Ghost towns are upon us!
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I’ve been to a few universities here in the UK over the past couple of weeks. Some have been like ghost towns with not many students really anywhere. Whereas other universities, especially city based ones, have been vibrant and busy like little towns - some of them have been the busiest I’ve seen!
Most of you will know that I visit numerous campuses every month distributing flyers and posters for supaproofread.com - the company I established delivering professional student proofreading services. I felt that there were so many students not using this type of service that I had to get the word out and help students on their way. So too, was the establishment of this blog - a wealth of experience that I have to pass onto other students that are going through the path and taking the trip down the road to graduating in their choice of subject.
Anyway, back to the point of the post. I’ve always wondered why there is such a difference to university campuses in the summer months - and I do know the obvious that undergrads are taking their break and getting ready to come back in September. It amazes me though, that you can go to one city university one day and another the next and the difference in total people on campus is so different.
To some this can become quite annoying, and especially to me when I am trying to understand each university and patterns of their students. So too, it must be difficult for students who are visiting and trying to understand when they should go to do something specific without the queues and chaos on campus. But, alas it is quieter on campus for postgrads to concentrate on their dissertations and research without have undergrad wild parties eating into their much needed rest after a hard days work.
I remember that when in the summer term I was writing and researching for my masters dissertation and loved that it was quiet and peaceful on campus - and not just late at night or early in the morning - but all of the time, just great!
What is it like at the campus where you are? Is it quiet or busy?
New Blog Theme - New approach
Well, it looks like another academic year is over for many students at university and college – with some postgrads nervously thinking about the writing up of their dissertation or thesis in the next month or so. The problem with the summer months for many undergrads is what to do and how to do it at little or no cost. I’m sure you had a blast of a time at the end of term party, and if you just finished your degree and the dreaded final year dissertation then you’ll be anxiously waiting for your grade later this summer – a 2:1 or a 1st – who knows, if you did great you’ll get the latter, if you just missed out then you’ll have the 2:1 in the bag.
So, back to important things here at R2G – why I’ve not been around for ages and why starting the momentum in the summer? Well, as most of you will know I graduated back in 2005, yes a couple of years ago, but I’m wanting to get back into the academic scene by heading back and doing my PhD. I still have loads of guidance and advice to give people on the blog and want to create a community where people can share ideas, views and resources. I’ve been busy working all over the place at the moment changed jobs and ended doing some temp work in a hotel, and finally ended up just recently working for a recruitment agency – I know they do get bad press, but this isn’t so bad and it’s close to home so I don’t have far to travel – which is a huge bonus especially with all the fuel price increases lately, which are absolutely stupid! With the change in job though, and the great hours (9 to 5! never done that in my life before), now I think is the best time to devote a little bit of time to the blog and get some awareness and community spirit going.
I’ve changed the theme on the blog which has given it a brighter feel, although all isn’t finished as yet. I still need to adapt a few different posts and pages and most importantly I need to add more content (obviously) and I’m looking maybe into getting a customized logo/header for the top – you just never know, if I earn enough revenue from the blog I’ll most probably splash out for a customized theme – but this probably won’t happen until the need of the next academic year.
Looking to the future, I’ve got a few books at the moment that I want to review, a ton of guidance about working, looking at employment, writing your CV and actually getting a job – from my time spent in recruitment – and general advice about writing and studying at university/college. I pretty sure I’ve got a good view of where the blog is heading for over the next few months, and sure that I will keep a bunch of readers that have read the blog in the past and bring up a load of new people eager to talk about their experiences and join in with me. I haven’t got all the answers, but I do love a good discussion, especially when I win :-), with other like minded people.
Here’s to the grow of R2G and much more information to come.
Nick
R2G Monday Roundup - 19th November - 25th November
It has been a tough week here at Road 2 Graduation, and most of you will know that I’ve been sick, but I’ve managed to keep people updated with what I was doing by twitter. Not wanting to draw your attention away from the roundup too much, I’m just letting you all know I’m a lot better and in full writing swing!
Here we go….
- Academy concern over decline in Language study
- Seven Habits of Highly Innovative People
- Thanksgiving and the Story we tell Ourselves
- 5 reasons to get a Public Library card
- How to take notes on PowerPoint slides
- Don’t you Dare…in a Formal Paper
- Top 5 Departure Tips
An interesting article on why academics are worried about why students in the UK aren’t being taught all they can about different languages, and actually learning a foreign language. Interesting really, as I seem to have seen a similar article to this a few years ago!
When I read this post over at thinksimplenow.com, ideas suddenly popped into my mind of entrepreneurial people I studied with during my time at University. Looking at habits, taking risks and recording what you have done (accomplished and failed), this article is a really good read for all.
I was a little curious this week to find out how our friends ‘over the pond’ celebrate thanksgiving and what it is actually celebrating/remembering. I truly interesting post by lifehack.org
An interesting post by a guest blogger over at Gearfire.net. Thought the title was strange as I haven’t been into my local public library for a number of years, but this post may just ‘tap’ me in the right direction to go and have a look to see what’s changed.
Cal’s post on PowerPoint for student presenters is a really good post and got my attention straight away. Useful information for everyone in academia.
that college kid identifies what you shouldn’t put into your paper if writing at college/university. A couple of really good examples.
Stephen over at Study in the UK Blog provides International students with some quick tips when they’re going to travel abroad to study. Having friends and making them before you travel can be crucial, as you’ll have some one to talk to, or go for a beer with when you first get to the country and university you’re visiting.
I’ll be popping up another couple of posts over the next few days.
Having time off when you’re not in control
I’m back and have an abundance of information to pass on. For those who wondered where in the hell the Sunday review was, and a Monday Roundup then I apologise. Being sick really frustrates me
, and I was sick to the point where I have been unable to post anything and I didn’t have any posts completed posts to publish on the blog. This just reiterates my thoughts on planning and developing your writing (need to take my own advice I think!)
In development
I’ve got some series of posts that will be coming up over the next few weeks or so and will be ideal reading as we head up to the Christmas holidays. I’m planning ahead my posts and am even writing my Christmas eve post as we speak – its on a topic that I really enjoy and want to get the bulk of it written now.
I’m currently producing a post for the Monday Roundup, but felt it best to delay the Sunday review until next week, as I really want to concentrate on other material posts that I believe will bring you more value – plus I think these posts will interest you more too.
I’ll be putting a few posts up in the next few hours, so watch out for them and here’s to future planning 
A change in style
If you’ve just recently stopped by the Road 2 Graduation blog then you will have noticed that there’s been a couple of changes. We’ve changed the top banner to be a little more attractive to everyone visiting the blog. This was won in a contest over at onlinecashflow.org and I’m very grateful for the work that Jeremy has put in to the banner, as well as with all my changes to the original design. If you’re looking for some great money making tips, then please head over to onlinecashflow.org, and you are probably best to sign up to his RSS feed to keep updated with what’s going on over there.
I’ve also managed to get my favicon up onto the site:
and you should be seeing this in your browsers over the next few days when they refresh – or so I’m led to believe.
Hopefully these changes and others over the coming weeks will help the R2G site improve and increase readability for all.
If anyone has any comments or suggestions then please leave a comment.
Once again thank you to Jeremy for the banner:
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