6th student: C

Owned by Sam Motion (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Jul 22, 2015 by Anne Nelson (Unlicensed)
4 min read

Background

Masters in Psychology, 5th year (but 7th at Victoria). Research based.

From Nelson. Chose Victoria because we offered Criminology (which is what she originally chose). Easier than Dunedin for getting home.

First year in Hall of Residence, then flatting with friends. Now in flat on her own (or with partner - didn't specify). Likes this because there's "No drama."

Is a tutor for first year psych students. Has done that for 3-4 years (since she became a PG).

Talked about the Masters' experience: postgrad Masters students are isolated and lonely. They will be in their own office with maybe one other. Would like a hub or network or something.

Interests

Acting (theatre, musicals). Swimming, reading, uni gym.

Social media

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube (tutorial videos - personal)

Devices

  • Smartphone
  • Laptop
  • Tablet
  • Uni computer in her office at Vic.

Brings phone daily and uses uni computer. 

Information from Vic

How would she find info on ethics?

Would find out via:

  1. Emails
  2. Word of mouth

Masters info

Talked a lot about the lack of information for Masters' students:

  • "No guidance on where to find information - especially at Masters level."
  • "It's not easy to know what's expected from us" (ie, requirements for Masters students). They get a piece of paper at the start. Would ask a supervisor. Ideal would be a PDF or a link. No collaborative place for all files. No BB. Example is APA (referencing style) requirements. 
  • Other areas, like thesis requirements. "Masters slips between the gaps." They don't have the face-to-face with tutors - just the relationship with their supervisor (who may not be able to answer questions about requirements for Masters' students - the supervisor may have to go off and find out from someone else).
  • Masters' work "feels like a big looming deadline" (for putting in thesis). "When you start putting it together in the last few months, that's when you realise how much you don't know." (about the process). Needs info about what's expected. "Existing info can contradict itself."

Enrolling for PG - the enrolment was due the week after Hons finished. "Chaotic." "Wasn't clearly spelt out what we were supposed to do." A lot of friends missed the Masters deadline (but enrolled another time). "A lot of forms to fill out." "Unnecessary stress." "Confusing and complicated process." Supervisors don't know the process - they might have to go and ask someone. 

Began thinking about PG in about third year (but had thought about it vaguely before that). In third year, began working hard to push up grades. Motivated by goal to do clinical psych.

Began thinking about career from school, because of her Mum and also, had a good careers advisor. Knew what she wanted to do when she came to Vic. When at school, went to a Vic Careers event - it was good.

Expectations of uni vs reality

Matched up, except the weather. "The only thing that wasn't communicated was what Wellington weather was like."

Being in a Hall with friends helped her figure things out pretty easily.

Course planning

Limited options for her area so not much planning needed. In the past, it was all relatively straightforward. Changes were straightforward. Timetabling was easy.

News from Victoria

Not interested in anything. 

Events

  • Psych noticeboards useful. 
  • Goes to colloquium - one hour each week, at a set hour.
  • Symposium - hears about them via staff email with 'symposium' in the subject line.
  • Involved in awhina, which has monthly get-togethers where PGs present research. "I find that really interesting." "You don't actually know what anyone else is doing." Broad, general interest, and also: some research could be connected.

Channels

Email:

  • Gets far too many emails: "Email bombardment." Ignores it all. But does look in subject line for specific things.
  • Is on staff email list and undergrad list - gets too much info. 
  • Also on VUWSA list - "too much".

Wants more control. Wants subscribe to be more granular.

 

Posters:

  • Ignores

Facebook - doesn't follow most things. Wants to focus on what's important to her. DOES follow:

  • Overheard@Vic
  • VUWSA
  • Vic page - they only post if important. Was great in the storms and flooding - to find out if the campus was open.
  • Faculty of Science? "No".
     

Vic website:

  • Link to Library
  • Likes layout colours
  • "You don't need to use it for Masters."
  • Likes the idea of a PG area.
  • Likes PGSA.

BlackBoard

  • Uses it for tutoring. Also for Course Signals - colour coded.  
  • Hons courses on BB was good. Except lecturers posting late (or not posting).
     

Screens

  • Likes the one in the doctors' lounge (waiting room)
     

Muppets

  • To find out the time - nothing else.
     

e-newsletter

  • Gets from VUWSA - but doesn't read it.
     

Text

  • No

 

MyVic

  • Doesn't use it these days. Timetables were useful in the past. 

Enrolment process

"Straightforward." Helped her sister enrol into second year.

F&S sites

  • To find out room number for staff member (via staff profiles). Might look at pics of staff members to see who they are. Which Dean to talk to for which thing.
  • Nothing else.

Staff profiles

Academics' research info was useful when selecting a supervisor. A friend told her about that. 

Staff area

  • An improvement.
  • Has used to access her drive from home.
  • Wants shortcut to staff emails that doesn't involve all those logins.

Explore the site

Task: Look for info on ethics.

Types (Vic?) into search bar. Straight to mainsite. Search for Todd Jones. His main role is listed, but not his role on the Ethics Board. Wants to see auxillary roles listed on staff profiles.

Commented that Vic site is relevant to UGs, not PGs. Doesn't use it. "No postgrads know where to find anything." It's "cat and mouse" to find info. If you do find something, then it may be outdated. 

School of Psychology site:

  • Guy featured on home page left three years ago.
  • Looks at staff list (table layout) - useful? "No, I'd just search their name." "I find it hard to look at."
  • Looks at Masters info. Not useful after you're in (ie, after you've enrolled).

Faculty of Science site:

  • Not of interest.