Associate Student Magazine

August 2014ASPIRE

Upcoming Events

Meet the Staff

Student Support

Useful Contacts

Welcome to our first ever newsletter for the Associate Student Project!

This newsletter is designed for you, to give you an insight into the project, the

staff, and Edinburgh Napier in general. We know doing something different can be a bit daunting, but we’re here to help make the transition as easy as possible for you.

First off: you should know you’ve made a good decision. As an Associate Student, you’ll have access to everything that Napier has to offer, from the library to the sports facilities to guest lectures.

More than that, you have taken a positive step for your career: your course will help you become more employable when you finish your studies, as well as helping you develop key skills that are essential to succeeding in a working environment. You can read more about this on page 2.You don’t have to take our word for

it either - who better to tell you than someone who’s already been there? A former student, Derek, can tell you more. Turn to page 5 to read his honest account of settling in at Napier as an Associate Student, and to page 9 to see the work of someone who has recently graduated.

If you need support of any kind while you’re with us, we have a fantastic team of people just for that purpose. Find out more in our ‘Student Support’ section on page 4. There’s also a section on upcoming events, some FAQs, and an example of work from one of our recent graduates. I hope it both inspires and reassures you that you’re in good hands.

Don’t forget - this newsletter is for you. If you have any suggestions or topics you’d like us to cover, let us know. We’re here to help and support you, so get in touch.

Best wishes, and good luck!

Debbie MehargDebbie MehargLecturer & College LiaisonSchool of ComputingEdinburgh Napier University

d.meharg@napier.ac.uk

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Welcome to AspireASPIRE

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Being an Associate Student: what does it mean for you?

The Associate Student scheme has been created to help you make a smooth transition from college to university. As an Associate Student, you are beginning a new and exciting part of your four-year journey, from college, to a linked degree course. The skills you acquire during this degree will equip you for the working world, and can help you make choices about the right career for you.

We’re thrilled that you’ve chosen to become an Associate Student at Napier, and we want to help you get the most out of it. Among other things, this means making sure you have access to our resources - essential for getting the degree you want. It’s important to us that you feel supported in the work you do, and that you feel able to make confident decisions when the time comes. And we want you to enjoy it too!

What will Napier staff provide?

Staff will provide:

► Tutorial support ► Guest Lectures ► University visits ► Academic literacy workshops ► Other supporting activities

What facilities can I use?

You will also have access to the same great facilities as all University students, including:

► University Library services - for all your studying needs ► Moodle – our online learning environment ► Student support services ► Sports facilities at ENU student rates ► Arranged visits and lectures at Edinburgh Napier ► Featured lectures by Edinburgh Napier staff at college

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Associate StudentsASPIRE

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Derek Hendry

Year 4 at Napier University School of Computing studying Web Design & Development BSc (Hons).

My Napier experience began September 2013 after studying at Edinburgh College Sighthill campus where I successfully completed my NC, HNC and HND in Interactive Media.

HOW I GOT HERE:Before returning to full-time education I enjoyed a few different career paths, including working as an electrical engineer for 10 years. In my spare time I began building simple websites as a hobby and realised I would need to get recognised qualifications if I were to pursue it as a career. My three years at college were interesting and a great starting point for me in my goal of studying at degree level. HOW I FOUND IT:The transition from college to university (year 3) is quite a significant one; at first it can seem quite daunting and a bit of a whirlwind. One thing that became very apparent was the pace of the course - within a matter of weeks I was submitting my first piece of coursework for grading. I am now heading towards the end of my second trimester and the pace has been consistent throughout the entire year.

WHAT IT’S LIKE:What is very clear at Napier is that hard work is rewarded. The staff within the School of Computing support you in every aspect of university life and from day one they encourage you to be the best you can be, to get the best degree you can and to ultimately get the best job you can.

Following my three years at college and first year at Napier University I can pass on the following advice from my experience:

Before you start: ► Prepare well. Spend time reviewing the

courses at Napier and the modules within them. Visit our site for more details.

► Research, research, research. Speak to Napier staff, attend open days and ask questions.

► Have a think of where you want to be at the end of your degree. From day one you will be encouraged to focus on your future career.

Once you’re here: ► Take all the help and support you are

offered. Lecturers in the School of Computing have immense expertise and their knowledge is invaluable. If you’re not sure - ask!

► Grasp opportunities. There are loads of activities to get involved in outwith your course.

► Feed off other students. There is very much a positive ‘vibe’ around the campus and you can’t help but be inspired.

► Understand the assessment and grading structure as quickly as possible. In Year 3 virtually every mark you get will determine the level of degree you can achieve. Unlike college, it’s not just about passing - it’s about passing well!

► Use the facilities on campus. The Jack Kilby Computing Centre is like my second home and I find it a very motivational place to work. It is open almost 24/7 and I often end up here at the weekend too. The library also has fantastic facilities for working and studying.

► AND MOST IMPORTANT… Don’t be scared - enjoy the experience!

“Napier are not just here to get you great degree, Napier are here to get you a great job!”

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Settling in to NapierASPIRE

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Student ShowcaseASPIRE

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At Edinburgh Napier University we have a strong support network in place to assist you with whatever help and advice you may need. We hope that every student who comes to Edinburgh Napier has an enjoyable and enriching experience. Whether you need help with searching for funding, finding somewhere to live, careers advice or a confidential chat with a qualified counsellor, we have somebody to help you.

Dedicated support is available to students with disabilities and learning difficulties through our highly experienced Disability & Inclusion team. Our Student Mentors are a valuable source of information and support about the study techniques and uni tips they’ve discovered along the way. And if

you wish to increase your employability skills in a structured way, our Confident Futures programme is free and a great opportunity for all students. For those of you with English as your second language, we offer a range of English Language Support modules that will help build your confidence and improve your English in small groups, as well as pre-sessional English courses for those already accepted onto degree courses.. In addition to the cutting-edge resources provided by your faculty, we have excellent library and computing facilities on each of our three campuses to ensure you get the best from our extensive information resources. We also have librarians that are always more than happy to help.

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Student Support ASPIRE

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Aileen MacLeanPOSITION: Academic Support Adviser SCHOOL: School of Computing

Q & A Session

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Fitness on Campus ASPIRE

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At [EN]GAGE we cater for all levels of fitness and our facilities are there for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re having a game of football, a lunchtime badminton session or meeting new friends in one of our popular Les Mills®, Spinning®, Zumba® or Vipr® classes, fitness is always fresh, different and fun at [EN]GAGE. Our 200m² fitness suite features the latest state-of-the-art equipment, from Life Fitness treadmills to Olympic weight

forms. If you prefer getting fit with your friends, our 1200 m² sports hall is available to book for your favourite sporting activities such as football, basketball, badminton and table tennis. Or why not try one of our award-winning exercise programmes - from the ever-popular Les Mills® to the new and invigorating ViPR®. Our friendly gym staff and industry leading instructors are always on hand to make your [EN]GAGE experience as enjoyable as it is effective! Monday - Friday: 7.30am - 10pmSaturday and Sunday: 10am - 6pm

We have an onsite car park which will be open to members of [EN]GAGE from Monday to Friday after 5pm and anytime at weekends.

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College Partners ASPIRE

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West Lothian College is an award winning provider of further education based in Livingston, West Lothian since 2001. West Lothian College’s vision is “To be a high performing and creative College within a national reputation for excellence in demand led learning and skills development” and in fulfilling that vision provides and invaluable resource to the people of West Lothian and beyond.

New College Lanarkshire combines what were Motherwell College and Cumbernauld College. The size and scale of the College allows it to operate more effectively with a firm focus on the social and economic well-being of Lanarkshire.

Edinburgh College is the largest college in Scotland and one of the largest in the UK. We have the strongest single student body in Edinburgh and our key commitment is to put students at the centre.

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Sta� SpotlightASPIRE

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