With Semester 1 exams over, it is the perfect time to reflect on the learning experience so far.
The semester has been unconventional (and we had a few snowstorms back home), but it was the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about myself and to enjoy learning!
One of the highlights of this year was the interactivity of the learning modules. At the beginning of the year, I was very worried that I would not be able to get to know my peers and lecturers given the online nature of the courses. My worries were completely misplaced - with Zoom breakout rooms, Microsoft Teams and interactive boards, I was able to meet a lot of my coursemates, learn from their ideas and share mine! Being able to answer the lecturers' and even other students’ questions was definitely my favourite part of the learning experience.
The teaching experience was amazing because of the lecturers, and the effort they put into the lecture material and seminars. They made sure we always had support available, giving advice on coursework and explaining the lecture material one-to-one. It was a difficult year for them too, but they made sure the lectures were unique and memorable. It was very interesting to see how some lecturers used the teaching interface (e.g. Zoom) to make the material more memorable and engaging.
Lastly, I loved applying all of the lecture material in unique ways - it was very interesting to see how different topics and courses interlink and support each other. What I enjoyed the most was that the assignments were focused on the application of the theory on real-life business cases. In particular, one of the assignments involved working on a consultancy proposal for a real-life company - so you could really see how your advice would make a real impact! This kind of assignment format is engaging, as it allows you to gain valuable experience for interviews and jobs; it also allows you to learn more about yourself - for example, I learned that I really like analysing data and market trends!
With all of this in mind, I am looking forward to Semester 2. Even though everything outside is so snowy, I can already feel the spring approaching, and I cannot wait to start my new modules!
