UoM General Chat

[Hancock]

Come on peeps, a google search would be quicker than asking on here.

http://bit.ly/1d4fxGO

[lzxnl]

That sucks, but honestly, the uni doesn't revolve around you.

If you've gone to Scotch and done UMEP, clearly it's not that much of a hassle to make it to and from Uni, so it can hardly be that bad.

Firstly, UMEP was at Scotch.

Secondly, Going to uni takes an hour for me. Although that's little compared to what others may need, it's still annoying.

Thirdly, I was never given a choice to try and get a better tute time. The uni first denies enrolment into the subject earlier, prohibiting registration into any more suitable times, and then forces me into that timeslot. The fact that people suggest that I go to another tute time suggests that tutorials aren't as stringent with places as the numbers suggest.

[LeviLamp]

There's nothing you can do about it, this is the issue you face when you have such an unusually individual study plan. People with REGULAR degree structures also encounter these timetabling issues. Also, chemistry tutorials do not take a roll even at second year (to my knowledge), and I'm sure if you talked to a tutor they'd be willing to accomodate you in their tutorial. You really have no more grounds for complaining than any of us do with our own timetables; lots of other people here have late class times. Everyone has to deal with minor inconveniences at some point, and the uni can't prevent all of them from happening, though I will concur that the Science Student Centre has its fair share of not-particularly-knowledgeable staff.

tl;dr it sucks, but lots of other people are in the same boat and you/the uni can't really do anything about it (and again, chemistry tutorials don't take attendance)

P.S. consider yourself lucky that the subject you're in has more than one or two tutorial times to choose from; there are subjects with single sets of classes and no alternative practical or tutorial times, where clashes or annoying breaks are completely unavoidable.

[vox nihili]

Firstly, UMEP was at Scotch.

Secondly, Going to uni takes an hour for me. Although that's little compared to what others may need, it's still annoying.

Thirdly, I was never given a choice to try and get a better tute time. The uni first denies enrolment into the subject earlier, prohibiting registration into any more suitable times, and then forces me into that timeslot. The fact that people suggest that I go to another tute time suggests that tutorials aren't as stringent with places as the numbers suggest.

Well my apologies for making that assumption. I just don't think your problem warranted a rant at the science student centre. Sure they can be frustrating, but likewise, they are normally just undergrad students as well. Sometimes, yes, class timetables do suck. And it sucks even more seeing people pop up with absolutely no contact hours, so I can understand that, but the key thing to remember is that sure that it sucks, there are always people worse off and the student centre probably didn't deserve your wrath 

[chysim]

I'm now stuck with a chemistry tute time on Friday 5.15pm. Like, what the hell. My previous lecture finishes at 1. Even worse, I was only allowed to enrol in that subject yesterday, so I didn't have a chance to try and grab any of the other tutes. The blasted Science Student Centre says that late enrolment isn't an acceptable excuse to move into a full class.

Well guess what, Student Centre? What about if you didn't let me enrol until four days after class registration started? Is that STILL my fault? >.<

Add to this the fact that they told me BCMB20002 was a quota subject and that Techniques of Molecular Science was a medicine prerequisite as well as failing to find my UMEP Physics scores on the computer system until they asked for extra help...I've almost already lost faith in them. Completely. And I haven't even started uni. Good job, student centre.

I've never had a problem with the student centre or any basically any administration of any form. Long wait times can be frustrating, but they're limited by budget, staff and only occur during peak times (i.e. first week of semester). The only people I've dealt with have been professional, knowledgeable and understanding.

Tutorial times are governed by the same factors: student demand, availability of staff, availability of rooms, and budget constraints. I'm sure you're a smart person and understand this. If you're not happy with your tute time, don't go. No one is forcing you. No excuse to get precious when you don't get what you want.

[charmanderp]

You've gotta pick your battles at uni. Inconvenient tute times are on the better side of the spectrum.

[Tadpole]

Have to say, apart from the slightly annoying wait time (which was still shorter than what ive experienced with some government/private institutions, who have a much bigger budget for this sort of thing), the few times I've had to contact the SSC they've been very friendly and patient, and always managed to solve my problems/queries. Plus one of them had a really cute voice 

[vox nihili]

They do have their moments, granted.

Like the other day they told my friend that he had to do six breadths and couldn't take selectives, which wasn't their brightest moment. And another friend they hired, then when she appeared for her first shift, they told her "oh we forgot to tell you that we don't want you anymore" which is pretty shitty. But otherwise, all good.

[lzxnl]

What, just rock up to another tutorial? Is that actually allowed, or is it something you guys all do for the sake of it?

[LeviLamp]

It depends on the subject as to whether it's allowed. In the case of chemistry, no attendance is taken. Tutors are generally more than happy to admit you to their tutorial if you ask and explain your circumstances.

[charmanderp]

What, just rock up to another tutorial? Is that actually allowed, or is it something you guys all do for the sake of it?

You can switch tutorials occasionally - say twice or thrice a semester, if you can't make it to your assigned class. You just have to get your substitute tutor to notify your assigned tutor that you went to the class (for attendance's sake), and that you did any required hurdle homework tasks. Your assigned tutor will still mark your assignments.

For subjects that don't take attendance (like chem subjects), it really doesn't matter - go to whatever class you want. The tutor will probably think you're in their class, and if not, they won't care.

[Starlight]

What, just rock up to another tutorial? Is that actually allowed, or is it something you guys all do for the sake of it?

I did reactions and synthesis, and I can assure you that the tutors didn't care.

[Oilerian]

Are practical, problem-based classes the same actually like tutorial class? Because strangely I don't see any "tutorial" class in my timetable or during class registration.

[charmanderp]

I did reactions and synthesis, and I can assure you that the tutors didn't care.

At uni as long as you're not breaking the rules in a big way they really don't have time to care about individual students haha, admin wise.

[ChickenCh0wM1en]

Are practical, problem-based classes the same actually like tutorial class? Because strangely I don't see any "tutorial" class in my timetable or during class registration.

Yeh they are the same thing