It has been eight months since my last post, which I wrote when I was about to dive into the intense exam prep period of my second year in the MSc epidemiology distance learning program. Exams for my three classes (EPM303, epidemiology of non-communicable diseases, EPM202, Statistical Methods in Epidemiology, and EPM304, Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology) went well, helped by the fact that I’d gone through LSHTM exams once already and knew what to expect. The basics—create a realistic exam prep schedule and stick to it, do a dry run to the exam center so you know where it is and how long it takes to get there, and sleep well the night before—were no different. The only thing that had changed was that I parenthetically turned 50 the day before the first exam.
Epidemiology at 50: Thinking about what matters
December 16, 2014
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Courses directed by LSHTM, Epidemiology | Tagged: bereavement, Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, LSHTM, MSc Epidemiology, Study, Susannah Leisher, University of London, University of London International Programmes, UoL | 
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Posted by shleisher2013
Reactions to my return to study
December 5, 2014
New blogger Mustafa
Hello, Welcome to my new blog. I hope to provide you with a weekly distraction from your studies which will lift your spirits, make you laugh and think ‘he is a idiot, I won’t read his blog again’ all in a few seconds. However, you will read my blog again to see what rubbish I have written so you can complain to your friends (and of course your secretly enjoying what I say you just can’t admit it to yourself).
I currently work for a pharmaceutical company in London and it is a different experience to any I have had in the past. The key difference is that in my past jobs almost everyone I met had been an undergraduate or postgraduate student. Whereas now I work with people from a variety of backgrounds who are mainly doing the job because they need the job. As well as being a distance learning student on the MSc Epidemiology, I have fellowships and memberships to a number of institutes which I am active with. Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment | Courses directed by LSHTM, Epidemiology | Tagged: Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, LSHTM, mature student, Motivation, MSc Epidemiology, Mustafa, Study, University of London, University of London International Programmes, UoL | Permalink
Posted by mustafa
8 things Bangladeshi UoL students can relate to
November 7, 2014The University of London International Programmes has done great justice to those who want to comfortably stay in their homeland and study. It has given us a great opportunity to be around people we love and get encouraged to handle the pressure with patience. As a UoL student of LLB (Hons.) final year in Bangladesh, I personally am thankful to the one who came up with the idea of making it global. Out of the many pros and cons of the system, here is a list of some which Bangladeshi students of the UoL can relate to:
3 Comments | LLB | Tagged: Aiman, Bangladesh, Distance Learning, external student, Law, LLB, procrastin, Study, University of London, University of London International Programmes | Permalink
Posted by Aiman Khan
Studying as a Form of Stress Management
August 26, 2014
Despite the somewhat romantic notion I had about enjoying a leisurely time after finishing my degree, it has worked out to be a bit different. This summer I have had very little break time between interviewing for new opportunities, IT repairs, a 180-degree shift in a work project, finishing my home redecorating project, and preparing to enter a new academic program. You would think I could see all of that coming, but, unfortunately, no. What managing it all helped me realize is that reading and studying has been a kind of stress management tool for me, in addition to being something I really, really enjoy. Studying as a form of stress management might sound unusual to you. It certainly sounds unusual to me, but while managing all the rough and tumble of professional life this week, I realized that having my reading and intense engagement with English studies is an excellent stress management tool and helps me maintain a helpful perspective on other projects.
Leave a Comment » | English | Tagged: BA English, Caowrites, career, Distance Learning, English, Literature, stress management, Study | Permalink
Posted by caowrites
Transition Time!
August 8, 2014What a week we have had here in Pittsburgh! Jelly Bean, my collie dog, and I have accomplished a lot. We spent some time digging over and planting three new flowerbeds, began a creative project, and finished our ‘spring’ cleaning that got sadly, sadly behind when concentrating on exams and some professional projects. This week we also finally finished two big, lingering work projects. (Yes, we – she is a very good co-pilot for long stretches at my desk.) Having professional and personal projects like this is a great thing right now. While it is sinking, albeit slowly, into my brain that I actually completed the degree, I have not quite figured out what to do with the time devoted to study. There was a celebration and a few tears of relief and joy when grades were released but nothing like the sense of satisfaction that came with the invitation to our graduation ceremony in the spring.
It feels like transition time, and perfectly timed too with the lovely feeling of spring ripening into summer, not that it is always a process without drama. This week we had an incredible summer storm. In just a few hours, we had three inches of rain. A building on our street was struck by lightning, streets were closed from flash flooding, people were rescued from floating vehicles, and our garden room flooded impressively. Although Jelly Bean is normally quite brave during thunder and lightning storms, she felt better sitting in my lap as we watched this one from her favorite window seat. In an almost Shakespearean way, like our own personal ‘Tempest’, the storm arrived along with my decision to pursue new professional opportunities and set new academic goals.
1 Comment | English | Tagged: BA English, career, Distance Learning, English, Literature, Study, transition | Permalink
Posted by caowrites
How To Remember Everything At Exam Time!
May 4, 2014
What is exam day like for you? Despite planning a year in advance, for me, it always comes as a bit of a surprise when exam time is actually here. A little stress comes with this deadline that, combined with other responsibilities, can make me feel as if I forgot everything I ever knew. Then there is test taking anxiety, which for me, is another layer to be aware of and manage. I find it helpful to have a few strategies that help me remember material, and that remind me how to write a good essay.
7 Comments | English | Tagged: BA English, Distance Learning, English BA, Exams, Flexible Study, FLIRT, Goldsmiths, Literature, PEECH, PEEL, Study, study plan, study techniques, study tips, studying, University of London, University of London International Programmes, UoL | Permalink
Posted by caowrites
The talk that improved my motivation.
April 19, 2014
In a few more weeks, the final exam is coming. The mere thought of that really scares me. My stress level has reached a really high point where it simply overwhelms me
It’s been so bad that it gets to a point where I hyperventilate and my head gets light headed. I know I should have better stress management but I have been trying to remind myself to breathe.
Telling myself to breathe has been my saying for the past few days and doing this has helped me tremendously. If you ever have the same problem as me, which is hyperventilating or that your stress level is going through the roof, well, remember to breathe. It will really help.
1 Comment | Courses directed by LSE, Economics and Management, General | Tagged: Economics, Exams, International Programmes, learning, Malaysia International Programmes, Motivation, stress, studies, Study, studying, talk, University of London | Permalink
Posted by C.S Young
