Question Time!

Hello everyone,

I bet you were not expecting to hear from me so soon right? Especially after reading my goodbye and thank you post that went live a few weeks ago. Well, I have been asked to carry on blogging for a little longer so grab a cup of tea and sit back whilst I bring you tones of more rambles. I thought for today’s post I would go through and answer some typical graduate questions now that I have officially completed my degree and graduated from the university. If there is something I havent answered that you would like to know then please let me know and I will try my best to answer. Let's get straight into the questions...

The course:

Why did I choose to study my course?

Business in general had always been a passion of mine; especially growing up in a successful business environment I had always had my own desire to succeed.  I studied Business at GCSE and A Level so having the opportunity to extend my learning with a university degree seemed perfect for me. Business Management covered all aspect of business which I really liked as it at the time I thought it would offer me the most versatile advantages after student life.

Why did I choose to study at the University of Bedfordshire?

I chose to study at the University of Bedfordshire because it offered me everything I wanted from a university. It was close to home so I could still work alongside my degree and I felt extremely comfortable knowing I was in an environment I knew well.  Even though I decided to stay at home whilst completing my degree I still had a normal university experience just like anyone else who might have been living away from home or in halls. I joined the cheerleading society during my first and second years studying, I went out with friends, I dived into any activities I could and during my final year I had the opportunity to become a student representative…I did pretty much everything!

Did you study full or part-time, and why?

Coming straight out of sixth form and into university I felt I was capable to study full time. For me and my life right now full time is perfect, however, when I was contemplating a Master’s Degree I was thinking about doing that part-time, however, the thought of elongating my degree even more was not that appealing to me. I would just rather go in study and graduate.  

How did you juggle studying with your work commitments?

During studying at the university I was working a few jobs in between my studies. I kept working during my degree not necessarily because I needed to but I enjoy working and learning. Work always understood that I would be working part-time and that university was a priority. Whenever I got my new timetable through for the year we would sit down and discuss working hours, however, making sure to leave gabp for studying.

How did you find the course fit around other aspects of your life?

The course fit perfectly around my life. I think with the added bonus of studying at home it was even easier for me to still lead my normal everyday life. I started writing my personal blog during the first year of studying as a creative outlet for myself to ramble about everything I love in life. Business can be a heavy subject so I loved how I had an outlet to escape too when everything got a little too much.

What was the most challenging task you accomplished in your degree?

As cliché as it sounds my dissertation was the most challenging task I accomplished throughout my degree. During my final year I got a complete mental block where I actually couldn’t believe I was writing a dissertation…It had always been a scary thought to me. Never-the-less I pulled through wrote my 9,900 words and collected great primary research with a department store in London. Writing it really pushed my boundaries but I feel if I had to do it all again I would be more prepared. It was definitely a challenge for me; however, It has now given me beneficial insight for my future working life.  

How did the course prepare you for employment?

As I studied a Business Management BA (Hons) degree I always knew it would be a beneficial course for me to be able to slot into pretty much any working environment. However, what I really loved about the course was each of the specific units that were included; from marketing, law, accounting, operations management, strategy and change management, small business planning and entrepreneurship, human resource management, foundations of business management, e-business, project management, the dissertation and so much more; each unit has offered my knowledge and guidance that I will be able to utilise in a working environment.

Which practical aspect of the course did you enjoy the most, and why?

I had the opportunity to partake in a few practical aspects throughout my course; however, having the opportunity to plan and execute an event for our project management unit during final year was incredible. Yes, there were plenty of stressful times and having the university STEPS programme as our client were felt quite pressure but never-the-less we pulled through and executed an excellent event which the university thought was great also (always a plus). In a nutshell our event was a BABM battle which consistent of a dragons den experience, business quiz, SWOT analysis task and scavenger hunt. We executed our event to the first year business management students and everyone was interactive and felt they were learning and putting their knowledge to use with the added bonus of having some fun. To this day our lecturer states that it was one of the best practice weeks they have ever had on the course and they hope to keep the BABM battle going for future students.

Which areas of study did you enjoy, and why?

To be honest I really did enjoy studying everything within my course as I felt I was always learning something new and it was offering me more and more knowledge. If I had to choose a couple of my favourite areas of study I would probably say marketing, e-business, entrepreneurship and foundations of business management.

Why would you recommend this course to others?

I would recommend this course to others because it offers you everything you would want from a business course. You study all areas of business and I felt it offered everything and more in comparison to other mor generic business courses.

The Location:

What did you think about the locations of the University?

I studied at the Bedford Polhill Campus as I am from Bedford so I already knew quite a lot about the surrounding area. The location of the university is great and you are in a great area where you can access so much.

What did you like most about living and studying in Bedfordshire?

Already being from Bedford I already knew what I was getting myself in for staying local and studying at the university. I love how you have so much accessible to you from the university and the Bedford campus is so cosy and compact.

How easy was it to travel around?

As Bedford is located in the perfect spot it was extremely easy to travel around. If you get the fast train you are 45 minutes away from London, a small car journey away from Milton Keynes, Cambridge, London and more, plus if you hop on the X5 bus you can take a cheeky trip up to Oxfordshire to the Bicester Village designer outlet.

How easy was it to get to London and other cities?

Like I mentioned above it was so extremely easy to travel to London and other surrounding cities. You have the options to drive, take the bus or hop on a train.

The Teaching:

What do you think of the teaching quality at Bedfordshire?

The teaching quality at Bedfordshire is always second to none. The lectures and seminars were always interactive and the lecturers were always approachable. Don’t get me wrong there were some times when communication could have been better but that is life and we all learned from it. We just thought of it as a real life business situation…It was first had practice based learning!

How would you rate your lecturers?

I had a handful of lecturers that were always approachable and easy to talk to.

How was your subject taught?

My Business Management BA (Hons) degree was taught through a selection of different methods. We had lectures, seminars, online classes and practice based learning through practice weeks (these were introduced in my final year).

What did you enjoy the most about the way your course was taught?

I enjoyed how each lecturer would use different methods when teaching.

The Support:

What did you think of the support you received from your lecturers?

There was constant support from lecturers; however, sometimes you really did have to push for it as there are so many students on your course you can sometimes worry about constantly asking for guidance, however, at the end of the day that is what the lecturers are there for and you should utilise that. During my final year there was so much more support especially surrounding my dissertation.

What did you think of the support you received from other University departments / staff?

To be honest I never really ventured out past the business school as it was my first priority. However, I did and currently still am working within the MARC department at the university and I have received constant support from them during my current job role and the student business blog. I also had the opportunity to speak with some student union staff who were extremely helpful.

What support serviced did you make use of?

During my final year I and my friend Kirsty (also a student representative) had to go to the student union asking for some guidance for some issues we were facing within our student representative roles. A member from the students union (Josh) was there every step of the journey and even came and sat within a few of our student representative meetings. It was great knowing that there was a student’s union you could go to without the lecturers really getting involved etc.

How did the company you work for support you during your studies?

My job roles fitted in nicely around my studying and work were constantly supportive and accommodating to ensure that university came first.

The Facilities:

What did you think of the facilities that you used?

The facilities through the universities Bedford campus were great and perfect for what I needed for my course. The Bedford campus are currently building a new block and to know that I will never have the opportunity to utilise the facilities now I am a graduate is quite frustrating. Every time I finished school or something in general there would always be developments that I would never be able to use. Dang it!

Which university services did you use the most and why?

Through my degree and especially during my final year the library will become your best friend! I and my friends would set up camp in a corner of the library and just bash out your dissertation from 9am till sometime 1am. It was great knowing that the university has a 24 hours learning resource centre where you could escape to write an assignment or work on the next chapter of your dissertation. You always had plenty of books on hand to help you with the added bonus of the online library amongst computers and other technological facilities. Even though I always had a friend with me, there was 24 hour security on guard constantly to ensure all students were safe.

Social Experience:

Apart from studying, what else about the university did you enjoy? Did you join any clubs or societies, if so which ones, and what did you enjoy most about them?

I really enjoyed being part of a society throughout my first and second years at the university. First year was so incredible for me, making the cheerleading team, taking part in competitions and making new friends outside my business management course. Second year not so much, even though I was nominated to be part of the committee and be in charge of the accounts it just felt like the new cheerleading captain did not like me at all. As the only business student I was made to feel like the odd one out. Final year I always knew I would purely focus on my studies so leaving all of that behind was a little bitter sweet as I did enjoy it but I was glad to have no more stress and just focus on my degree. The  new 2013 / 2014 captain helped the squad achieve the best they ever had so it was so nice to hear that from the sidelines. So I guess a bitter sweet social experience but I am glad I had the opportunity to take part in something like this as I had always wanted to do so.

What is your favourite memory of being at the university?

I have so many cliché answers but I would have to say graduate day! Graduation day was just the icing on the top and the final hurdle to officially say I am a Business Management GRADUATE! Other than that I have a lovely memory of myself and my friends setting up a study revision session in the Bedford campus hub area. We literally compiled loads of yummy snacks together and revised all day long. It was great to have a study session as their is only so much you can learn from lecture / seminar slides. We always talk about it now we have finished and always say that it was the best revision we had ever done. It was such a good idea and in the end we did receive amazing exam results. It just proves that hard work does pay off.

Employability:

What skills do you think you have learnt as a result of your studies at the university?

I have had the opportunity to enhance skills I already had but also gain new knowledge and skills that would aid my future employability. To name a few, I have enhanced my communication, team working, and time management and so on.

What are your future career aspirations, and do you think the university has helped / is helping your to achieve this?

I have always been in a position where I have no idea what career path I wanted to take or what I wanted to do after university. Advertising and marketing has always been in my blood so I do feel strongly about that it could possibly be a great option for me. Other than that I find myself an entrepreneur; I run my own businesses and I also write my personal blog which has developed so much across the past few years, especially after being nominated in the 2013 and 2014 Cosmopolitan Blog Awards. I still am unsure what I want to do but whatever it is, it will be BIG and I am 100% sure the university has offered me insight that has or will prepare me. Studying my Business Management course gave me that extra push I needed to finally start some projects I had been meaning to do for so long so I am excited for what the future might hold.

What differences have you noticed in yourself and your skills set now you have completed your course?

I have definitely seen a huge difference in myself when it comes down to my confidence and self-belief.

The Funding:

Did you apply for a scholarship? If yes please give details about which one and the amount you received. Also how easy was it to apply?

As a self-funding student there were not a lot of options for me to obtain scholarships or bursaries as the majority of them were means tested. However, I did apply and receive two scholarships in the end after filling out many application forms and compiling proof of my A Level grades for the UCAS point proportion.

I applied for the ‘Academic Scholarship’ which was for a £1200 lump sum during the first year of university. The Academic Scholarship is automatically awarded to students who achieved academic excellence in their studies prior to entering the University of Bedfordshire. To qualify for the scholarship you had to achieve at least 280 UCAS points in one sitting, with at least 200 UCAS points at A2 level. I received over 400 UCAS points so I was so pleased to qualify for the scholarship! Since I received the scholarship it has changed slightly; I received my £1200 in three cheque instalments throughout the year, however, now you received £1100, the £1100 is still separated into three instalments, however, it can only be used on an Aspire card towards books and digital resources or a direct debit option towards accommodation, travel or childcare costs if you have any.

I also qualified for the self-funding bursary which I believe is similar to the ‘welcome package’ the university now offers. I am sure all students have the option to receive this even with student finance.  It is around £300+ PA which was broken up into three instalments through each year at university. The application process was similar to the academic scholarship in the sense that I had a huge form to fill out as the university had no student finance details on me.

Whenever I tell other students about the academic scholarship they never know what it is. It was hard work filling in to forms as the university had no student finance records for me but it was totally worth it receiving that extra money.

How did you spend the funds to support your studies?

If I was to apply for the scholarships today the university offers them in a direct way that you can only use them on your studies. Even though when I received mine I still used them wisely and placed them safely away for emergencies. As a home student I didn’t have many outgoings so it was nice to receive the money to put away and save up for a rainy day or an emergency. I did however, use some of it to pay for books every year (books are so expensive).

How did you find out about the scholarships?

I was just thinking about this and I actually cannot remember. I am pretty sure it was when representatives from the university came to my upper school and mentioned about all of the different scholarships we could apply for. IAs a self-funding student I ventured out and did some research myself as I thought there must be something for every student.

Miscellaneous:

Any advice for people thinking of studying at the University of Bedfordshire?

"Life is like a moving bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving"

Good luck if you are starting a business degree this year and remember there are going to be days where you just want to scream and possibly give up BUT there are also going to be amazing days where perhaps you have received an amazing grade on an assignment or have been personally selected on your academic abilities and hard work. The three years will fly by so enjoy every second of it and grab every opportunity that comes your way. Graduation was a day I will NEVER forget and you won't either...relax or be yourself because you have got this!

"Pressure is wonderful. Not only does it make popcorn and diamonds, but it forces us to perform, deliver, and to make wonderful things!"

How would you finish this sentence The University of Bedfordshire is…

The University of Bedfordshire is amazing and has offered me many incredible opportunities.

 

Speak soon!