First Year Academic Experience…

Photograph of Harry… by Harry / from China / BSc Mathematics / 1st Year (UG)

I am Harry, and I was born in China while attending high school in the United States. I am a first-year undergraduate student studying mathematics at the University of Edinburgh. 

The first-year Mathematics curriculum in Edinburgh consists of three courses: Introduction to Linear Algebra in the first semester, and Calculus and its Applications, and Proof and Problem Solving in the second. I am with ease on Linear Algebra and Calculus, as their contents overlapped with Advanced Math and AP Calculus courses I took in high school, while Proof and Problem Solving was more challenging. Yet, being attentive in workshops and diligently finishing all homework helped me go through all courses comfortably, while still leaving me with ample leisure.   Continue reading “First Year Academic Experience…”

Living on the tails: studying as a mature student…

Photograph of Azfarul… by Azfarul / from London, UK / MSc Statistics with Data Science / PG (2020-21)

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

In addition to “Sorry, I was on mute!”, this is what I heard most throughout 2020. After a decade of working, leaving behind a fascinating job during global uncertainty to pursue a Masters might have seemed like foolishness. Fast forward more than a year and – after what felt like drowning in hundreds of hours of coursework, endlessly playing and re-playing recorded lectures, dealing with the eerie silence of virtually-conducted examinations, and three intense months of industrially-liaised project work – I still find it difficult to believe how this time flew as it did.

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Expectation(Uni Life) ≠ Reality…

Photograph of Morgan… by Morgan / from Fraserburgh / MMath Mathematics / 3rd year (UG)

Hi, I’m Morgan and I’m a 3rd year Maths student at the University of Edinburgh. So far, I’ve really enjoyed my time at university; however we all know no tale is without its adversities. It’s perhaps a little cliché to say that “the transition from school to university is so difficult!” but that saying wouldn’t be repeated so frequently if it weren’t true (although my statistics lecturer may tell me that I’m a victim of observation bias…)

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A Year of Hybrid Learning…

A photograph of Anna… by Anna / from Larbert / BSc Mathematics / 1st Year (UG)

I think every new first year student is a bit uncertain about what university learning will actually be like. And thanks to the pandemic and the arrival of hybrid learning, it’s even harder than usual to imagine how your academic life will look. Because of this, I wanted to sum up what online and hybrid learning has been like for me as a first year maths student, and share some tips for how to get the most out of it.

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Reflecting on my MSc…

Picture of Belen on the upper level of Victoria Street, with the road and row of coloured shop fronts below… by Belen / from Ecuador / MSc Operational Research with Data Science / PG (2019-20)

Coming from a background of Logistics and Transportation engineering and work experience in the transportation industry, I was looking for a MSc programme that could be tailored to my interests in optimization and data analytics. I found the MSc in Operational Research with Data Science at the University of Edinburgh, which was the perfect option for me since it offers a diverse pool of courses that balances perfectly both theory and application.

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A Day in the Life as a First Year…

… by Ellen / from Rye / BSc Mathematics / 1st Year (UG)

I’m Ellen, a first year mathematics undergraduate at Edinburgh University. Today I thought I would talk about a day in my life.

7am: Wake up. I live at Darroch Court which is 2 minutes away from the Pleasance Gym, meaning I can get my training in early and still have rest of the day free. I’m a member of the Hares and Hounds (the running club) and I couldn’t recommend joining enough. I have made such good friends from both the training and regular socials, and also think it’s great how they cater for all abilities.

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What Contact Hours at University are Really Like…

… by Fionnuala / from London / BSc Mathematics / 1st Year (UG)

I can remember, not that long ago, how nervous I was to start University. I was excited for the new adventure, meeting new friends and trying new things but it was slightly daunting not knowing what the teaching would be like. I understood that it would be completely different to school as that’s what everyone tells you but exactly how- I had no idea. Continue reading “What Contact Hours at University are Really Like…”

Daily Life of a Mathematics Student (In Pictures)…

… by Matthew / from Consett / MMath Mathematics [2nd Year Entry] / 4th Year (UG)

 

8am: I make an exceptionally uninteresting breakfast, but something to keep me going until lunch. It’s about now that I water my plants if they need it.


9am
: I arrive at King’s Buildings. My preferred method of getting to KB is by bicycle but sometimes if the weather is nice, I prefer to walk every now and again. Continue reading “Daily Life of a Mathematics Student (In Pictures)…”