Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham.

Today I have no class. and quite surprising, i feel bored having nothing to do! haha. I suppose you still remember my moaning about oh-how-i-want-to-have-my-freedom-from-assignments-and-exams few days ago. I am there now but I feel so unproductive and crap! haha.. well, second term just started last week and I haven’t been given a lot of assignments (ok I intentionally forget the business report I must hand in next month. LOL). So, as I’m workless (that word doesn’t exist seriously!), I think it’s quite a good idea to share some matters about studying in UK, in particular my university and my department because it’s a bit too early to make generalisation here. here we go:

• for my master study, I take 180 credits consist of 11 modules and 1 research project (60 credits). they say, 10 credits equals to 100 hours of study, either in class or independently. to be honest, I don’t think I study that much. therefore i said (again), they say! haha..
• each module is taught in a week, only. the good thing: we concentrate only to certain subject in a week, give more understanding I assume. the bad thing: not a good method for an-easily-to-forget-things-and-deadliner one.
• A lot of presentations. scary at first.
• There is a free week named consolidation week: no class. the main purpose is to provide time for students to catch up the previous lectures. teachers often open tutorial class during this week. for me, I spend this week for assignments, groupwork, and presentation (if there is one). otherwise, I just do nothing. well, sometimes studying. sometimes! LOL. but I never travel during that week though I kind of love to.
• Thousands words essays and reports. I think any master have this kind of thing as well.
• Plagiarism is a serious crime here. well, we know that copying someone’s work exactly the same is a crime. but it doesn’t stop there. cropping sentences from many sources without referencing it, is a huge crime (I did quite a lot at my bachelor haha). so what should we do? paraphrasing (use our own words) the sentences with a good understanding and put our own ideas in it. if then we have to use the words exactly similar to the source, put into quotation and reference it clearly. I think I like this idea. originality is something priceless and we can’t just steal someone’s work and make it as it’s our own work. it’s just unfair.
• there are three terms here autumn term, spring term, summer term.
• winter break: 1 month, spring break: 1 month, summer break: 3 months.
• Grades are divided to three categories: Distinction (>70%), Merit (60-70%), Pass (50-60%). I haven’t got any of my marks until now and I’m so afraid. Argh! I hope it won’t be that bad. wish my luck! they say, teachers rarely give 70% or above. my goodness.
• the classes are often mixed with students from MEng, PhD, EngD, MRes. a lot of native that makes me excited and worry at the same time. haha..

well, so far there are no big problems (hope there aren’t any forever!). I like studying here. quite difficult and a lot of things to adapt at first but I think I’m getting used to them. Wish I can take a lot of advantages of studying here, at the end when I’m graduated.