CIPFA in the Midlands

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CIPFA Midlands Students' Society

NOVEMBER 2011
Certificate Framing Service

CIPFA has asked that attention be drawn to a professional certificate framing service

20 APRIL 2011
Passing your June exams

The West Midlands Study hints and tips event was well received yesterday, with Graham Ball his usual mix of deep CIPFA knowledge and "my wife" jokes. Read a write-up here.

14 APRIL 2011
Students: let us know your views!

CIPFA is currently running a student survey covering both regional support services and the new arrangements for tuition. We would like to know your views as this helps CIPFA improve its services for students.

If you receive an email invitation to take part, please follow the link and complete the survey.

6 APRIL 2011
Exam events

Details of two new exam-related events can be seen on our forthcoming events page.

There's one in the West Midlands and one in the East, so there should be something for everyone.

30 MARCH 2011
Thank you Paul

An ongoing theme in any discussion of the public sector is that of "austerity", and it is clear that times are hard. With its clear public sector ties, CIPFA is not immune to cutbacks and re-organisations, and a number of staff have recently left CIPFA for pastures new.

One departure of particular note to CIPFA students is Paul Myner. Many students in the Midlands, as well as further afield, will have spoken with and emailed Paul to sort out problems they were having or seek clarification on whichever obscure CIPFA matter was troubling them that day.

Paul, CMSS would like to thank you for your hard work and wish you luck in your future endeavours.

28 MARCH 2011
Tips on balancing work and life

Part of the recent CMSS development afternoon held at Coventry was an opportunity to share tips with other students on how to achieve that elusive work/life balance, and here they are:

Sign out of the office early (e.g. 4pm) and spend an hour or so in another office studying
Vary the type of revision you do - practice questions, read material, draw mind maps, discuss with fellow students
Link what is done at work to CIPFA as much as possible
Get up early on weekends. It is amazing how much you can do in a quiet environment and still have time left for a social life
Get the support of your family
Make sure you plan in time to let your hair down
Pray
Your timetable is not set in stone. It can be reviewed to encompass changes in personal circumstances
Reward yourself regularly for all the hard work you are putting into your studies. Set time aside to relax, exercise and have nights out
Identify and concentrate on weak areas of study early
Join up with other colleagues and share skills/knowledge/abilities. We cannot all be good at everything. Work as a team to maximise your position and your time
Have at least one break from work/study where you don't do any work or even check emails
Start early. Don't leave things until the last minute
Incorporate time for family and friends - they're still important
Have a study buddy
Remember that the pass mark is only 50%. If you're getting bogged down with something just move on - you can always come back to it

For a full report on the day, visit past events.

For older stories, visit the news archive.