Starting your Master's is a big step and is an exciting new chapter in your life, but the work and stress that can come along with it can be demanding at times! For me, even though I am in a course-based program I am still required to write a 15,000-18,000-word dissertation now that my classes are done. I am only a few months away from submitting (yay!) and thought I would share some helpful tips that have allowed me to stay focused and on-track so far!
 

Start Early

I know this one has been said to you time and time again ever since you started school, but this tip is actually very important for a big piece of writing like this. This is one assignment that you cannot do at the last minute and requires a lot of planning in advance. If you don’t pick a topic early enough you won’t be able to submit ethics in time, which means you can’t start collecting data in time and then won’t have anything to write about before the submission deadline! Start early, even if this means just writing down topic ideas as they come to you and doing some research to see what’s been done already. I have classmates who have are still waiting to hear back from ethics (its mid-July currently) and may not finish in time for our submission deadline (mid-September) meaning they will have to delay their submission and therefore their graduation date, which is not fun to think about considering all the time and hard work we’ve all put in to this course!

It may seem daunting at first to pick a topic, but that’s okay. You don’t have to stick with what you decide on initially! My topic was tweaked and adjusted many times before I finally decided what to do. Try not to stress and just do the best you can at the time, I promise you can do it!
 

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others – Do What’s Best for You

There’s probably some people in your course who will finish their dissertation weeks or months before the due date, and others who will still be writing hours before the deadline (this is ill-advised as you need to plan for time to print your dissertation and have it bound properly). This is okay though, everyone is different. Some work better under pressure or are busy with other important commitments, and others may have what seems like all the time in the world to be able to go to the library and write. It’s important to know how you work best and stick with that.  If you do your best writing at night, don’t force yourself to try and spend all day in the library. I have often spent my day doing other thing only to do my best writing after 11pm – whatever works right? Of course, it’s good to have friends to check-in with to make sure you are all making progress (whatever that means for you), but don’t let that one friend who can write 3,000 words in one sitting pressure you into feeling in-adequate. You made it this far because of your own skills, know that they can help carry you over the finish line!
 

Take Time for You

Some days it’s just not going to work. Know that this is okay and that if you follow the step above by starting early, taking a day off because things aren’t working is totally fine! I recently had a bit of writers block so I took a nice, short 2-night trip to Scotland to clear my mind and get away from the confines of my dorm room and the campus. Looking after yourself and making sure you are feeling good will help you prepare to face your dissertation the next day (or the day after that haha). Taking time for you can be as small of an effort as turning off all screens an hour before you sleep (which is recommended anyways for a better sleep) or binging an entire Netflix series of two! Making sure you are at your best personally will help make your work be the best it can be. Don’t try and force things if they aren’t working! Take a step back, relax, and breathe – you got this!
 

These are just a few tips to help you when writing your dissertation! If you are feeling up to the challenge and are considering studying abroad Across The Pond can help. Please contact one of our Advisors today for more information!

England is a fascinating place to visit and live, and there is plenty to see and do even outside London. Here, we highlight the uniqueness and quintessential Englishness that can only be found here, and give 5 reasons why studying in England will be a great opportunity!

1. England knows how to treat international students England is an incredibly popular choice for international students to gain their education. Generations of students worldwide have gone to England for their studies, which means British universities have decades of experience working with the international market. This means that they are knowledgeable about Canadian academic and work standards, and can give quality academic advise to Canadians, from the time you apply until you graduate. This is especially true for law students, as some universities have specifically built their law programs to cater to Canadians.
   
   
2. Castles and other historical landmarks Whether you’re into modern palaces, medieval cathedrals or ancient Celtic and Roman ruins, England has it all! Buckingham palace, in the heart of London, gives summer tours, giving guests a unique look at the official residence of the Royal Family, the state rooms, and the Royal Collection. The Worcester Cathedral (in Worcester, about an hour West of London), built between 1084 and 1504, is a beautiful example of medieval architecture. Interred here is King John (of Robin Hood fame), and it was the location of William Shakespeare’s wedding to Anne Hathaway. 
3. Literature We all have a place in our hearts for a certain British author or character, whether that be the classics like Jane Austin or Charles Dickens, or more modern characters like Harry Potter and the Doctor. Conveniently, there are a number of places to visit to indulge in your favourites, such as the Sherlock Homes Museum at 221b Baker Street or Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
4. Unique places to grab a pint Pubs can be some of the most interesting and historical places you can visit. The Bear Inn is the oldest pub in Oxford, being around since the 13^th Apparently, it’s not the kind of place to wear a tie, as they have a vast collection of neckwear in glass cases around the room from patrons taking them off and leaving them behind, with a note and the date. There’s also the King Charles House in Worcester, where King Charles hid, and was later squirreled off to France, after losing the English Civil War. This pub has had a lot of remodelling over the years, but is now been restored to its traditional style. No matter where you go in England, there is a pub nearby with just as much history as any museum.
5. Weather Despite what you may have seen in the movies, London doesn’t actually get fog very often, nor is it always raining. In fact, in terms of mm of precipitation, most of England sees less rainfall per year than cities like Ottawa! However, it is overcast and dreary a lot of the time, and can start raining at any moment, so you will be well advised to always bring along your brelly. The really nice aspect of English weather is the lack of extremes that we see in Canada. In winter, the temperature may dip below zero, so you’ll see a little snow, but it typically melts away rather quickly, and you won’t need your parka or snowpants. Summertime is more temperate than in Canada, with highs that are typically in the low- to mid-20s. This means that air-conditioning is a rare, but you won’t miss it.

All in all, England is fantastic place to live and visit, with innumerable things to see and do. Extensive history can be found anywhere, and it truly is the opportunity of a lifetime to study there! If you haven’t yet enquired with us, and would like to find out more about studying in the UK and the application process, please contact one of our Advisors.

 

It is very easy to have a fun time in the UK, but it's even easier to do it while spending lots of money. I loved living in London and I wanted to enjoy the experience the best I can, but it's also important to remember that you're managing it on a student budget. Here are some tips for making the most of your time here, while still being kind to your wallet!

1. Choose Budget Friendly Transport 

One unfortunate discovery I made about London was the huge expense of transportation. Even with a student pass, it's easy to get carried away when taking the tube in London (especially when payments are contact-less!) Busses do tend to cost a little less, but the costs still easily add up! The good news is that most places in central London are close to each other and walking or biking are great alternative modes of travel if you want to save some of your Oyster budget. 

This way, you see so much more of the city and you can even catch the streets off the beaten track that make London such a unique city. I’ve found some great hidden gems while walking around the city, and some I definitely wouldn't have come across if I stuck to main bus or tube routes.  

If you get tired of walking, why not rent a bike? As you wander around the city, you may notice bicycle stands scattered around. These are Santander Cycles and you can rent these bicycles from one location, and return it to any other location throughout the city. These can not only be budget friendly, but a great way to get some exercise in while exploring! Just be careful if you're biking on the roads! Always be mindful of the traffic, especially if you're still getting used to traffic being on the opposite side of the road.  

 

2. Picnics in the park

Eating at restaurants in the UK can be extremely expensive, but prepared meals from food shops are usually reasonably priced (as long as you’re not in the posh shops!). Keep a look out for "Meal Deals" at favourite shops like Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury's and enjoy the many parks that the city has to offer. Some favourites include Green Park, right next door to Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, neighbours with Kensington Palace, and Regent's Park (101 Dalmations, anyone?). 

In addition to the Royal Parks, there are countless small green spaces throughout the city (and across the UK!) You're bound to find a few favourites and even a couple hidden gems. 

 

 

3. BYOB

As an addition to the above tip, it is generally far cheaper to pick up a beer or cider from the supermarket than from a pub. Laws surrounding alcohol are very different in the UK compared to North America. You should look up the particular law in your region, but it may be perfectly legal to have a small bevvy with your outdoor picnic.

 

4. Hiking/Walking/Adventuring

The UK is a secret outdoorsy haven. Many students (myself included) missed going on a proper hike when moving from Canada to the UK (especially if they relocate to a metropolis like London). 

Thankfully, the UK is full of fabulous adventure activities and they’re available all year long. No matter where you end up in the UK, it's quite easy to find some outdoor adventures! Try visiting the Yorkshire Dales (England), the Burns Trail (Scotland), or the Sallagh Braes walk (Northern Ireland) for some breathtaking scenery that will make you feel right at home.
 

Other than the cost of parking (depending on location) and some very sore legs, the experience is free!

 

5. Avoid the trains and take the bus (but if you’re going to take the train, get a student discount card)

Travelling around different UK cities is a must-do for your time abroad, but train tickets can be costly. Bus tickets are considerably more within a student budget, and busses run frequently across the UK. It takes a little longer, but if you have the time it’s a worthwhile sacrifice (with a good deal, you can pay as little as £10 for a bus ticket from London to Leeds, where the train tickets can cost upwards of £75). If you must take the train invest in a student railcard, which will pay for itself within a few journeys.

Consider travelling during "off-peak" hours for additional savings! 

 

The best thing you can do with your time abroad is wander and see the country from all different angles. I hope these tips can help you explore and make the most of your adventure! 

If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.

Last week, a stranger asked me if I had any expectations about Scotland before I moved. I thought for a moment. Castles? Rolling hills? Cliffs? Bagpipes? Whiskey? I admitted to all the clichés (at least I was honest). He laughed and asked if Scotland matched my preconceptions. I said that I’d done a bit of research before moving, but nothing online quite compared to witnessing the country for myself. Unlike Canada, you can travel almost anywhere in Scotland within a day. No matter where you are in the country, there will always be a location of value nearby. There are too many destinations in Scotland to list, so I’ll stick to the Northeast, where I’ve been living in Aberdeen. Northeast Scotland is often underrated, as the most popular Scottish locations typically consist of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Scotland’s picturesque West Coast (ex. Isle of Skye). These locations are historical, beautiful, and definitely worth a visit. But the Northeast also has some incredible spots, all of which can be reached within an hour or two. Below are some Northeast day trips I recommend.
 

Castles

The UK is notorious for its breathtaking castles – Northeast Scotland is no exception. Here are two of my favourites: 

Dunnottar Castle Dunnottar is the most popular castle in Aberdeenshire, and it’s not hard to tell why. The medieval ruins perch on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the North Sea. You can enter the castle, walk down to the beach, or stroll along the cliffside until you reach the nearby town of Stonehaven. Only 3km from the castle, Stonehaven is a cozy coastal town with quaint cottages and plenty of good lunch spots. 

 Castle Fraser Any Outlander fans? *cautiously raises hand* You might find this spot interesting, as they filmed parts of the show here! Castle Fraser was built between 1575 and 1636. The castle is surrounded by 300 acres of forest and farmland, with walking trails throughout. Castles, trails, and film sets – what more could you ask for? 
 

Hiking

Scotland is packed with outdoor opportunities, especially hiking. I recently visited Clachnaben, a small mountain just outside Banchory, Aberdeenshire. The hike was fairly easy, taking about 1.5 hours to reach the top of the mountain. The weather was beautiful, which highlighted the mountain and scenery nicely. Although hiking is more comfortable on an overcast day, the views are nicer with a bit of sun. 
 

Distilleries

Whiskey is an important element of Scottish culture, with over 100 distilleries spread across the country. Distillery tours are often inexpensive. They include a walk-through of the distillery, allowing you to see how the whiskey is produced from start to finish. There’s also a whiskey tasting at the end of the tour. I’m not a huge fan of whiskey, but I love the atmosphere of a distillery. I visited Glenfiddich Distillery a few weeks ago, which is located in Dufftown, just outside Aberdeenshire. 

 Tip: If you don’t like whiskey (or if you’re driving), you can bring small bottles to your tour and pack up your whiskey at the tasting. Scottish whiskey samples can make great little gifts for friends and family back home.
 

Beaches

The Northeast Coast has a beautiful strip of beaches. The water is too cold to swim without a wetsuit, but the beach itself is a great spot to bring a book, a picnic, or anything under the sun (pun intended). Aberdeen Beach and Balmedie Beach are both lovely spots, but Newburgh Beach definitely takes the prize as my favourite beach.   Newburgh Beach is at the mouth of the Ythan River. It’s also the home of hundreds of seals! They move up and down the coast in large numbers, finally resting on Newburgh Beach. When you arrive at the water, you can see the seals across the river as they sunbathe, socialize, and fight with each other. You can hear them speaking to each other too; they sound like a group of howling ghosts. If you’re lucky, some seals will swim over to your side of the beach. Last time I visited, a curious seal pup swam over and posed for us on the shore. 
 

Nearby Towns

If you’re keen for a more central day trip, there are plenty of towns accessible by bus or train, including Stonehaven. 

Banchory is a small town in Aberdeenshire, just an hour’s bus ride from Aberdeen’s city centre. Its most popular attraction is the Bridge of Feugh, where you can see salmon leaping up from the river below. If you’re travelling from Aberdeen, there are also a couple castles along the route, including Drum Castle and Crathes Castle. Both have botanical gardens and walking trails. 

Ellon, also in Aberdeenshire, is just a short distance to Newburgh beach. The town is similar in appearance to Aberdeen, with plenty of cottages and granite buildings. I mention this town because I visited a really nice café called the Coffee Apothecary, where I experienced the best cappuccino of my life. Ellon is well worth a visit, even if you’re just going for the coffee.

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I could talk for ages about all the amazing day trips in Northeast Scotland. I could talk for even longer if I included trips outside the Northeast. But as I mentioned earlier, reading about Scotland doesn’t quite measure up to travelling here for yourself. 

Curious about Northeast Scotland? Please contact one of our Across the Pond advisors to get started on your UK adventure!

Things you can do throughout your year to prepare for exams
The most significant study adjustment I’ve had to make since moving to the UK is how I prepare for exams. Exams in my first undergraduate degree in Canada were a completely different endeavour; they were worth significantly less and we had very limited time to revise. Out here, end of year exams can be worth 75-100% of your grade (depending on your particular course) and you are likely to have more than a month to prepare. It’s a hard test of endurance and discipline, but entirely doable! To help prepare for this change, I’ve created a list of things you can do right from the beginning of the year. 
 

Create flash cards throughout the year 

This is something that I started doing and then gave up on early in the year, but I wish I had continued. Our professors highly recommend it for classes that are case or definition heavy (for me it was contract law – I created around 200 flash cards for cases alone). You can handwrite the old-school way or there are many websites and apps where you can keep them online. Extra points if you take some time each week to review them. 

Stay up to date with your tutorial work – trust me 

You want to be using your exam period for revision, not learning new content. It’s really easy to get behind on tutorial work when things come up in your life, but putting in a little extra effort to read the material, take notes, attend tutorials, and then have a summary of the content will be a gift when you start studying. It will cut down your revision time substantially and simultaneously on your stress.  
 

Keep your notes organised and in one place (ie. OneNote, Evernote) 
It’s so important to have all your notes prepared when it comes time to revise for exams. You’ll waste valuable time if you’re collecting hand written notes, PowerPoint slides, and Word documents and searching for continuity in your learning. If you have notes in several places, things will inevitably get lost. Whatever is your preferred method of notetaking, make sure that it’s organised and cohesive. My preference is Microsoft OneNote as it can house all your documents, PowerPoint slides, and academic articles in one place. It’s also searchable across an entire notebook, so you can find your definitions and case names quickly. If you’re not using OneNote already, I would highly recommend brushing up on your skills with YouTube videos. 

Make a study group My tutorial group became very close friends over the course of the year, which I realise is somewhat unusual. It was extremely helpful however when it came to sharing notes and brainstorming essays together. We relied greatly upon the study group after classes ended and we started revising – we met in nice coffee shops across London and practiced answering exam questions and quizzing each other. It was wildly helpful, helping keep us all calm in the chaos and ensuring we were keeping up with the work. If you start working together throughout the semester you will have good comradery and a system in place before you face exams. 

 Preparing for exams has been hard work, but there are so many things you can do throughout the year to make the study period easier on yourself. If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.