NHC

ACCESS all areas.

Volume 1, Issue 1 December 2012

Welcome to your future!

W
Newsletter!

elcome to the first edition of the Access to HE

things just the chance to walk in the shadow of those who went before. Okay-perhaps slightly over the top! On a serious note, it is hoped that this publication will create a sense of community amongst students as the now infamous Access Experience at NHC is shared. A hoped for byproduct will be the further promotion of Access within the college and amongst local HEIs. The choice of title this year expresses a key goal that keeps all students (and tutors!) going when (notice not if) things get tough: access to further opportunities for adults via educational

advancement. Thanks to all who have contributed to this edition and a special thanks to the Editorial Team. Julie Savage

I was planning to start this welcome along the lines of as is the tradition on the Access to HE programme, but quickly realised that the concept of tradition was hardly appropriate for an endeavour that began only last year! So, let me begin differently: the Access to HE newsletter will no doubt become a highly respected quality publication; future generations of Access students will look back at this years publications and will desire above all

You know youre an Access Student when

When you straighten your hair perfectly and thank the keratin. When you start having stress dreams about Biology. When the ironing pile resembles Mont Blanc and threatens to topple over and bury the husband, requiring a large St Bernard carrying a small barrel of brandy to enter the fray and perform an immediate rescue. Having become familiar with tutors timetables you have perfected the art of either avoiding them or stalking them. Deodorant becomes the new shower and the 'natural/laid back/feminist in rebellion over gendered housework' sell becomes the excuse for un-ironed garments.

Ex-Students visit in November

Top Tips:
Use your tutors support Try to chip away at your work. Do not leave it till last minute and cause more stress. Get voluntary work. If you havent officially obtained voluntary work when writing your personal statement give evidence of communication so they know you are trying.

n November tutors arranged for ex-access students to visit in APD classes and give us all some much needed advice and motivation! Seeing students who have survived access was a real boost and it was great to get some tips from recent graduates into University! Sandra Harwood interviewed, Carol Roughley, a first year Nursing student from UH.

What inspired you to become a nurse? I left school in 1980 with 2 O levels and then I became a hairdresser for 30 yrs. Unfortunately I became ill and spent a considerable amount of time in hospital. The staff were reassuring, caring and really pulled me through. It was this experience that inspired me even though previously it never crossed my mind.

ACCESS all areas.

...ex-students visit cont

Your experience on the access course? At first I was always in tears, I was so worried that I didnt have what it takes to finish this intense course. I had been out of education for over 30 years, I had never used a computer and learning was new again. The odds stacked up against me. I was even once rescued in the toilets by Cheryl who reassured me I would be ok. How do you think the access course prepared you for Uni? The access course gave me the skills needed to get back into education. Get stuck into presentations and use this course to become confident with speaking in front of groups of people, because at Uni you will also have to do this. After completing this course I was filled with confidence and believed I could tackle anything because I completed it. It was the hardest thing I had ever done. Dont panic its not going to get harder but easier. This access course is really intense with many assignments running parallel. At Uni its usually just one 3000 word essay to be completed in 2 and half months. Interview Tip? Remember in your interview that they wont take you on if they wouldnt want you looking after them so smile, be polite and appear presentable!

WATCH OUT! for the low you will feel after Christmas. Dont worry it happens to everyone and some people may experience it before. Just remember dont give up you have already made it this far and its nearly over!

Dont forget the Access Christmas party this year at Flava Bar in Stevenage on Saturday 15th December! See Lee or Jen for more details.

Getting to know you

We thought it would be an all round good idea to ask our tutors some probing and journalistic questions to bring us closer to them and them closer to us; What could be more thrilling? So each edition we will be grilling three tutors with the same four questions (edgy stuff) and we can all see who is the best; or use it as a learning tool. Whichever gets me the distinction. This edition were focusing on:

Bridget FountainGibbons: History and English Cheryl Swallow: Health Psychology Taruna Saggar: Human Biology

Bridget...
What do you like about teaching Access? The students, the marking (not really!), my colleagues, but most of all, the students! Why teach History? History has been part of my life since I first read First World War poetry at about 9 years old. It has since taken over my whole life and therefore, I consider myself extremely
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lucky to be earning a living from what began as a favourite hobby. Something we dont know about you... Im an avid collector of Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight comics. Your five Top Tips for us. 1.Stay on top of the work try and do a little each day rather than become overwhelmed by the big

picture 2.Try and get involved in some of the extracurricular activities they really can be an enjoyable distraction to the more academic side of the course. 3.Study in groups it reinforces what you have learnt as you discuss topics with others.

4. Dont Panic! There are usually solutions to most problems always talk to your tutor. 5.Dont listen to rumours if in doubt, ask the tutor!

Cheryl...
What do you like about teaching Access? Without hesitation; the students. Access students are motivated and committed to achieve. The vast majority will come onto Access with few GCSEs if any and more often than not, zero confidence. In 9 months the change in individuals is visible as they learn to learn and start to realise that their dream is becoming a reality. I can actually see Access students confidence grow in their body language. Why teach Psychology? I love Psychology. I prefer applied psychology where the basic theories have been used to develop solutions to real life problems. I also enjoy the critical thinking aspect of psychology which is such an important transferable skill for anyone but vital for academic study. Something we dont know about you I hated school. Teachers have a powerful affect upon their students, unfortunately, not always for the better. Your five Top Tips for us. 1. Don't suffer in silence. If you need help, ask sooner rather than later. 2. There comes a point when you just have to stop worrying about how to start an assignment and just start it. It doesn't matter whether you start with the conclusion, introduction or bits in the middle, just start! 3. Try to keep to a healthy

Volume 1, Issue 1
sleep pattern and eating plan. Difficult, I know and not things I practice, obviously. 4. Read what is given to support your lessons. Also read the assignment briefs. We mark to the criteria so you should be completing the assignments with that in mind. 5. Never lose sight of your goal. However you visualise this, keep it in your mind's eye and think of it whenever life throws the curve balls that attempt to push you off track.

Taruna...
What do you like about teaching Access? Access students are extremely well motivated, disciplined and keen to succeed. In addition, they bring a great deal of personal experience and maturity of thought to their studies. They make a great contribution to the atmosphere of the college and bring with them a number of skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences. They go on to achieve highly successful careers, some of them in areas that they had never worked before. Why teach Biology? Because it turns out that teaching is fun, and you get to meet new minds that want to learn, and have conversations with curious people. Biology is the most important subject in the world, obviously. Youre alive and you want to stay alive, and your health is the essential foundation for everything else, so clearly our biology is the fundamental substrate for our human-specific functions. History, art, literature, sports, entertainment, romance, even religion are ultimately all epiphenomena built around the beating heart of our biological natures. Im surprised at all those people who dont know much about their own physiology, anatomy, and evolution its the how and why of your existence!

Something we dont know about you I am a nervous wreck when it comes to driving. Your five Top Tips for us. 1. Read Your Information. 2. Try Not to Get Overwhelmed. 3. Explore. 4. Ask Questions. 5. Be yourself.

Bond Room for Access...

Thanks to the hard work of our Reps, and we students using them, we now have a dedicated study room open afterhours just for Access! Room 007 (get it?) will be open Mon to Thurs 6pm to 9pm and Fri until 5pm. It has 12 computers and enough head space for all our growing craniums, packed full of knowledge. I imagine it will soon be the birth place for many new ideas, philosophies and genius in the making!
Access students working away.bond style!

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An Access Christmas Carol...

By Emma Warren Twas a night in the college And all through the night Access kept studying, no distractions in sight All were completing their assignments with care In the hope that Distinctions would soon be there All students were tired with aching heads With visions of pillows and their soft bed Tony in his beanie, and Christian in his cap Thinking of little but a nice long nap When through the front doors there arose such a clatter All students looked up to see what was the matter In ran tutor Julie Savage, the Doctor From the look on her face, something had shocked her. She stood there aghast for a moment or two As access wondered what was the to-do With a great breath she began her tirade A tale of a terrible mistake made! "Dear Students" she began, the sweat on her brow "Rejoice, great tidings, celebration is now! Get the drinks in, get 'em in quick, Jump around on a pogo stick!" The students, aquiver, awaited the news Hoping it was something to release their blues They waited as Julie cleared her throat And bore the news that would keep them afloat "HURRAH! Results are in! I encourage you to cheer. You'll all get distinctions all THIS AND NEXT YEAR. Now I bid you adieu, I need another beer." With that, Julie left from their sight Access were relived to reach the end of their plight The students danced and made merry for hours Astonished by the fruits of their academic powers!

Access charity run for 2013...

Jordan Farenden costs anything under 50. If you want to get involved let me know! We are going to A few peeps and myself are going to drive raise money for a charity, but we have yet down to Exmoor and do a marathon. The to decide who for. Have a look at the marathon comes in 10k, half marathon, course route and map. It is an off road full marathon, and ultra-distances. We will coastal trial marathon and no distance, drive down on the Friday; all take part in even the 10k, is for the light hearted. It will our respective marathon distances on the be an epic achievement for anyone who Saturday, and come back Saturday night/ does it. If you would like to but dont know Sunday. The date is Saturday 13th April how to train you need come and see me. 2013. I should be able to arrange accomAnyone is welcome! Peace. If youre intermodation as my old man lives very near ested please come see me or go to the the event. So far, there are 8 people up for website www.endurancelife.com and look it with a few more who think they would up EXMOOR COASTAL CTS. like to! You can register with the website for free, and then book an event which

Contributors
Andrew OConnell Jordan Farenden Emma Warren Sandra Harwood Julie Savage Cheryl Swallow Bridget FountainGibbons Taruna Saggar

Please do send anything you would like in the news letter to Andrew OConnell or Simon Mcrae. All contributions are welcome as it saves us A LOT of work! Well take photos, write ups, reviews, or anything! If its good to go, relevant and generally acceptable to be printed we can include it! Happy Contributing!