Hello Birkbeck student community — it’s your Education Officer checking in!
The days are short and the temperature has dropped, making evening classes feel a little less appealing than those long summer days when the sun was shining on the streets of Bloomsbury.
However, Birkbeck’s campus remains a warm, inviting space to work on upcoming deadlines, catch up on classwork, or share a hot drink and a chat with new friends and peers.
Christmas time has arrived in the consumer-driven way it always does once we reach November. Lights encase lampposts, Mariah Carey is singing in all the shops, and there are mince pies in every supermarket. But for many, the Christmas and winter period can pose challenges. While some gather with family and friends, it can feel alienating for those without close-knit families, those who have come from abroad, or those who do not celebrate Christmas. That’s why your Students’ Union is working to remain open for you as much as possible over the holidays. There will be several opportunities to attend festive events, and we’ll be sharing information about community activities around campus that you might like to explore. Get your tickets for our festive events, some within the break, here!
As your Education Officer, I’m aware that most students will have deadlines over the Christmas break, and with that comes increased workload, pressure, and stress. While I can’t take that away entirely, I can offer some encouragement and practical tips.
- Use the support available to you: browse the study skills section on Moodle for tips and lectures on planning essays, effective academic reading, and referencing. If you need more advice on an assignment, why not request a study skills one-to-one, online or in person? The team are here to help you succeed.
- Make use of the various study spaces on campus. If you need a change of scene, visit the Euston Road campus, where the igloo-style study pods offer a quiet, different place to work. (Sometimes a change of scene really can help with focus.)
- Pace yourself, make notes, and remember that as long as you do your best, the final mark is just a guide. The way we are measured in relation to our learning has its flaws, and sometimes it won’t reflect the work you’ve put in or the knowledge you’ve gained.
- If you suspect you may have undiagnosed dyslexia, free screenings are available — reach out to the Disability team for guidance.
- As the days get darker, try some reading for pleasure. There are so many great books in the library, and with deadlines approaching it’s easy to stick only to set texts and forget the escapism a good story can bring
London can feel lonely, even if you’ve lived here your whole life, and despite being a busy 24-hour city it’s easy to feel ‘lost in the crowd’. Please bear in mind that college and SU support services will be open till the 22nd December, close for a brief period and then re-open on the 5th January. But there are lots of other resources to use if you feel the need: you can call Samaritans on 116 123.
You’ve made it through the hardest term, so be proud. You’ve got this. 😊