carbon dioxide and of latent heat. Joseph Lister - the first to practise antiseptic surgery in the 1870s ("the father of modern antisepsis"), Professor of Surgery 1870-77. Professor Zhong Nanshan, President of the Chinese Medical Association, identified the SARS virusRobert Liston - pioneering Scottish surgeon. Sir James Young Simpson - discovered chloroform anaesthesia in 1847, revolutionising obstetric and surgical practice. Sir Thomas Lauder Brunton, 1st Baronet FRS - discovered organic nitrates had the ability to alleviate angina pectoris. Sophia Jex-Blake - the first woman to study medicine at Edinburgh. William Cullen - First Physician to the King in Scotland. William Withering - botanist and physician, discovered Digoxin.Joseph Lister, MedicS&EAlexander Graham Bell, engineerCharles Darwin, naturalistColin Maclaurin, MathematicianDaniel Rutherford, ChemistIan Wilmut, BiologistJames Clark Maxwell, PhysicistJames Hutton, GeologistJoseph Black, ChemistMax Born, PhysicistNarayan Hosmane, ChemistPeter Guthrie Tait, PhysicistPeter Higgs, PhysicistPiers Sellers, astronaut, third Briton to travel into space Robert Brown, BotanistSir David Brewster, PhysicistSir Michael Atiyah, MathematicianTom Kibble, PhysicistWilliam Rankine, engineer

The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University was founded in 1583 and taught the important subjects of the time: Greek, Logic, Ethics, Philosophy and Mathematics. In the 17th century, the University rapidly adapted to the new experimental sciences and the Newtonian revolution: it created chairs of Botany in 1676 and Physiology in 1685 with a botanical garden designed to explore the medicinal use of plants and later created the first chair in Agriculture in the UK. It was at the heart of the glittering era of the Scottish Enlightenment in the late 18th century, when the creativity of University's academics such as Adam Smith, the founder of modern economics; James Hutton, the founder of modern geology, David Hume the philosopher; Joseph Black, the chemist, who discovered carbon dioxide and latent heat; and Adam Ferguson, the historian, were at the hub of the movement that had a great impact on the intellectual life of the world. The University's modernised curriculum and teaching methods also helped establish the University as the most admired enlightened university during this period. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Edinburgh also became known as the leading medical centre in Europe. It played a major role in founding the disciplines of pathology, public health and psychiatry, and made great advances in surgery. James Young Simpson revolutionised surgery and obstetrics with the development of effective anaesthesia and Joseph Lister introduced antiseptic techniques. It was during this period that the University saw some of its first foreign graduates from China, Africa and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Today, The University of Edinburgh continues to attract the greatest minds from across the globe, reflecting its position as one of the worlds leading universities. The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghSince 1969, the University has supported its researchers to make an impact with their work in the real world. Innovative applications of Edinburgh-based research have led to the creation of new inventions that many of us wouldnt be able to live without. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghOur VisionTo shape the future by attracting and developing the worlds most promising students and outstanding staff.The University of Edinburghs revolutionary thinkers have introduced the world to many inventions, discoveries, and ideas, from penicillin to Dolly the Sheep, by believing that anything is possible. Our people continue in that tradition, consistently striving to uncover the unknown, transforming science fiction into fact, and unveiling new possibilities for future generations. For example:

The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghOur scientists work beyond the laboratory and journey to far-flung corners of the world. Their discoveries are crucial in shaping our understanding of the Earth and how to nurture it. For example: The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh*Managing your time as a Masters student is demanding and can be a significant challenge.

On most Masters programmes the workload is high whilst the teaching and assignments are intellectually demanding. You may also find that you are working on several different assignments at the same time with strict deadlines for the submission of your assignments.

You also have the additional challenge of working in an academic environment (and in some cases a language) that is unfamiliar to you.

It is, therefore, well worth thinking carefully and monitoring your approach to time management.

The University of Edinburgh*So what do you think will be the two biggest time management challenges that you will face this year?

Please write them down

GIVE THEM ABOUT 30 seconds

Now lets see what some of last years students said about time management The University of Edinburgh*So what advice do I have for you? First a couple of general pointsI found that postgraduate study was when I learnt a lot about my own effectiveness both good and bad. Whilst, particularly during the teaching semesters, you have a timetable of lectures and other activities you also have control over a great deal of your own time. One of the key challenges in postgraduate study is managing that flexible time.Be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses.How and when do you work best? I find that I am at my sharpest in the morning. I then tend to struggle in the early afternoon and pick up again towards the end of the day. I therefore try to schedule time in the morning to do work that is more demanding intellectually to try and work out problems or write. In the afternoons I try to get through more routine tasks, like dealing with e-mails, or schedule meetings so that I can get an energy boost from talking with others.What about you? Find out when you are at your most creative and sharpest and make sure you use this time to do the difficult stuff.And what about your bad habits? Do you get side-tracked into dealing with e-mail or web browsing? Do you procrastinate spend lots of time avoiding making a start on a task and put off tasks that are difficult or you dont like? Try to identify your own bad habits and then do something about them. I know one colleague who realised that his progress with writing his thesis was getting slower and slower because he would settle himself at his comfortable desk in his room, make himself a copy, just check a few e-mails and do a bit of web browsing to get warmed up and realise hed been there 40 minutes and not written anything. He therefore changed his office, moved his computer away from the internet socket and made a rule never to check e-mail or the web until hed worked for at least 2 hours. It worked for him. And this leads into my next point. Think of ways to motivate yourself. Maybe you are someone who likes to set targets. This can be helpful as long as the targets are realistic and dont demotivate you, and as long as you prioritise the right things. I do operate my own reward system finish off these two sections of a paper and Ill check the news online or go for a walk. I also find that spending a few minutes at the end of each day putting things in order, deciding on what Im going to prioritise for the next day and getting things ready helps. Masters students at Edinburgh are highly motivated, competitive and generally work very hard. This is good BUT it is important to maintain a healthy work/life balance.Make sure that you have some outside interests and that you make time to relax, socialise and think about other things. This will help you to stay sharp and maintain your concentration and focus. Masters study is demanding but it is also a year long process. It is important to make sure that you make time to stay healthy and not get over-tired. Pace yourself. Particularly as I get older I find that the quality of my work rapidly deteriorates if I get too tired. Taking a proper weekend off, relaxing and doing something other than work can pay big dividends.

The University of Edinburgh*demands of having to balance several different courses and competing schedules and assignment deadlines.The inevitable compromises that sometimes have to been made to meet deadlines and that this means that you cant always produce the perfect assignment

The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh*Ok

While I hand over to the next speaker what Id like you to do is think about what youve just heard, from me and from last years students, what youve heard during the last week and your past experience.

And please write down two examples of effective time management that you will try to use this year.

This is you making a resolution to yourself of how you will try to manage your time and look after yourself during the year ahead. The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of EdinburghSince 1969, the University has supported its researchers to make an impact with their work in the real world. Innovative applications of Edinburgh-based research have led to the creation of new inventions that many of us wouldnt be able to live without. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghThe University has been saving lives for 270 years with world-class teaching and research in medicine. The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghOur VisionTo shape the future by attracting and developing the worlds most promising students and outstanding staff.The University of Edinburghs revolutionary thinkers have introduced the world to many inventions, discoveries, and ideas, from penicillin to Dolly the Sheep, by believing that anything is possible. Our people continue in that tradition, consistently striving to uncover the unknown, transforming science fiction into fact, and unveiling new possibilities for future generations. For example:

The University of Edinburgh The University of EdinburghOur scientists work beyond the laboratory and journey to far-flung corners of the world. Their discoveries are crucial in shaping our understanding of the Earth and how to nurture it. For example: The University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh* The University of Edinburgh

Documents

Study Orientation for International Postgraduate Taught Students Sue Rigby Assistant Principal University of Edinburgh