Looking at the computer screen, day in and day out, reading lectures, research papers and looking up data for the regression analysis, thesis writing is no cakewalk. When I joined the research seminar for thesis writing in September (it is a 5-credit mandatory course at Hanken), I was looking to have some guidance for this crazy-looking goal of thesis writing which was to be completed in the timespan of a few months. For your reference, it would help to add here that, since I am a QTEM student, I also had my exchange semester in Germany at the same time (October 2020 – March 2021 still continuing). This meant I had to complete a full semester of studies for my exchange in Germany, participate in the Global Business Analytics Challenge as part of QTEM, work part-time as a fundraiser for Amnesty, build my application documents for my PhD applications (more on this later!) AND alongside these, I had to start writing my master’s thesis. To say that I was hard-pressed for time would be an understatement.

But, as they say, today’s tears water tomorrow’s gardens, and so I sat, during the autumn evenings in downtown Helsinki, looking up resources for my thesis. I am still in the process of writing it (I have time till April 2021), and I have found the research seminar course, which Hanken offers, to be extremely effective in pushing me to set timely goals to accomplish my thesis-writing goals, and also providing me with guidance from my thesis supervisors regarding all aspects of the process. Here, I want to walk you through my experience of taking this 5-credit course so that you know exactly what to expect when you go through this same process at Hanken!

Btw, the autumn in Finland is spectacular.

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Pro tip: Visit the cities outside Helsinki (Lappeenranta, Kuopio..) to experience the authentic Finnish autumn. If not, there are some pretty nice places to enjoy the autumn in Helsinki as well!

In my experience, the research seminar was divided into 4 checkpoints:

1. First Meeting and Thesis Topic Submission
2. Thesis Supervisor and Methods Lab Paper Presentation
3. Seminar Report and its submission
4. Seminar Report Presentations and Discussant Presentations

First Meeting and Topic Submission

All meetings were held online (as well as all the classes), owing to the pandemic. Held in the first week of September, the seminar’s first meeting was a short introduction to the structure of the course. We were familiarized with how the course will proceed, the deadlines and the outcome expected from the course. The professors/thesis advisors also introduced themselves and their areas of interest for our reference. We were familiarized with the functions of the methods lab. The Method’s Lab is set up to help students with the data collection and guidance regarding the econometric methods. Then, we were invited to introduce ourselves and our possible thesis topic if we had something in mind.

Thesis topic (Planning Report) submission: After the first meeting was held, we were given around 15 days to come up with our finalized thesis topics and a short 2-3 page description of the objective of the thesis, the methods we were planning to use and the data-collection-procedure (if-any) we had in mind. This planning report was expected to be submitted by 22^nd September (approximately 15 days after the first meeting).

Thesis Supervisor and Methods Lab Paper Presentation

The thesis supervisors are assigned to the students after the thesis topics and the short descriptions are submitted. The students then have a chance to have meetings with their supervisors to discuss their proposed methods and get guidance for the way forward in order to get started with the data collection. During my course, the meetings with the supervisors took place about a week after the thesis topic submissions i.e. in the first week of October.

Methods Lab: During the same time (September last week), we had our first methods lab session where we were introduced to the two method’s lab assistants. The methods lab supervisors were two post-doctoral researchers at Hanken to support the thesis project. The methods lab is designed to focus on how empirical research in economics is done and to help those students who plan to do theoretical work or run simulations. A couple of sessions were organized in the beginning of the fall semester for those who had registered for the seminar. These sessions focused on how research and especially empirical work is done in economics (i.e. overview of steps and the process, including tips for data sources and gathering especially in economics, discussion of the choice of econometric methods via examples, general advice on the choice of software, etc).

The lab subsequently continues on an individual basis. These sessions could offer personalized advice to the students regarding methodological issues relevant for him/her.

In our first methods lab session, we were given an assignment for the next session: to select and present a peer-reviewed research paper related to our thesis topic. The presentation was held in the last week of October (26.10) and each of us was to do a 20-minutes’ presentation and an additional 10 minutes/presentation was reserved for Q&A.

The short presentation of a peer-reviewed paper related to our thesis topic proved to be very helpful for me as I went through many research papers in my chosen topic and studied them to critically analyze and present of them to my class. The econometric methods used in these previous research papers guided me for my own thesis.

Drafting the Seminar Report and Submitting it

The seminar report is approximately 20 pages long and is designed “in the focus of a detailed and critical, but constructive seminar discussion in the seminar group”.

This report should include a theoretical discussion of the thesis topic as well as its main background research papers (literature review). It should also enunciate the empirical methods to be used and provide a convincing argument/presentation of the methods. Moreover, it should include a well-defined and precise plan of how to continue.

For designing the seminar report, we may book sessions with our thesis advisor, take guidance from the methods lab assistants and our peers.

Since the seminar report is the foundation of our thesis, we were advised to work diligently and meticulously on its preparation. We started preparing the seminar report since the start of October, going through many research papers and building the theoretical part of the report. We also decided on the data-collection and empirical methods with the help of our advisor. The deadline for the submission of the seminar report was December 3, a week before our seminar presentations.

Seminar Presentation and the role of the Discussant

The seminar presentations were held approximately a week after the seminar report submission deadline (9-14 December). 60 minutes were allocated for the presentation of each report (35 minutes presentation + 10 minutes discussant presentation + 15 minutes Q&A).

Further, each participant was assigned to serve as a discussant (opponent) of another student’s seminar report. The discussant was strongly encouraged to prepare a carefully structured PPT, or equivalent, to support his/her presentation, outlining the key areas of improvement for his/her opponent.

Our seminar presentations were held virtually in a highly professional setting, with each participant being timed and critically analyzed by both the thesis advisor as well as the other participants. The discussant presentations were also highly informative and educational, in addition to making the presentations more engaging.

Afterthoughts

The economics research seminar course for thesis writing proved to be a rigorous and valuable experience for me as it pushed me to follow a previously well-defined timeline. It also allowed me to critically analyze the seminar reports and presentations of my peers in a professional setting.

I had fun taking part in this course (the course is mandatory) and retrospectively, I would choose to take part in it even if it wasn’t compulsory because of the immense help that I could get because of it. Overall, my experience in the research seminar was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone planning to write their master’s thesis in their second year.

I hope you have a wonderful spring! Please don’t hesitate to contact me in case you have any questions regarding any of the economics master’s courses at Hanken or anything regarding the life of an international student in Helsinki!

Email me at: reetuparna.vishwanath@student.hanken.fi

Deadline! A word that no one really likes, especially students. There was a moment in every student’s life when a deadline crept imperceptibly, and a 3000 word essay had to be written overnight.

However, that doesn’t have to happen every time you’ve been asked for an essay, project, or homework assignment. The life of a student obliges to prioritize learning. The main task is to learn how to template everything in a way that there is time for participation in student organizations and events, hanging out with friends, trying out new hobbies, and, perhaps, even for getting enough sleep.

With my five year experience of being a student (firstly on a Bachelor’s and afterwards on a Mater’s level), I can say with confidence that it is possible to achieve successful time management. Practice and willingness to change are essential here. In addition, it requires a completely new daily routine. To cut long story short, let’s briefly discuss some tips and tricks that were helpful for me.

Invest in a desk calendar

This option helps me to be organized. It doesn’t matter what size this calendar will be, the main thing is that you will have a whole month in front of your eyes.  Thus you can distribute your tasks evenly, and not leave everything till the las moment.

Start making a to-do list

It sounds corny, but it really works! This technique will help keeping track of what needs to be done by the end of the current week. Start with upcoming deadlines and list them in the importance order. Crossing the completed tasks off in this list is such a pleasure!

Don’t delay your homework for the next day

Try doing your homework on the same day you get the assignment. The new information is still fresh in your memory, and you will get through the tasks much faster! Thus, there will be more time for checking and there will be no need to be nervous and rush at the last minute before the deadline.

Get ready for the lessons with friends

Make an appointment with a few friends and meet after school to do assignments together. If the meeting is already scheduled, you will not want to let your friends down and come up with excuses at the last moment. The social aspect is also important, because it is imperative to maintain good relations with other students at the university!

Find your favourite place to study

Try to find a place where you get used to doing your homework. The location should be quiet, spacious and sufficiently lit. The fewer distractions, the more productive you will be. The library is my favourite place to study. I am sure that you will find a comfortable environment for yourself.

Don’t be afraid to interact with teachers

If you are not sure whether you understand the topic or assignment talk to your professor! Maybe he will give advice or a hint that will be very valuable and helpful. Don’t be afraid to say your doubts out loud. The professor in his turn will appreciate your activity and interest in the subject. Nevertheless you shouldn’t contact the teacher on the last day before the submission of a large project!

Listen to yourself

The very first semester in a university is usually a busy period. As a student at Hanken School of Economics, I can confirm this. While studying should be a priority, remember to take care of yourself and take breaks. Sometimes you just need to breathe in and out, get a good night’s sleep, meet up with friends and take a walk. Time management may seem like a daunting skill, but you don’t have to change everything at once. Start with one thing at a time and try to turn it into a habit. Remember, if one piece of advice works for someone, it may not work for you. It’s important to try and find unique ways to solve the problem. Over time, you will learn to treat deadlines as opportunities for self-development, and not as an additional burden.

If you have any questions about studies in Vaasa – energy capital of the Nordics, please send me a message to sofiya.meleshkova@student.hanken.fi

Whether it be for pleasure, work, or personal sociability, getting involved is quite important in the steps to building something (such as a future career). At Hanken and within the student body, there are many ways to get involved in addition to coursework, ranging from SHS committees to clubs and more. Recently, I have joined the Masters’ Committee in order to better get to know other like-minded students as well as contribute to ensuring that Hanken and its masters program boast a welcoming environment for students.

High involvement is also an outlet where one can foster friendships but also creativity. I enjoy being a part of something where I can exercise the creative side of my brain, rather than just the analytical (which is often what many courses focus on). It might seem difficult to make time for further involvement, considering many work as well as study simultaneously, but in doing so, you will find that you are able to still take a break while doing something fun and useful. Making time to socialize and using it as rest during busy times is a great way to balance school, work, and other involvements.

As a businessperson, it is furthermore without a doubt that the relationships you build are very valuable to both personal and professional success. There is possibility to ‘network’ in any situation or place – whether that be at the grocery store, in the classroom, or at an event. It seems that many here are not so forward in this sense (especially in informal settings), but it is no problem to be direct and friendly! In fact, many will appreciate you for your candidness and willingness to engage and befriend others.

By networking, I have not only made professional connections but also friends that share similar interests (in sports, travel, etc.). Even more recently, I was able to find my first job in Finland as a result of friendly networking. In addition, I have met many others that share similar passions or are much further in their careers, of which we had interesting conversations that I have learned from.

In addition, maintaining a solid LinkedIn profile is of utmost importance. Be sure to keep your LinkedIn up to date, including your work history, summary, profile photo, and just about anything else you see fit. Oftentimes, LinkedIn is the first place someone will go to get a better idea of who you are (in a business environment) – and as we know, first impressions are powerful!

Let us take 2021 to not only build lasting friendships but to also get connected and involved while simultaneously strengthening our personal networks!

Best wishes,

Sophia Rahimeh (rahasope@student.hanken.fi)

Hello dear readers! Jitesh here, again. Previously I had talked about how learning law at a business school felt like having the best of two different worlds (link to that blog is here). This time, I’d like to talk about a third world that is open to all Hanken students: the JOO study system.

The JOO or Joopas is a flexible study rights system based on an agreement between all Finnish universities. Under this system, students can include courses from other universities, which are not taught at their own universities. The wiki page for the Joopas system lists the following universities as a part of the system:

• Aalto University
• Hanken School of Economics
• Lappeenranta University of Technology
• National Defence College
• Tampere University of Technology
• Univeristy of the Arts Helsinki
• University of Helsinki
• University of Tampere
• University of Turku
• University of Vaasa
• Åbo Akademi
• University of Eastern Finland
• University of Jyväskylä
• Univerosty of Oulu
• University of Lapland

As a Hanken student, this system allows you to take courses which are taught at other universities, and to include the credits from those courses in your transcript at Hanken. But the process to apply for the flexible study right and to obtain the credits requires a bit of homework, so I thought I’ll share with you the details about the process here:

• Reading up about Joopas.

A good starting point is to read Hanken’s own webpage which talks about the joopas system. Be sure to make a note of the different deadlines, as the application process to study any course in one semester usually begins much in advance, in the previous semester.

• Visit the study counsellors

A visit to the study counsellors is always helpful, as they are always willing to help students with issues they might have about the credit requirements or transcripts etc. And when it comes to the JOO application, the visit is essential! Usually the study counsellors would like to know more about why you want to study a course outside Hanken; and also if you have your study plan ready.

•  Make a study plan

For master’s degree students applying for the JOO right, a study plan of 120 credits is a must, laying down all the subjects that the student plans to study for the duration of the degree, and also how the relevant course outside Hanken fits into the plan, both in terms of credits and in terms of how the course for which the student is applying, will help them in their degree.

• Complete all formalities at Hanken:

The study counselors may make some requests from the student, about their study plan or their reasons for choosing to study outside Hanken. I recommend that the student complete these formalities as early as possible because there are additional steps required after the application is accepted by Hanken.

• Waiting for acceptance from the Finnish university.

The next step, after the completion of formalities at Hanken, is that the study counsellor (or their equivalent person) checks the JOO application to see if everything is in order as per their requirements. Usually the student would receive an email from the university asking for any clarifications or additional requirements.

• Enrolling in the course!

The JOO is essentially a “right to study”, so it does not act as a guarantee that the student will be able to take up the course for which they enter the JOO process. So it is vital that the student also apply to the course in the internal system of the university where their application has been accepted. Usually, applying for the course would occur through a portal like weboodi.

• Completion and transfer of credits.

Once the student successfully completes the course, it again becomes the student’s prerogative to apply to get the study credits (and grades) back to Hanken. This process also does not happen automatically!

How I had done this:

I had first become aware of the JOO study application system because I wanted to study Competition law and such a course was not offered at Hanken. I found out that the University of Helsinki’s faculty of Law offered such a course which would begin around March 2020. So to enroll myself in that course, I had applied through the JOO system around October 2019. I went through all the seven steps listed above and now I have the credits for the same course registered in my own weboodi!

The process might seemed a bit daunting to begin with, but the study counsellors at Hanken and the JOO coordinator at the University of Helsinki were really cooperative and friendly, and so it was pretty straightforward in the end!

I hope reading all of this was useful for you, dear reader! As always, feel free to reach out to me at Jitesh.Gupta@student.Hanken.fi 

Corona has, without a doubt, managed to turn the world upside down. During this unprecedented time, we’ve all found ourselves homebound for weeks and even months at a time and this has forced us to learn to do, otherwise mundane and everyday things, in a brand-new manner. Studying is no exception.

As it is, most of us find studying to be a difficult task. Once upon a time, we could still force ourselves to get into the groove by going to the library or planning study groups and such. Being surrounded by people who were studying would be motivation enough for us to start. But the pandemic has ensured that we can’t even do that. Which is why, what was already a difficult task to do has become even more difficult.

So, how can one mange to study during the pandemic? Here are a few tips and tricks that have worked for me.

1. The first thing is to try and look at the positive side of being stuck at home. Sure, that’s easier said than done, but it isn’t impossible. One positive is that at least being stuck at home means there are far less distractions than before. Parties, dinners, get togethers are all not happening and so you don’t have an excuse to put off studying. Now you don’t have to make the difficult choice of finishing that chapter or missing out on a fun night. You’ll be able to get more done.
2. Creating your study space is also very important. If you have a study desk in your room, that’s ideal. Make sure to remove any unnecessary stuff off the table and make space for your books, notebooks, and laptop. If you don’t have a study table, then find a nice comfortable spot to sit in. Make sure that the desk and table are at level to avoid backaches. Make sure the study space is away from distractions such as the television, the main door or even the kitchen! Also try to keep this space organized so that your notes and books aren’t misplaced. This is especially important if you live in a shared space.
3. Communicate to others at home what your schedule is. If you live in a shared space, make sure that everyone knows that you’re sitting down to study and that you shouldn’t be disturbed unless its an emergency. Your roommates can also help you keep on track with your studies. Tell them if they catch you wasting time, they should remind you to stay on schedule.

I personally used these tricks to get into the mood to study. Another important tip is to give yourself credit too. This situation is entirely new to you and there are no guidelines on how to cope. Give yourself time to adjust and if for the first few days, things don’t go as planned, don’t give up. With time you’ll learn how to study in this new kind of normal.

Let me know if you have any questions at sohaib.ahmed@student.hanken.fi!