Support is on hand

This time of year can often be difficult for students, particularly those new to university study.  Here are our top tips for survival.

Give yourself time to settle in. Your knowledge and confidence will increase as the year progresses.

Don’t panic at your first assessment.  Remember that assessments aren’t there to catch you out, but to give you a chance to demonstrate what you’ve learned so far.

University life calls for a more independent approach to study. Get used to reading and taking notes in advance of each class, and working in the library or a quiet place at home.

Don’t try and go it alone. There are lots of people at UHI who are here to help you. Your student adviser, tutors and local support staff are always on hand to advise you. You also have access to a number of services as a UHI student:

• The student mentoring service can match you up with a more experienced student to offer informal advice.

• The UHI Career Centre offers free impartial advice and guidance; not just about future careers but also about how you can build up skills and experience in your current course.

• There’s lots of help on developing study skills in UHI’s online module Skills 4 Study and the study skills webpages.

• The Red Button allows you to feed back about any aspect of your experience as a student 24/7.

Get involved with UHISA

The latest news from your student association

• New clubs and societies are due to be launched throughout UHI.  If you are interested in: photography, climbing, tennis, swimming, sports; anime/manga/online gaming, then let UHISA know.

• The UHISA Student Gathering/Council will be held on 3 & 4 November in Inverness and by video conference. All UHI students are welcome to attend. 

• Christa Eggenschwiler, a 3rd year BA Business & Management student, is looking for international students to help form a network. Contact Christa here.

For details of all this and more, visit the UHISA website.

Student Officer for Education Subject Network Wanted

Job Vacancy: Student Officer for Education Subject Network

The University of the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (UHISA) are looking to recruit a Subject Network Student Officer (SNSO) for Education.  Find out more and apply here.

Photography competition winner

Congratulations to Richard Shucksmith from Shetland, who was UHI’s research student of the year 2007.  Richard has won the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award with an underwater image with his stunning photograph of a jellyfish.

Review of university model

As the University of the Highlands and Islands continues to evolve, we are looking at possible ways to develop and strengthen our structure and operation.

Consultants from Capita Consulting will be meeting with student representatives over the coming weeks as part of this review. If you have any questions and/or suggestions about the review please contact Helen Baird.

Tuition fees for rest of UK students 2012/13

The University of the Highlands and Islands has set its 2012/13 tuition fees for full-time students from the rest of the UK. Students will pay a maximum of £22,500 for their four year honours degree - £7,500 per year for three years, with their fourth year free - equivalent to £5,625 per year.

This variation in fees for students from the rest of the UK has been agreed in response to changes in university funding introduced by the UK government for 2012/13 and aims to protect university places for Scottish students. This applies to new students starting in 2012/13 and not to current students who have already started their UHI programme. Find out more at fees and funding.

Novel use of UHI branding

First UHI vending machine recently launched at Moray College UHI.

Have you seen the UHI logo in an unusual place? Send us your photos!

Student profile

Name: Christa Eggenschwiler
Course: Business & Management, Year 3
Location: Inverness College UHI

About me: I'm 27 and am originally from Switzerland. This is my second education and I have chosen to study the third year at Inverness College UHI because I currently work as an events manager and administrator for the United Nations Institute for Training And Research in Forres. I am very interested in experiencing cultural differences and new languages.

My UHI: This is my first time at UHI and what really works for me is the flexibility of being able to study at home without having to sit in the classroom. This gives me the time to gain valuable work experience for my future career.

My time: Most of my time I spend studying and reading books. I'm working with UHISA to develop an International Network. I try to attend advice and training sessions wherever I can. I'm really looking forward to getting to know more people during my time at UHI.

My dreams: I want my knowledge and work to contribute towards equality in a globalized world. I'd like to be able to look back when I'm old and say that my existence contributed to the good of our population.