Linsey Chaplin – Page 3 – Sheffield University Management School Postgraduate Blog

My favourite cafes in Sheffield

By Abigail Cook, MSc Management

Since moving to Sheffield last September, I have spent a lot of time following my passion for food (and particularly cakes) by visiting countless cafes. Each café has its own unique atmosphere, but they all share the appeal of delicious cakes and aesthetic charm. If you’re looking for somewhere special but reasonably priced to try new foods, catch up with friends or read a book for a few hours, these cafes are the perfect place for you.

Birdhouse Tea Bar and Kitchen

Birdhouse is another wonderful café that is definitely worth a visit, especially for fans of tea and coffee. Located in a beautiful renovated building that used to be a cutlery-machine factory and secluded in a courtyard away from the road, this café has a great and friendly atmosphere. In addition to a delicious and healthy menu (with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options), Birdhouse offers a vast selection of unique drinks. Tea is at the heart of Birdhouse, and you can try their exciting new tea trends such as tea infused culinary dishes, Matcha Lattes and tea cocktails.

Steam Yard

This is a place where I have spent a lot of time and money over the last few months! Steam Yard is an independent café on Division Street with a very tempting, mouth-watering menu and a great atmosphere. The cakes, doughnuts, croissants and cronuts look incredible and taste even better – I have yet to go to Steam Yard and resist their chocolate brownie! There are also vegetarian and vegan options, so there is something for everyone. As a result of its fantastic food and reputation, Steam Yard is very popular and often busy, so if you want to get a seat you might need to head there early!

Alyssum Café Bistro

Alyssum is an independent coffee shop in Crookesmoor – conveniently only a 5-10 minute walk from the Management School! This is one of my favourite places for brunch as it has a vast and delicious breakfast menu and an incredible selection of cakes. Alyssum will also make commission cakes to order for special occasions and events. Alyssum is very popular, so if you want to get a table, you’ll need to get there early or be prepared to wait. However, the delicious food and friendly atmosphere will definitely be worth the wait. If you need any more persuading, take a look at their irresistable, mouth-watering cakes on Instagram!

The best things about MSc Occupational Psychology at Sheffield

By Emily Addison, MSc Occupational Psychology

Choosing a masters subject can be difficult, and it always helps to hear from current students on what their experiences have been. So, for today’s blog I am not only writing about what I think are the best things about this course, but I have also asked my classmates what they think, too.

I found it hard to choose my favourite thing about the course, so instead here’s my top 3:

The class size

The first thing I love about this course compared to my undergraduate course is the smaller class size. This year there are only 27 people on the course, which means you get to know everyone. We’ve become like a little family – quite dissimilar to my undergraduate cohort where there were 200+ students! This makes group work so much easier and everyone is willing to help each other when needed, which is very helpful when deadlines are approaching!

Building a relationship with the staff

The length and structure of lectures means that you get to know the lecturers better, and they get to know you too. You can tell the staff are experts in what they are teaching and are enthusiastic about their modules, which means they are more than happy to meet you if you need help or want to discuss anything further.

The content

Finally, for me, the content of the course is one of my favourite things. As the course is BPS accredited, we cover all of the topics required by the BPS, which means that we get such a deep insight into Occupational Psychology and its relevance in today’s workplace. I genuinely find the lectures and readings interesting, which makes doing work so much easier and enjoyable! If you want to know more about what modules are included on the course, you can see them on the Management School’s website.

If these three things aren’t already convincing you to study Occupational Psychology at Sheffield, here is what some of my classmates said when I asked them what their favourite things about the course were …

“Timely and informative feedback is one of my favourite things about the course!”

“I love the fact that lectures are interactive.”

“I enjoy the amount of group work we get to do, it makes learning the theories and content more effective.”

“We usually get two days a week without any lectures timetabled which means we can complete our work to a high standard.”

“There are people from all around the world and from different backgrounds which means you get to learn and understand different perspectives of Occupational Psychology, and make loads of new friends!”

“It is BPS accredited so I can get Chartership if I want to later in my career.”

“The lecturers make sure we understand the knowledge practically as well as theoretically, which will help when we start work.”

“There is such a broad range of modules which gives us a great insight into the different areas of Occupational Psychology”

“There is a good mix of exams and coursework.”

I would recommend this course to anyone with an interest around occupational psychology, and am so glad I chose to study here. I hope you love it too!

How I developed my critical thinking skills

By Jing Zhao, MSc Human Resource Management with CIPD Pathway

As a postgraduate student from China, one of the biggest challenges I faced beginning my studies in the UK was learning the critical thinking methods adopted by UK universities. I found that I struggled with my understanding of critical thinking, literature reviews, and researching. I believe that a majority of students from non-native English-speaking countries may face the same, as it’s not really something that I had experienced in my undergraduate studies in my home country. When I began my Master’s I was keen to develop these skills, especially as critical thinking is crucial to achieving outstanding performance in postgraduate modules. Fortunately, after a semester of intensive courses and extensive exercises at the Management School and the University, I have explored some approaches to facilitate the development of critical thinking. If you’re in the same position, here’s what has helped me!

Tip 1: Make the most of the available resources

There are plenty of learning resources at the University of Sheffield which can help you. The 301 Study Skills Centre, which I learnt about when participating in the orientation programmes, offers a wide range of lectures and workshops such as maths and statistics, academic skills and study skills. I signed up for lots of sessions – Essay Structure and Planning, Developing an Academic Argument, Planning and Developing Presentations, Critical Thinking and Writing, etc. I have benefited greatly from these courses at the beginning of my academic studies. If you need further help, they also provide one-to-one tutorials. The ELTC (English Language Teaching Centre) also provides English Language Support sessions for Master’s students, which are extremely helpful both for English skills and academic performance. ELTC also provides some really helpful online seminars covering various topics on academic and language skills development.

Tip 2: Join a study group

Making new friends at university is really important – it’ll not only improve your social life, but also your way of working! Exchanging ideas in class or during group work means that you’ll be communicating with a group of students with diverse study skills, and you can learn research techniques, analytical thinking, statistical skills and leadership skills. These not only benefit preparations for exams and coursework, but also help you to develop reflexive thinking. And more importantly, you can always have fun together in exploring and discovering the beauty and charm of the city and the campus!

Tip 3: develop a personalised way of critical thinking

A Chinese proverb states ‘there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people’s eyes’. The implication here is that you should comprehend and develop your own approach of forming critical thinking. If you’ve tried the above tips and are still finding it difficult, why not also search for some essays or blogs about critical thinking in your native language, which provide you more accessible introductions or clearer overviews of the topic. With researches and practices, you will soon identify the way that best suits your learning method.

Volunteering at Sheffield

By Emily Addison, MSc Occupational Psychology

The University has over 25 volunteering/fundraising societies as well as a host of volunteering opportunities available if you visit the Activities Zone in the Students’ Union.

I wanted to get involved in volunteering so that I could enhance my CV, and I can honestly say I have done so much more than that. Volunteering helps give back to the community of Sheffield as well as helping you develop new skills, make new friends and most importantly have an impact on those around you.

There are so many students at this University, the potential impact we could have on the communities around us is endless. The great thing about volunteering at Sheffield is that it can be as formal or informal as you’d like. For example, if you go through the Activities Zone and sign up to volunteer in a primary school every week, you must be committed and cannot let them down. Equally, there are a number or opportunities where even a one-off helping hand is enough.

I joined The CoppaFeel Society’s University Boob Team (UBT) in my second year at Sheffield as a volunteer. This meant that I helped at fundraising events when I could and there was no pressure to attend meetings nor help at every event. The aim of the UBT is to spread the messages of CoppaFeel on campus. To do this, the committee members and volunteers put on a wealth of fundraising events to raise money and increase awareness of CoppaFeel, so that people understand what they do and their key messages.

Joining as a volunteer meant that I could see the positive impact we were having on campus and I wanted to help even more. So, the following year I ran to be on the committee, which meant I was involved in everything that the UBT did that year; from the organisation to the running of the events, with the rest of the committee. I made so many new friends and we had so much fun while doing something for a great cause, which is why I would recommend getting involved in volunteering to everyone!

To find out more about the volunteering opportunities at Sheffield visit: https://www.sheffieldvolunteering.com/

Getting in touch with nature in Sheffield

By Abigail Cook, MSc Management

Sometimes when you are studying at university (especially in a big, busy city like Sheffield), it can be difficult to get away from staring at textbooks and laptops and get some fresh air, exercise outdoors and reconnect with nature. These are a few of my recommendations and ideas to help get you outside and exploring the wonderful city of Sheffield and the beautiful landscapes surrounding it!

Rivelin Valley walk

This is a walk that I discovered entirely by accident one day, and which I have returned to countless times since. It is one of my favourite places to take family and friends when they come to visit, and never fails to disappoint! This trail takes you through the lovely Rivelin River valley in Sheffield, running alongside the river through beautiful woodland for about 2.5 miles. Along the way you’ll pass weirs, ponds, stepping stones and little waterfalls. Look out for the resident heron who always visits the riverbanks! The walk starts at the car park off the Rivelin Valley Road and follows the waterside trail to Rivelin Park, which has a cafe, toilets and play area. Advantages to this walk include the fact that it is entirely free and is enjoyable in any season of the year.

Mayfield Alpaca Farm

Situated on the outskirts of Sheffield, Mayfield Alpaca Farm is one of my favourite days out! If you are craving some animal contact, or seeking an outdoor activity, Mayfield Alpacas ticks all the boxes. For just a few pounds, you can walk around the farm and meet the alpacas, llamas, goats, pigs, horses, meerkats and other animals for as long as you like. You can also buy food for the alpacas and feed them. The alpacas are very friendly, entertaining and always ready for a photo!

Walks in the Peak District

My final recommendation for getting outdoors is the Peak District. The National Park is right on Sheffield’s doorstep, and has endless opportunities for exploring, cycling, walking and more. A personal favourite of mine is the walk to Stanage Edge from Hathersage, a small, picturesque village in the Hope Valley. Stanage Edge is a popular location, with its striking rock formations and spectacular views. It particularly attracts rock climbers, who can usually be seen scaling the dramatic rock face. The walk is approximately 10km/6.5 miles (3-4 hours), following country lanes and tracks across beautiful landscapes to Stanage Edge.

Top 3 Indian restaurants in Sheffield

By Anais Cherian, MSc Marketing Management Practice

Living in Sheffield for the past three years has allowed me to explore the city and its variety of restaurants. From Italian to Chinese, Lebanese to American, the options here are endless. However, being an Indian myself, I was on the hunt for authentic Indian food, something that would remind me of home. If you want the same, this guide is here to make your hunt easier! Here are my top three Indian restaurants in Sheffield.

#1 The Cats Pyjamas

Location: 631 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PT

In search of authentic Indian food? Look no further! Cats Pyjamas is the place to go. Their wide variety of curries and street food options will take you through a journey from the Punjabi tandoors to the Kerelan fish curries. Their food is reasonably priced for students, and the restaurant itself is very cool looking, making it a great place for gatherings.

#2 Maveli’s

Location: 223 Glossop Road, S10 2GW

This Indian restaurant is one of the very few restaurants in Sheffield that serve South Indian food, the comfort food for Indians worldwide. Maveli’s offer a wide range of south Indian curries and dishes that remind you of home. However, the one thing that gave Maveli its spot on the top 3 list is….. DOSAS! Yes, they do serve dosas, something we all dearly miss when we live abroad. So go check this place out if your tummy craves some amazing south Indian food.

#3 Urban Choola

Location: 842 Ecclesall Road, S11 8TD

If you’re craving some delicious kebabs and chaat’s, this is the place for you. Their incredible dishes transport you straight to the north India, the place of spice, rice and everything nice! The restaurant is very Instagram-friendly and their food is reasonably priced. This should definitely be on your bucket list if you’re a big foodie in Sheffield.

I hope that this has inspired you to explore the Indian restaurants of Sheffield, and if you have any other favourites let us know!

My tips for taking an epic photograph in Sheffield

By Henan Zhang, MSc Creative and Cultural Industries Management

If you love Instagram like I do, you’ll know that it’s important to get unique and interesting photos. Luckily, Sheffield is great for this! For those that need some extra help, I’ve put together some tips on how to get that perfect shot.

Tip 1. Use the unique views from libraries

A library’s main function is obviously studying, but that doesn’t mean they’re boring! Information Commons is my favourite library in Sheffield University. I like it not only because of its quiet vibe, but also due to the great views. The higher you go, the broader sky you can catch. If you stay (and study!) long enough, you might be lucky enough to see the colour change in the sky. The most amazing time is the moment just before sunset. The blue and pink merges together, creating a romantic picture.

If you’re in the library until late, this can be one of the best times for getting a photo. As it’s more empty than in the day, it gives you the chance to play around and get a unique picture.

Tip 2. Always look at the sky!

If you rush around and don’t take the time to look upwards, you’ll miss so many great photo opportunities! I find the clouds particularly beautiful, especially at dusk and dawn when they can change from white to multi-coloured!

You can also get creative and use reflective spaces to capture the sky. Windows are perfect for this!

The windows of the Alfred Denny building

Parks are another perfect location for a great shot!

Tip 3. Don’t rush

It can be easy to rush from one lecture to the next and not take in anything that’s going on around you. Taking a few extra minutes to look around, you can get inspiration for some great shots.

Tip 4. The Arts Tower!

As well as being the University’s landscape and architecture hub, the Arts Tower is a famous landmark of Sheffield. No matter whether it’s against a blue or pink sky, it always looks amazing.

If you are lucky to have a friend who is majoring in architecture, you can get access to the studio and enjoy a unique view of Sheffield.

The view of Sheffield from the Arts Tower

The architecture studio in the Arts Tower

Tip 5. Explore the independent shops

I love vintage shops, and Sheffield has loads of them! You never know what you’ll find in these quirky shops, and they make a great backdrop for a photo.

Sheffield is full of amazing and unique places, and my best advice is to get out and explore! If you love Sheffield as much as me, follow me on Instagram (@daaaaanan) – I can’t wait to see all of your pictures!

My experience of living in Sheffield

By Suning Zhou, MSc Management (International Business)

Coming from China, I had never visited Sheffield before I chose to do my Master’s study here. Now, I have lived here for around five months, so I would like to share my feelings about living in Sheffield to give an idea for those who have not visited before.

As an international student, my first impression of Sheffield was that it was cold! Arriving into Manchester airport, I wondered how I was going to get used to it (I have found that layers and a warm coat are key)! However, after a few days of exploring the city, I found there are so many unique parts of this city, and there is a lot to love.

Sheffield is not a big city, but everything that you need is nearby. There are many supermarkets, as well as independent and well known clothing shops in the city centre. If you want some serious shopping, Meadowhall is a huge indoor shopping mall situated near Sheffield and can be visited using the tram or train. You will not be disappointed when you leave there!

If you want to enjoy some hustle and bustle, West Street (close to the city centre) is a good place for you to try different food and drinks with friends in different kinds of pubs and restaurants. For somewhere a bit more peaceful, Crooksmoor is a good choice – it is near to the Management School, and has lots of small independent eateries and shops. I am living in a house close to the Management School and there are many houses perfect for students around this area.

If you’re a person that loves to be around nature, you will definitely like Sheffield – it has more trees per person than any other city in Europe! There are loads of parks around the Management School, and I’ve really enjoyed walking in Crookes Valley Park and Weston Park on the days when it’s been sunny. My favourite thing to do is to lie on the lawn, enjoy the sunshine and have a nap. There is a beautiful lake in the park, and it’s lovely to sit on the bench by the lake and see people rowing.

Although Sheffield is so different from China, I’ve grown to love it and it is now a second home to me. I hope that if you choose to study here, you will find the same!

My postgraduate experience so far

Hi everyone! My name is Mimi, and I study MSc International Management. Before I became a student in September, I had been in a full-time job for years after graduating from my undergraduate. The decision to come back to higher education was not a decision I had taken lightly. It involved many personal sacrifices, including leaving my full-time job and moving to a different city. I was anxious about whether I would be the only one in my course not studying their Master’s degree straight after an undergraduate. Thankfully, I quickly realised that I was not the only one and that there were plenty of students in the same position as me across the University.

Before I started my course, I did not know what to expect from studying at The University of Sheffield. I was unable to attend any of the postgraduate open days, so instead researched my course and the Management School through the website, reading about the modules on offer and the School’s excellent reputation. The course sounded interesting to me, and the idea that by studying my Master’s I could get one step closer to my dream career was exciting, so I made the decision to apply.

My first few weeks at university were spent getting my head around being a student again and finding my way around the city and the campus. I was amazed by the facilities that the University of Sheffield offered. In my second week, I learnt about the Corporate Information and Computing Services department (CiCS) who, as well as helping with any IT issues you may have, can loan out high-tech cameras and provide facilities such as recording booths, editing suites and a TV studio! All of this came in handy when we were asked to film a video about a current ethical issue, as part of a marketing module on my course. I was able to use the facilities offered by CiCS first hand, which was something I really enjoyed. I was a little nervous, as I do not have a background in making or editing film, but I felt it was a good learning experience and an opportunity to gain basic skills in this area.

Another thing that I learnt was that the Students’ Union had been ranked as the best Students’ Union in the UK for the past ten years, and I now know why! As well as the cinema, food and shops on offer, there are countless opportunities to get involved, with “Give it Go” and volunteering activities. I recently volunteered at the Whirlow Hall Farm Trust Christmas Fayre. It is something I have never done before, but I thought that this would be a fantastic opportunity to spend some time with local people in Sheffield by helping the local education charity raise funds. I also had the chance to buy some Christmas gifts!

I spent the day volunteering in the craft room where I made ‘reindeer hats’ with the children. I was also able to spend some time seeing the animals, which I loved. Opportunities like this allow you to contribute to the local community and build your skill set and make friends with people from the city. I highly recommend that you get involved with such activities. After all, the university is not just about gaining academic knowledge but also about the experiences you gain.

Christmas in Sheffield

By Emily Addison, MSc Occupational Psychology

If you’re like me and love the festive season, being away from home and your family around Christmas can be daunting… but Sheffield has got your back!

Every year the Christmas markets come to town, where Fargate, The Peace Gardens and Town Hall Square are filled with over 50 ‘Christmas Cabins’ selling gifts and seasonal food and drink. There is the famous Santa’s Grotto, while The Sleigh Bar and Thor’s Tipi are always a hit with the students! There are also various rides to get the adrenalin pumping and allowing you to see Sheffield from the sky. The markets are usually in town from the middle of November, so there is plenty of time to drag your friends down there and feel the magic of Christmas!

The Christmas Light Switch On sees the residents of Sheffield gather together to watch the town fill with light and Christmas décor. The big reveal of the Christmas tree outside the Town Hall is also one not to miss! This event is hosted by Heart Radio and usually starts early afternoon. A special guest is invited to turn the lights on, as well as live music from local talent throughout the afternoon/evening.

The local theatres also help to get you in the festive spirit, with their seasonal shows and performances. This year the Lyceum Theatre presents one of the best pantomimes in the country, Peter Pan! Not to mention the carol concerts in Sheffield Cathedral, where there is mulled wine and mince pies for everyone!

But most importantly, Christmas in Sheffield means you get to make new traditions; decorate your house with your friends, attend a ridiculous amount of society and group Christmas meals, dress up as an elf (or whatever awful Christmas themed costume you are given!) for Uni Christmas Day, and celebrate Christmas before it has even started!

Christmas in Sheffield may not be what you’re used to, but it is definitely something special.