Well, here we are: the end of your first term. I am writing with five (5) important updates as we go into Winter. Please read all of them carefully and let me know if you have any questions.
1. Application Workshop Portfolio
Please remember that the deadline for this is 14:00 this Thursday 17th November. As always, please make sure you submit it in the correct PDF format with the approved filename to the usual address.
You should be using the template downloaded from the website, which already includes the Cover Sheet, so there are no excuses for missing this.
Please make sure that you have completed all sections of the Portfolio. All parts must be completed in order to pass this module:
- Application Summary Page
- Discovery Tasks 1 and 2
- Personal Statement
Remember that this is not your final application to university, so your choices here are not set in stone. However, it is a vital part of your thought process which I will refer to when we come to the Winter Tutorials in a few weeks (see below).
As you sign the Declaration in the Application Summary Page, please make sure that it is accurate: i.e. that you have indeed filled in all sections of the UCAS form accurately and that your application (including and especially the Personal Statement) is all your own work.
2. Autumn Term Exams
I sent you the timetable for these on 2nd November. The first exam is at 09:00. Most of you will have your exams at King’s Centre, Osney Mead; if you are travelling to the external exam hall, please check the location and plan how you will get there in advance. This includes checking how long it will take you to get there and allowing extra time in case of traffic and/or getting a bit lost.
I will send everyone a reminder email about exams at the end of this week.
3. Winter Term Modules
I have sent you an email which states the pathway which I expect you to be on, and consequently the specialist module you will take in the Winter Term. Please check this email. If your plans have changed or you think that this is incorrect, please speak to me as soon as possible before the new term starts.
Everyone will study the Core Modules Q&Q Research Methods and IELTS Preparation next term. You can find out more about all the modules on the Foundation Year on the website.
4. December Academic Cultures
The Academic Cultures module continues to run for the duration of your course to give you ongoing support with different key skills and key events throughout the year. For the first three weeks of the Winter Term (until Christmas), we will have a series of special sessions in the Lecture Room at 11:55 on Wednesdays:
- Booking IELTS – Please bring your laptop, your passport and your payment card.
- Welcome to Winter – Facing and adapting to the challenges of the Winter Term.
- IELTS: An Examiner’s View – Insight into the exam from a professional IELTS examiner.
5. Winter Tutorials
As you know, we plan to release your Winter Term results on Friday 2nd December. In the two remaining weeks before the Christmas break, I will hold one-to-one meetings with each of you. I will send you your meeting time by email in the next couple of weeks. The meetings will take place online to aid the efficiency of time and sharing resources and each meeting will take approximately 15-20 minutes.
In the meeting, I will use your Application Workshop Portfolio as a starting point to discuss your university choices and Personal Statement. We will look at your university choices and application strategy in terms of what is realistic in the light of your Term 1 results.
If you have any questions about what to expect in the coming weeks, please do not hesitate to ask me.
I look forward to seeing you all at the HE Fair on Wednesday this week.