Advice wanted about uni problem.

bestpud

Fire_Fox wrote: »

You should be expecting to purchase one key text - two if they are less expensive - for each module from your reading list. There have been 20% off full price books from Borders etc. offers on recently, or get hold of a second hand copy through a college noticeboard or Green Metropolis or Amazon sellers. If there are 300 on your course, there must be 300 students in the year above who are keep to sell a book or two on? I spent £600 on Amazon in 2008, plus I subscribe to several industry magazines.

The vast majority of students are not that broke, maintenance grants and loans plus a part-time job should mean you can manage if you are sensible. If you are struggling then complete a Statement of Affairs (sticky on DFW main page) and post it on the Debt-free Wannabe board. Core texts should be taking priority over nights out, clothes etc. as they will actually pay for themselves in the long run - either through time saved hunting for information, or in improved wages once you graduate.

Hope this helps! :A

I don't think it is necessary to purchase any books tbh. I've certainly got by without them over the last year (and regret buying them in earlier years) and my uni has a rubbish library, for books at least. The librarians, on the other hand, are superb and make a bad situation bearable.

I find journal articles better as they are more up to date and can be photocopied/downloaded rather than purchased or borrowed.

TrickyNiki

I know this thread has gone off on a huge tangent, but I thought an update on my situation would not go amiss.

Lecturer on friday was civil and polite, as was I. We worked out that I had lost 30% I accepted this as although I was snowed in it did not occur to me to email what work I had to him, or email another student for them to hand it in. A very costly lesson.

I can still get 70% in the module so thats a 2:1 and I intend to work my behind off to achieve it. It shouldnt pull down my overall grade too much.

I work hard at my course and do many hours outside the course. I really want a good degree. I admit I have bought no course books, but I have borrowed from the libarary, Or have asked very nicely and have been lent personally by the lecturer. My university has lots of online journals that everyone can access at the same time. I am sure most universitys can access this system.

mellymeep

Fire_Fox wrote: »

You should be expecting to purchase one key text - two if they are less expensive - for each module from your reading list. There have been 20% off full price books from Borders etc. offers on recently, or get hold of a second hand copy through a college noticeboard or Green Metropolis or Amazon sellers. If there are 300 on your course, there must be 300 students in the year above who are keep to sell a book or two on? I spent £600 on Amazon in 2008, plus I subscribe to several industry magazines.

The vast majority of students are not that broke, maintenance grants and loans plus a part-time job should mean you can manage if you are sensible. If you are struggling then complete a Statement of Affairs (sticky on DFW main page) and post it on the Debt-free Wannabe board. Core texts should be taking priority over nights out, clothes etc. as they will actually pay for themselves in the long run - either through time saved hunting for information, or in improved wages once you graduate.

Hope this helps! :A

God don't even get me started on my financial situation, it makes me want to give up everything and get a full time job. :lipsrseal But yeah, I'm quite lucky in that I live with a spoilt daddys girl who's getting her time at university paid for.. and she's on the year above me on the same course. So I can nab the books that she's had bought for her sometimes.

And on the subject of study groups, I have a group of 5 girls on my course who I talk to and sit in lectures with, we're often on facebook/msn to each other giving each other help and discussing things, which is helpful. We all learn at the same speed I'd say, and we have all noticed the distinct lack of anything helpful being given to us in lectures, so I guess it isn't just me with high expectations. At the minute I've not got any work on as im on a vocational placement but once I get back into lectures and seminars if things don't improve I'll look into talking to other people on my course and getting some feedback off them

Thanks for your constructive criticisms anyway.

Oldernotwiser

The_One_Who wrote: »

What do you expect to receive? It was once called 'reading' a degree because lectures weren't compulsory and you were expected to use the literature to get your degree. Now we are much more spoon-fed, even if we don't want to admit it.

I did my first degree at Essex but spent my third year living in Wales and going in for my only one hour class a week! (And that's not in the Middle Ages!)

bestpud

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I did my first degree at Essex but spent my third year living in Wales and going in for my only one hour class a week! (And that's not in the Middle Ages!)

Yeah, so you say!

Oldernotwiser

bestpud wrote: »

Yeah, so you say!

Well, not MY Middle Ages!!;)

misskool

mellymeep wrote: »

God don't even get me started on my financial situation, it makes me want to give up everything and get a full time job. :lipsrseal But yeah, I'm quite lucky in that I live with a spoilt daddys girl who's getting her time at university paid for.. and she's on the year above me on the same course. So I can nab the books that she's had bought for her sometimes.

And on the subject of study groups, I have a group of 5 girls on my course who I talk to and sit in lectures with, we're often on facebook/msn to each other giving each other help and discussing things, which is helpful. We all learn at the same speed I'd say, and we have all noticed the distinct lack of anything helpful being given to us in lectures, so I guess it isn't just me with high expectations. At the minute I've not got any work on as im on a vocational placement but once I get back into lectures and seminars if things don't improve I'll look into talking to other people on my course and getting some feedback off them

Thanks for your constructive criticisms anyway.

It's really difficult to cater for all learning abilities when you're in a big group. Lecturers make the best decision they can and there are lots of other help (if you ask nicely) available. Most lecturers have office hours, there will be seminars and reading journals, books or just asking around with study buddies.

I was struck this week by the vast chasm that exists between learning abilities because the current student I have requires everything to be told to a T whereas previous ones just had to be given a few journal papers and a poke in the right direction.