Today marks Day Fourteen in our university house in Bournemouth, something quite amazing considering it feels like we've been here longer already.
I moved in last Saturday with two other of housemates on a day that was both stressful, hilarious and one I think we're going to remember for a while. Things started off as normal - packing up the car with all the things I own wondering both how one person could have SO much stuff and deliberating how on earth we're going to fit it all in the car. Then the unpacking when we're in Bournemouth, the slight soul destroying moment as you start to take apart the suitcase and box Jenga. My parents and I started sorting out my room leaving my dad to build the IKEA bookcase I had bought along.
However, somehow the day ended with me climbing through an upstairs window...
We came back from Wilkinsons after a trip for supplies and wrapping paper to find one of my housemates frantically calling our landlord before announcing that her key wouldn't unlock her door.I think many 'facepalm' moments followed this. After some calling with no avail and then an arrangement with one of our newly found neighbours, we had a ladder. It then came to the decision on who would be the one to climb through the small window and open the door from the other side. Soon I realised that three people I was standing around were looking at me and my housemate, who although her petitieness was perfect for the job, she is also scared of heights. I was the chosen one.
I've always thought how scared it could be going up that high with nothing behind you but a 10ft drop and a hard landing. As I was prepping for my climb, many thoughts ran through my head including the many injuries or at worst death I could sustain from dropping from that height, which was soon discarded from my mind.
Despite my worries and consciousness that six people were watching me from below, I was able to cast that all away and get one of my legs into the room and catapult the remainder of my body through the window onto the bed with only the lamp being knocked over in the lunge.
The last few weeks have been a mixture of getting used to living in a house with five people and debating with utilities companies on their best deals as well as enrolling and start the panicking of how we're all going to find placements for next year. It's weird being back in Bournemouth so suddenly, but now I just want to get started with my second year.
Showing posts with label university. Show all posts
Showing posts with label university. Show all posts
Saturday, 27 September 2014
Thursday, 11 September 2014
First Year at University: Fresher's Week
As I pack my life into boxes and suitcases once again, I can't help but reflect on my first year of university, especially as I find photos and mementos from this last year. A few of my friends took a year out and are preparing for their first year now, making me feel like a veteran and mentally (and physically) preparing them for Fresher's Week.
As someone who, a year ago, would seize up in fear and anxiety at the idea of going to a nightclub with a load of people I don't know, Fresher's Week (or fortnight as it is at Bournemouth) was a little different for me. I tried to go out the first main night of the fortnight. I went to pre-drinks (essentially when most of the drinking happens while socialising until it is an acceptable time to go to the club i.e. like 11pm/12am) which was really nice, meeting a few people in my halls including two girls that I'm moving in with this year! Things were looking up, although I felt entirely overdressed, my evenings out normally involving going for dinner or up to London. I also made the vital mistake and brought a bag with me because I was wearing a skirt (top tip: bags + club = annoying). I joined my flatmates to walk to the Old Fire Station, Bournemouth's Student Union nightclub. Some people went ahead because they paid for wristbands while I got the freebie one. I was standing in the queue with one of my new flatmates, who I had known a mere 24 hours at the point, who was also on the borderline 'I won't remember this' drunk, surrounded by people who I had no idea in hell who they were but they all looked really happy, really comfortable, really attractive - like they were at home. Me? I felt as far from that as humanly possible. I was so out of my comfort zone and felt this fear seeping into me like I felt when I first went to house parties or when someone approaches me in the street. I just felt like I needed to get out of there, there were too many people, too much noise, too many lights. I just wasn't ready for this yet.
So I left. I left my drunk flatmate in the queue (I still feel bad, I *think* he has forgiven me now), I left behind the other two flatmates who were already inside and I just walked around the corner to my halls and left. I have some regrets for doing that, but in all honesty, I really wasn't ready or comfortable in that situation and needed a way out. When I got home, I expected the other two flatmates I left behind to have gone to bed, found some other friends, just enjoying themselves without me, thinking I was the type that wanted to go out all the time. However, I found them on their laptops in our kitchen having a chat and bonding. I walked in and they looked so surprised, I just explained I needed to get out of there and they nodded knowingly and told me to join them. I felt comfortable at last.
That was pretty much my only example of going out in Fresher's Week. We went out again a week later for one of my flatmate's birthday, but it was a Saturday (worse day to go) and in a club where we all agreed was not the best place ever. So how did I spend my evenings in Freshers?
Mostly playing card games, bonding with my new friends and flatmates, watching films and just generally getting to know each other. In some ways I wish I went out more, but I wasn't ready and I'm glad I didn't.
By the second semester I was ready however, and had some of the best nights in various clubs in Bournemouth or at flat parties. I still know my limits and I would so much rather sit at home, under a duvet watching a film with some of my favourite people or spend the money you spend on alcohol on a dinner out at a nice restaurant.
I guess I'm saying that although everyone is different, it's okay not to go out. You will find someone who also doesn't want to. The best thing about university is that everyone accepts each other whether you're a geek, straight, gay, a karate king - whatever. No-one cares. I found two people on my doorstep who didn't want to go out all the time, however, friends have found ones next door, over the road or on their course. Even if all your flatmates want to go out all the time, as long as they accept that you don't want to necessarily, that's fine. And anyway, after the first month, everyone has too big a hangover to go out every day, so that hardly happens despite student stereotypes.
(I started writing about my first year and it sort of turned into a rant about Freshers...)
As someone who, a year ago, would seize up in fear and anxiety at the idea of going to a nightclub with a load of people I don't know, Fresher's Week (or fortnight as it is at Bournemouth) was a little different for me. I tried to go out the first main night of the fortnight. I went to pre-drinks (essentially when most of the drinking happens while socialising until it is an acceptable time to go to the club i.e. like 11pm/12am) which was really nice, meeting a few people in my halls including two girls that I'm moving in with this year! Things were looking up, although I felt entirely overdressed, my evenings out normally involving going for dinner or up to London. I also made the vital mistake and brought a bag with me because I was wearing a skirt (top tip: bags + club = annoying). I joined my flatmates to walk to the Old Fire Station, Bournemouth's Student Union nightclub. Some people went ahead because they paid for wristbands while I got the freebie one. I was standing in the queue with one of my new flatmates, who I had known a mere 24 hours at the point, who was also on the borderline 'I won't remember this' drunk, surrounded by people who I had no idea in hell who they were but they all looked really happy, really comfortable, really attractive - like they were at home. Me? I felt as far from that as humanly possible. I was so out of my comfort zone and felt this fear seeping into me like I felt when I first went to house parties or when someone approaches me in the street. I just felt like I needed to get out of there, there were too many people, too much noise, too many lights. I just wasn't ready for this yet.
So I left. I left my drunk flatmate in the queue (I still feel bad, I *think* he has forgiven me now), I left behind the other two flatmates who were already inside and I just walked around the corner to my halls and left. I have some regrets for doing that, but in all honesty, I really wasn't ready or comfortable in that situation and needed a way out. When I got home, I expected the other two flatmates I left behind to have gone to bed, found some other friends, just enjoying themselves without me, thinking I was the type that wanted to go out all the time. However, I found them on their laptops in our kitchen having a chat and bonding. I walked in and they looked so surprised, I just explained I needed to get out of there and they nodded knowingly and told me to join them. I felt comfortable at last.
That was pretty much my only example of going out in Fresher's Week. We went out again a week later for one of my flatmate's birthday, but it was a Saturday (worse day to go) and in a club where we all agreed was not the best place ever. So how did I spend my evenings in Freshers?
Mostly playing card games, bonding with my new friends and flatmates, watching films and just generally getting to know each other. In some ways I wish I went out more, but I wasn't ready and I'm glad I didn't.
By the second semester I was ready however, and had some of the best nights in various clubs in Bournemouth or at flat parties. I still know my limits and I would so much rather sit at home, under a duvet watching a film with some of my favourite people or spend the money you spend on alcohol on a dinner out at a nice restaurant.
I guess I'm saying that although everyone is different, it's okay not to go out. You will find someone who also doesn't want to. The best thing about university is that everyone accepts each other whether you're a geek, straight, gay, a karate king - whatever. No-one cares. I found two people on my doorstep who didn't want to go out all the time, however, friends have found ones next door, over the road or on their course. Even if all your flatmates want to go out all the time, as long as they accept that you don't want to necessarily, that's fine. And anyway, after the first month, everyone has too big a hangover to go out every day, so that hardly happens despite student stereotypes.
(I started writing about my first year and it sort of turned into a rant about Freshers...)
Monday, 30 June 2014
Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell
Pages: 459
Publisher: Pan Macmillian
Related Reviews: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Synopsis: Cath and Wren are twins that have always done everything together. Always had the same interests, the same clothes, the same friends...until now. They are both off to university but Wren doesn't want to be part of a pair anymore, she wants to go out drinking, meet boys, go to parties and not have to worry. Cath, however, feels differently. She would rather stay in her bed writing fanfiction than go out. However, university is a time for new and changing experiences. Cath must decide whether to allow new experiences and people enter her life and discover whether there is more to friendship and romance than she thought before.
Review: I was first introduced to Rainbow Rowell when Eleanor and Park was suddenly everywhere. I was selling many copies at work, the whole blogging world was talking about that book and then, one of my best friends was recommending it and surprised I hadn't read it before her. It was a book I knew I would love before I starting reading the first page. The same goes for FANGIRL. I mean, a book about a geeky girl who starting university amongst people who are far more into the partying side to university than she is? That was pretty much the definition me a year ago. FANGIRL was what I expected and OH SO MUCH BETTER. This review may verge on a geek out and an ongoing ramble at the brilliance of this book so bear with me.
I loved every single word of this book, every single moment, every scene, every character - just my whole experience of reading this book was just pure brilliance. Rowell writes with a depth that allow you to get to know the characters so well. The book is essentially Cath's first year at university, which could have the possibility of becoming boring and long winded. However, the writing becomes so absorbing and engaging that I developed the 'Oh just one more chapter even though it's 3am' syndrome. Suddenly, I was finishing the book and I wanted to go straight back to the beginning and read it all over for the first time again. I became absorbed in Cath's world as well as the world Cath writes fanfiction for with the extracts from her fanfiction scattered throughout the novel, meaning I never wanted this book to end.
The characters assist so excellently to the amazing plot and writing. The cast of this book are all so genuine, realistic and really show the different types of people you find at university. I became quite attached to Cath. She reflects many teenager's inner thoughts and her obsession with Simon Snow and the fanfiction reminding me a lot of the Harry Potter fandom. Reagan, Cath's roommate, was a good addition for her sarcasm and harshness, there really needed to be someone to tell it to the others straight. As many people will agree, Levi was a nice character and so good to see a positive male character in a book. In some ways, I kind of wanted Levi to be real!
I know I keep repeating how relatable this book was, but this is mostly what got me engaged within this novel. Rowell describes Cath's experiences of university without hesitation showing the best and worse parts of moving away from home to study in a great way. It felt a lot like reading an account of my own experiences of the past year from moving to university and getting used to it, the new, exhilarating experiences, the social aspect and the people you meet.
FANGIRL is one of the best novels I have read so far this year. Rowell is a superb writer who keeps improving for me (so looking forward to meeting her at YALC!). She is a writer whose books continue to remind me why I love reading, and one of the best recent voices for young people.
This book is a must for anyone who is starting university in September as a crash course of what to expect. It gets to the heart of what your first year of university consists of - discovering new people and experiences, living independently away from the people you've always been with as well as expressing yourself.
I give it a 5 out of 5
Thursday, 15 August 2013
BIG NEWS.
So if you're a follower of mine on that little social networking site that recalls the sounds of birds, this will be OLD news to you.
I like to keep my personal and blogging life separate from one another but this is something that will impact the blog a lot. A LOT.
So.
As of 6am this morning, I got into university. I am a new undergraduate starting September at Bournemouth University to study Communication and Media.
And I have to say that you guys are to thank for that. Blogging and reading in general turned from a hobby of mine into a love. That love made me realise that it was okay to love books and make that the THING about you. Most of the last two years have been about books. I chose to do Media out of that love for publishing and while it doesn't mean necessarily I'm aiming for a publishing career, it's certainly is an option now with THIS course.
I am so overly happy. Because Bournemouth is literally one of the best in the country for Media, being one of the best universities to provide it. Everyone I've spoken to over the last year about university has said that Bournemouth is renowned for Media. Which makes me even more excited.
In my A levels, I was dreading seeing the results more than knowing whether I got in or not. Because my exams went terribly especially my English Lit exam which left me in a pool of tears as I walked out (English Lit is one of the hardest A levels). My History exam was on a Monday morning and after a weekend of intensive revision and praying that the Tudor religion question would come up, I looked at the paper, did a happy dance that I had the questions I wanted and then, my brain preceded to go blank. I did so much revision for the subject and could have gone better, my nerves just kind of took over. My Media exam was the best overall and I needed a C at least to get the B I needed in the subject for university. However, my teacher this year was AWFUL as well as being put with a load of students who didn't have any idea why they were there. So the subject I wanted to do and I felt the most confident in was the subject I had the worst teacher in. Because that ALWAYS helps.
SO. My grades were:
Media Studies: A
English Literature: B (HOW?!?)
History: B
And I needed BBB for Bournemouth so I'm in and confirmed and everything. I'm just incredibly happy at the moment even more so when the welcome pack came through the door this morning as well...
Thanks guys again, reviews will be winging their way soon!
I like to keep my personal and blogging life separate from one another but this is something that will impact the blog a lot. A LOT.
So.
As of 6am this morning, I got into university. I am a new undergraduate starting September at Bournemouth University to study Communication and Media.
And I have to say that you guys are to thank for that. Blogging and reading in general turned from a hobby of mine into a love. That love made me realise that it was okay to love books and make that the THING about you. Most of the last two years have been about books. I chose to do Media out of that love for publishing and while it doesn't mean necessarily I'm aiming for a publishing career, it's certainly is an option now with THIS course.
I am so overly happy. Because Bournemouth is literally one of the best in the country for Media, being one of the best universities to provide it. Everyone I've spoken to over the last year about university has said that Bournemouth is renowned for Media. Which makes me even more excited.
In my A levels, I was dreading seeing the results more than knowing whether I got in or not. Because my exams went terribly especially my English Lit exam which left me in a pool of tears as I walked out (English Lit is one of the hardest A levels). My History exam was on a Monday morning and after a weekend of intensive revision and praying that the Tudor religion question would come up, I looked at the paper, did a happy dance that I had the questions I wanted and then, my brain preceded to go blank. I did so much revision for the subject and could have gone better, my nerves just kind of took over. My Media exam was the best overall and I needed a C at least to get the B I needed in the subject for university. However, my teacher this year was AWFUL as well as being put with a load of students who didn't have any idea why they were there. So the subject I wanted to do and I felt the most confident in was the subject I had the worst teacher in. Because that ALWAYS helps.
SO. My grades were:
Media Studies: A
English Literature: B (HOW?!?)
History: B
And I needed BBB for Bournemouth so I'm in and confirmed and everything. I'm just incredibly happy at the moment even more so when the welcome pack came through the door this morning as well...
Thanks guys again, reviews will be winging their way soon!
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