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Reflections on another semester: a balancing act

With exam season slowly coming to a close, the wind-down period of the semester has started, calling for a time of reflection. Our semesters (and time at uni across the academic year) are really very short so it’s important to take time to consider and reflect before allowing the time to fly by. I’ve found …

5 Essential Tips for a Successful Group Project

As university students, you’ve probably encountered a group project or two throughout your academic journey. Group projects can be challenging and stressful, but they are also an excellent opportunity to learn new skills and collaborate with your peers. Whether it’s a presentation, research paper, or group assignment, here are five essential tips to help you …

Adjusting to Self-Motivated Study

One of the massive differences between A levels and your degree is how much of your study is dependent on you. Of course, you have a lot of freedom in terms of your attendance and optional exercises, worksheets and assignments – but what does that freedom really mean? It turns out that having that much …

Tackling your workload over Christmas break

You just know you’re getting close to Christmas break when Nottingham’s Christmas market is back and lecturers are letting loose a bit. And what a wonderful time of year it is! The food markets are back and busy, the Christmas trees are up and you’ve made it through yet another semester. However, adulthood waits for …

Keeping on top of your reading list

As exam season draws to an end, you’ve probably had a few of those ‘why didn’t I start reading this earlier‘ thoughts – haven’t we all! I’ve put together a few tips to make sure that when you come back refreshed and tanned from your summer break, you avoid getting yourself stuck in another reading …

If my essay were…

I love writing essays. There is no sarcasm intended in the previous sentence. I genuinely do. I love writing it, responding to the question, and seeing it as a unique way for me to express myself. But perhaps many of us don’t. We detest the coursework our professors set for us. We hate the pain …

Harnessing Stress

Whenever I feel particularly stressed, I kneel down low and tuck my limbs in towards my tum to become very small and sweet; I’ve studied the hedgehog and in this here sequence of movements, I mimic its famous ball-up technique. I will flatter myself by writing that I am able to achieve an uncanny likeness …

Presentation Paranoia? How To Ace Your Next Presentation

Around this time last year, I gave my first oral presentation at university. Now, almost a year later, I’m planning – or at least, planning to start planning – my next presentation as part of my course. Over the last year, I’ve learnt so much about delivering a solid presentation and how it so beautifully …

Finding the time to do ‘everything’

University life is a treasure trove of opportunities. There’s so many things I want to get involved with on a daily basis. It would be silly of me not to take up these chances whilst I can. But time and energy are huge factors that need to be considered. Since being involved in Welcome Week …

University: Expectations vs Reality

COOKING – Expectation: despite having no culinary experience, you will be quite the magician in the kitchen. Lasagne? Pips. Soufflé? Easy. A flame grilled chicken breast in a garlic crumb coating, accompanied by homemade Cajun sweet potato fries and a lemon zested guacamole relish? Completed it, mate. Everything you touch will turn into something worthy …