Just wondering if someone can explain?

SamMoffatt28

HI all, I'm starting Uni in September. Please can someone explain some of the 'terms' used. What is...

A seminar?
A lecture (I think I know) - is it different to a seminar?
A dissertation? How is it different to an assignment or essay?

I feel kind of silly not knowing what they all mean, but I've never been to Uni before and I don't know anyone else who has either.

The other thing is I'd like to know if anyone is currently study year 1 social work undergrad degree. I've been told that we will be expected to attend 9am - 4pm 4 days a week. Is it really this rigid or can you be flexible about it? I'm a mum of 4 and the school run takes me until 8-45am so getting to Uni bang on the dot of 9 is going to be a struggle.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

clairestelle

Hi Sam!

I haven't studied social work but as I have been to university I can answer your first questions. A seminar tends to be a class of six to eight students led by one tutor (teacher) on a specific theme. You will probably be expected to ask and answer questions and sometimes give presentations on a topic to the rest of the students but don't panic this isn't always the case. A lecture is when a teacher of the university or college gives a talk on a theme and everyone studying that topic will be expected to attend. There is still interaction and often questions are encouraged but it's mainly a listen and take frantic notes situation unless the tutor is giving handouts. A dissertation is a long essay, maybe up to 8000-10000 words. It tends to be research based on a topic that interests you and you would work on this much longer than an essay. You would probably do a few drafts that you would discuss with your tutor before handing in a final finished piece of work. Sometimes a dissertation contributes to your final mark in the course.

I hope some of this helps and doesn't panic you any more than you are already. Honestly, everything will be explained to you when you get there. Hardly anyone has a clue what to expect at first and your tutors and students in their second and third years will be only too happy to answer any questions you have. Good Luck!

Claire

matty17r

Hi,

With regards to what you want to know

Lectures - These are basicaly similar to lessons at school or college. Lecturers will talk, you may have to write down notes or you may be given handouts to read through whilst the lecturer is talking.

Seminar - These are more hands on. You may be given a set of questions the previous to discuss the previous week. You will have to prepare answers from these. I have found that it is really not an option as to whether you can do these or not. Some lecturers may go even as far as saying, 'You're not allowed into the semianr unless you have doen your preparation.' At the end of the sminar you may have to speak to the whole group about what you have written. Don't be scared, they are normally in groups of up to 20 people.

Dissertation - This is an essay or research project that you have to do in your final year normally! It normally is in the region of 8,000 - 15,000 words. It is likely that you will have to do your own research. Don't really worry about it yet though you won't even start talking about it until your second year!

With regards to timing, it is unlikely you will be in for that long unless you are doing medicine. Most social science courses tned to be about 15 hours a week of everything. Sciences are slightly more top heavy with about 20-25 hours a week.

Hope that Helps

Matt :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

I did genetics, in the first year we did 22hrs + library time, about the same in the 2nd year then less in the 3rd as we had more independant research to do.

We had a mother of 7 on our course, she got a 2:1 and I think she went on to study medicine. Her oldest son graduated the same year she did (2001).

It all depends on the course really

SamMoffatt28

Thanks everyone I really appreciate your words of reassurance!
It sounds like its going to be a whole new experience! I've just finished college which at first was a shock to the system as I had left school 10 years before I decided what I was going to do. I expect the same kind of feeling when I start Uni, but hopefully as a 'mature' student I should cope with it easier than I may have done if I'd done it in my teens!

edit; ps I'm kind of liking the sound of the dissertation! I'm weird I know, lol. I had to do 9 assignments at college over 2 years, most of which were at least 7-8000 words (my choice to make them that long!)
I can't wait to start Uni I love studying!!!

ffeindadifyr

Sam,

University is a great experience I started at 17 and am still there (BSc followed by a PhD then lecturer). You can take from it whatever you want the resources are there to be taken advantage of and as a "mature" student you know the value of education.

I was quite envious of other more mature students at my Uni who made the most of their time - it took me almost a year and a half to fully realise what a great opportunity University education is.

BTW - similar to you I had no experience of Uni before going there and was confused with all the terms - this will come to you with time!

Good Luck!

Savvy_Sue

Are there any breakfast clubs at the schools your kids are at? If not, are there any friends / neighbours who could perhaps help out with school run? And finally, check what time you can abandon your little darlings before school without being accused of neglect ...

Good luck!

SamMoffatt28

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Are there any breakfast clubs at the schools your kids are at? If not, are there any friends / neighbours who could perhaps help out with school run? And finally, check what time you can abandon your little darlings before school without being accused of neglect ...

Good luck!

Lol thanks, unfortunately the schools do not have a breakfast club yet, which is a pain. I'm new to the area too so don't know anyone who I would trust enough to leave the kids with even just for the school run. As for leaving them, the littlest one is only 4 and will be just starting school, so I don't feel comfortable leaving him to fend for himself in the playground!
I'm sure I can work something out with hubby if need be, maybe he can leave for work half an hour later or something to give me a hand. Thankfully there is a really good after school club for the younger two which is run by the local nursery which is fantastic, now I just have to work out what to do with the older two!

kar

Matt's explainatons are good ones. Just remember that lectures can have hundreds of people in the same room listening to the one person (god i couldn't be a lecturer) - there was 200 on my course. I can be a little off putting to begin with and certainly didn't remind me of school/college.

Seminars are medium sized from what i've heard. I didn't have any for my course and then tutorials are the small groups - i used to have one a week, 10 of us with a subject tutor going over questions set by the lecturer.

Good luck with finding childcare for before school.