This blog will explore how King’s will support your academic and personal development during your postgraduate (PG) study at the IoPPN. We will look at free training courses, events and modern languages classes, as well as the student forum, careers support and library services.
Training to enhance your learning and your skills
There are a variety of free training courses you can attend, I’ve found them a really helpful and interesting resource. For example, I was able to sign up to a full day project management course and I received a certificate of recognition which will really enhance my CV. Additionally, modern language courses are on offer for 23 languages across three London locations. I would love to get involved with this; the first term was less intense in terms of study and the best time to take advantage of extra activities such as language classes.
Current events to boost your network, CV and experience
You will have free access to many events around London including the Grand Rounds, Maudsley Debates and Inaugural lectures, find out more about the type of events on offer specific to the IoPPN. I have been to a number of events, most recently I attended a Mental Health in the Workplace launch at the IoD (Institute of Directors). As the only student there it was a little overwhelming, but I met some really inspiring and influential people in the mental health field. In this sense, King’s will make it easy for you to access and make the most of opportunities both at King’s and around London.
1-2-1 guidance to kick start your future career
The careers service can help you to land your dream job after graduation. The IoPPN sets up lots of careers events and networking opportunities that I have found really useful and motivating. When you start the job hunt the careers department are there to guide you through the process and offer one to one sessions to improve your CV, interview technique sessions and even practice assessment centers.
The careers service promotes and provides opportunity for you to gain work experience alongside your degree. For instance, internships are advertised throughout the year on a really easy to use website called Careerconnect. Internships are often paid and can be completed alongside or after your degree. Also keep in mind that King’s will support you with almost exactly the same service for two years after your graduation. For an interesting read on IoPPN graduates, and what happens after completing their degree, check out the IoPPN Grad Stats.
Get involved with the IoPPN Student Forum
The student forum represents all students who study at the IoPPN. They bring together the student community by organizing social events throughout the year (their Christmas party was amazing and pub quizzes are well worth attending!). They also manage the PG lounge to provide a social space with a relaxed atmosphere for students who need somewhere to meet up or take a break. Formally, the forum attends meetings to ensure that the student voice is present in all big decisions, and creates a platform to raise any issues and concerns. This great support service will make sure your voice is heard and provides fun social events throughout the year. You may even want to consider being a representative at the student forum 2018/19!
Finally, the many ways that the library will support you
At Denmark Hill there are two main libraries, which are both light and airy spaces to study, the IoPPN main library and the WEC library. There are ample study spaces, resources, study skills support and help desks.
Study Spaces
You will have dedicated PG zones which are separate rooms, with computers and desk spaces. The rooms are on swipe access, and only available to you as PG students. Outside the IoPPN, the nearest PG space is the WEC library. Libraries on other campuses also have PG zones, such as Maughan (visit here if you would like to be wowed!), New Hunt’s House and Franklin Wilkins libraries.
Resources
You can borrow a maximum of 20 books for taught PGs and a maximum of 30 for research. You can also request books on a four-week loan status to be sent to the IoPPN library without you having to go the library in which they are held. Additionally, there is a free inter-library loans service.
Study Skills
Your nearest Study Skills Centre is in the WEC library where there are lots of workshops specific to PGs, such as managing research data, techniques for systematic reviews and dissertation clinics. Click on Workshops to see a calendar of events and their description. Dissertation Workshops will be available from April – as the name suggests, they’re run to help you with any issues surrounding your dissertation! You can book 1-1 sessions with Study Skills Leaders in the tab Drop-ins & Appointments.
Additionally, under the Our Resources section is where you can access help and support around maths and stats or academic writing. Under the Life As a Student tab, you will find some excellent resources around time management, revision and funding.
Compass Help Desks
There are ‘compass desks’ which offer a ‘one stop shop’ support service for students, providing information and advice. Compass is really active on Twitter with lots of updates about upcoming events and library services which you may want to familiarize yourself with. You can pop in and talk to compass about, changes in your circumstance, employment and tax, housing, immigration, visa advice and student finance. There are frequent ‘tea and talk’ drop in sessions, and you can sign up to talks with topics from exam anxiety to private housing in London.
Many of these services enhance your learning and others provide extra-curricular opportunities that further personal development. Either way, we think that understanding exactly what is on offer is the first step to making the most of the best support services for you.
We hope this blog has been insightful and look forward to writing our next one! Any comments or questions please do get in touch via your offer holder Facebook page.
Tamsin and Sarah
*with thanks to David Crossingam from Library Support for the information!
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