Monday 10th May to Sunday 23rd May 2021
Welcome to the Twelfth 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.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Online Meditation for Relaxation Sessions
The next session is on Tuesday 11th May at 1.15pm (30-40 mins)
NCLA’s Spring and Summer Events Programme continues on Thursday 13th May with Jon McGregor in conversation with Rachel Hewitt about his latest novel ‘Lean, Fall, Stand.’ The event will run from 7pm to 8pm via Zoom and is free to attend, but please book your place to receive YouTube details.
The NCLA: James Berry Poetry Prize is the first national poetry prize to offer both mentoring and publication! The James Berry Poetry Prize will assist young and/or emerging poets of colour with mentoring to help them develop their work, followed by publication of their debut book-length collection with Bloodaxe Books.
SELLL Creative Writers of Instagram is closing soon
Are you interested in having your creative writing published on the School’s Instagram page? Our student leaders are now accepting applications for the second edition of their SELLL Creative Writing showcase. Head over to the School’s Instagram page to find out how to enter, and to read some poetry by first year SELLL students Josh and Diya. Deadline to submit is Wednesday 19th May.
Module Choice Information opening soon
On the 18th and 19th of May, S3P will open for undergraduate Module Choices. This means that all students in stages 1 or 2 will need to submit their module choices for next year. Students on their year abroad or on placement will also need to submit their module choices at this time.
We’ve compiled lots of information in Canvas to help you make your module choices. We will also be releasing module videos to give you more information on some of the modules available to you next year within the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics.
There is quite a lot of information to process – including programme regulations and module pre-requisites – so please do take your time reading through the information. If you have any questions about the process, please do get in touch with the relevant Module Choice contact.
The deadline to submit your module choices will be 26th May by 8pm.
Apply to be a Peer Mentor
As Peer Mentor training will be taking place online, we’ve decided to extend the application deadline until 24th May, 4pm. If you have any questions about the programme, and whether it’s right for you, please email english@ncl.ac.uk.
To apply to be a Peer Mentor, simply fill in this online form.
You can find more information about the programme, what’s involved and why YOU should take part, on Canvas.
ACTIVITIES
Participants for Research Study Needed
My name is Andreas Krug and I am a PhD student at Newcastle University.
To conduct my studies, I need native Tynesiders to take part in my online study on the comprehension of sentences and short stories.
The study contains five tasks: a headphone check, a decision task, a memory task, a matching task and a transcription task. You will also provide some demographic information.
The study should take no longer than 45 minutes and you will receive a £7.50 Amazon voucher for your participation. If you are interested, please fill in this form to sign up for the study: https://forms.ncl.ac.uk/view.php?id=11203986 .
Study Skills for Summer Term from the Writing Development Centre (WDC)
The Summer term is all about assessment, whether it’s exams, assignments or dissertations. The Writing Development Centre is offering online sessions this term to help you do your best, whatever you’re working on. Our programme is open to all subjects and stages, and our student-centred approach is designed to respond to your needs.
To find out more and book any of these sessions, and our other provision, check out our website
Library summer opening hours
Our Library opening hours for the summer term have been released. To support students revising and studying on campus, the opening hours have been extended and the number of available study spaces has been increased. Bookable slots will be released in line with Covid-19 guidance, allowing for social distancing space. You can view these slots and opening hours here.
Reopening of the Sports & Fitness Centre
Our newly refurbished Sports & Fitness Centre reopened on 26 April 2021 and is free for students to use until 3 October 2021.
You must book all activities in advance online or via the app, you can do this up to 14 days in advance. You’ll need to bring your University smartcard for each visit and swipe in at our reception entry gates on arrival to avoid any no-show charges. Make sure you read our terms and conditions and our rules and regulations for using the facilities prior to your visit.
On-campus activities during the summer term
Whilst teaching for the majority of degree programmes will continue online for the remainder of the academic year, the easing of restrictions provides us with the opportunity to offer more extra-curricular opportunities on campus for those who are in the city.
We have created a webpage where we will set out details of the events and activities that will be available during the summer term. Please check here to find out what is on offer – more events and activities will be added over the coming weeks as Covid restrictions continue to ease.
Return of the Walk & Talk events through the Newcastle University Chaplaincy
Walk and Talk is open to any student at Newcastle University, providing a great way to take a little time out from your work, enjoy some fresh air as we walk through one of our city centre parks and share in good conversation with others along the way.
Join with up to 5 others on a short (45mins) walk in the vicinity of the Newcastle University campus for an opportunity to meet new people and get some fresh air. Please click on the link above and then register to see a list of available options.
Give It A Go
Give It A Go is NUSU’s activity programme for ALL Newcastle students! Join in with Exercise classes; Paella Cook Along; Yoga; Craft Social; Picnic Lunch in Leazes Park; Zoomba Zumba; Virtual Book Swap; Virtual Harry Potter Tour of Alnwick Castle; Language classes and more – there really is something for everyone.
Give It A Go is a great way to try something new, gain experiences and meet people. All the activities are delivered safely online this term meaning you can get involved from wherever you are!
SOCIAL MEDIA
INSTAGRAM, BLOGS & TWITTER – SELLL Student Leadership Programme
For exciting content from your Student Bloggers (Hattie, Leanna & Tom) 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 out the Student Bloggers recent posts on 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!
REMINDERS
Are you a current UG Stage 1 student, worried about finding a flatmate in Stage 2?
The ResLife Find a Flatmate Scheme is for single students who are looking to share private accommodation, and who wish to join with others to form a group. This service is available to all current first year registered students of Newcastle University. Any second year and above students should contact the Student Advice Centre in NUSU. More information is included on the above link and also to Sign up for one of the online events.
It’s never too late to get a Student Support Plan (SSP) for extra help with your studies
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.
Alternatively, speak to your Personal Tutor/Senior Tutor and they can help you with this process.
When the SSP has been drawn up by Student Wellbeing, it is then sent to Caroline Ede, in the School Office, who circulates the SSP to your Module Leaders, Personal Tutor, Senior Tutor and DPD. As your modules change with each semester, your SSP is sent out for the beginning of every semester.
If you need to contact a member of the Professional Services Team in the School Office for any help with this process, please email caroline.ede@ncl.ac.uk
Student Health and Wellbeing Team
Wellbeing support is available from our Student Health and Wellbeing Teams who continue to offer one-to-one counselling appointments and wellbeing workshops.
SELLL has an anonymous suggestion box set up via the NCL App
SVC student reps are available to contact on the ncl app. There is also an anonymous online form if anyone would like to raise anything with the School, or Committee anonymously.
PEC Submissions
Just a reminder that if you are submitting a PEC for an extension or other adjustment, it must be accompanied by evidence, unless it comes within the exemptions for evidence for this year. Please see the guidance and policy for more information.
If you would like to discuss anything further or are not sure what constitutes evidence, please contact either your personal tutor, or Senior Tutor for Stage 1, Emily Murphy, or Senior Tutor for Stages 2 and 3, Martha Young-Scholten.
Library Services while you’re away from Campus
We know that many of you are studying and working away from campus in line with Government and University guidance in response to the national lockdown. The Library is still here to provide you with the information resources and support to help you study and research. From E-Books to Click and post please follow this link for more information on these services.
And to sign off with some wise words from Charlie Chaplin 😊
‘A day without laughter is a day wasted’.
‘Time is the best author. It always writes the perfect ending’.
Thanks for Reading
From the Professional Services Staff in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics