Monday 18th January to Sunday 31st January 2021
Welcome to the Fifth Edition of our SELLL UG News, for a fortnightly round up compiled by Caroline Ede, with contributions from Professional Services (PS) colleagues in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics.
Some new items below for this edition and important dates for your diary. Plus, our regular wellbeing, IT and assessment support, if needed, has now moved to the end of the newsletter.
NEW FOR THIS EDITION
Dates for your diary!
Buffer Week
w/c Monday 18th January 2021 (further details below)
End of Semester 1 Assessment Hand-in Date
NOW Thursday 21st January 2021
Semester 2 Induction Week
w/c Monday 25th January 2021
Meet with your Personal Tutor via Zoom (if you haven’t already in Buffer week).
Prepare for the start of online teaching the following week.
Semester 1 Induction material is still available on Canvas.
SELLL Postgraduate Panel Event for UG students
Are you interested in studying for a Master’s degree? Look out for the upcoming SELLL Postgraduate Panel Event (w/c 25th January), organised by Engsoc. Details to be announced soon on SELLL social media. Newcastle University’s PG Virtual Open Day is being held on Monday 8th February – sign up to find out about all aspects of PG study from the link on the University website home page.
Next Girl’s Club Meeting (and first for 2021)
Tuesday 26th January 2021, 6-7.30pm (full details below)
Semester 2 Teaching Starts
Monday 1st February 2021
THIS AND THAT
Buffer week w/c 18th January 2021
A reminder that Semester 2 module Canvas sites will be published from today (18th January). Material from the Semester 1 enrichment week – such as Doing the Degree videos and the information about the marking, moderation and Exam Board processes, is still available on Canvas. Given the now extended assessment submission deadline, there will be no further scheduled enrichment activities for this week, but there is a further enrichment week at the beginning of March.
Assessment tips from Module Leaders & Students
Our student leaders asked some SELLL lecturers and students for their advice on how to tackle those end-of-module essays. Head over to Instagram to see what your English Literature and Language colleagues have to say. Best of luck for all your assignments from all of us.
Girl’s Club Meeting – Tuesday 26th January 2021, 6-7.30pm
The new theme for this semester is girls club: on consumption and the text is EAT UP! by Ruby Tandoh. No problem if you don’t have time to read the book, everyone is still very welcome to pop by for a chat! To clarify it is not a girl’s only reading group.
Any questions, comments or concerns please do email Tamsin at t.rees1@ncl.ac.uk
Join Zoom Meeting https://newcastleuniversity.zoom.us/j/85669186272
Meeting ID: 856 6918 6272
What does a PEC for Board of Examiners’ consideration mean?
Submitting a PEC for Board of Examiners’ consideration is different to submitting a PEC for extensions. We have put together some FAQs to help answer your questions so please read at your leisure.
NUSU Events
Check out what events and activities, NUSU are running this term at your Union.
Online Chat – Every Tuesday 10-12 & Thursday 2-4pm
Just a reminder that if you need a quick response to a question, you can use our twice weekly online chat service for an instant reply. Further details are included in the Wellbeing and Support section.
Some English Facts to sign off
- No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver and purple.
- The word “whatever” consistently ranks as the most annoying English word.
- A new word is created every 98 minutes, which is about 14.7 words a day
- English is spoken by 952 million people around the world – 339 million people speak English as a first language, and 603 million speak it as a second language. It is the official language in 67 countries and 27 non-sovereign countries such as Hong Kong.
From the Professional Services Staff in the School of English Literature, Language & Linguistics.
SELLL Student Leadership Programme
For exciting content from your Student Bloggers, make sure to follow the School’s Instagram account @NCL_English, where you’ll find loads of tips on how to engage in the SELLL Community. Why not also check our The SELLL Careers Blog? Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any internship opportunities or future posts. Did you know that the School has its own Twitter account too? Follow @NCL_English to see what we’re tweeting!
STUDENT WELLBEING & SUPPORT
In SELLL, student wellbeing and support is one of top priorities. We’ve highlighted some of the key contacts, services and processes available.
Personal Tutor
Your Personal Tutor is your first point of contact for any issues you might be having. If you need further help, they can recommend contacting the Senior Tutor or Student Wellbeing.
Senior Tutors
The senior tutors act as a second point of contact for you. They can also be contacted with queries about the personal tutor system or in the event of more complicated issues affecting your academic studies.
Stage 1 Senior Tutor: Dr James Cummings
Stages 2 & 3 Senior Tutor: Professor Martha Young-Scholten
School Office Staff
The SELLL School Office is currently open Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm. Members of staff are also available to contact via email. Key contacts are listed below:
- Absence Requests, Personal Tutor Queries, SSPs, Online Chat – caroline.ede@ncl.ac.uk
- PEC, Online Chat – karen.patterson@ncl.ac.uk
- Module selection, Canvas – kate.errington@ncl.ac.uk
- Assignment Submissions or any other queries – English@ncl.ac.uk
Online Chat for a quick response
If you have a question for the School Office and need a quick reply, you can log onto our twice weekly online chat service, through the Current Student section on the website. To access the chat, scroll down and click on the Contact Us icon on the right side.
Online chat is available every Tuesday 10-12 and every Thursday 2-4pm.
Absence Requests
If you are going to be absent for 3 consecutive days or more (Monday-Friday), please submit an absence request through S3P.
Personal Extenuating Circumstances (PEC)
If you have difficulties completing your assignments or handing your work in on time because of personal extenuating circumstances, the most important thing you can do is tell the School about any problems you are having. Please talk to your personal tutor or the appropriate senior tutor in the first instance. PEC forms are submitted through S3P, and more information is available on our website.
Student Support Plan (SSP)
If you need any extra help to support your studies, a Student Support Plan (SSP) can be drawn up for you with an advisor from Student Health and Wellbeing. You can contact Student Wellbeing in person, by phone, or an online form, and the link gives all the information.
Nightline
Nightline is a confidential and anonymous listening and information service run by students for the benefit of students. Contact them any night of term to talk about how you’re feeling or request information about other services. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Nightline is currently only operating its instant messaging service with opening hours 8pm to 2am.
TalkCampus
A new mental health support network has been launched called TalkCampus. It’s a free to download app where you can talk with other students from around the world if you’re struggling and worried about your mental health. Your student email address will give you free access, just download TalkCampus from this site or directly from the app stores. Further information on how to set up TalkCampus can be found in this TalkCampus guide.
End of Semester 1 Module Assessments
Whether you’re preparing an essay, or would like to review a past feedback, the Royal Literary Fellows can help you to hone your writing skills and learn from feedback. If you’re interested in booking an appointment please email anna.woodford@rlf.education.org.uk or carina.rodney@rlfeducation.org.uk
Other resources to help you in your assessments include:
- Academic consultation and feedback hours
- 1:1 tutorials with the Writing Development Centre
- ASK: Academic Skills Kit
Student IT Guide
If you are struggling with any IT issues and need some helpful information, please click on a Quick Guide to Student IT services for all you need to know. And further information is available on this link for IT support services. You should have downloaded the mobile University App by now, but if you haven’t, this gives information on your Student Timetable, Personal Tutor, Library account and finding available PC’s on Campus, plus lots more.