Below you’ll find a month-by-month guide to help you make sense of your Kent experience.

Mid-September

Welcome Week or “Week 0”. This is the week before classes start, when the University and the Department of Classical and Archaeological Studies welcomes new and returning students to campus with lots of activities and events. Make sure you look at the schedule when you make plans for coming to campus with your parents. You’ll want to make sure not to miss the departmental scheduled inductions.

• For first years this week is especially important because there are a lot of orientation activities, which will help you land on your feet and give you the guidance you need to make the most of your time at university.

Beginning of Week 1. The first week of lectures/seminars is usually when your lecturers clarify the course goals and objectives. Here are some key things to do:

• Read carefully through the material the lecturer has put on Moodle, including the course description, the list of topics, the main themes and the goals and objectives for the module.
• In the first week’s lectures, pay attention to the organising structure of the module, not merely facts and concepts. This will help you keep the wider view in mind during the rest of term.
• The first part of a module is often challenging because your lecturers are introducing ideas that are new to you, and they’re trying to set out a clear conceptual framework and theoretical approach. Take notes and return to them periodically. Your understanding will grow if you have a good basis.
• Skim/scan the readings set out by the lecturer for the term. This will give you a sense of where the module is headed as a whole and how it is put together. Look at the last topic, in particular, to see where the module is going.

End of Week 1. Make sure you have a plan for managing your time so you can fit your extra-curricular activities around your class time and private study time.

• Now that you know what your assignments are and what your individual study time needs to cover, you can establish a routine. Students do best when they devote regular blocks of time to the same activities each week (e.g. reading for Intro to Archaeology 10-11 AM every Tuesday). Also make “appointments” in your planner to prepare for classes, especially seminars.
• Spend a little time (even 5-10 minutes) on an assignment (even a big one) the day it is given. (Look over all the material and jot down thoughts you might have. Skim a reading. Read an essay assignment and jot down your initial responses or what you’d do to get started.)
• Do assignments and study when you are most alert; socialise at other times. If you’re a morning person, then study in the mornings, if you need 30 minutes in the gym before you’re firing on all cylinders, plan your studying accordingly.

Early October

Now that you’ve settled into your classes, begin to take stock of your work and where you could use support to be the most successful student you can be. Sign up for workshops or a 1-to-1 advising sessions with the Student Learning Advisory Service (SLAS) to hone your skills. Join a study group. Talk with your Academic Peer Mentor (APM) to get tips on studying and finding the right resources for you.

Mid-October

The Classical and Archaeological Studies Department runs a series of research seminars each year with leading researchers in the field. Look out for these events and attend! Often the speaker will be someone whose articles have been assigned in class, and this is a good time to broaden your horizons and see what Classical and Archaeological studies looks like outside of the classroom.

Have a look at the Events put on by the Careers and Employability Service (CES). Going to their events early on in your first year gives you a chance to widen your horizons and think about possibilities.

Late October

Have you reconnected with your academic adviser yet? Now is a great time to do so! Update them on your transition experience. Email them to set up a time to chat over a coffee. They’re waiting to hear from you!

This is also the time to prepare for midterm assessments! Your midterms will vary depending on the type of module you’re taking, but it’s likely that your workload may feel heavier between weeks 5-8 of term. Seek support from SLAS, from your Academic Peer Mentors, and from your fellow students in study groups. Make use of the amazingly helpful Assignment Survival Kit (ASK) to help you manage multiple deadlines and give you plenty of time to complete your assignments. You can do this!

Early November

Autumn Reading Week is a time set aside for important non-academic experiences designed to enhance your individual growth by raising awareness of your own well-being, career opportunities, and critical social issues. It sets time aside for you to take up volunteer opportunities you haven’t yet found time for or to get in touch with your academic adviser.

During this time there is a pause in the normal teaching schedule, to give you time to develop a more well-rounded approach to your education. This is NOT a half-term break (we’re at university after all). This week is an enriching part of academic life, helping you follow your curiosity and embrace new opportunities for your success.

Mid-November

November is also a good time to reflect on your progress so far this term. What have you learned? What do you hope to do? Are there any adjustments you’d like to make to your study habits? Would you like to get some academic support to make the most of the rest of the term? If you haven’t already, now is the time to talk with your academic adviser about your plans for the weeks ahead.

CLAS runs its Archaeology Day (November 3 this year), an event dedicated to seeing what staff and students in the department are doing in the field. It’s a great opportunity to get a feel for everything happening in CLAS.

Late November

Now is a good time to start exploring summer internship programmes, placement opportunities, and begin thinking about what you might want to do after graduation. You can contact the Careers and Employability Service (CES) for excellent guidance or talk to your academic adviser. This is a good thing to do now, so that if your future plans require you to take certain kinds of modules or seek out certain types of volunteering or internship opportunities, you still have the time and space to make that happen. Your adviser is ALWAYS willing to talk to you about your future plans, and how to begin your exploration.

Early December

Prepare for final assessments and any in class tests you may have. Get support from your Academic Peer Mentor, from your academic adviser, and from SLAS 1-to-1 consultations and workshops. Don’t forget to use the Assignment Survival Kit (ASK) to help you manage multiple deadlines and give you plenty of time to complete your assignments.

Mid-January

Sign up for SLAS workshops and some Careers events to attend. Even if you decide not to take up any of the opportunities on offer, these first conversations help you to become comfortable speaking with potential employers.

A new term means a new public talk and research seminar series with leading researchers in the field. Look out for these events and attend! Often the speaker will be someone whose articles have been assigned in class, and this is a good time to broaden your horizon and see what Classical and Archaeological studies looks like outside of the classroom.

If you haven’t started thinking about housing options for next year, now is a good time! In addition to providing on campus housing for second years, the accommodation office also offers advice about living off campus.

Mid-February

If you haven’t thought about summer internship, work, or placement activities, now is the time! Get In touch with CES. Talk to your academic adviser about what you might want to do and begin thinking about module choices for next year.

Early March

Prepare for midterm assessments! Your midterm assessments will vary depending on the type of module you’re taking, but it’s likely that your workload may feel heavier during week 5-8 of Spring term. Seek support from SLAS, from your Academic Peer Mentors, and from your fellow students in study groups. Don’t forget to use the Assignment Survival Kit (ASK) to help you manage multiple deadlines and give you plenty of time to complete your assignments. You Got This!

Spring Reading Week is again a time for you to take up important non-academic experiences. This is often a time when KCAS (Kent Classical and Archaeological Society) organises events, and when you can continue to explore volunteer opportunities. During this pause in the normal teaching schedule, explore things that take you out of your comfort zone to broaden your education. Remember this is NOT a half-term break (we’re at university now). This week is an enriching part of academic life, helping you follow your curiosity and embrace new opportunities for your success.

May-June

Prepare for any Final Exams you might have and think about plans for next year. If you need a little more academic support, get in touch with SLAS, if you need some careers advice, get in touch with CES, and of course, remember you can always get in touch with your Academic Peer Mentor or academic adviser.

This is also a good time to reflect on your progress this year. What went well? What was a challenge? What were you really intrigued by or excited about in your studies this year? What are you curious about? What are your hopes for the summer? What adjustments would you like to make in your study habits? If you haven’t already now is a good time to talk with your academic adviser.

This is also a good time to contact your lecturers for the modules you’re taking next year to ask them for any suggested reading you could do over the summer that might help spark your curiosity about the subject.