Monday 14th December 2020 to Christmas
Welcome to the Fourth 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!
Last day of online teaching before Christmas
Friday 18th December 2020
School Office Christmas Closure
Monday 21st December 2020 – Friday 1st January 2021. Reopening Monday 4th January 2021.
Return to Studies for Semester 1
w/c Monday 11th January 2021
End of Semester 1 Assignment Hand-in Date
Thursday 14th January 2021
Deadline date for submitting PECs
The deadline date for submitting PECs to guarantee a response in time for hand-in is Monday 11th January 2021 by 12 noon. Please remember to upload your accompanying evidence.
Buffer / Enrichment Week
w/c Monday 18th January 2021.
THIS AND THAT
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’ve put together some FAQs to help answer your questions so please read at your leisure.
A Post on Time Management
One of our Student Bloggers, Hattie, has just written a blog post all about time management. Here is what she also had to say:
With many of us students now heading back home for Christmas (covid-safely, of course!), I wanted to share some time-management tips that have helped me study remotely for the past month or so. There are also some links to downloadable and printable time management resources at the end of the blog.
Christmas in Newcastle!
Newcastle University will provide a programme of support over the Christmas Holidays if you are unable to return home. Click on this link for more information including Health & Wellbeing Support over the holidays.
This link gives information on applying for a festive hamper if you are staying in Newcastle (you must complete the festive hamper application form on the link) and activities on offer.
NUSU Festive Events
NUSU are running lots of festive events that students can take part in and feel Christmassy and less isolated, and click on this link which is different to the last newsletter.
Online Chat – 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 including an example of where to find online chat. It will say ‘chat with us’ when we are online and ‘contact us’ when we are not. We also offer extra sessions during submission deadlines in January.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2021
From the Professional Services Staff in the School of English Literature, Language & Linguistics.
INSTAGRAM, BLOGS & TWITTER
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.
