My First Week - Lectures

My First Week - Lectures

Date Published: 24/09/2016

Date Events Happened: 19/09/2016,20/09/2016,22/09/2016.

Having your first lecture at 5pm is difficult, especially finding out the coffee shops are shut when you're craving coffee. 

Have you ever tried to fit around 50 students comfortably, in a room meant for 30, at most? We were not comfortable. Even though it was only for twenty minutes (I think), there was hardly any space to move. It was uncomfortably hot and claustrophobic. 

Seeing the guys from Verbal Discharge was great, especially as they spoke about what to do and what not to do in a semi serious discussion. I'm just waiting until Monday to hear about the Student Mentor program. 

Once the class split into two groups, I could breathe clearly again. I didn't feel as claustrophobic.

But I was bored going through the module handbook. I know we had to go through it, but there were so many words. Words, Words, Words. 

I craved a break and that was when I found out the coffee shops were shut. The only place that served coffee that was open, was Subway. So I bought a Subway coffee. Thinking I'll have to arrive early on Monday, so I can buy myself a large cappuccino in the coffee shop before the lecture starts. 

But once our break was over, that was when we got to write. It was just off of a picture, but I went straight to Gods and Goddesses. It wasn't wrong to do, it was just where my muse took me.

We even got to finish early, although the bus didn't leave until an hour after we finished, which sucked as we were all tired. 

Tuesday had nicer lecture times and there was enough space in the class, although the desks were a little small.
We went over the module handbook, then went off to do a free write and research a story. I chose the Birth of Athena, and there are different variations to compare the other to. 

After listening to Cinderella, it was the end of the lecture, where I decided I was going to wait around and do Tae Kwon Do, until I felt sick and decided to rest.

Thursday, my final lecture of the week. Never go into town and buy stuff before a lecture. I'll happily walk down the stairs, but not up to the eighth floor. With any luck, we'll get a better room. Like Monday, the room was made for 25 students and we had to cram 41 in there. Very claustrophobic, to the point Simon took a picture to prove we couldn't fit in this room. 

So our lecture was cut short after reading the module handbook and one task, so Simon could embark on the quest to find a different room for next week. 

All in all, it's been a very easy, albeit claustrophobic week of lectures. I know the work is only going to get tougher from here.

-Emma-

Induction Week - Day Five

Induction Week - Day Five

Date Published: 20/09/2016

Date Event Happened: 16/09/2016

I wish they'd told us Thursday, during the lunch we were supposed to meet at QUAD at 2, instead of the university. I hadn't checked my emails, so I didn't know about this change until two days later. 

I wasn't the only one though. It was nice to spend time with Stacey and Imogen.

After waiting around at the university for an hour, only to find out they had gone (at this point, we didn't know about the change in location), Stacey, Imogen and I walked into town. 

Stopping off at Sir Peter Hilton, Imogen decided to head back to Nunnery. This left Stacey and I to head back to town.
I didn't have to cook dinner that night. Like on the day we met, we had McDonald's, taking advantage of the offer on the back of our bus ticket. 

Nothing much really happened after that. Friday was the laziest day of Induction Week. 

I wish I could update you more on that.

The lectures will be part of a weekly post, so I'll next update Saturday.

-Emma-

Induction Week - Day Four

Induction Week - Day Four

Date Published: 19/09/2016

Date Event Happened: 15/09/2016

Thursday was the least busy day. It was very relaxed with a lunch in the North Tower (I really want to rename these towers after the Hogwarts ones, but I don't think there's enough to do it!).

I left with Sam, Marek and a few other classmates. We stopped off at the library and a few other places around the university, before Marek and I walked to town.

I could have sworn we walked exactly the same way we did on Wednesday. We didn't. We missed the shortcut. I, being a little bit stubborn, refused to admit it, thinking the shortcut was further on down the route.
Marek was right about the location of the shortcut, which I begrudgingly admitted. It was a pretty silly disagreement though and one we both got over once we were in the city centre. 

It wasn't until later that night, I was out at the MayPole. I stopped off at the newly opened Fish and Chip shop for dinner, but still ended up at the MayPole half an hour before doors opened. Even though I knew Alexander was coming, he still scared me when he arrived. 

Verbal Discharge was hilarious. I didn't even care that it overran by an hour, I had not laughed so hard in a long time.
I'll leave the link to the website, where you can listen to the edited down version of the podcast, here: http://blog.verbaldischarge.co.uk/wp/ 

It was fantastic to see live, so I think I'm definitely going to go to the Nottigham Comedy Festival to see them live again. 

It was also great to speak to them afterwards. James recognised me from Twisted Tongues, so I resisted the urge to joke; "Yep, I'm the baked bean girl." It may have caused a laugh, but I didn't need unnecessary embarrassment. 

This time I had my keys, so Nilben didn't have to let me in just after eleven o'clock. Needless to say, I was shattered, but glad Alexander and Charlie (I think that was her name) walked me back before heading to the next Freshers event.

Friday's will come tomorrow. 

-Emma- 

Induction Week - Day Three

Induction Week - Day Three

Date Posted: 18/09/2016

Date Event Happened: 14/09/2016

There's only one word to describe Wednesday... HOT. 

Not in the way the food is hot, it was worse than that.
Not in the way you look at a hot guy or girl and think; Damn they're hot. 

It was uncomfortably hot. To the point, I regretted not shaving. 
I was wearing a low cut short to mid-length black dress and a thin black cardigan to hide the fact I hadn't shaved my underarms. 

At the university, there was a group of us arriving before we departed at two. If I'm correct, I can now name the other seven classmates that were in this group. Ro, Mary, Alexander, Samuel, Marek, Imogen and Jenny. 

I am so glad I bought a 750ml bottle of water before departing the university. 

The walk was okay. I spoke with Marek, Samuel and Ro, whilst drinking copious amounts from my bottle of water every couple of minutes.
We hit the school rush, so went down a shortcut (which there is a story about tomorrow), and I was so glad for a few minutes of shade. The sweat was pouring off me in bucketloads. I can't comment on whether my friends were feeling the same. 

When we arrived at QUAD, I was so relieved to head inside. I had finished my bottle of water so I needed to get it filled.
But we still had half an hour to wait once we had our tickets.
Sam, Ro, Marek and I sat outside, finding a table in the shade. It was only for twenty minutes and for most of it, we were on our phones. 

Inside the cinema, it was somewhat cool. I definitely find chairs in arthouse cinemas a lot nicer and comfier than chairs in multiplex cinemas.
The Seventh Seal was different. I tried looking at it from the perspective of a film student, rather than just a spectator. Turns out I'm wasn't very engaged with the film at all, as I couldn't identify the climax/turning point of the film. 

The air was still uncomfortably hot after we left QUAD. After a quick trip to Tesco with Marek, where I picked up some more Pot Noodle and Baked Beans, as well as milk and bread because I had neglected to do so up until that moment. 

Then it was back home, where I tried to make myself as cool as possible. 

That's Day Three pretty much covered. 
Until tomorrow!

-Emma-

Induction Week - Day Two

Induction Week - Day Two

Date Posted: 17/09/2016

Date Event Happened: 13/09/2016

After enrollment, you don't have to attend anything else on Induction Week. I wanted to attend though, to spend time with my coursemates and try to make new friends. 

I succeeded in doing both. 

I looked at the UniBus App (which sucks) and ended up waiting half an hour for the bus, because I went with the app. I haven't used it since. 

Since I was early, I went to the coffee shop. Not the Starbucks, but one of the university coffee ones. A small cappuccino was exactly what I needed. It was only £1.50, Fairtrade and actually tasted pretty good. 

On the bus, it was then Stacey and I realised we probably should have put some sunscreen on. Luckily, Imogen was on hand to lend us some.
Which led to conversations about characters and NanoWriMo. 

The coach ride to Keddleston Hall led us down country roads, which was entertaining when we had to reverse twice. The first for the tractor, the second for the other coach leaving the Hall. 

Keddleston Hall was beautiful. The history of the estate, not so nice, but on a sunny day, with the trees and acres of land at the back of the hall, it was incredible. Nonetheless, I was glad when we went indoors, as it was a little airier. The history indoors was exciting to me, especially when I saw the statue of Isis, the Egyptian Goddess of Marriage, Fertility, Motherhood, Magic and Medicine. I did also enjoy the picture of Bacchus (God of Wine) abducting Ariadne, by the great Neapolitan Baroque painter Luca Giordano. 

Classical Mythology formed a large part of Lord Scarsdale's picture collection.
If I could take anything from the Hall, it would be either one of these. 

After our indoor tour, everyone met up for the long walk. I started out the walk with the girls (there were six of us in total, four girls and two boys), but about a quarter of the way round, walked with the boys. 

Sam, Marek and I had conversations about Pokemon, Films, messed around on felled logs that formed a path and I spoke about hating squelchy mud. Those were just a few of our conversations. By the end of the walk though, we were all tired and sweaty. But I feel like we bonded over that.

Back at the university, I decided to walk home, via Nunnery Court and Princess Alice Court. The latter was to find the pub I would be going out to that night, for Twisted Tongues. 

This is where I almost missed out. I lost to a tin of baked beans and cut my finger. I will spare the details, but we did do a quick dash up to A&E - I am alive. They only plastered it. 

So I jumped on a bus and got off as close to the May Pole as possible. I arrived just in time. Imogen was excited to see me. I think Sam and Marek were as well. 

Twisted Tongues was interesting, but easily one of the funniest nights I've had. At first, it seemed like Mary was going to be the only Fresher going up and performing a poem. In the end, there were four of us; Mary, Rory, Sam and myself. 

Some of the poems were serious, but most were funny. I performed one about the car accident almost four years ago and the one about losing to a tin of baked beans.

Me on stage at the May Pole. The lights were bright.

It Won

It Won.

I was bested by the thing I should defeat,

The stream I see, is the shame I feel,

The disappointment that is real.

I know I'm not the first

And I'm definitely won't be the last,

But for today, 

This blue plaster on my middle finger, 

(I promise I'm not flipping you off)

Is a constant reminder,

That the tin of baked beans won.

That was the jokey, baked bean poem I performed. I needed something jokey to end up. 

I arrived home at 11, safe and sound. 

I'll leave you with this joke, that I found highly entertaining at the Twisted Tongues event. 

Men are pigs. So are women. Women are pigs with vaginas. 

-Emma-

Induction Week - Day One

Induction Week - Day One

Date Posted: 16/09/2016

Date Event Happened: 12/09/2016

It's inevitable. The first day at any new place is filled with awkward small talk and an explosion of questions running through your mind. 

My new friends and I, over the course of Induction Week discussed some of the questions we had in our mind, just in normal conversation, so I've compiled my favourites into a list:

1) Will I make friends?

2) Are they cooler than me?

3) How do they act about their writing?

I made the mistake of looking at my phone during the first session of the day. Around me, my future coursemates talked with one another, whilst I stayed silent, at the front of my class, looking at my phone.

It wasn't until the end of the session, I spoke to a coursemate. I admit, I forgot her name about thirty seconds after she told me it. There's no pressure to learn everyone's names on the first day!

It was only after the library tour, did I speak to another classmate. It was only only six words; "I didn't catch any of that," and I didn't even get their name. But there was no pressure to talk. It was like none of us knew what to say. 

Queues, I've found, are always the best place to engage in a conversation. Though for the most part, I stayed quiet, I did talk about getting the email up with my student number, so I would be ready to enroll in person. 

Enrollment was fairly straightforward. Tell the person doing your enrollment your Student ID, check your details, get your picture taken, collect your ID, loathe your picture for the next three years. 

I stood with a few coursemates and followed them out of the library, since I knew I needed to engage in some sort of conversation. 

I began talking with a girl called Stacey. I don't think we stopped talking for the next two hours. If we did, we didn't stop for very long. There's something therapeutic about getting lost on the way to town on the first day, catching Pokemon, having dark humour and eating McDonald's when you're trying to get to know someone. 

First day nerves had been the worst, but I didn't have anything to worry about. Even though I knew we were all in the same boat, we're all friendly people who enjoy the same subject. And that's always a great start in making friends. 

If I could repeat Monday, I would just approach people. I wouldn't categorise myself as the quiet geek on their phone, but I'd get involved. Still, at the time of writing this, I have made friends with coursemates. 

Tuesday was definitely the day I made the most friends. 

-Emma-

My First Week

My First Week

Date Posted: 15/09/2016

Date(s) Event Happened: 05/09/2016 - 11/09/2016

Being alone was a strange adjustment. Although, I wasn't really alone.

I left off yesterday's post mentioning a broken lock. The top of the door and the bottom of the door would open, but the middle hadn't. Years of wear and tear on the lock had left it broken. 

On Monday, I was sick with a migraine, but the door had to be sorted. At least temporarily. Most of my day was spent with the TV on, my landlords downstairs sorting out the door. I still didn't have internet, so BBC News, The Wright Stuff and Quiz Shows seemed like the way to go. 

We had a potential housemate visit Monday night, so like a good student, I kept my door open. Sadly, she didn't take the room.

On Tuesday, I felt well enough to go into town. I was careful with how much I spent. I didn't have an unlimited amount of money, but I bought myself more Migraleve. That was the incentive for going into town.
Back at the house, I watched Quiz Shows and BBC News, whilst the door was being sorted out. 

At 6:30, my housemate, Nilben arrived. There was an awkward greeting time, to which it took twice as long to read the book I had started. I wasn't a fan of the interruption. 

On Wednesday, Niblen and I went to Dunelm and the City Centre, so Nilben could buy things for her room. I ended up coming back with a printer, so I didn't have to pay for printing at uni. I had my coffee fix of the day, which was needed. 

I think that night, I just had baked beans and sausages. It beat the pot noodle.
Our internet also arrived on Wednesday, a day before it was supposed to. I wasn't complaining. I set it up that morning, when Nilben was at the shops. 

On Thursday, I fell ill with another migraine. I think I overdid it on Wednesday. I had Netflix though, so I watched Labyrinth, Footloose (the 2011 version) and Over the Hedge, before turning over to my quiz shows.
It was a lazy day, with a lazy meal of noodles. 

On Friday, Nilben and I went back into the city centre, to pick up more sheets. I think I just had noodles for dinner (like a typical student).

On Saturday, we had rain. I had to go out to Aldi, because I wanted more noodles. So, I grabbed my hoodie and walked to Aldi. I got myself lost though. There were two paths, one up, one down. I went up instead of down. But I managed to find my way to Aldi (thanks Google Maps!). 

It was noodles for dinner. 

On Sunday, I met up with Karl, Alex and Seamus. We went to Alton Towers, although they arrived quite a bit later than the time I arrived at our meeting place (Aldi). I went for a walk, thinking the other Premier Store had takeaway coffee. They didn't. But I picked up some drinks and breakfast. They still weren't there, so I went into the Hospital to pick up a coffee. I was still sat there another hour waiting, but it didn't matter. 

Once they arrived, I got the chance to warm up. 

It was a fantastic day out. I really missed the inside jokes we had and having missed Thorpe Park for being ill, it was great to spend time at a theme park. Karl and Alex got Seamus and I on three rollercoasters; Thirteen, Rita and Galatica. 

I think the best rides were the water ones. I had a picture of our first go on the rapids, where we got midly soaked.
We went on the pirate ship ride (which I have forgotten the name of) and got drenched. I actually think drenched is putting it mildly. We looked like drowned rats. Karl's brilliant idea was to go back on the rapids. 

I don't think I've laughed so hard at things that have been said on the rapids. 

Leaving them was tough. I'd had such a great day and until my student finance came in, I wouldn't have been able to give them a certain date of when I would next see them. It was still great memories.

Then Induction Week started the day after. 

See you there.

-Emma-

Moving Day

Moving Day

Date Posted: 14/09/2016

Date Event Happened: 01/09/2016 - 04/09/2016

Moving Day was a day I had been both dreading and looking forwards to. I was excited to move and experience life as a student, but I was also dreading leaving my friends and family behind.

On Thursday, I met up with one of my best friends Eleanor for Costa. This was our last, what we dubbed "Costa Wednesday" before we went off to university. I think this is why coffee has been my coping mechanism for my nerves. Eleanor and I just sit, have tea/coffee/cold drink and talk. It's been that way since we started college. 

After Costa, a recent adjustment we added to it, we went to Waterstones. We walked the entire ground floor, picking up books, reading the blurbs and admiring the covers. It was a really nice hour in there. 

Once home on Thursday, I found a card from my Aunt. My cousin wrote her name and I always find it adorable. It was a really nice gesture. 

On Friday, I met up with my college friends. I knew I was going to miss Eleanor and Chloe, but I'd seen these friends every day during term time and we have a myriad of inside jokes, so I felt like I was going to miss them the most. I miss all of them equally, I'm not favouring my friends. 

We did what we always seemed to do on a Friday. We met up for McDonald's. I was early, due to bus times and cheaper fares. Karl was also early. Layla was on time, whilst Ben and Liam were late. Sadly Seamus and Liam didn't come, but I don't resent them for it. I still miss them. 

We had a lot of inside jokes, including one about Taylor Swift. But if I told you, it wouldn't be an inside joke any more, so I'll leave you guessing. 

Saturday was the day I left Basingstoke to start life as a student in Derby. There were a lot of tears, with emotions running high. It was great to see Chloe, as we've been best friends since what feels like our first day at secondary school. Seven years is a long time to know each other. That probably sparked the friendship tears, as she was the last friend I would see before I left. 

I may have cried more, if I'd seen my neighbours, who I've known fifteen years (that's insane!). The three eldest were my best friends from about the age of four to twelve. Then secondary school kicked in and we drifted apart. The fond memories are there and without them, I doubt I'd be the geek I am now.

Saying bye to Dad was difficult. He'd recently had major surgery and was unable to come with us, due to being tired etc. There were tears and heartfelt conversations, including the quote; "You have to let them fly the nest." It was something along those lines, I was very emotional. 

We left Basingstoke around ten o'clock, arriving in Derby just before one. There, I met my landlords, looked around the house, signed the contract etc. 

We didn't find the TV aerial until the Sunday morning, so Mum and Kieran stayed the night up in Derby.

Silence. I found on Sunday morning silence was a curse. It was so obvious and my thoughts consumed me.
I think in that moment, I related to the lyrics of Car Radio by Twenty One Pilots. 

I have these thoughts so often I ought,

To replace that slot with what I once bought,

'Cause somebody stole my car radio,

And now I just sit in silence.

I do know what the song means and it's nothing deep and meaningful at all. But the lyrics are so poetic, that I can't help but think about a deeper meaning to them. Everyone interprets the lyrics differently, but at that moment, I felt like I resonated with the lyrics. 

We managed to sort everything that we didn't sort on the Sunday, except for the door lock. The door lock gave up on us. Which ensued a stressful few hours.
Mum and Kieran had to leave during the time Dennis and Ann (my landlords), were putting temporary locks on the door. I'll discuss the door lock story in the next blog post, which will be about my first week. 

Saying goodbye to Mum and Kieran was tough. I would no longer have the brother to bug me about not playing Pokemon Go or telling he could go on the Playstation in my presence, I mean.
The tears started before Mum left. It was the hardest thing, because I do a lot of things outside the house with Mum and lot inside the house with Dad. 

Although it would only be for two days, I would be alone in the house, in a new place, a week before starting university. 

I'll do a post about my first week in Derby tomorrow. 

-Emma-

Clearing

Clearing

Date Published: 13/09/2016

Date of Event: 18/08/2016 - 19/08/2016

No amount of preparation was enough to set me up to hear that word. 

CLEARING!

My college teachers spent so much time helping us prepare for getting into our firm and insurance choice, that finding out about clearing was pretty much independent.

I enjoyed my college experience. I studied hard, but always found time to talk and mess around with my group of friends. I won't be forgetting them, that's for sure. 

When Results Day arrived, I was a bundle of nerves. Coffee couldn't calm me down and I find it's my coping mechanism. This is likely due to the tradition of Costa Wednesday, I had with one of my best friends. We would talk about anything and everything and these days, my nerves seemed to shrink. 

My heart sunk as I opened my results. I hadn't scored enough UCAS points to get into my firm or insurance university the way I planned. I'm not going to divulge into my results.
I did know what I had to do. 

With tears blurring my vision and a talk with one of my teachers, Mum and I headed home. I was straight on the phone to my firm choice's clearing line. They turned me away.
It was heartbreaking. I'd spent my entire year working towards attending that particular university and with the words,"We can't accept you," everything felt like it was yanked from underneath me.
It was the same with my insurance choice.
I'd worked hard to get there, then it was yanked from underneath me. 

There were two things I could have done.

1) Give up and try again next year. 

2) Look on UCAS at other universities and courses on clearing and call them up.

I went with the latter. 

I drew up a list of universities that had the course I wanted to do, be it Foundation or BA Hons. 

I narrowed it down to two, due to thinking I would apply for the Foundation Course.

I called them up. This time, I got somewhere. 

The woman on the phone was very friendly. She asked for my GCSE results, my AS Level Results and my A Level Results. I had enough points to get onto the BA Hons course!

I was sent a provisional offer, which I entered into UCAS. All I had to do was wait for them to confirm.

My family and I went out for dinner that night. It wasn't quite for the celebratory reason of getting into my firm or insurance, but it was still a celebration of completing my college education. I had to have something to cling onto, so I didn't remember that day,as [at the time as] the worst day of my life.

On the morning of the 19th August, I checked my phone three times. There was nothing, but I decided to book myself onto the Clearing Open Day, which was that day. There was a rush to get food, drink, money and bags together, so we could make the train on time. 

Just as we were about to leave, I felt the urge to check my phone one last time. 

I saw it, and I cheered. 

I had been accepted into university! Texts were sent on the train, where we could signal. 

Within twenty four hours, everything had changed. To put it in my thoughts as I was there, it was like I'd gone from the worst day of my life, to the best day of my life. 

Now I have started university (which I will cover Moving Day and my First Day in my next two blog posts), Clearing isn't as terrifying as you think. It may not be the most favourable of outcomes, but if you get on it straight away, you'll find the outcome comes a lot quicker than it does it you put it off.

Before, I sign off, I'm going to leave three things I've learnt from Clearing. 

1) It's not the end of the world. There is a course and a university out there even if it doesn't seem like it when you open you results.

2) YOU call the Clearing helplines. This is one that I, along with many student blog sites can't stress enough. They want to speak to YOU, not to your parents. This is YOUR education, not your parents. It also says a lot about you as a person, though I'll let you discover that for yourself. 

3) ALWAYS check UCAS. I know this seems obvious, but I checked Clearing all through August, so I knew what to search when the time came. 

That's all I have to say about Clearing in this post. I'll do another one in August 2017, to see how my views on Clearing have changed.

-Emma-