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30th April 2012
Matthew Welsh looks forward to climate change with a difference
When I began my life as a student actuary, the summer sitting took place in September. This meant that there was a clear advantage to studying in the winter sitting - you got longer to study before the exam.
However, the Profession recently pushed the summer sitting into October, making the length of time available far more equitable. This will make many student actuaries re-evaluate one of the key considerations of their exam strategy and has led me to my next question: I like the summer sitting, but I also like the winter sitting - which is better? There's only one way to find out - a systematically developed, carefully considered list of the pros and cons that is approximately 700 words in length.
Vitamin D
Studying in summer is good! The general improvement in the weather, coupled with bright, sunny evenings certainly lifts the mood. You can sit in the kitchen and study with doors and windows wide open, letting in the cool breeze, or you can take your work outdoors and enjoy digesting your notes in the park. I can imagine older generations of actuaries muttering about youngsters not knowing how lucky they are, with e-books enabling them to carry a full set of notes around wherever they go.
Getting up early in the morning to do an hour or two before work undoubtedly seems less of a chore when you are not faced with a dark world around you.
It is also whispered in some corners that the pass rate is usually higher in the summer; with more motivation and a positive outlook, you're more likely to pass!
However, I like being outside in the summer. You can have barbecues, meet friends in the park and go to the beach. Couple that with the feeling that British summertime is a fleeting affair - if you blink you might miss it - and suddenly it seems all the more difficult to sit and study.
Also, as many people take their holidays in the summer, it can take a whole chunk out of that vital period that you've set aside for academic work.
This year, in the midst of the Olympics, the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, Wimbledon, Euro 2012 and a whole host of alternative festivals, it will be even harder to conquer the 'mañana' urge.
Mulled wine and mince pies
I love studying in winter. It's cold and dark outside. It is often raining - or worse. Being inside is exactly where I want to be, with study days where I don't have to leave the warmth of my home or even my comfy bed. I can happily wade through pages of notes, fortified by mugs of hot tea and a large helping of chocolate biscuits. Also, New Year resolutions can provide the necessary incentive to work that little bit harder and to reinvigorate you in your studies.
December, however, is a total write-off. After the many Christmas parties, travelling to visit relatives, time spent shopping and generally being festive, studying doesn't
seem to come very high up the list of priorities. Also, the dreaded year end is usually work-load-heavy if you are involved in a reporting role. Where are you going to find the time to study?
And, if you haven't had your fill of sporting excitement, the regular football season will still be in full swing. So, if you follow a team, you may find it difficult to sacrifice your weekends on the terraces for mortality tables.
Love the one you're with
Whether you like studying in the summer or the winter (or neither or both), it seems that unless you are prepared to take twice as long to qualify, sacrificing the time of year you most enjoy is inevitable (unless you love November, of course). I suppose the key is to make it worth your while, whenever you do it. Reminding yourself that the quicker you pass, the quicker you can stop making the choice may be just the incentive you need.
However, the Profession recently pushed the summer sitting into October, making the length of time available far more equitable. This will make many student actuaries re-evaluate one of the key considerations of their exam strategy and has led me to my next question: I like the summer sitting, but I also like the winter sitting - which is better? There's only one way to find out - a systematically developed, carefully considered list of the pros and cons that is approximately 700 words in length.
Vitamin D
Studying in summer is good! The general improvement in the weather, coupled with bright, sunny evenings certainly lifts the mood. You can sit in the kitchen and study with doors and windows wide open, letting in the cool breeze, or you can take your work outdoors and enjoy digesting your notes in the park. I can imagine older generations of actuaries muttering about youngsters not knowing how lucky they are, with e-books enabling them to carry a full set of notes around wherever they go.
Getting up early in the morning to do an hour or two before work undoubtedly seems less of a chore when you are not faced with a dark world around you.
It is also whispered in some corners that the pass rate is usually higher in the summer; with more motivation and a positive outlook, you're more likely to pass!
However, I like being outside in the summer. You can have barbecues, meet friends in the park and go to the beach. Couple that with the feeling that British summertime is a fleeting affair - if you blink you might miss it - and suddenly it seems all the more difficult to sit and study.
Also, as many people take their holidays in the summer, it can take a whole chunk out of that vital period that you've set aside for academic work.
This year, in the midst of the Olympics, the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, Wimbledon, Euro 2012 and a whole host of alternative festivals, it will be even harder to conquer the 'mañana' urge.
Mulled wine and mince pies
I love studying in winter. It's cold and dark outside. It is often raining - or worse. Being inside is exactly where I want to be, with study days where I don't have to leave the warmth of my home or even my comfy bed. I can happily wade through pages of notes, fortified by mugs of hot tea and a large helping of chocolate biscuits. Also, New Year resolutions can provide the necessary incentive to work that little bit harder and to reinvigorate you in your studies.
December, however, is a total write-off. After the many Christmas parties, travelling to visit relatives, time spent shopping and generally being festive, studying doesn't
seem to come very high up the list of priorities. Also, the dreaded year end is usually work-load-heavy if you are involved in a reporting role. Where are you going to find the time to study?
And, if you haven't had your fill of sporting excitement, the regular football season will still be in full swing. So, if you follow a team, you may find it difficult to sacrifice your weekends on the terraces for mortality tables.
Love the one you're with
Whether you like studying in the summer or the winter (or neither or both), it seems that unless you are prepared to take twice as long to qualify, sacrificing the time of year you most enjoy is inevitable (unless you love November, of course). I suppose the key is to make it worth your while, whenever you do it. Reminding yourself that the quicker you pass, the quicker you can stop making the choice may be just the incentive you need.
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