Hello! So, exams period is back! Although it’s a bit annoying having to go through it twice a year it also has its benefits especially for the not so organized students. The majority of students is not that prepared for the exams and a walk around the library in May definitely reveals this.
This brings back memories of the last five exams periods I’ve been through. Stress, endless hours of study, long study sessions and countless cups of coffee characterize these periods. This May, the same chaotic situation dominates my room, my mind and my thoughts.
This semester I only have to sit three exams as the fourth module was the Business Statistics Project. A 3rd year Economics student can choose either the Econometrics or Business Statistics Project. My topic was tobacco consumption in the Netherlands and the UK. I compared the past data of the two countries and with appropriate methods and techniques I forecasted the next five years. A lot could be done for an accurate forecast like adjusting for the difference in population, finding the prices of cigarettes in each country and creating dummy variables for different policies against smoking that were implemented throughout time. For a good dissertation you have to sacrifice a lot of time for research, so don’t underestimate this step. Work effectively for a great result, which I really hope I have achieved.
Dissertation is in and 2 more exams to go! My first exam, Macroeconomics, was the hardest module of this semester and I believe I’ve done ok. It was easier than I was expecting so fingers crossed. As a friend said “I don’t always feel confident about an exam, but when I do I fail”. Hopefully, this won’t be the case.
On a lighter note, I got an email from the graduation service a week or so ago and I am certainly looking forward to receiving the scroll in front of my proud parents. The charge for hiring the gown and the mortar board though is a bit unpleasant to the wallet. Someone is making a great profit out of the whole graduation story. A funny thing is that you also have the choice to hire the dress for a week. Why would I want it for the whole week? So I can wear it, go to the city centre and yell “I’ve graduated, I’ve graduated!!!”? Hmm, it’s not a bad idea actually!
Good luck to all of you having any kind of exams. Give your best shot.
Take care until next time,
Pantelis
xxx
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Hey Larona. Congratulations for the offer! The competition is usually very high (last year only 1 student out of 10 got an offer) so you should be very proud of yourself.
To the point now. I do not know what course you will be doing. I am doing BSc Economics so my advice will be on this.
BSc Economics has a lot of maths and statistics. You should be very confident with the material of A’ Level maths (especially differentiation, integration, logarithms) as all economics problems revolve around these. It doesn’t however go into depth (Further pure – trigonometry functions etc- thanks god, right?). For a first step I’d advise you to dust your Maths knowledge as everything is based on that.
In the first year you will also do some basic Statistics modules. I hadn’t done any Statistics before in my life as after the C4 I continued with the FP’s but if you have done the S1 and S2 then you will be fine with that. The statistics modules exist to prepare you for the Econometrics on the 2nd year and the Econometrics project on the 3rd year so pay attention to them.
Besides the modules I’ll give you some more general advice. In Leicester is running the Leicester Award programme which encompasses different employability courses and experiences. It’s a great way to improve some of your skills so I’d suggest you to choose a different programme each year. They are extremely useful. You will understand that by the end of the 3rd year.
Moreover, do not forget the social side of university. There are dozens of societies you can join and learn a new skill, make friends and have a great time!
In general, study hard, join as many societies as you can and make a lot of friends! These will be the best years of your life so make the most out of them.
Sorry for the long text! 🙂
wow!3rd year that means you are already done..i am a prospective student nd i got an offer to study economics..Any advice you want to give me in how i should prepare myself for the next coming 3 years?