Ultimate Student Survival Guide Get in tou ch with us! Email: [email protected] Instagram: fristgenerationnetwork.kcl Twitter: @FirstKcl Facebook: KCL First Generation Network 1 Contents Page: Introductions Page 3-4 • What to expect at university • What students have to say about studying at King’s Advice Page 5-11 • Words of Wisdom from KCL staff • What students wish they were told in First Year • Top study Tips Making the most of the King’s experience Page 12-15 • Fail moments • Bucket List • Low Budget Activities Food Places around Campus Page16-19 • Strand • Waterloo • Guy’s Specific Tips Page 20-22 • Commuters • International Students Sources of support Page 23-36 • Assessments • Mental Health support • Disability • Workload Anxiety • Assessment Appeals • Navigating library services • Study Abroad • Careers support • Money Problems • Accommodation support • Harassment and Discrimination FAQS Page 37-39 Take Home Message Page 40 2 3 Inspiration Life lessons Fresh start Generational changes Inclusivity Passion Hard work Experience Societies 4 5 My advice would be to get involved with the life of your Department and of the Faculty / College more broadly. When I went to university as an undergraduate, I was clueless about how it worked as an institution, on lots of different levels: I didn't know what the politics of higher education were; how universities were funded and run; what an MA or PhD were; what 'research' might be; what staff did when they were not in the classroom; what a university degree could mean in terms of jobs etc. ... Coming to university can make you feel cut adrift, because it's a whole new world with new rules which you have to work hard to get your head round. But it is also a place of intellectual and social opportunity. The more you can embed yourself in your department, and contribute to how it is run - go to events, readings, talks, be a rep, be a peer supporter, join a society and organise something, invite a speaker, talk to your tutors, talk to other students etc. - the more you will feel part of a network of learners, and the more you will understand the university’s place in the world, and your own place within the university community. Dr Sarah Lewis, Department of English I would advise a student to ask for help if they are struggling with any of the academic work - i.e. essay writing and structuring a clear argument. It's so easy to feel that 'everyone else knows how to do it' but that's not true! It's difficult for everyone and there is help available so definitely ask for it. Student Engagement Officer, Student Success, SMSS, Professional Services Don't be afraid to ask your personal tutor and other professors for recommendation letters, advice, whether they know of job/internship and other opportunities, etc. Be proactive, and don't feel shy about it - tell your professors about your goals, ideas, ambitions, even if half-baked, as they might have suggestions and connections. If you don't speak up, they won't know your interests and won't think of you when opportunities arise. Lecturer, Department of Digital Humanities Think about what you want to contribute to the university environment as well as what you want to gain from it: what do you bring, what can you share, and what can you learn from being part of the university community? Joy Whyte, Arts & Humanities Faculty Operating Officer 6 Use your personal tutor! We're to help make sense of your university career, and the more you stay in touch the more use we can be to you. We're available in our drop-in office hours and you can email us to make a different appointment or talk by phone. Lecturer, Department of History Seminars can sometimes be intimidating if you're naturally quite shy. Try to say something, even if it's just a minor observation, every seminar. In time, you'll hopefully come to trust your lecturers and your peers and be able to treat seminars as spaces to test out and explore ideas. Dr Clare Birchall, Department of English Once you have settled into university, try and establish a routine for yourself. Get up at the same time each day and have regular hours when you work and when you socialise. It took me a while to figure this out, but once I did, I was so much more productive and could better enjoy my time with my friends as I wasn't worrying about the work I hadn't done. Jo Marchant, Head of Widening Participation Students seem to believe that in the modern University, lectures and tutorials are optional and that you can keep up with video capture and on-line resources. Do not believe it! In the opinion of an elderly male professor lecture attendance is vital. When records are taken there is a clear correlation between exam performance and lecture attendance. But having turned up, CHALLENGE your teachers. We are like actors: we need the encouragement of our audience. Use the office hours and tutorials to get to know your lecturers better. Never be afraid to directly talk to, or otherwise contact, members of academic staff. Professor Tony Paxton, Department of Physics 7 You’ve got try. Be more open. People aren't going to come up to you to be friends because everyone is just as nervous as you are, so you have to actually go out and get involved. The only way to survive uni is to actually make the effort to meet people, without that you'll struggle (in some cases). – Anonymous. Second year English student I wish I was told about the kitchen area in the Virginia Woolf Building - Faijah Hussain, Degree completed in BA Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics The best way to proofread or see if your work is good is by giving it to someone else, make friends that will help support you. Also get involved! My first semester was wasted just travelling from home to uni. Keep an eye on your finances, but don’t be afraid to spend them. There’s a bursary every year for those that need it, so don’t worry. The second semester was when I started to get more involved- it was great because I met some amazing people and created wonderful memories, but I also lost motivation when it came to studying. Make sure you find a balance between your student and social life. - Sillan Sorgucu, year 2, geography Network, network, network! Even if you are introvert (especially if you are introvert). Trust me, there are many people out there who are willing to share their experience with you and/or help you. As WP students, we may not know what to do to start our career. In addition to the Careers & Employability services at King's, reach out to people on LinkedIn and find yourself mentors! - Marjana El Harrade, GRADUATE. Will commence Masters in European Studies in September 2019 You are in charge of your mistakes so be careful and remember to study about the certain anatomy before having to work in a specialised ward. - Kaynath Rahman. Year 2. Nursing with Registration as a Children's Nurse BSc. Asking for extra help from lecturers or graduate assistants doesn’t make one look weak; it’s actually one of the wisest moves you could ever make. You’re at university to explore your interest area and do well in it. If it means searching for extra help then do so. For my experience, it does pay off. - Jarius Manu-Barrett, Year 3, Global Health and Social Medicine 8 Do not give up. There are times when it can be difficult to consistently have to email, phone, visit people to get something done (sometimes its all different people - sometimes its the same). Do not be afraid to do this if you need something. People are quite nice and want to help - just sometimes you have to be persistent. If someone hasn't replied in a while, send them a reminder email. I used to worry about pestering others but now will be confident in what I need and just gently remind the same person, or keep going down the line of people I need to contact. It can be tedious but it has to be done. - Naiyira Naweed, Year 2 Physics Uni is hard work, but it's okay to take a break, if you push yourself too hard, you're not going to be productive or do well, it's almost always better to take a break and come back with fresh eyes than to push yourself to breaking point. - Thomas Bearman, 3rd Year, International Relations and history. 9 Top tips students would like to pass on to you! Have fun! University is a valuable social experience - the people you meet can inspire you and the things that you do can become part of lifelong memories. Admittedly, it is a step-up from sixth form/college so you have to put more individual effort in to your studies, but you should leave some time to develop your well-being and become a well-rounded person! Remind yourself why you applied for the course. Find the little things that make your course and modules interesting to you i.e. the concepts, the primary reading of that week, the lectures, the people! It makes a difference if you’re searching for the good things in your course rather than the bad things, that way you’ll start off with a positive mindset and assurance that you picked the right course.