Student Blog Collection

Warwick Africa Summit: Connected Challenges, Connected Solutions

Take it from me, the University of Warwick is a very unique place to study. While it is called the University of Warwick, it is not located in the city of Warwick itself. Located in the city of Coventry, the campus is a 25 minute bus ride away from the Coventry City Centre. In many ways, the University of Warwick is in the middle of nowhere, but in terms of exciting events and a being a cauldron of creative student energy, Warwick is very much at the centre of it all! I can personally vouch for this, and the proof was in the pudding when I attended the Warwick Africa Summit on the 26^th January 2020.

The Warwick Africa Summit is an annual student-run Summit that convenes some of the most significant figures in African development and contemporary issues on the Warwick campus. Given the large community of students from Africa and the diaspora, it is among the most anticipated events on campus for many, and on this occasion I got to witness why. The conference was great fun and I had the opportunity to meet some amazing African students with deep and infectious love for the African continent. Here are some of the highlights:

This was by far the biggest reason for my ticket purchase. Named among the 100 most influential people on the planet by TIME magazine, Ghanaian entrepreneur and innovator, Fred Swaniker is a true African giant and blessed us with a keynote speech on the 26^th January. Fred is founder of the African Leadership University (ALU), an exciting and relatively young institution of learning that was described as the ‘African Harvard’ by CNN. Fast Company magazine recently named African Leadership University in the list of top 50 innovative companies worldwide, a top 50 list that includes Google and Apple.

Fred Swaniker candidly spoke about Africa’s seven great opportunities and seven great challenges. He spoke about ripping up best practice approaches and inventing completely new practices and approaches to solving Africa’s mounting problems.

I also had the opportunity to meet host of TV news program The Stream and Al Jazeera’s very own, Femi Oke. Having watched her tackle and debate the difficult issues with world leaders on TV, this was quite surreal meeting and watching her moderated panel.

Karabelo Maloi - MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship

I live off-campus. I love living off-campus. This blog is biased. Be warned.

After deciding which university to attend, choosing where to live is the most important decision you have to make. If you mess this up there is no coming back. Your entire university experience is ruined. No pressure.

That was a joke!

However, you should invest plenty of effort researching the options available to you and make the choice which best suits you. Believe me, when I say, it is a time-consuming process! This actually is a great way to get your critical thinking skills sharpened for the impending year at Uni.

The first thing I did after deciding to live off-campus was to seek advice from the University. The Students’ Union (SU) had a link of trusted landlords and estate agents that they would recommend. It is best to ensure you are dealing with trustworthy individuals, especially if you're an international student and are overseas. Nevertheless, some landlords are willing to give a virtual tour, which I would recommend. Even further, the SU also offers a list of things to be aware of before paying a deposit for any property.

You should never feel rushed and pressured into making a decision. There are plenty of options available. I have found that patience is a virtue when it comes to house hunting!

 Now that security is out of the way let’s get to the exciting stuff!

Budget

Before you begin your search decide your budget. This gives you clarity when searching.

I currently pay less than 400 PCM (bills included) in a two-bedroom flat with a shared bathroom, kitchen and lounge. I even have a private balcony for the coming summer (fingers crossed) days!

Location

Do you want to live closer to campus? Maybe the City Centre? Or the picturesque Kenilworth?

I live approximately 25 minutes’ walk to wmg, but it is directly on the University’s free shuttle bus route. This is ideal for me! I’m quite active, so I view the walk to campus as a guaranteed 25-minute workout each day. Then I would usually take the shuttle to return home.

Bonus!

I arrived at my house exhausted and accepting that I would be sleeping ‘rough’ that evening until I could purchase bedding the following day. To my surprise, my landlords had provided bedding and I arrived to a well-made bed! Pleasantly as well, they treated me to a hot, home-cooked meal.

What. A. Welcome!

Can you see why I love my accommodation? I hope you find landlords as wonderful as mine!

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

‘Wooooohooo! Yes, I knew I could do it!’, I exclaimed after receiving the grade of my Post Module Assessment (PMA). I had just received an ‘A’ for my first piece of academic work after a few years out of academia and I was very proud of myself. This result gave me the confidence boost I needed to vibrantly attack this new academic journey.

However, a few days later I was thrown off this high. I received feedback from another PMA and it wasn’t good.

I was shattered.

I had found the assignment task more difficult (and enjoyable) than the first one so I worked even harder at it. I spent many late nights in the lab trying to complete the work. Most were frustrating, some rewarding but all were enlightening. But when I got the grade for all of my hard work, I was crushed. Wasn’t hard work and dedication supposed to translate into good grades? How do I recover from this and regain my confidence to approach the remainder of my studies?

At Uni, just like ‘real-life’, there will be dark days. But you need to figure out a way to overcome them as efficiently as possible to successfully overcome the other challenges. Below are some things which helped me through the dark days!

Take time to Grieve

Sometimes we may feel like we need to just ‘get over it’. But nothing is wrong with feeling disappointed and sad at the results. Especially when you put a lot of effort into the work!

Figure out your way of ‘getting over it’

You can’t stay wallowing in your disappointment indefinitely, however. Determine what may help you to move on to the next task. For me, it was a long walk home. I thought about the result, my disappointment, the effort I put in. But coupled with the adrenaline flowing from my walk and the cold air, by the time I reached home I was feeling much better.

Take a break

Sometimes taking a break from academic work or the academic environment can be of great help. Play a sport, go and see a new city. Changes of scenery are very refreshing!

Recall past experiences of success

You’ve already succeeded at many things to get to this stage of study. Think about those things and encourage yourself!

Learn from the experience

This may sound cliché; however, this piece of advice is popular for good reason. There is often something to learn from our negative experiences. While reflecting on the feedback, after my initial disappointment had passed, I realized there were some very encouraging remarks left. My lecturer said I showed ‘clear understanding at the viva’. Even though I didn’t get the mark I wanted I definitely understood the material and I was able to demonstrate this orally to my lecturer.

Use it as Motivation!

The next challenge will be upon you quickly! So, use the disappointment and lessons learned to spur you to apply yourself even more!

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

"I will never surrender, Still I Rise" L. Hamilton & "Still I Rise" a poem from M. Angelou

From hardship you become stronger, they say! Deciding to pursue a Master programme you will ease difficult times if you trust yourself. As a matter of fact, if you trust yourself everything is going to be alright.

Deciding to pursue a master course, whatever force may want to bring you down, you will still rise. You know what the outcome will bring you, as well as the effort you are about to make, don't surrender, go flat out, trust the process along the way. Around you, at University, the staff is at your disposal. Being drowned under pressure in a huge amount of work, you may forget the structure which is put in place for you to succeed:

Personal Tutor:

This person is to be considered as a coach, an external individual to all your lectures or specialisms students have chosen. Having an external view on what is going on campus, he/she is valuable for your comfort. Being not immediately concerned with the specialism of yours, a personal tutor is the best person to talk to, regardless of any issue you may have ranging from personal to PMA support or even supervision. A personal tutor’s role is to support, being a member staff, he/she is likely to report anything to colleagues if requested, facilitating discussions between students or members of staff, whenever necessary.

Supervisor:

As 50% of your final mark is required to achieve an MSc at Warwick University, it is very important to pick the right supervisor. In fact, a supervisor’s role is to guide students through the progression of the dissertation project. Supervisors are experienced individuals, in their own fields, possessing contacts, students may well be interested in at some point. In fact, supervisors are there to guide students in the making or in the writing of interviews and surveys as well. Having a clear picture of the whole dissertation process a supervisor is definitely valuable. The best way to see a supervisor is again as a coach, energising students with the required pressure in order to unleash the potential you have. Facing uncertainty or doubts is normal, as this is a crucial part of everyone’s graduation downside. Supervisors have the experience to guide you effectively through the process, as a result, you should trust that person.

A tip usually given to students at the beginning of the programme is to write down on one page a topic you would like to research on, explaining the why? Putting thoughts on paper is powerful as it will ease the process of finding a supervisor, in the desired field of study. Nothing is achieved with ease, however, our own self is responsible for our won fate. Putting the right amount of effort in every step along the way, you will never feel the pressure. Intelligent-lazy people, safeguard themselves in producing the required effort to succeed while being lazy. In fact, you are the master of your own fate, the captain of your soul as N. Mandela said. One last thing, hard work always pays off, you all know that by now.

More than anything, when you trust yourself, the sky is to be the limit!

"Trust the process" S. Wawrinka

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

Welcome back to my blog, guys!

I hope you have enjoyed reading these blogs as much as I have enjoyed writing them. Today, I would like to write about some of the fun we have in our classes. 

I started off this year with the fourth module of my master’s journey. This module was Transport Techniques and Management, one of the compulsory modules of my degree. Now, I will admit that I never gave much thought to this subject in the past. It was not one of my interests. But, after completing this module, I can say with full confidence that it was by far one of my most favourite modules. Not only was it engaging and fun, it was more dynamic in its nature than any other course I have taken. It really showed me the importance of transportation in business strategy. I couldn’t have chosen to learn about this in a better way. 

On the second day of our module, we took an industrial trip to Palletways. This was the longest day of classes we had. So, it was no surprise when we showed up the next day to class with sleepy eyes yearning for at least 3 cups of coffee. However, our lecturers that day understood how we were feeling and decided to make this one of the most engaging and active classes we could have. We started off the day with an activity that was both educational and active. We, then, learned how to use a route optimiser software that was really cool. I left class that day feeling more revitalised than I thought I would be.

Thinking that the class could not get more fun, on the last day of the module, we played a business monopoly-like game. All of us enjoyed ourselves a lot and had a great amount of fun. The week ended on such a great note!

To end, I hope you leave this blog knowing that a master’s degree is not always as stressful as it is made out to be. It can also be a lot of fun. I have definitely felt this way with a lot of the modules I have had so far at WMG. 

I look forward to writing more blogs for you next month! Stay tuned, my friends. 

Katrina  
MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations.

Hey guys!

I hope you’re all having a beautiful start to 2020.

I thought I’d start off this year with a blog on my living space here in Warwick. I know the sound of the word “accommodation” is almost as dull as can be, but I never realised the importance of it until I started applying to university. Where you stay is almost as important as any other choice you make with university because it will be where you spend a lot of your time. It is the place you retreat to after a long day; the place where you can rest and relax before the days ahead.

When I was filling in my accommodation application for Warwick, I was sure that I wanted to have a place of my own. That was simply because I didn’t have the best experience of a shared apartment in the past. So, I chose every studio possible that the system allowed me to. My first preference was Cryfield Village studios. This was a newly developed on-campus accommodation. It sounded very appealing online and its pictures made me want it even more!

Wishing and wishing that I would get it, my luck came through the summer of 2019! I was allocated to one of the new studios in Cryfield Village. This made me even more excited about coming to Warwick.

When I arrived, the welcoming committee was incredibly helpful and the bustling sound of new students everywhere made the experience even more memorable. I stepped into my room and was so happy to know that it was exactly as it looked like in the pictures! The room was vibrant, neat and spacious. Not to mention, it has a big window that helps greatly on days when I just feel like staying in my room but witnessing the outdoors as well. The highlights of the room to me were its kitchen with ample storage, wide study table and a big bed (which is incredibly cozy by the way)!

Once I unpacked and made this room my own, it made me so happy to go back to it at the end of each day. It is like my own little haven. It helps that the people in my block are really friendly as well. Even the staff are very prompt in their responses to any trouble I have. In addition, the cleaning staff are just so kind.

Living on campus is great as well because the university is the middle point between Coventry City and Leamington Spa, which are where I spend most of my time off campus. Additionally, I live about 15 minutes away from the new sports hub and 20 minutes from WMG which gives me a nice exercise routine in the morning!

I definitely recommend that you know what you want when it is time for you to start applying for accommodation. Think about whether you would like a shared apartment or a studio and if you’d rather live on or off campus. Knowing the answers to such questions can really help you heighten your chances of getting the accommodation you want!

I hope you found some helpful tips in here. If you would like to ask me a question or have a chat, please feel free to drop me a message on my Instagram: @katmgomez.

Bye for now!

Katrina.

MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations

The first module after the holidays is always tough, since you are still singing Christmas carols in your head and thinking about the awesome Christmas food you had back home. For me, this module was Transport Techniques and Management. It was a week full of lectures from 9 am to 6:30 pm, an industrial visit on the second day at 7 pm and an in-module assessment on the fourth day. I must say I feel exhausted just by writing this. However, WMG provides students with extracurricular non-academic activities where you can leave this stress behind for a couple hours and have a good time with your classmates.

The first ITSO social of the year was on the third day of this week. We went to the Sports and Wellness Hub after the lectures and there was a room prepared for us with good music, drinks and games. We played ping pong and a really fun game where every team had to guess the country that belongs to the flags presented in the sheets. In addition, there was a dinner buffet served especially for us, and the food was really good; curry, rice, baked potatoes, salad, garlic bread, and … unlimited drinks!

I had a great time in this social and it was a great opportunity to catch up with my classmates after the holidays outside of a lecture room. Moreover, it is a good chance to get to know better some of your classmates that are not in the same group and do not share the same timetable. Especially because ITSO is a big masters course in terms of students quantity and you do not always get to share quality time with all of your classmates.

I hope we have more of these socials and thanks WMG for organising such a great event!

You may find below some pictures from that evening :)

Cecibel Suarez, MSc ITSO

Since the 10^th Century Warwick always was a strategic location. The first castle to be erected was in 900 built as a burh fortification to defend the area from Danish invasion, only protected by a series of banks and ditches. A first castle was built in 1068, meant for William the Conqueror to retreat during his conquest of the British territory. Since William the Conqueror won the throne in 1066, killing Harold, he did use the castle’s location as a tool to control England. The castle remained a strategic location beyond 1068, the earls living in the castle were always linked to the British crown, considered as number twos, confidant or even friends to the throne.

Warwick Castle and the Earls of Warwick played a starring role in a number of notable events throughout history. The castle even served as a prison for King Edward IV during another series of battles securing the English crown during the Wars of the Roses, in the 15th century. The last of the first series of Earls of Warwick, Edward Plantagenet, was locked up in the Tower of London when he was just ten years old. Edward Plantagenet might have had a valid claim to the throne and was jailed because of it. He was accused of plotting to escape and therefore executed for treason by King Henry VII in 1499.

Warwick hosts undoubtedly an important Castle, that is certain. Despite Warwick having a castle worth visiting, it also shares the name with an University. In fact, the University of Warwick, ranked 10^th in the UK, is known for offering great teaching as well as a very good student experience through the offered facilities. Considered as one of the best Universities in the UK, Warwick University is known for being open to the world hosting diverse student communities across all kinds of nationalities, backgrounds, and genders. Warwick University is also regularly regarded as a top target for recruiters looking for graduates, this consistently over the years.

Studying at Warwick you have the likes of a growing city, Coventry nearby, the choice to live on Campus or in Coventry as well as access to a strategic location to start discovering the country. Warwick University is, as a matter of fact, 10min away from Coventry, 3h away from Cambridge, 2h from Bristol, 1h30 from Oxford & London and only 30 min away from Birmingham.

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Buisness Management

One of my favourite places at the University of Warwick is the library. It is a great place to study and get the information you need to do a good work. One of the main benefits is that it works 24/7, which is convenient if you are an early bird or a night owl, like me. Moreover, it has a café which serves warm food from 8am to 7pm. And trust me on this one, the food is really good and cost-effective!

Another thing I particularly enjoy from the library is that every floor is suited to satisfy different students’ needs. For instance, the first two floors work better for those willing to do group works or for those who do not mind studying in loud environments. In contrast, the fourth floor is a quiet study zone, where you can focus without noise or any other interruptions. I find this concept pretty amazing, especially for postgrad students. This is because most of us would prefer to have options when it comes to selecting a study place, since the type of assignment varies among modules; it can be a group work or a research-based individual project.

In addition, it has so many resources that you can find almost everything you need. These resources are not limited to printed books; there is also an online format of the library where you can find e-books, online articles, online journals, databases and many other reliable information sources. Follow the link for more information: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/library/. This website also contains important information on how to use the library and its resources.

Furthermore, the library provides courses on different skills that might ease your academic journey. Some of these courses include “Write Here, Write Now”, which provides tips on how to concentrate and avoid procrastination when writing. There are also specific activities, like EndNote trainings, where you can acquire a basic knowledge about this tool, which will certainly help you with your references for your assignments and dissertation. This being said, I strongly recommend you to join these activities. You can thank me later!

The library is always there waiting for you to explore it. Go and visit it, you will not regret it!

PD. This cute Christmas tree was on the first floor of the library for the whole holidays season, gotta love Warwick Uni Library!

Cecibel Suarez, MSc ITSO

Many people are underrating Coventry, comparing the city with other big cities in the UK. Coventry is particular and should not be compared. Instead, Coventry should be remembered as a beautiful city before being burned down during WWII. Back in the days, the Wehrmacht thought the potential to make bullets or weapons in the automotive plants to be of a real threat. Indeed, Coventry was hosting brands like MG, Rover, Triumph, Jaguar, Morris, Wiley or Mini, however, there is more to Coventry than meets the eye. Being destroyed, the city saw no iconic buildings anymore, until the allies decided to help the city rebuilding the cathedral, making it a symbol for peace and commonality in the world. Given each country, member of the allied forces and other countries willing to make a donation, joint efforts, a new building was about to rise symbolising peace in Coventry. Meant or unintentional, the emblem for Coventry is a phoenix...

Being appointed as the City of culture in 2021, Coventry is planning to launch a major regeneration project, redeveloping both the station and the city centre in order to attract more businesses, entering the new decade with full spirit and beauty, leaving the dark, shadowy places behind and take back what was always to be theirs. Coventry is to be remembered as an open-minded city, open to the world, birthplace for innovation and greatness to strive among its inhabitants.

Coventry should also be seen as powerful, hosting two universities being Coventry and Warwick University. The reason for engineering students to study at Coventry is both for Warwick University and Coventry University to be considered as the best, hosting brands like Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover not far from campus. Aston Martin and Jaguar regularly recruiting students on campus should be seen as very motivational.

Why chose Warwick University? Because above all, Warwick University is part of the Russell Group. Not only is Warwick University part of the 20 best universities, but it is also known for being modern and open-minded with a very diverse student community. Students are coming from all kinds of backgrounds and diverse genders.

All in all, studying in Coventry is experiencing the birth of a big city open and welcoming for new students to join every year. As future graduates, you should feel like an open-minded person ready to take on any challenge life is putting you through, looking at Coventry this should invite you to raise yourself from the ashes striving for greatness.

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are very special occasions in most parts of the world and special traditions have been developed to celebrate these occasions. This year after experiencing Christmas differently from what I was accustomed to, I also welcomed the New Year in a new way!

In early December, a friend asked about my plans for Christmas and New Year’s Eve (NYE). I informed him of my plans for Christmas and lack of plans for NYE. So, we decided to plan an event together. We decided we weren’t going to view the ultra-popular London fireworks. We considered going to Manchester, Cardiff or St. Ives. We then learned from another wmg friend that he was going with some Chevening scholars from another University who were planning to spend NYE in Glasgow. We decided it would be a great opportunity for networking if we went to Glasgow and met up with those folks. We found three other persons who were up for this trip, booked an Airbnb from 30^th December to 1^st January, hired a car and set out for the road trip to Glasgow. This was bound to be fun!

Being in a car for about six hours with persons from three other countries who study different programmes contain the ingredients for interesting conversations! This was another illuminating experience of what the ‘university experience’ is about. You will have world-class facilities; you will be taught by leading academics; but you will also be exposed to a multiplicity of cultures and worldviews from peers that can be difficult to replicate in other environments. These times should be savoured!

When we arrived in Glasgow one of our colleagues cooked a South African dinner which was relished by everyone. Then it was time to make plans for the next day! Yes, we travelled all the way to Glasgow without any concrete plans! The general aims of the trip were to: see some fireworks; be in a place where we can do a countdown with people; and meet up with the Cheveners from the other University.

On the next day we visited Loch Lomond, took a stroll through Kelvingrove Park, had dinner with the Cheveners, were sent on a wild goose chase for a firework display by some locals, realised that most places required tickets to be pre-booked for entry, then returned to Kelvingrove Park for a countdown and a firework display.

We managed to accomplish our aims and more! This Trip was a success! I can’t wait for our next adventure. Happy New Year to you! I hope this year treats you well!

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are very special occasions in most parts of the world and special traditions have developed to celebrate these occasions. I especially love the traditional Christmas food in Guyana: pepperpot and black cake (If you ever get the opportunity to try either of these, I urge you to not think twice about it!). This year however, for the first time I had none of these! Yet, it was one of the most memorable Christmas holidays I have had!

I am accustomed to spending the Festive season with family. However, this year I was invited to Bournemouth to spend it with some friends whom I hadn’t seen in three years. Initially, I turned down the invitation. Can you guess why? Yes, I had PMAs to do.

You probably have never heard the term ‘PMA’ before but should you decide to become part of the wmg family, Post Module Assessments (PMAs) will be all you talk about!

Eventually, I realised I needed a break and I asked my friends if the invitation was still open. Graciously they said it was!

You will always have lots of work to do! But you should never be afraid to take a break.

I arrived in Bournemouth in the evening on Christmas Eve, after 4 hours of travelling, and immediately knew I made the right decision to change scenery. Seeing my friends after such a long time and rehashing the major changes in our lives over the years was refreshing.

The next day I woke up to a lovely breakfast and gifts! Yes! They had bought presents for me. I was surprised and touched (Don’t worry, I bought them gifts as well. So, it wasn’t an awkward moment). After breakfast and exchanging gifts we went to church then visited my hosts’ family after. More gifts were exchanged. I was dumbfounded when I realized there was a present for me as well! Good conversation was had, then we left to for home to have lunch and a Christmas afternoon nature walk.

The time spent with these wonderful friends and their family allowed me to see Christmas in a new culture in an organic way. It was fascinating, enlightening and enjoyable! Spending Christmas away from home can be a daunting experience. It can be very disconcerting to not have the comforts of the known surrounding you. However, friends can make this time, at worst, less stressful or an exciting and memorable experience! Cheers to friends!

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

So I recently had a discussion with a friend of mine. We spoke about how we as humans, especially young people tend to place too much pressure on ourselves to have everything together. I feel this reaches an all-time high when a new year approaches, let alone a new decade! Some of us may be left feeling disappointed, looking at the cup half-empty as opposed to half full, unable to recognise the progress we’ve made over the past year and better yet past 10 years. I was one of those people. I found myself pointing out all the things that I needed to work on, and felt the pressure of having various habits and negative mindsets nipped in the bud before January 1st.

I soon realised that this is an unhealthy approach.

You see, a new year doesn’t demand us to rush into it believing we should perfect. I think a new year encourages us to reflect on the past year - the victories, mistakes, lessons, people we were blessed to meet, places we were blessed to see and to be in a place of immense gratitude that we get to live to see another year. We get to experience another year of growth and move even closer to achieving our greatest ambitions and goals. We get the pleasure of challenging ourselves to become even better and to spread joy and love to all whom we meet.

Ultimately, the new year should be a thing of joy and not anxiety. It should afford us the chance to seek to do better, think better, be better and not assume we can have it all figured out by the time the clock strikes 12, or even by the last day of the next year. Rather, if 2019 was spent building the foundation of the house you aim to live in (metaphorically speaking), then I think it is equally powerful to find yourself laying the first brick or creating the blueprint for the first floor in 2020.

Essentially, we don’t have to walk around with a list of unrealistic resolutions, but we can all be encouraged to reflect, re-energise, regroup and witness another year filled with hope and promise. That is precisely what I wish for you.

Wishing you all a happy new year, let’s enjoy the process making this another beautiful year which won’t be forgotten.

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

So the module weeks are intense. As of now, we are faced with: 10 hour days, 5 days a week. However, following this we are left to ‘enjoy’ 3-4 weeks before our next module commences. I use the word ‘enjoy’ lightly as the weeks following our modules should ideally consist of rigorous efforts in completing our post-module assignments and working on our dissertations.

As much as these academic efforts are the main priority, I have been able to see the importance of finding a balance between work and rest. I have noticed that life outside the module week, without a set schedule can be a mixture of various things - lonely, monotonous, procrastination-filled. However, I have also seen how flexibility offers great scope to be proactive in learning a new skill or working on that important side project.

For me, as 2019 draws to a close, I have great plans to dedicate more time towards growing my business outside of my academic life. You see, I was only 19 years old when I started my event planning business - Erayọ Events. I saw it as an opportunity to help those around me who did not enjoy celebrating their birthdays because planning all associated with it felt like ‘stress.’ I saw the opportunity to relieve said stress and make people feel truly seen and appreciated on their special day at the same time. Three years later, I have never felt more motivated to continue to build my business, to expand it to be known as that one-stop-shop for all things (personal) events-related and where clients can truly experience joy both during and after the process of planning their special celebration.

So for me, life outside the module week is filled with ambition. It’s filled with mapping out plans for where I want to take my business and applying the knowledge I am blessed to receive from this masters degree directly towards my business. As I am being poured into by all the amazing module tutors, I intend to pour it straight into my business as my goal is to witness it thrive and change the face of how people seek to celebrate life’s joys.

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

So far during my time spent studying at WMG, I’ve discovered one key thing - we work in teams. Every single module thus far has entailed some form of teamwork which has been a mixture of challenging and exciting all at the same time. It has been a huge change for me as studying Law at Warwick was an independent struggle and team presentations and group work, in general, were uncommon. However, I have been introduced to this new means of learning and to be very honest, I am so thankful that this is the case.

In the last module I took, Business Model Generation, I was in a team where we were all very opinionated. This was amazing at times but simultaneously jarring as it made it quite difficult for us to reach a consensus. In fact, the day before our final presentation we went back and forth on our main idea, pivoting and re-routing so last minute! It honestly felt like a crash course in team building but what I was thankful for was that we were able to set aside our differences and begin to work more harmoniously together. Every one of us pulled our weight, played to our strengths and eventually - much to my surprise and disbelief, were rewarded for our efforts with the 'Best Business' prize!

You see, teamwork forces you to address the flaws you might have and how this relates to and affects others. After each module, I have been challenged to recognise how little I know about collaboration as I am so accustomed to working by myself. However, I have been encouraged to adopt a new method of working, learning from others and releasing the reigns of control I seem to hold so tightly. By doing this, I have been able to acknowledge that there is so much power in listening to others and learning from what they know. There is power in allowing each individual to play to their strengths for the benefit of the team and for us to think with one mind, all working towards a common goal.

These are lessons I know will serve me beyond the classroom and I look forward to appreciating collaboration in future settings.

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Before I begin, I have a confession to make! This is the first time in my life that I’ve been away from home during the Christmas time! Here are 2 things I have learnt about being and MSc student in England during Christmas time.

It’s Holiday Season, but It’s Not Holiday Time

As I walk down the Precinct in Coventry City Center, the city is alight with Christmas decorations, there are young children with reindeer noses as far as the eye can see and the Christmas stall opposite the entrance to Primark has Mariah Carey’s hit single ‘All I want for Christmas’ on repeat! It feels like the Christmas holidays, it looks like the Christmas holidays and it sounds like the Christmas holidays. Surely it must be the Christmas holidays, right? When you’re an MSc student with pending assignments in January, it is and it isn’t.

It’s like this…Even though I am firmly in the festive cheer and I do indeed feel like walking around in those Christmas ‘Dad’ sweaters with the reindeer tusks on them, I am too busy worrying about the Post-Module Assignment (PMA) that’s due on January 2020. I am also stressing about the due date for the first Chapter of my dissertation, which is also due in January 2020.

As I sadly sing along to Mariah Carey’s hit single, here is my version of the world-famous lyrics; ‘All I want for Christmas is…A Break!’

Friends Become Family

If you’re like me and you’re used to being around family at this time of year, then this concept is important to understand. I have never had a problem with being far from home, but the Christmas holidays can be a bit of a challenge.

In my experience, most of the undergraduates had left campus and so have most of the postgraduate students. In addition to this, the winter days are incredibly short, and this sometimes is difficult to process for me. In what world is sunlight at 8 am, and darkness by 4pm normal???

It has been good and helpful for me to spend a lot of time with friends. The positive energy, the laughter and the good times are simply therapeutic!

In the 2019/20 academic year, modules are taught in intensive in 1-2 week blocks. Students then have 2-3 weeks to complete a Mini-Research Project, known as the dreaded Post-Module Assignment (PMA). This system is different from the teaching system in other departments at the University of Warwick. This has been my experience so far:

8-hour a day Module Weeks

As an MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IAE) student, I am required to complete a master’s level dissertation and 9 taught modules over the course of the academic year. For each of my 9 taught modules, the teaching has been condensed to 1-2 weeks of teaching, typically comprised of gruelling 8-hour days, where seminars begin bright and early at 9am, and end at 6.30pm.

During module weeks, I rarely have time for any thing else. No time for sports, no time for the gym and no time for friends. It’s so demanding that endeavours such as studying through the night and staying up late are NOT recommended. This is a lesson I unfortunately learnt the hard way…

In my most recent module, Business Model Generation, I must have mistaken myself for Superman in the mirror or something, because following an 8-hour day, I decided to do a 2 -hour session at the gym followed by an all-nighter that ended at 5 am in the morning. My classes commenced at 9 am as usual, I on the other hand, woke up at 11am! 2 hours late! Safe to say, I learnt my lesson!

It was during this very module (BMG) where I also experienced the magical side of WMG module weeks. WMG prides itself on a practical approach to teaching and this usually means learning is comprised of presentations, simulations, case studies and team exercises. I am proud to say that I was part of the winning team of students in the Business Model Generation pitch presentations!

Post-Module Assignments (PMA)

Nicknamed by some students as the ‘Post-Module Trauma’ (PMT) that follows demanding module weeks, the PMA usually consists of anywhere between 3000 and 5500 words! It has been the most challenging part of my academic journey, by far!

I have learnt that PMAs require me to be meticulous in my planning, and rigorous in my application. The onus lies entirely on the student to structure, plan and compile an assignment capable of winning academic credit through evidence, logic and critical analysis.

It’s that time of the year again, December! My favorite month of the year and the best time to reflect on what has been an action-packed couple of weeks!

When I haven’t been slaving away at the library, desperately trying to submit an assignment and meet the requirements of my MSc IAE degree, I have been attending some very special events organized by the University of Warwick.

Warwick Welcome Reception for Sponsored Students

Every year, the University of Warwick hosts a Welcome event for students studying through a scholarship. The Chevening, Commonwealth, Warwick Chancellor, Said and the Bolashaq Scholarships were all represented! There were many others of course. As a Chevening Scholar, I was fortunate enough to be among the list of attendees.

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick and the Academic Registrar were also present at this event.

WMG Scholarship Dinner

I also attended the WMG Scholarship Dinner organized by WMG for its students studying under a scholarship. What a great pleasure it was to run into a lot of the faces I frequently see at the library, and meet them in a setting that did not involve us burying our heads in books and glued to computer screens.

World at Warwick Trip to Cardiff

Take it from me, the University of Warwick does a lot of cool stuff for its students, a lot! Among these are the trips across popular destinations across the UK, that ‘World at Warwick’ organizes for the university’s international students. At very affordable prices, these coach trips are a cheap and easy way for international student like myself to explore all the UK has to offer!

On the 16^th November, I joined the trip to Cardiff in Wales! The trip could not have been more well-timed! The Christmas lights in the city had just gone up and although it was very cold on the day, walking through the streets of Cardiff on the day with friends, I could not help but feel the warmth of the Welsh people! We visited the Cardiff Castle, the City Centre Ferris Wheel and my personal favourite, the Cardiff Bay Area!

The best thing about these trips is how spontaneously you meet new friends and explore new cities together. By the time these trips come to an end, friends will have become family!

Karabelo Maloi - MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IAE)

Hi guys!

I hope you have been having the most beautiful Christmas celebrations this past week!

I was having a think recently and I thought to myself, “why not make the most of this holiday season by travelling?”. Since moving here in late September, I’ve been to Birmingham and Edinburgh. And I made sure to go back to these cities again during this season when they would have the Christmas markets!

After being there, I have to say, I have absolutely no regrets about my decision.

Birmingham is such an easy trip to make, especially from Warwick, as it is only a 20-minute train ride away. And the best part? A round trip ticket costs me £2.50! So, I made my way to Birmingham with some great friends. All of us were filled with the exciting Christmas cheer, ready to explore what was known to be one of the 17 best Christmas markets in the world (CNN, 2019).

When we got there, we could not help but notice that the whole place was filled with everything Christmas-related we could think of! Not to mention, the addition of German hotdogs and drinks! I have to say it was one of the most beautiful experiences I have had here thus far. Having great people around me made the trip that much more memorable.

After visiting Birmingham, I thought it would be hard to find another lively Christmas market around me so soon. But then, I hopped on a train to Edinburgh and that was a whole new experience in itself. There was so much festive cheer there you almost couldn’t help but join in the fun yourself. The Christmas market was a cross between Christmas and a 50s carnival! I mean…could it be any better? (I hope you read that with Chandler’s voice in mind haha). It was so beautiful especially with the early frosted snow all around us. I can definitely attest to the fact that the UK is the place to be for Christmas!!

Without travelling, I never would’ve had all of these amazing experiences and I would’ve missed out on so many adventures.

In WMG, they encourage students to explore and travel as much as they possibly can! They even organise trips for students to places just like Edinburgh! Whilst I haven’t been on one of these organised trips myself, I’ve heard such great things about them! I’m all geared up to sign up for their York trip early next year in February. What better way to continue the new year celebrations?!

I hope my experiences have inspired you to explore yourself!! I definitely recommend adding some of these places to your bucket list!

I wish you all the happiest New Year filled with so much gratitude, love and celebration! May this be your best year yet.

Talk to you soon!

Katrina.

MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations

The first term was full of amazing experiences; academic and socially speaking. Between lectures, PMAs and social gatherings, time management is key to success. It is important to have a balance between work and wellbeing. The University of Warwick provides postgrad students with a range of opportunities to increase their experience while studying the different courses. One of these are the industrial visits.

As a WMG student, I was able to experience live cars design and manufacturing in an industrial visit to Jaguar Land Rover Solihull. This was certainly one of the highlights of my first term. It was incredibly exciting to witness how robots have replaced human labour in most of the production areas. Also, it was a great opportunity to close the gap between theory and practice by actually being there, observing how things function within a real work environment.

Moreover, the guide was very interested in explaining every detail and answering any question we might have. This being said, I suggest that you prepare your questions in advance to get the most of these visits. So, read about the company before going, review their products and processes, understand the company’s culture and relate this to your recent modules or dissertation. This is a great opportunity to find out more and / or clarify any knowledge you obtained in class.

In addition, it is important to book these on time as the demand is really high. For instance, I will recommend to visit the Event Booking System webpage in order to stay updated with the industrial visits options. There was a lot of variety in this first term. For example, shoe manufacturing, beer crafting, pottery making, distribution centres, among others. So, there are many areas of interest covered in these industrial visits.

Finally, I strongly recommend booking at least one visit per term, because as the year goes on, you will be learning more about the course and certainly defining a main area of interest to start applying for jobs. These visits can give you an overview on how your dream job might look like and even broaden your perspective on the existing job market. Also, these visits make you realize the specific requirements needed in order to work in the company or industry. By knowing these, you might be able to prepare in advance for a job application, which is a very good advantage.

Cecibel Suarez, MSc ITSO

The first mention of assignments, or otherwise known as post-module assignments (PMAs) here at WMG, got me shifting in my seat. Not knowing Warwick’s criteria and expectations made me feel rather intimidated. Being a new student, especially at a postgraduate level and in a new university, I did not know what was expected of me in terms of the work. The feeling of intimidation was built upon further when I was given my first PMA of the year. It also happened to be the most crucial assignment as it was for the most important course of my degree. That course was International Trade.

Now, thankfully, I found the course to be incredibly interesting and engaging as it discussed relevant issues in real-life contexts. Especially under the looming light of Brexit, this course became even more interesting and important. When I first heard the title of the course, I almost expected it to be a more introductory module as it was the first course to kick off my degree. I am so glad I was proven wrong. Diving deeper into free trade agreements, models of international trade, global trade operations, the differences between trade in services and goods and various other subtopics gave me such deep insight into what international trade really is about.

The week and a half of lectures and seminars left me feeling so much more knowledgeable. However, the hard part was trying to explore all of these elements in the specific contexts set out for my PMA. This only contributed to the initial intimidation I felt. Thankfully, my lecturer was really understanding as he gave my course mates and I all the guidance we needed. He was really open to meeting us outside of class to discuss any questions and worries we had. WMG also helped by giving us the opportunity to submit a draft of our PMA to our personal tutors to check and provide feedback. This was very beneficial for so many students.

With this experience, I realised that anxiety, as overwhelming as it can be, means that we are trying to do our best. That is a great thing we are trying do for ourselves. That first PMA was an experience in itself. Not only for me, but for all of my friends in the course too. In the end, all of the hardships and anxieties we felt proved to be worth it as we all scored really well. I hope that when you read this you are reminded that you are not alone in feeling scared for your first PMA and all the ones that follow after.

For all those who celebrate, have the most beautiful Christmas celebration you possibly can and the happiest holidays!!

Talk to you soon!

Katrina Gomez

MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations

The goal for an academic year is the graduation down the road, any small gratification you are gaining should be leading you towards that achievement. Keeping in mind that the overall gratification is, graduation at the end of the road you should celebrate it when arriving. Balancing work and fun during studies, opportunities can be seized within the university to make the best out of your academic year as this year can just be more than just graduating but also taking home self-growth and improvement.

Sports is one of the many possibilities to shine or just to relax. Given the sports and wellness hub is big, you will probably find something which fits your desire of taking some good time off during the year. The sports and wellness hub was even known as an official training venue for the London 2012 Olympics.

Another field is to be active on campus through the Student-Staff and Liaison Committee or the Student Union. Being active as a rep allows you to gain access to knowledge about things happening behind the scenes. Knowing knowledge is power, this might be enough to take things as they are putting them in their wider picture, allowing a deep understanding of all the stakeholders involved in the university. It does help to look at your own experience through a powerful wider spectrum. One year masters’ programme is probably not enough but confidence is key later on to the job market, just about the right experience for some to feel they can make a difference, eventually willing to give something back to the University.

You probably guessed right… Being active as an SSLC member has helped me so far and still helps me having a broad understanding of how the university works and what projects are to be planned in the future. The University of Warwick is humble in its desire to offer the best experience to its students, always on the lookout for feedback and improvement. Being a member of the SSLC helps me positively look at my surroundings, whether a change is possible, you can make it happen when the evidence is found!

Finally, if you need some time off during studies, Warwick also offers you one of the best art centres in Coventry & Warwickshire for a variety of plays and comedy shows.

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

Leaving home, arriving in a new environment is never easy. When leaving home you also leave family and friends behind, dreams and expectations they have for you, as well as hopes and dreams you may have for yourself. Not to get drowned in anxiety, the first thing that should be done is taking time with yourselves setting your mind in the right setting for the year ahead. The risk of not taking that time for yourself, not looking at the positives of things not being entirely in your control, you eventually give room for anxiety to grow unnoticed. Something I did, is setting myself small wins, as simple as opening a bank account or furnish my new room, those things you eventually do on your own, are soon becoming sources of joy when accomplished, from that joy, grow confidence. The confidence has to be taken home but a plan for the year ahead is crucial. What do I want to achieve other than graduation, will it fit my schedule and will I have time to relax along the way, are all kinds of questions, important to be answered.

An academic year is about time and emotion management. Knowing both PMA’s (Post-module assessments) and later a dissertation is to be accomplished, those small wins set earlier do not really count. In fact, the level of confidence you need to gain is relatively high, so believe in yourself, knowing other students have graduated before you, should be seen as a positive piece of information. To start efficiently, you have to believe in your strengths and your ability to grow, strengthening weaknesses you know you have. No one is ever as ready as to when they believe they are. Setting an agenda, counting the days, evaluating how much time you take for writing, are all valuable information to note for yourself, in order to feel more comfortable for the year ahead.

Luckily you will find yourself in an environment where you will feel welcomed and awaited. In that loving environment, anxiety may grow unnoticed again if you do not pay close attention to it. For anxiety to be neutralized and yourself to be balanced, you have to be conscious, possessing your own mind, not letting it wander too much. I personally realised I might need to speak with someone which eventually helped me to move forward realising the strengths I had in me. If you ever get drowned in anxiety or stress there is a wellbeing centre at your disposal in the PG-Hub or Senate house.

Arriving at Warwick University, you will soon notice a tree in a backyard that tree has to be every one of you, feeling comfortable in the new ground you are to grow strong in.

Xavier de Wasseige

MSc e-Business Management

Moving to the UK for my master’s degree has been one of the best decisions I have made. I was a bit nervous to move to another country and leave behind my family and friends. Moving across an ocean to a place where I essentially didn’t know anyone was exciting and intimidating. I told myself once the first few weeks go by, I would establish a routine and feel more at home at Warwick. And of course, I did. As soon as I stepped foot on campus I felt welcome from the campus community. It takes a bit of time to settle into campus life but there are people to help you every step of the way. Here are my personal tips for settling in to your new life at Warwick.

1. Participate in Welcome Week activities

Proceeding your arrival you should receive an email regarding the Welcome Week calendar of events (based on my experience). There is an option to build a personal welcome week calendar. I would highly recommend taking advantage of these events. It is a great way to meet other students, learn about the available resources and get to know your way around campus. There is a broad range of events so you will be sure to find something the piques your interest.

2. Attend the Societies Fair

This is an opportunity to browse the hundred societies on campus. Another great way to make friends outside of flat mates and classes, discover a new interest or participate is something you are passionate about. Joining a club is also a great thing to add on a resume, especially if it relates to your future career. You can browse all the societies online as well before arriving.

3. Get to know your flat mates

These people could turn out to be friends for a lifetime. I recommend getting to know them. It can be tricky the first week as everyone is arriving and attending events. Knock on the doors to introduce yourself or hang out in the kitchen. I posted myself in the kitchen to do my work and met everyone as they came and went. Now, our kitchen is social hub and can always find someone there (even from other floors).

4. Attend the Sports Fair

Similar to the Societies Fair, this fair is for all the sport clubs on campus. There are over 60 clubs – some I didn’t even know. They range from social sports, fitness classes and more. A lot of the clubs have different levels within so don’t hesitate to join. A great way to expand your social circle, learn a new skill and release all your stress.

5. Introduce yourself to classmates

Say hello to all your classmates. Classes vary on size depending on the chosen masters course. Making friends with classmates is great way to find someone to study with or ask questions on course material.

6. Make yourself comfortable

Bring a couple things from home to put in your room, like photos, posters, pillows or décor. This will give it more of a homey feeling and feel less homesick.

Most of all, remember you are not alone. There is a whole team of people here to make your transition as smooth as possible. It will be the start of an unforgettable experience.

My best,

Kyle Green

MSc Healthcare Operational Management

Accommodation plays a big part in your University experience and can seem like a daunting task to find, especially if you are an international student that has not visited the area before. Luckily, Warwick offers lots of help and advice when it comes to organising where you are going to live during your time here.

Once I received an offer, I immediately applied for on campus accommodation as for me, I preferred the idea of immersing myself fully into University life. It was also a convenient option to be near my lectures, the gym and the library in particular. The deadline for applying in 2019 was July, so make sure you apply as early as possible. You have the option to list 10 choices associated to the University however there is no guarantee you will be allocated a place on campus. The University uses an allocation policy to show how they allocate places, this can be found at https://warwick.ac.uk/services/accommodation/studentaccommodation/apply/19/new/pg.

Off campus accommodation is available in multiple nearby towns and cities but I have found post postgraduate students live in Coventry or Leamington Spa if not on campus. The SU offers lots of advice and help in reviewing contracts and approved landlords. This can be found currently at https://www.warwicksu.com/help-support/housing/ and also https://warwick.ac.uk/services/accommodation/studentaccommodation/offcampus . The main issue with living off campus is time management as unless you drive, you need to ensure you are on public transport in time to get to your class considering traffic and full buses during peak times. At WMG our classes are taught in blocks, generally falling Monday to Friday where you are expected to attend a module from 9 am – 6:30pm. During these weeks living off campus does make your day very long. However, there are so many options in restaurants, nightlife and shopping in Leamington Spa and Coventry that the pros outweigh the cons for most people.

I have found living on campus to have really helped me to make friends and has helped me to organise my day that bit easier as I walk everywhere. I spend some weekends and evenings during the week travelling to Coventry and Leamington Spa for social activities so it works both ways. Choosing which option is best for you entirely depends on your budget, what is more important to you in terms of nearby services and the overall experience you wish to have. Ensure to avail of all the resources online and through the University Accommodation Office in helping you make the best choice for you!

Leah Haines

MSc Programme and Project Management

The decision to study a master’s is my no means an easy decision. Whether you are an undergraduate or a working professional, deciding to continue your studies or go back to education puts you right in the middle of a crossroads and which way to turn can be a very difficult decision to make. From the funding involved to the choice of courses now available nationally and internationally, the options are incredibly overwhelming. Ultimately, it boils down to the value studying a masters is going to give to you both personally and professionally. It may be your push to study abroad, a tool to enhance your career or simply a steppingstone to help you figure out where you want to be. Whatever your reason, knowledge is power and doing your research on what course to study and where to study it will give you the power to make the right choice for you.

For me, returning to education having worked in London for five years was a daring and scary choice to make. I was working in an operations role but stuck in a slow career progression structure in an industry that did not value its employees nor empower them to succeed. I knew I needed a change and began to research supply chain, operations and logistics masters to see if furthering my education could be an option for me. The detail of the Supply Chain and Logistics Management course at the University of Warwick stood out to me for many reasons. The course modules looked at everything I had rushed to learn in a working environment, in a detailed way. Learning the theory and methodology behind the practices and business plans I was working with everyday greatly appealed to me, to take a step back and understand my chosen area as an expert really excited me. I knew achieving a Msc would allow me to stand out from a career’s perspective, but on a personal level it was the break I needed to revaluate what exact area I wanted to work in and where I wanted to do it.

Taking a big risk, I applied and was accepted within a few weeks, even receiving the WMG Excellence Scholarship for my professional and academic merits to date. I packed my bags, moved from the big city to the on campus Lakeside Accommodation countryside dream and began my studies at WMG in September 2019. However daunting change may be, take confidence in knowing that change allows you to grow and growing, is much better than standing still.

Leah Haines

MSc Supply Chain and Logistics Management

I’ve been at WMG for slightly over 2 months now having moved here from my home country of Malaysia. I’m not going to lie to you and say that the transition has been easy because that’s definitely not the case. The homesickness and anxiety from such a big move hit almost instantly and I was missing my family very much. Having moved around the world for a significant portion of my life, this transition should have been no problem at all. Or at least I assumed. But there was something about uprooting my life and moving halfway across the world from all the normality that felt very overwhelming to me.

Nevertheless, I was very eager to step out of my bubble and start building a new life here at Warwick. That begin with making new friends. A reassuring thing to remember is that the majority of people in your course and in the university are going through the same emotions as you are. Everybody has feelings of anxiety, nervousness and other overwhelming emotions. Everybody has the same worries. And everybody wants to make friends too. So, with that in mind, I felt more confident and at ease.

I met my first friend at our accommodation briefing. We were standing next to each other, both clearly feeling very nervous with it being our first day at Warwick. I told myself “why not just say hi and see where it leads? what’s the worst that could happen?”. And so, I did. Reflecting on this day as I write, I am always so grateful for doing that because she has turned out to be one of my closest friends here. Having made such a great friend so early on made me more confident to go out and meet other people; especially in my course. It is crazy how many interesting and fun people you can meet if you just give them, and more importantly yourself, a chance.

I have met course mates from Panama, India, Ghana, Bolivia, Chile, Pakistan, Taiwan – and that’s only a bitesize chunk of the countries in my course! I feel that having such a diverse group of people makes our interactions so much more interesting and open-minded.

Personally, I found our first week of course inductions to be rather intimidating. However, having a supportive group of friends who are also going through the same thing really does help ease the anxiety. Not to mention, the support that WMG constantly offers us – from lecturers encouraging us to talk to them about almost anything, all the way to study skills sessions that teach students how to perform well in assessments. For that, I really have to extend my gratitude to the WMG staff who have helped make this transition an easier one for all of us.

Having started this move off with a whole range of emotions, I have to admit that I am very happy with how things have been and the way they seem to be turning out. I’m excited to see what experiences lie ahead. Stay tuned for more on my journey at Warwick!

Katrina Gomez

MSc International Trade, Strategy and Operations

‘Have you found a supervisor?’

It’s probably one of the most popular questions you will hear asked within your first few weeks studying with WMG at Warwick. There’s no denying that securing a supervisor as soon as possible should place one in good stead in the long run. But there is something to be said about developing your own special strategy of going about doing so. So here are, based on my personal experience, a few tips I feel might help you should you be faced with the same, somewhat stressful predicament:

1. 'Know thyself:' This was a phrase I heard being used during the Sales and Sales Management module. Ever since, it stuck. Essentially what I mean is that you should know what you want - because as much as they might be ‘accepting’ you, you set the tone. You create the standard in terms of the type of supervisor you are after. So be clear on who it is you’re looking for, create a mock bio for them and begin to internally profess that this person exists.

2. 'Write it down': For me, I wrote down the core things I wished to see within someone I intended to call my supervisor. I have a strong belief that when we write things down, making them plain the vision becomes clear and is more likely to be manifested (Habakkuk 2:2).

3. Be prepared: A key thing we had been asked to do from the beginning of the course, was to create a dissertation proposal. Essentially, this would map out our idea/concept and perhaps help you begin thinking about an idea/concept if you didn’t have one. For me, it forced me to do some preliminary thinking and research which gave me the necessary confidence to begin reaching out to prospective supervisors and be very focused and specific with what my idea was.

4. Shoot your shot, but have a clear aim: It’s important to know the field or industry in which your idea breathes. Once you are clear on this, you have the ammo required to become increasingly selective and to solely opt to reach out to the people whose expertise aligns with your vision.

5. Start on time: I feel one of the main reasons why I was fortunate to secure a supervisor fairly early was because I began the whole process early. I prioritised it as I knew it had the potential to become a long process and did not want to feel as though I was ‘behind’ in my progress - especially when other modules required attention! Therefore, my greatest tip would be to start as early as possible and to remain persistent and motivated, believing that you will be paired with the perfect supervisor and will go on to complete a fantastic project.

Overall, the supervisor search is doable and if anything, will offer the perfect lesson in persevering till you get that which you desire.

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Graduating uncovers a myriad of emotions - excitement mixed with an air of uncertainty and that familiar fragrance of relief.

For me, I was in a place of simply not knowing. I had been studying Law for 4 years, even spending a year studying at Università Roma Tre in Rome, Italy to buttress my studies. I eventually decided it might be best to ‘close the Law chapter’ and qualify as a Lawyer in my home country, Nigeria. Essentially, I was prepared to settle.

I was prepared to settle for a post-graduation option that truth be told, I was not very confident or satisfied with. However, I am eternally thankful that I have parents who continuously help steer me in the right direction. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have stumbled upon the ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ course at WMG. I wouldn’t have believed that my dream of expanding my event planning business which I started after my first year, could have the opportunity to breathe and become more and more feasible. I am thankful for my parents.

Three modules in, IAE has proved to me that if I have an ambition, I should not neglect it but rather nurture it until it can stand on its own two feet. I am incredibly passionate about helping people create memories through meaningful events - whether that be a commemoration of their birthday or a bespoke album which documents one of their travel adventures. This is where my interest lies and I want to keep seeking opportunities to have the value I know exists within my business be transmitted to a wider audience.

So I guess, in a nutshell, my big why is - myself. It’s believing that I have the capability and potential to be that Entrepreneur I always said I wanted to be. It’s acknowledging that there is so much to learn and that this course is the perfect roadmap towards experiencing those necessary lessons. It’s wanting more for myself and yearning to step into the shoes of the woman I know God wants me to be.

Till next time,

Tolu Karunwi

MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Hi there! My name is Karabelo Maloi, and I have just begun my journey as an MSc Candidate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IAE) at the WMG Department, based at the University of Warwick. I am a Chevening Scholar and I hail from the Lesotho, which is a small country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the 2 months I have spent at the University of Warwick so far, here are a few highlights:

Arriving at Warwick

And so it began on the 23^rd September 2019! There I sat on the 12X bus to the University with no clue what was in store. It had taken four flights, across five airports and a grand total of 25 flight hours to get me to that point. Needless to say, I had come a LONG way!

The bus finally arrived at the University’s Bus Interchange and we all disembarked. I stood around for a moment, realizing that I had no idea where I was. Out of nowhere appeared this tall gentleman with a lime green key holder around his neck emblazoned with those big beautiful letters, W-M-G! I politely stopped him for directions and guess what! Not only was he pursuing an MSc at WMG, but he had also been allocated to Claycroft residence, just like me!

Fast forward a couple of hours, he had graciously helped me settle into my room, given me a tour of WMG’s gorgeous buildings and we were now sitting at Curiositea (Coffee Shop on Campus), having a laugh over a warm cappuccino. In that moment, I silently said to myself; “I think I’m going to love it here,”.

Warwick Welcome Week and Induction Week

I had a blast during the university’s welcome week! Among the events I attended were the Postgraduate Students Welcome Evening, the Societies Fair, the Sports Clubs Fair and a Welcome Drinks Reception at WMG’s World-Class International Digital Laboratory building.

The highlight was when I participated in the Interactive Treasure Hunt for new WMG Students. New MSc Students from different courses are randomly assigned to groups and students participate in an augmented reality game whereby teams run around campus searching for hidden treasure. This was a great way to meet people and make new friends! Think Pokémon Go, but 100 times more fun!

Karabelo Maloi – MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MSc IAE)

‘Hey, how was your course’s welcome drinks event?’ I was asked by a wmg colleague during the induction week.

‘We don’t have a drinks event.’ I replied.

I wondered why. It seemed everyone else had welcome drinks except the Cyber Security programme. I was entirely unaware, however, there was something quite exciting planned for us! The Cyber Security cohort was going on a trip to Bletchley Park!

Where?

Before I was able to get excited about the trip, I had to learn what the big fuss was about. I had no idea what Bletchley Park symbolised! A quick google search helped. But it in no way prepared me for the amazing experience of traversing such a historic site and learning of the impact it had upon the world!

Bletchley Park often tagged ‘Home of the Codebreakers’, was an apt start to my Cyber Security Engineering degree. Besides that: I love a good spy -drama and there I was learning of the covert nature of the operations at the facility during the World War! An actual, real-life, centre of intelligence operations!

The tale is told that as tensions within Europe were rising a small group of persons moved to Bletchley Park under the cover of being a ‘shooting party’. To add credence to the cover story, an elite chef moved on-site as well! As the war progressed and Bletchley Park received more funding and staff, multiple code systems, belonging to the German, Italian and Japanese, were routinely broken. It was in a stable at this site that the first wartime Enigma message was decoded! After the war, it was Bletchley Park that began the information age and produced the world’s first electronic computer. Furthermore, Bletchley Park was reinvented into the organisation now known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

It was enthralling to learn of the commitment required to keep the facility a secret; the creative methods used like employing skilled motorcyclists to deliver messages; and the pure genius of the mathematicians involved in the project.

Aside from geeking out on the spycraft, this trip presented an opportunity to begin forging bonds with course mates in a relaxed and informal environment. This is a critical aspect of being a part of an onsite academic course. You learn from others; you teach others, and everyone grows together. However, for this to happen, you need to start by connecting on some level.

Upon completion of this field trip I said to myself, ‘This was definitely much better than welcome drinks!’ Well done to the Cyber Security Centre for organizing this trip! It was an inspiring day.

Carlyle

MSc. Cyber Security Engineering

For me, the word that best describes Warwick is “opportunities”. I found that since the time I started with my application process for my masters studies at WMG. I am an international student, which means my tuition fees are higher than those for home students. This can represent a huge barrier for some international students who aim to study at the University of Warwick. However, there are great financial opportunities that could help you overcome this, if you have a good purpose for your studies. One of these opportunities is the WMG Excellence Scholarship.

After being admitted to my master’s programme, I discovered through WMG Master’s webpage, that I could apply for an Excellence Scholarship. This application consisted in filling out some personal data, such as name, nationality, and also some academic background; for example, English test scores and previous university studies. The second part of the application is what I think determines the evaluation committee’s decision. By the time I applied, this second part was formed by two essay questions. The first one was to tell my motivations for studying this particular master and my plans after completing my studies. And the second one, was to tell about my previous experience and how this is relevant for my study in this master.

Once I read these questions, I thought that these were very general and that many applicants have similar backgrounds, so I decided to focus on writing about something that would differentiate me. I highly recommend that you take time finding these differentiation factors because I am confident they would lead you to success. For example, write about how you will be able to impact on your country, or what did you learned from that internship, or even write about how being the football team captain enhanced your leadership skills; let them know who you are, what you have become, and why you are the best option for this scholarship.

I applied on January and the application deadline was on April. So, these were four months full of anxiety. But when I received this e-mail “Congratulations! We are delighted to inform you that you have been selected to receive a WMG Excellence Scholarship.”, I felt more motivated than ever and I wanted to make the best out of this journey. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I encourage you to give it a try. Opportunities are there, it is up to you to go and get them. I wish you the best of lucks! And here is a picture of me with other 2019/2020 Latin American awardees in the WMG Scholarship dinner :)

Cecibel Suarez, MSc ITSO

I can't believe my year at WMG is coming to an end. It's been full of new experiences, writing, challenges and most importantly loads of new friends. One of the things I value the most is that my learning from the modules have helped me consolidate my business idea. Plus, all the support from WMG and the University for starting a new business. For me, it all started with my dissertation, but now it is closer to a reality thanks to the guidance of some of the professors at WMG, my classmates, my supervisor and Warwick Enterprise.

As an international student, I discovered that there are a Start-up visa scheme and a Graduate Accelerator Programme that we can apply to create our business in the UK. I found out about it thanks to my course leader and then started preparing my business idea for it. I found help by telling my lecturers about the idea and even my personal tutor about it and she referred me to researchers and athletes at the university, as my business is offering an automated coach for endurance athletes. There are modules about entrepreneurship that if you are not doing Innovation and Entrepreneurship, you can take as electives. These are called Business Model Generation and Establishing a New Business. They were incredible to figure out what it was required to build my future business.

Thanks to that, I found a business partner and we secured funding to test the idea from Warwick Enterprise. That money is helping us test a simple version of what we want to build with real customers, and it's getting us closer to making it a reality. I must admit, this year has been a real roller coaster: writing PMAs, doing my dissertation, testing the business idea, pitching it and having a social life, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

This is my advice if you are starting your journey as a WMG student. Please do not think it twice if you have a business idea, talk about it with your classmates, with your supervisor and lecturers. They are more than willing to help you and point out the strengths and weaknesses of it, so you can learn and improve it. Take advantage of the Warwick Enterprise team and their support. It's not only funding what you will be looking for, but also guidance and mentorship.

All the best for the new students and farewell to my fellow WMG classmates!

David Suarez, MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship