Papers, Grading scales, and End of Term Nonsense

Well, it's that time of year. Unfortunately, I don't mean the time for turkey and stuffing, or even the time for candy canes and presents. It is time for papers to be due. Not just normal middle of term papers, but the long papers at the end of term. Don't worry- it isn't as hard as it sounds! At LMU, the semester is a bit...well, different. They don't start term until the end of September but take a two week break in December. After the holiday, they come back an turn in their final papers and then term is over. At Alvernia, we start the end of August, finish before Christmas, then start the spring term toward the end of January. The way LMU does it is only a bit difficult because I'm leaving the week they go on break. That means I have to have all of my papers written before I come home. A lot of work in a little bit of time!
All of that work for the paper pays off, though, when you hand it into the Undergraduate Registrar' office -- well, at least at LMU. Here, we have to print off a course sheet that has our course information on it and staple it to our paper. We turn all of that into the Registrar's Office when things are due. It's nice because you can hand it in any time during the day, in case you need a few extra hours to finish things up. At Alvernia, you hand papers in directly to your professor. It's nice because you've formed a relationship with them over the term and it's nice to know that your work goes right to the person it is supposed to. At LMU, you don't really get that professor-student relationship because most of the classes are so large.
And if you want something to really knock you for a loop, the grading scale here in England is different! In the States, usually anything between 90-100% is an A. Here, anything between 70-100% is an A--and they don't often grade above 90! I was talking to my professor tonight, and she said the highest she ever gave was an 85. It's just a different way of looking at things, I guess. Personally, I like seeing 90's and above written on things, but if I see a 72 (which I have recently), I feel disappointed. At LMU, though, a 72 doesn't mean you've done poorly; it means that while your paper was 'well done', you still have room for improvement. I like the idea that someone thinks I can keep improving my writing style. It's a good teaching tool.
While you are enjoying your Thanksgiving turkey this weekend, as well as time off from school, remember that in England they don't celebrate Thanksgiving. I guess I'll just turn up my Christmas music, eat a candy cane and get started on those end of term papers!
(P.S. I spent the weekend in Scotland, so let me share a photo or two with you!)

(Edinburgh Castle- Edinburgh, Scotland)

(A north view from the top of Edinburgh Castle)

How many people can YOU fit in a library?

One of the many things I love about Alvernia, besides the fact that they serve Starbucks coffee on campus, is the library. Yes, there are books there (who would have thought?), but more importantly the librarians are ALWAYS willing to help you find something. The library here at London Met is huge, and I love that, but it is almost...too big. I know! I never thought I'd say that about a library! I'd say, easily, there were 500 people in the library at one time. THATS how big it is! There are three floors, two of which contain the bulk of the books. On the ground floor, there are two places to check out books: at the front counter and three kiosks to check out or return books. While the self-check kiosks really save time (providing there isn't a queue), you miss out on personal contact with the librarians. Since I've worked at the library at Alvernia since Freshman year, this has become really important to me. Alvernia's library is just big enough to find quiet places to study, but small enough so that you don't need a map to find your way out. And, should you ever need help with anything, there is always someone at the desk who can help you.
Well, I think it's time to work out a plan for my papers due in the next few weeks. Look for a update then--I have plenty to say about how you turn papers in here at LMU!

(P.S. Oh, and if you want REALLY big, check out this picture from the British Library!)

Mid-Term at London Met

This is the beginning of week 5 at London Metropolitan University, the school I am studying at here in London. I'm still getting used to classes here because they are so different than the way classes are held at Alvernia. There aren't always assignments due weekly for classes, so you have to rely on your notes that you took in lecture. I never thought I would miss homework! That isn't to say I'm not doing a lot of work in school, it's just a different kind of work.
My time here isn't all books and homework. This past weekend, my group with GSE went to Cambridge! It was really exciting to see such an important University. I've included two pictures this week. The first is of part of my University in London. The building the sign is on is actually the Holloway Road Library (that is one of seven libraries belonging to LMU!).
The second is of King's College at Cambridge University. I know, I know, it just looks like a tree. That tiny apple tree is supposed to be the place where Issac Newton got hit on the head by an apple, giving him the idea for gravity.

So the count down begins, only 6 more weeks until the end of term! Wow--I sure have a lot of work to do!

Holloway Road Library for LMU, London

King's College, Cambridge University

That doesn't look like Alvernia...

If you are thinking that these pictures don't look like the Alvernia University campus, then you are absolutely right! What are they doing on the AU website? I'm so glad you asked!
My name is Laura and I'm a Junior at Alvernia University. This fall, I decided to study abroad in London, England. I'm traveling through a program called Global Student Experience (GSE) that I found when they sent a representative to the campus to talk to students interested in study abroad. GSE took care of organizing my housing and enrollment at London Metropolitan University. They also plan weekend excursions so you see more than just the London around the school. For example, I just got back from a weekend at Brighton and the weekend before that we went to the National Gallery and The Tate Modern. I'm in the program with 10 other students from across the United States, and living at a place where there are students from all over the world!
I hope this blog will give you a taste of my trip abroad and show you what Alvernia can offer you! If you have any questions, please ask! If I can't answer them, I'll find someone who can! Cheers!
(P.S. These are a few pictures from my trip so far!)

The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square

Brighton Beach, from the Brighton Pier