Christmas is coming!

At the TreeHouse.

Love the thought of cosy reflections on the success of the past year,

staring at twinkling fairy lights and smiling at the future.

two sides to every coin

One of the things I have loved in my years of coming to UoB, were some of the exercises in year 1 and year 2, that helped me to analyse that I read in the media.

Now I've always liked to keep an open mind, and I'm generally suspicious of anything someone tells me is black-and-white. When people get so angry and heated about something they are bound to become blind to another side of the story or, in the case of politicians, are deliberately trying to draw attention away from evidence or incidents.

Welfare Systems (year 2), we had several articles to analyse choice words in the media, how the foreigner is labeled 'the asylum seeker' or' 'benefit scrounger', regardless of their real reason for coming to the UK. The single mum who doesn't work is one of thousands of people living off our hard earned taxes, it doesn't matter if a large percentage of that are acting as carers or genuinely struggling to find a job to balance their child's needs and their local opportunities. And not even that, but how sometimes there never is a right and a wrong, and there isn't always someone to blame.

University I feel has shown me the flip side of the coin in many people’s circumstances, it may not mean that there aren’t elements of truth in some articles published out there, but at least I'm not one of those people adding to the judgment and hatred without at least looking a little deeper into facts and what our perception has distorted.

One particular article I read recently I feel gives credit to the other side of the story is alongside Malala Yousafzai is being formally recognised with a joint-Nobel Peace Prize for her determination and fighting for her rights to getting an education, while those who are not the epitemy of western democracy, are being ignored and lost in the wars that are being waged. Now I may not agree with every word written on this reporting front, but to read articles from difference sources can help to give a perceptive I might not have considered or heard because it is being ignored just like this little girl is.

Welcome Back - to the beginning of the end!

Hello! I'm back! Can't believe it's been 3 months since I blogged last, and I do confess, from beginning of August to October I had nothing of uni on my mind, I was busy getting married! What were you up to over the summer break? I would love to hear it in comments below.

Induction days finally rolled around last days of September/first days of October, and I must say that after 4 months off from university, and even longer from assignment deadlines, it was a welcome sight, marking the beginning of the end, our 3rd and final year, the chance to prove ourselves, and finally take the dissertation "bull by the horns" - or what my peers have been calling "the big D".

I blogged a few weeks ago on my good intentions of the year via UoB's Librarian's Blog, and my practical steps to getting back into the groove, however actions and plans (even when carried through) become difficult when our creativity and writer's block set it. Still, I found new energy in our induction day.

I won't lie and deny that it didn't have its moments of tediousness or wonder if it was a bit inconvenient taking time out of my busy life, but not only did I appreciate having my questions answered from the get go, I also enjoyed and found new inspiration in my peers and the friendly, faith filled faces of lecturers.

As we talked about our summers and each one added their own reason to be excited about the new year, or even talked about their terrors with determined smiles, I felt like I had found that extra strength and spark I was needing to keep going. It makes me wonder if lectures are ever a waste of time, regardless of whether I know the topic or its relevance to me, as I went home to sit down at my desk with renewed determination and looking forward to the challenge.

The Last One

My my hasn't this year gone quick. Only yesterday it seems I happened to see the internships advertised by the UoB and thought I'd look into it. Ten months later and it's all coming to an end. Just another adventure of mine that I've encountered and tackled, and one of many I hope.

So, earlier this year I counted down the highlights of 2013 which included my academic year 1, so I suspect it suitable to count those of year 2. Here goes...

10: Year 2 completion! 4 units, 11 assignments: 3 essays, 5 reports, 1 proposal, 1 mock conference and a wiki article.

9: Completed a periodical blog through the UoB Blogging Internships (thanks for the opportunity guys - you've been great!) with this making my 40th post!

8: Made my first application for funding for a community project (my CAS Conference 2014) which was approved by out very own UoB StEPS programme.

7: Co-wrote my first wiki article on The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

6: Attended an two-day introductory course in Life Coaching which I hope will compliment my professional service.

5: Recieved an appreciation award for Course Representative for my signposting and advocacy. 

4: Documented my 1 year Personal Development Plan (PDP) which I have already crossed over a third off from.

3: Organised a degree wide networking and presentation event for the Child and Adoloescent Society.

2: Was put under more responsibility at work and offered a promotion which I hope to take up this coming year.

1: Applied for and was accepted into the Peer Assisted Leaders (PAL) team - my next adventure - maybe I will meet you there!

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So I guess this is where I sign off! Thank you all for listening and if you want to get in touch for any reason please leave a comment or two. :)

And good luck in whatever you choose to do in the university of life. Don't give up in your vision! Make it work for you and enjoy the learning experience!

Applying, Step 4: Finance and Money!

If you haven't already, I've just received my reminder to reapply for student finance. The website is www.studentfinance.gov.uk

Survival is a very important part of studying, and if not working full-time hours around your studies, Student Finance is the first place you should go, there are loans available at very reasonable interest rates (make sure you check them carefully for any surprises as you are charged from your very first payment), and grants available for those with children, adult dependants, and even just you yourself if you are over a certain age and living independently. You are not obliged to take any of these, and can pick and choose, for instance in my first year I took out a loan but now I am trying to get my income from other sources that I don't have to repay (grants, tax credits, casual work etc.).

Tuition Fees however, unless you are lucky enough to have a sponsor, you must apply for (and as soon as possible) to pay for your course. You must be careful to dot the i's and cross your t's here as you cannot attend your degree units without your fees, and you cannot get your fees without attending study (these are all paid directly to your university). There is a Student Finance desk near SiD (student information desk) that will help you if stuck but do get over there soon as possible if you're having any issues - the last thing you want is someone telling you to come back next year!

And don't forget your supporting evidence, the Student Finance website is marvellously laid out so after making an account and applying, your instructions and reminders will show up on your account page. Hop to!

food for thought

Summer Break Thoughts

I'm about to get down and dirty with year three...reading lists, literature review of my dissertation, and getting in touch with lecturers over the learning outcomes from the units I have to choose from.

I understand that there are optional units in this my final year, and I already know which ones I am interested in, but after a brief conversation with a fellow students, I thought about how I want my CV to look in a years' time...what field I am looking at? I confess I am terrified of doing a sociology only unit, because I have found the assignments mind-boggling, but if I wanted to embark on a global scale, say the United Nations, then they would probably be looking for something like that. I think it would be helpful to know what I will get out of it (learning outcomes) as opposed to just what I'm vaguely interested in.

Those finishing their third years this year, thank you - as I am well and truly terrified!  So much work, so little time. So much to be done, so much panic! However in speaking to a few lecturers they have encouraged me that for the well organised, and those who think ahead, in can in fact be easier than second year! I have yet to prove that but it has inspired me to work harder now rather than the new academic year hits.

And if all else fails...at least I will live longer due to having a purpose to strive for in my life. See new study's find at this link...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27393057