The new year has begun and it is already the second term at Aston University. For research students it is slightly different as we don't have exams so our work is continuous and we also allocate some time to our research during holidays. However, the end of the year is very fast approaching and if everything goes how it was initially planned I am expected to write up and submit my PhD thesis at the end of September meaning that there are a few months left and a lot of work still needs to be done.
This will of course require a lot of independent work and being able to organise yourself as apart from concentrating on PhD work there are also a lot of other commitments and work. I expect this term to be quite challenging as I will have to allocate a lot of time to writing up my analysis chapters for my thesis and balance it with my teaching work.
All students are getting quite busy at the moment as it is the beginning of a new term for undergraduate and master's students and research students carry on with their projects. So I wish everyone had a very productive term in terms of their work and achievements!
Wednesday 30 January 2013
Monday 21 January 2013
Exams at Aston
Exam anxiety is probably very well known to everyone no matter how well you are prepared for your exams..every single student has this feeling that there could be something extra they could have done to improve their performance. Hard work during term time, revision, last minute preparation and then being assessed on just one day performance can be stressful to everyone...But every one faces the same situation and knowing that can make it slightly easier.
PhD students do not have exams every term. After our first year we have to write a Qualifying Report summing up our research progress and an oral exam (viva) is held individually where we present our work and examiner asks questions and comments on your work. Once this exam is passed we work with our supervisors until thesis is completed - then final viva takes place. So there is a completely different way of assessment in comparison to undergraduate and Master's degree.
During my Master's Degree at Aston we used to have exams before holidays which I found useful as you tend to keep concentrated during term time and can relax during holidays not worrying about revision. Aston University provides help in order to ease exam stress. For example, international students can sign up for English classes during term time for free to improve their writing skills and that is a great support as better language skills tend to increase your understanding of the subject and thus improve your grade. Apart from that all lecturers are always happy to provide guidance during term time so as it tends to get very busy before exams it is always better to come and see them once you feel you might lack understanding in a certain area.
Hopefully all exams went well for everyone! and now it feels like Aston life is back to normal - lectures, seminars and empty library for the first week of the term))).
PhD students do not have exams every term. After our first year we have to write a Qualifying Report summing up our research progress and an oral exam (viva) is held individually where we present our work and examiner asks questions and comments on your work. Once this exam is passed we work with our supervisors until thesis is completed - then final viva takes place. So there is a completely different way of assessment in comparison to undergraduate and Master's degree.
During my Master's Degree at Aston we used to have exams before holidays which I found useful as you tend to keep concentrated during term time and can relax during holidays not worrying about revision. Aston University provides help in order to ease exam stress. For example, international students can sign up for English classes during term time for free to improve their writing skills and that is a great support as better language skills tend to increase your understanding of the subject and thus improve your grade. Apart from that all lecturers are always happy to provide guidance during term time so as it tends to get very busy before exams it is always better to come and see them once you feel you might lack understanding in a certain area.
Hopefully all exams went well for everyone! and now it feels like Aston life is back to normal - lectures, seminars and empty library for the first week of the term))).
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