Sean Murphy

April 14, 2019April 15, 2019

Three of the biggest lies about University – Things not to believe

Three of the biggest lies about University

University is a magical place. New friends, lots of people. Exciting classes and amazing buildings on campus. But its not always like that. In the first few months you will notice that some of the things you were told about going to University arn’t actually true.

I want to take a look at three of these lies and talk about why they are not true.

Image result for skint Being skint all the time is one of the big lies you get told. You’ll probbably have been told that you will end up eating beans and noodles for weeks on end because its all you can afford. If you manage your money wrong, maybe, but unless its by choice this is a lie.

Image result for studying Studying for days on end just for one topic and spending all your time in the library. Unless you choose to spend all your time doing this it just wont happen. Studying is great but in moderation the information will actually absorb.

Partying every night is probably the biggest. Every single movie that has anything to do with University shows the parties every night. Between actually living and studying it won’t happen, but you will get out probably go out more than you do now!

Thats all for this weeks blog, but if you want more free and great advice email think@edgehill.ac.uk or leave a comment below and I will get back to you. If you want to suggest something to write about or want to be interviewed leave a comment below also and I will get back to you personally!

March 25, 2019

[Part Two] Studying in Ireland and thinking of Edge Hill? – UCAS and Results

Irish Leaving Certificate and EHU

As someone who has experienced the Irish Leaving certificate first hand and furthered my education at Edge Hill there are a few things that can trip up the unsuspecting student. This four part guide will hopefully give you an insight into some of the points to consider when coming to Edge Hill from Ireland.

In this part two of the four part guide I want to take a look at the differences between CAO and UCAS, and how to make the most of your results. But bottom line, wither you are happy or sad about what you got there are always pathways open to wherever you want to go.

UCAS

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is the UK variant of CAO. The UCAS system is the application gateway to higher level institutes within the UK. Applying from an Irish perspective is easy, but there are a few trappings. First you will need to speak to your guidance councilor. When applying they will be required to prepare a recommendation for you and project your grades for your exam. Unlike CAO offers for UCAS come early and you are then expected to meet the conditions of the offer.

Your results

When all is said and done, your results are in and you open the envelope hopefully your predicted grades have come through and you have what you need to meet the conditions of your offer. If this is the case then you need to scan the certificate and send a copy to admissions@edgehill.ac.uk.

But what if they haven’t gone to plan. First, don’t panic. I know I did. If you hasn’t made exactly the grades you are looking for, unlike CAO, the UCAS system is prepared for that. The university may still choose to accept you if they wish. But you have other pathways open to you if not.

Other pathways

If your offer hasn’t been accepted it might be worth looking at UCAS clearing. This is a service that allows you to apply for new courses or universities. The clearing service opens after the A level results have been sent out.

Taking a gap year is another opportunity for you to reconsider your choices. Possibly applying for new courses or even taking a booster course that will improve your chances of being accepted to University.

Finally, repeating. It’s not as scary as it sounds. Repeating your exams is a great way to really focus in on what you want and achieve your goals. Some of the smartest people I know have repeated their Leaving Certificate. Doing it again doesn’t mean you failed, it means you are dedicated.

That’s everything, but if you want to learn more about offers from Edge Hill and UCAS you can check out my other blog post here:

UCAS offers from Edge Hill University – No good decision was ever made in a swivel chair.

And if you want more free and great advice email think@edgehill.ac.uk or leave a comment below and I will get back to you. If you want to suggest something to write about or want to be interviewed leave a comment below also and I will get back to you personally!

March 18, 2019March 18, 2019

[Part One] Studying in Ireland and thinking of Edge Hill? – The Leaving Cert

Irish Leaving Certificate and EHU

In this, part one, I want to take a look at the Irish Leaving Certificate. For refrence, I studied and completed my Leaving Cert in 2016/17 taking honours Math, English, Gaeilge, DCG, History, Geography and Physics in Deele College, Donegal.

Projects and Portfolios

Getting your projects and protfolios done during the year is important. Not only are these projects the easiest points you will get in your leaving certificate, but they actually will set you up well for university where continious assessment rules the roost.

Its worth remembering not to just submit what the teacher suggests. Do your own thing. The examiner wont want to see the same thing 200 times, so make yours stand out.

Scheduled study, and exam papers

Having a schedule for your revision is a great idea. Spread it out and never cram. I could rant on about my personal opinions in regards to the Leaving Certificate, but this isnt the place. When it comes to your exam take it how it is and make everything count.

Do exam papers. Do all of them. Every single one. One a week every week that you can possibly do them. Trust me, I dont need to explain that any more.

Relax, chill out. Sleep.

Yes the Leaving Certificate is important, and yes you should take it very seriously but you also need to take time to chill out and put work aside every now and again.

And going out partying, thats good but dont let it take over. Trust me, it’s a bad idea.

That’s everything. Take these three things and you will be praised, trust me. If you want to learn more about dealing with stress you can check out my other blog post here.

Dealing with Stress at University – Stress is like the flu, everyone usually gets it

March 1, 2019

Accomodation at Edge Hill – Things to do in your first week

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Moving into your new accomodation is exciting, there is plenty to get on with but it can be easy to forget the basics in the first week. In this weeks blog I want to go through a few often forgotten things to do or get. Remember that in your flat work togeather to get things done, so you might have forgotten something on the list but someone else might have.

Food and shopping

This one is really easy to forget, just some basic bits and pieces. Food. Its easy to not get any shopping in, you could probbably survive on the free pizza too. But getting into the habbit of eating right from the start will make life better. Cheaper too, eating out can be expensive.

Toiletries

Just like the shopping it might be easy to forget things like toilet paper, toothpaste and even a toothbrush! Luckily the university provides a shop to purchase these items delivered to your room before you move in, but if you forget then getting down to McColls will set you right.

Entertainment

A deck of cards, monoloply, twister. Something for you and your new mates to do. Get in and have some fun in your first week. Cards is great, because of the amount of games you can actually play with them.

Thats it from me, but remember. Have fun in your first week. And if you forget something its not the end of the world.

If you want more free and great advice email think@edgehill.ac.uk or leave a comment below and I will get back to you. If you want to suggest something to write about or want to be interviewed leave a comment below also and I will get back to you personally!

February 28, 2019

Why University will Change your Life – Three things that wont be the same again

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University is many things. An escape, new life, education and an experience. Thoughout your time you will almost certinaly experince things that never had crossed your mind. Things will happen every day that will challange you, and inevitably change your life. Don’t be afraid of the change, embrace it. All of those ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ questions that you’ve gotten, they come into play now. Because this is when you grow up. Make decisions for yourself.

Finances

Managing your own money may have been easy in the past but that will most likely change when you are dealing with rent money and buying most of your everyday items for yourself. Getting thrown into the deep end will give you the skills required to manage your money and finances for the future when noone else will do it for you.

Time management

Waking up in time for classes, having due dates and important meetings will give you the experience to change your life for the better. Knowing how your routinue makes a diference to your every day and how important changes are will give you the ability to ensure that in your life you make the right choices and put things that matter first.

Priorities

Finally, throughout your time in university you will learn how to prioritise the important aspects of your life. It might be a job, it might be your course but it will probbably be both. Making decisions to better yourself and ensure that you make the right choices. University will ensure you understand what comes first.

All of this might sound daunting, but is achieveable and will really change your life for the better.

February 22, 2019

Computing at Edge Hill – Three skills to prepare you for Uni

Image result for computing edge hill

Computing is a broad and vast topic. It’s hard to know where to start, what to learn and when it becomes relevant. Having just finished my first year of Computing at Edge Hill I want to provide some advice on topics, languages and areas to focus on before you arrive to make your first year as easy as possible and give you time to focus on your specialisation. Please bear in mind that first year is a shared year, so even if you are on a Networking course you will be expected to study Web Development in your first year.

Basic HTML

Knowing basic HTML will help you in all aspects of your course and your future. Most projects require a web page, and modern applications are usually controlled by some form of website. Learning basic HTML along with bits of CSS, JavaScript and even PHP will ensure that you are ahead of the curve when it comes to your first year, especially in the Web Development module.

Java

While personally I am not a fan of Java knowing it before you arrive for University is a massive help. For your Programming module in year one you will be focusing on Java programming. Programs such as Alice can help you learn how to use Java, there are a plethora of books available also. Java is an interesting language, being object orientated using ‘classes’ it can be a challenge if you are more accustom to functional languages such as Python, PHP or BAT/BASH.

Networking Basics

Networking is another module that you will undertake in your first year. Knowing how IP’s, MAC addresses and packets are transmitted will help you understand the content of the module. Using your home network you could try setup static IP addresses, change your DNS server or just poke around and see how things work.

All of this might sound daunting, but this is an entirely extra credit task. You will be taught and supported fully throughout your first year, but if you have a passion for computing maybe you will take it upon yourself to look at these things. That’s all from me.

February 12, 2019

Students helping students – How you are represented at Edge Hill University

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Its worth talking about, every now and again, how your issues will be treated at Edge Hill University. While the university does a great job of making sure every decision is in the best interest of every student sometimes there may be something that you would like to see change. In this blog I will take a look at the SSCF and Student Representitives on each course and how they help you achieve the best posibile learning expereince.

What is a student representive?

A student representive is someone that is in your year elected to represent your interests to the board of your course and the wider Students Union. They are given the position and expected to take any issues that your year has forward to the relevent meetings, called SSCF or Student Staff Consultancy Forums. These are followed by a Programme Board meeting between all staff involved in your programme and the student representives with some special guests such as learning services. In a sense, if you have a problem you can take it to them and they will bring it to the correct person to deal with it and get a responce back for you.

How many represnetives are there?

In each year there is usually between three and four representives. They will give a short election speach to the entire year before elections are opened within your year. Plenty of notice is given by your faculty administration and the Students Union via email and in person before this takes place. Once the representives are in place they are requested to attend a training session with the Students Union who walk them through the different processes and methadologies.

How can I become a representive?

To become a representive you need to register your interest with your faculty administration. You can usually find these in your learning edge blackboard area once you have access to it. After you have registered your interest these memebers of staff will speak to you regarding the next steps. Its allways good practice to have a piece ready and rehersed if you are called to introcude yourself to the year. Your faculty administration will give you plenty of notice for this.

Student politics is an important role within University life and working at the ground level with your faculty is a great way to get involved and make sure that your year is represented correctly. I am now a second year representitive with the Computing deparment and can honestly say that had I not gone forward I would have been dissapointed not to have the chance to bring my years voice to the table.

Thats it for this blog, if you want to find out more about the students union you can check out their website here.

January 31, 2019

The faces of Edge Hill University – Unsung Heros

Image result for edge hill university

The people who spend every working day at Edge Hill university have alot on their plate. Everyone from the canteen staff in the hub to facilities management technicians work tirelessly to make Edge Hill the best university that it can be. Because there is so many it is often easy to over look staff on the ground. In this blog I want to pay tirbute to three staff groups that I feel often go unnoticed in their daily duties.

Site Services – Housekeepers

135 house keepers work five days a week to clean flat kitchens and accomadation halls. These are the people who literally pick up after you. They are first on this list because they have a demanding job. They have my thanks.

Facilities Management – Post

Working in the durning center from early in the morning to late in the evening the postal team deal with not only staff mail but student mail too. Some of the friendlies faces you will ever see in there. Big thank you to all of them for their hard work.

Respective Departments – Admin Staff

Each department provides administration staff to answer questions from students. I have to give my thanks especially to Sally and Sharon from EHU Computing. Always there to help, no matter what the problem. A tough job, done right.

These three groups of staff work to make this university amazing, thank you to all of them. If you see them please do the same, without their hard work that sometimes goes unoticed, we would be alot worse off. Thats all from me.

January 29, 2019

Working for Edge Hill University – Students working for Students

Image result for edge hill university

Working at Edge Hill university during your study is a rewarding experience with benifits for everyone. You provide a valuable service for the university, such as blogging, notetaking or even guiding prospective applicants. In return the univeristy will weigh your pockets down with the standard casual rate of £8.66 per hour. So for half a days work (12 Hours) you are looking at over £100 into your pocket. But there is many more reason for you to consider working for the univeristy, here are my top three.

Sense of involvement

Working with the university gives you the ability to infulence the university directly. With a sense of involvement you will feel that the university is suddenly alot smaller and the community will become tight knit. That involvement in the university will make your time here much more enjoyable, I know it has for me.

Great experience

Because the university has so many roles available you will always find something with transferable skills into your chosen course. Every role teaches professionalism and builds confidence. The supervisors are always there to help you no matter what, and the structure in the university is perfectly setup to encourage communication.

Make yourself stand out

I cant stress enough how much having job experience listed on my CV has helped me get jobs outside of the University. Listing your employeer is only half of making yourself stand out, having refrences from the University is the other. Having a job at Edge Hill University will make you stand out among any crowd.

January 24, 2019

£26 million, one building – Catalyst at Edge Hill University

Opening in 2018 the brand new Catalyst building at Edge Hill University has become a second home for most students who study at Edge Hill University. The stunning building provides almost every service imagineable to students and if you are planning to study at Edge Hill you will spend a serious amount of time here. So it might pay to have a read of this blog, because i’ll be sharing my own tips for using the building to its maximum potentional.

Image result for help desk Helpdesk support is avialable Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday – Sunday 10am -6pm. They are always there to help and will do their best to point you in the right direction to any service that you need. If you have a problem, they will help.

Image result for printing and binding Printing and Binding is also available on every floor. Take advantage of the free binding services to make any of your projects look smart and presentable. If you have a presentation take in copies with a nice slick cover page and ring binder to hand out and you will have left the maximum impression on anyone in the room.

Image result for quiet Quiet study on the top floor with a outlook over the roof gardens and campus. If you need some space to get work done pull up a chair at a table or computer and you will get whatever it is done. If you prefer some group study pods are available on the ground floor for up to 8 people with a presentation screen.