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Working at Edge Hill – Let’s get this bread.

Getting a job at University is important in more than the obvious ways. Sure you could look at it as just a means of getting cash but don’t. When you come to university it is important to make it worth your while and having a part time job can really help you ensure that you are getting the most out of your university experience. So here are three ways that working at Edge Hill University ensures that you are making the most out of your time.

Experience. 

You may have had a part time job before University and if so, that’s great. But if you haven’t that’s OK too. Getting out there and actually working is a great way to not only gain experience in the field of your work but in life. Its a common quote that ‘Everyone should work in retail for at least a month’  the idea being that when you’re on the other side of the angry person screaming about how they’re right you might appreciate the cashier the next time you walk into a shop annoyed about something you bought.

A Sense of Purpose

This one might sound silly, but hear me out. When you start university you will most likely have a lot of free time. You can fill a lot of this by meeting friends and going out but after a while you might start to find yourself looking for something to do. A job is the perfect way to fill this void. By having an outlet and a sense of purpose you will find your days go by much faster and you get all the other benefits of working.

The cash

Alright, can’t ignore it anymore. The cash. It’s the big one. Having that extra cash to do things like go on trips or maybe insure your car. Working is a great way to make that extra cash, and honestly there is nothing better than having your own money and your own independence. Knowing that you don’t have to rely on anyone and being able to spend your own money on what you want without feeling guilty is a great feeling, only topped by the feeling that your time is valuable to someone.

Hopefully this blog answered all your questions about parking on campus. If you want to read more you can check out the EHU careers center here.

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!

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Linking Education and Life – 5 Real Skills from EHU Computing

With the summer coming to a close, and a week before I move back to Ormskirk, I thought it might be a good idea to share 5 skills that my first year in computing have taught me. Before coming to university I had run m9Networks for about 4 years. I have always had an interest in computing, all aspects of it. Finally starting a specialised course really gave me some skills that I had been overlooking and EHU have influenced my professional career even before graduating. So here are 5 skills that 1st year computing at EHU have taught me and how I used them this summer.

Organization

In my first year of computing, and university in general, I was exposed to a need for organization. I have always been a mixed bag when it came to being well prepared. I have two modes, 100% ready for anything and absolutely nothing done. For the most part I would be the latter. University gave me a chance to really explore my organizational style and see how it makes life easier for me. This summer while working I was able to use this when working on projects with deadlines.

Determination

Something I pride my work on is my determination to get the job done. If I don’t know the answer to a question I will go out of my way to find the answer. Once again, starting university has helped me improve this skill massively. While working at one client site this summer I faced several serious problems that resulted in setbacks. The determination that I had gained while doing reports and attempting to understand more complex coursework in first year gave me the confidence to push through and surpass these problems that came in my way.

Planning and Drafting

One of my modules in my first year of computing was Digital World: Information Systems and Design. The code for this course if you want to check it out is CIS1108. This course focused around designing and implementing IT systems for businesses and customers. One of our tasks included designing a database and network system for a local business. During the summer I was tasked with something similar and was able to almost replay the design process piece for piece.

Networking

Networking is one of my main fields of interest and study. This summer I was involved in some large networking projects with several ISP’s in Ireland that I had previously been involved with. My first year module named Computer Architecture and Networks gave me some valuable information regarding standards and implementation of networks. While some of the information presented to me in this course was not new it does mean that other students who have not experienced networking before we’re covered. So if you’re worried about it being too complicated, don’t.

Security

Finally, the last skill that I was able to take away from University and apply it to my work in the real world this summer was Security. Being security conscious in the every more connected world is important. Very important. In my first year I was taught about basic security and how it relates to threats in the real world. While it is easy to understand and implement very secure passwords, encryptions and physical security the basics are often overlooked. In one of my installs this summer I thought back to my lectures regarding security and included a pamphlet regarding social engineering to the client.

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These five skills; Organization, Determination, Planning and Design, Networking and Security that I learned in my first year and I can honestly say they have been a great help.

If you want to check out some of my work you can read about a UniFi network install at a large home in Donegal, Ireland here:

https://community.ubnt.com/t5/UniFi-Stories/UniFi-and-FTTH-Rethinking-LAN-s-in-Ireland/cns-p/2473683

And if you want more free and great information on any topic 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!

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Working at a Summer Camp

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all having a lovely summer – hopefully the weather will pick up again soon! It has been my second time working at a kids camp for 6 weeks and it has been an experience I will never forget. If you are considering applying to camps for next summer, I highly recommend it!

  1. Camp America but in England

If you are concerned about the cost for working abroad, a residential camp in England is ideal to experience camp life whilst staying in the same country! As I live in Manchester, it was nice to enjoy a more rural location for a change, filled with beautiful views and countryside.

  1. Meet people from all over the world

The best part of working at a kids camp for me, is the chance to get to know campers and fellow staff from all over the world. Campers were from other countries like Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia… the list goes on! There are not many places with opportunities like this which I am so grateful for.

  1. It is enjoyable and beneficial to you

Not only have I had one of the best summers I have ever had (really!), it has allowed me to develop multiple skills. Part of my job was to plan and run activities for children from 6 to 17 years old. Quad bikes, fire-making, outdoor cookery and raft-building are examples of skills I didn’t know I had! The other part of my job was a more pastoral role as it involved looking after a dorm of children each week.

If you are looking for ways to add to your CV, earn money, or simply have fun, there is no better job than working at camp. Now I have had these 2 years of experience, I am hoping it will give me that extra bit of confidence when going into my third and final year of Primary Ed. Have you worked at a kids camp before?

If you have any questions, drop me a comment below!

Thanks, Anna 🙂

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Computing at Edge Hill – Turning Education into Cash

education to cash

First year at university is great. You get to meet new people, do new things and have a real sense of freedom. But what if I told you, and brace yourself for this, that your education can make you some extra cash even if you’re only in first year. In this blog I will focus on my own course, computing. So here are 3 ways you can turn your 1st year at EHU into cold hard cash.

Website Design

In your first year of EHU computing you will be exposed to several modules. Everything from Networking to Security. But a module that you can take and turn into real world cash with little to no previous experience is Web Design. Everyone needs a website. If you have the ambition and drive you can very easily start designing websites for local companies and enterprises for cash. Not only will this make you richer but it will build on your knowledge. It’s like getting paid to study.

Server hosting

Servers run the internet and much more beside it that we use every day. In your first year of university you will learn how they are used and networked to provide services like file storage, websites and even game hosting. It may seem daunting but to get started you can use any computer and install some basic software. If you want to host a website check out Apache. If you want to try a file server google “FTP Server”. Before long you could be hosting servers for websites across the globe.

Admin and office work

Office work can be a pain but small businesses are always looking out for someone with a keen eye for detail and style. In my first year at university I have worked with many small companies who cannot find anyone to draft and create documents like invoices and receipts and even type out emails. It might be boring work but it usually pays well and anybody can do it. So get out there and do it.

That’s all for this weeks blog. If you want to find out more about EHU computing and more information on different courses you can check out here!

And if you want more free and great information on any topic 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!

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Sean’s Random Encounters – Ormskirk Bus Station and Deadlines

Seans Random Encounters Text

Fresh off my flight from Ireland back to Ormskirk I realized it had been a few weeks since I had made a blog post, let alone a random encounter article. On my way to catch the EL1 after a train journey from Liverpool Central I spotted a line of students. I decided to speak to one and ask them a simple question – ‘What do you know now, that you wish you knew when you started 1st year’. This is what 3rd year student Steven had to say.

Image result for studying edge hill‘Doing your work is important. Don’t leave anything until the last moment ever. As much as it seems like you can write that 500 word essay on the Friday that the task is due, you can’t. I learned the hard way that it’s best to get my stuff done about a week before’ said Steve. And I agree with him. You will never get the grade you want with quick write ups under stress.

Image result for timeWhen you are working against the clock you tend to make mistakes. Remember that when you start university you are still here to gain knowledge. Regardless of when you do the module it will still take roughly the same time so don’t try and cheat by leaving it as long as you can, it only pushes you to cut corners. That’s not good.

Image result for examEven myself as a first year, very much guilty of leaving things to the last moment, I have started to realise that it does not work. I hope that you do take what I have said in this article to heart when you start university in September. And trust me, if you do it will pay off. When everyone else is stressing you won’t be, and that’s important.

Here are some more blogs you might find useful about time management, stress and assessment.

Preparing for continuous assessment at Edge Hill – You won’t have to cram the night before!

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

If you want to find out more about ways to deal with stress, time management and more at Edge Hill, check out the link here!

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!

 

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A Fund for Student Opportunities

If you follow my blog posts here on Inside Edge, you know that I’m currently in the United States of America, on a sandwich placement at the Morton Arboretum. I was fortunate when arranging up this work placement that Edge Hill University had just set up its Student Opportunity Fund (SOF) – a fund that students can apply for to help them make the most of career enhancing opportunities. The fund’s goal is to make sure that no student at EHU passes up a potentially life-changing experience because of the financial burden it might impose.

When I was in the midst of applying for my placement as a Research Affiliate at the Morton Arboretum, I realised quickly that costs would add up. An updated passport, a visa, flights and insurance would quickly put a hefty dent in my finances, leaving my maintenance loan severely lacking for the year abroad. Thankfully, my personal tutor, Paul Ashton, and the Money Advice Team (for whom I was working for at the time as a Money Buddy) informed me about the Student Opportunity Fund and that I could potentially be successful in acquiring additional funding.

Any student on an undergraduate or PGCE course attending EHU can apply for the fund, which will supply them with up to £2000 to support the proposed activity. The projects can be near or far, large or small, requiring the maximum amount available or a portion. Applications could cover travel and accommodation expenses, for example, for unpaid work experience or volunteering; interviews or assessments not covered by the employer; or conferences, festivals, or events where you’re showcasing your work. The fund could also cover costs of developing and making creative material.

Many students have already made use of this amazing fund to enable them to experience some wonderful opportunities that improve both their transferable and career-focused skills:

Applications are judged by a panel and must be submitted over ten working days before the panel convenes. For this academic year, 2017-2018, the remaining dates of convention are:

  • Friday 13th April 2018
  • Thursday 3rd May 2018
  • Wednesday 6th June 2018
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Great Places to Study on Campus

Hey all, I hope you are well!

At University, sometimes studying in your room can be a little bit distracting. Netflix is only a click away, your bed becomes a burrito cave of comfort… it can be really hard to study in your room. Occasionally, I can get some work done at my house, however, I often find it a lot easier to focus at Uni. There are a few reasons for this, the main one being that as well as there being less distractions, the resources I need to study are all there right next to me!

There are many different places on campus that are great to study, so I thought I’d give you some info on just where you can do this!

The Edge Hill Library

The Edge Hill Library is my all time favourite and most productive place in which I can study! The library has all the books you could possibly need for research and essays, computers for if you don’t have a laptop with you, tables to work at and also study rooms in which you can book. Not only can you book independent study rooms, but also you can book group rooms for if you are doing a group project and need a more isolated environment!

The Edge Hill library also has a help desk, so if you ever need help finding resources, or need help due to learning disabilities such as Dyslexia, that’s the best place to go. They even do screenings for Dyslexia if you’re unsure whether or not you have it.

They are currently in the process of building a brand new library for the students, which is going to be even bigger and better! So you’ve got this to look forward to if you apply to come to Edge Hill University!

Hale Hall

Hale Hall is situated within the Hub in the centre of campus. It is open for anyone to come and enjoy some time and sit and relax, but is also an amazing place to study! It’s not that often that it gets noisy, and the environment is generally nice and relaxed, so if you wanted to study it’s not a very distracting place to do so, making it perfect. Plus, it gets you out of your room and also the sofas are actually really comfy (if I do say so myself!).

The LINC Building

The LINC building has 90 open access PCs for use of students, and also printing facilities in case you need to print anything out such as coursework. If you’re writing an essay, or want to write up some research you’ve done, it’s always great to use the LINC building’s facilities!

At times, it can be busy, especially around deadline/exam time, however, it always has a good environment and the students are always respectful of each others’ study time, so there are very little distractions here!

So those are just a few of the places in which you can study without the distractions that come with studying in your room! I find that when I’m in the mind frame in which I’m easy to distract, or if I am a little lost in where to go with my studying, I like to use these places to get back on track with certain assignments and I find it really helps to get out of my room.

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Volunteering and Part-time Jobs

Hello again!

With the summer coming up in the not-so-distant future, I thought it would be a good chance to talk about summer jobs, part-time jobs and volunteering. With Primary Education, gaining work experience was an essential part of the application process, as with any course.

Update and prepare your CV 

My advice is to be pro-active and have your CV ready. This should include your information, qualifications, previous work experience or volunteering and achievements. There are many good examples online. Try to avoid rambling… but make sure to include all the relevant information. Personally, I would suggest adding a photograph of yourself to add the personal touch!

Do all the right research

Some ideas for work experience when doing a course in Education are as follows:a school, a museum, a zoo, an education centre, a youth centre, guides / scouts or a summer camp. Edge Hill’s careers centre can be a great help! When deciding where you want to apply, have a look at their websites and social media. Try to speak to people who are part of the team to understand the expectations and requirements for the job. You should also look into the locality of the work to ensure you will be able to travel there.

Do not give up!

If you have the determination and you put time into applying for a job, it will pay off! Regarding volunteering, sometimes certain companies or centres may not take on volunteers, but places that do will appreciate the interest and extra help!

Edge Hill often have careers fairs and part-time job vacancies of their own. You can find out more information about jobs at Edge Hill on their website.

 

Wishing you the best of luck! Anna 🙂

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Edge Hill Student Support Fund – We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.

The Edge Hill student support fund was setup to allow students who experience serious financial difficulties in funding their time here at the university a chance to flourish without disadvantage. Its main aim is to “support students whose expenses exceed their income. ” However,  there is no automatic entitlement to an award.

The initiative is ran by Edge Hill University Student Services and is just another example of how the university takes care of each and every student who studies here.

This fund is designed to give students who do not receive enough in income such as student loans or bursaries a balanced budget. To apply you must have attempted to find other options open to you such as:

  • Burasaries
  • Banking
  • Budgeting
  • Cash-flow
  • Part time work
  • Statutory Funding

If all of the above cannot help you then you can apply for the fund.

To apply for the fund, you must first attend a session in the university after you move in. You need to bring:

  1. Student ID
  2. Current bank balance
  3. A months Bank Statement
  4. Your debit card

The drop in session times can be found here! They take place in the Student Information Center.

The standard award, or max, is 3,000 pounds. You will receive a percentage of this, up to 100%, depending on your situation. You may also receive non-standard awards for unseen things such as household repairs or emergencies.

The application window opens mid October. Keep your eyes peeled for it, and remember if you need the support Edge Hill is there to offer it.

If you want to find out more about the Student Support fund check out the webpage for it here: https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentservices/student-support-fund/

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!

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Assignment Writing Tips!

Happy new year!

Now I am back at university, I have a lot of coursework ahead of me…yey! Writing assignments can be a difficult task for everyone and it is often hard to know where to start. Here are a few handy tips I wish I knew as a fresher…

  1. Visit the library 
Edge Hill Library

After reading all of the notes provided by your tutors, you should have a clear picture of what the assignment question wants from you. Edge Hill’s library is stocked with thousands of books and journals for every course. By accessing the online library system, you can search for any specific books appropriate for your assignment question. The library codes provided will then allow you to easily find your book. They are automatically renewed every 2 weeks, unless it is reserved by other students. However, if you know a lot of students are also searching for similar topics, I advise you reserve them in advance! I really recommend referring to books or journals when writing assignments because websites are often unreliable. Although, Google Scholar is a useful tool to use.

2. Plan, plan, plan!

An obvious aspect which is important for writing assignments is the planning involved. I find it difficult to start writing without an initial outline. Even if it is a small or messy plan, it is necessary to have something to guide you and jot down your ideas. I usually take the time to gather any queries I may have to ask the appropriate tutor. However, there is usually all the information you need available on Black Board.

  1. Take breaks

Often, the most difficut part of writing an essay is thinking about how to start it. I find that once you get started, you begin to feel more confident. BUT, remember to have breaks. It depends on the person, but I personally cannot work hours straight without procrastinating! Grab a coffee, phone a friend or get some fresh air.

  1. Proof-read

I cannot stress enough how important it is to proof-read. A simple spelling mistake can affect your mark based on the grading criteria. It took me a long time after submission to realise I wrote ‘practioners’ instead of ‘practitioners’ 10 times in one essay. Try to proof-read when you’re not too tired because that is when mistakes can be easily looked over!

  1. Take advantage of Edge Hill’s resources

Edge Hill offer a wide range of student support including help with academia. Uni Skills hold regular workshops to advise on academic writing, as well as organising one-to-one support. These learning services are always there, so don’t panic and don’t be afraid to ask for help!

I hope these few tips will be useful to you and I wish you the best of luck for your coursework and exams! Feel free to ask any questions, until next time! 🙂