Hi guys,
I hope you have all read and enjoyed my blog post on my first week at university! My second week was a lot more enjoyable and I am starting to really enjoy uni life.
Monday 3rd October 2016
Monday was the first real day of lectures, and I was quite looking forward to this. Despite the 9 o'clock start I really enjoyed these first lectures, they really solidified why I am here, and that I do want to make a difference and become a primary school teacher. I am starting to make lots of new friends in my course, and we have been put into our groups which allows me to see who I will start to spend my 3 years with, and they all seem very nice although a lot of them are commuting.
Me and my flatmates are really starting to bond, we are spending time together in the evenings and cooking together which is really nice, and leaves me with little time to have nothing to do, which is just the way I like it.
Tuesday 4th October 2016
The course really hit full speed on Tuesday with the foundation subject lessons starting as well as the professional studies side of my course. We had history, which is my favourite subject and it was really enjoyable to learn about the different parts of history, and it got me majorly excited to start teaching it. Geography was a bit more tedious, probably because I don't really like Geography that much, but none the less I am starting to form connections with my classmates as well as my flatmates now, which is lovely because it makes the whole experience a lot more enjoyable.
Wednesday 5th October 2016
On Wednesday I didn't have any lectures, which at first I was quite nervous about, because the rest of my flat did, which meant I was going to have nothing on for that day and have quite a lot of time to myself. Actually it was a lot better than expected, and by the time I had woken up at 11 o'clock, some of my flatmates were already coming back from their lectures, so the day just felt normal and I managed to get some of my uni work done as well which was starting to pile up with pre and post tasks for every lecture I go to.
Thursday 6th October 2016
By Thursday I was really starting to settle into uni life, I had lectures in the morning, and starting to really enjoy my course, and realise that it is the right course, and the right kind of people for me. Me and my flatmates watched bake off in the evening which was really nice, and I also tried out for cheerleading, which although I wasn't very good at, was a fun opportunity none the less.
Friday 7th October 2016
It was my brothers 13th birthday, which meant that my day started with a happy birthday phone call at 6.30am, which was fine because I wanted to make sure that he had a good day, and that I wished him happy birthday before school started. I had my final lecture of the first week, which was maths. This was actually really enjoyable, and the lessons are so interactive that the lessons go really quick, which is always a good sign especially when you come out feeling like you've learnt something.
We went food shopping in Kettering in the evening and I managed to get all my food for the week for under £20. Morrisons do 10% student discount!! We then watched the apprentice and went back to our rooms for the night, all in all a really nice day.
Saturday the 8th October 2016
My dad and brother came up to visit today which was really nice, and was something that I was looking forward to during the first 2 weeks of uni. I gave my brother his birthday presents which he really liked, and then we took the bus into the town centre and went to Prezzo, I had the spaghetti bolgense which was really nice (red meat is expensive so get it when you can) looked round the shops and then they left. Short but sweet and it was really lovely to see them. I then came back to the flat and had dinner with my flatmates, watched strictly on catch up and then went to bed.
Sunday 9th October 2016
As seems to be the recurring pattern with Sundays I didn't have much on today, I woke up at around 11 and got dressed and did a bit of my uni work, then sat in the kitchen for a bit while we all had lunch. By this point I had to finish all my uni work for Monday, and then before I knew it, it was time for dinner, and then we all sat in the kitchen for the evening and went to bed (see the pattern that is arising...)
Speak to you all soon where I will post a review of my uni experience so far!
Lucy
xoxo
Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Tuesday, 11 October 2016
My first week at university
Hi guys,
So a lot has changed since I last spoke to you, I've started university and moved into halls of residence at the University of Northampton to study Primary Education. I thought I would do an overview of my first week for you, I'll separate it day by day so it doesn't get to confusing. I have been here for 2.5 weeks now, but I will post my second week at university soon but spoiler alert I am loving it!!!
Sunday 25th of September 2016 - Moving day!
I woke up at 6.30am to start this new chapter of my life, and to say I was nervous was an understatement. I had so much stuff to fit into the car (which ironically probably has more room in than my bedroom), but we set off on the 2 hour drive to Northampton. I remember feeling physically sick when we pulled up to the university, trying to hold back the tears of knowing that I wasn't going to be getting back in my dad's car and driving home again. None the less, I went and got my keys and my student card, which all went very smoothly, and then went into my flat, which is to be my new home for a year. My first thoughts were, 'shit how am I meant to fit all my stuff into my room', it was a small, smaller than I remembered at the open day but none the less it was clean, and relatively modern, so I can't complain to much (at least I have my own bathroom!)
At around 1pm the time I had been dreading arrived....time to say goodbye to my dad. Although I was still nervous, feelings of adrenaline and excitement were also flowing through me at this point, I did cry but not as much as I thought I would, and once he had gone, I was fine starting to unpack my stuff and having those first awkward conversations with flatmates.
If we flash forward to the evening, I had jacket potato with a tin of chicken tikka on (dad took me food shopping before he left), I wasn't that hungry though I still felt quite nervous and wasn't really settled in, and hadn't really clicked with my flatmates. We went to a foam party in the evening, I was pretty much sober, so this wasn't really amazing for me, but it was fine and I'm glad I went because it allowed me to start to become closer to my flat mates. We got back at about 2 am, and I went to sleep.
Monday 26th of September 2016
The first few days of this week were quite difficult for me, it was very strange having nothing planned, and the realisation of my family being at home and normal life for them carrying on, without me there was very odd and upsetting. We went to the freshers fair during the day, which did not live up to expectations. and then went to explore Northampton, which I can officially say is no where near the level of Bristol, especially the shopping scene. This was also a bit odd as we hadn't really clicked as a flat mate and small talk was starting to run flat. None the less, I got some stickers for my keys and some labels for my food and we came home. However, despite the homesick calls to my mum crying down the phone, one of the best things that I realised on Monday was that one of my flatmates also doesn't drink and wasn't majorly into the party scene like me, which really made me relax, and have the confidence to say to my flat mates that I didn't want to go out that night.
Tuesday 27th and Wednesday the 28th of September
These were most definitely the worst 2 days of my university experience for me. I hadn't had time to adjust to the new uni lifestyle yet. and I really struggled when their was nothing to do, or when I was just by myself. Thoughts about home would just pop into my head, and I just would want nothing more than a hug from my parents. On the up side I had my first introductory lectures, and these seemed promising and this was what really kept me going throughout all of my feelings of home sickness.
Thursday 29th and Friday 30th of September
Although I still struggled with homesick a bit on these days, things were starting to look better, I was getting on really well with my flatmates, and lectures were starting to increase their pace, and I was starting to see that although university was going to be a challenge, that I could actually do it. I started to enjoy uni more, and the more I spent time with my flatmates the more the feelings homesickness subsided.
Saturday 1st October
This was one of my favourite days of freshers week, I slept in until 12pm, which I really needed, and when I eventually showed my face to the kitchen to go and get food it was about 2pm, which made the day go really fast, considering we had our big freshers festival at 7pm. By the time I had got ready, eaten some food and watched some netflix, it was time to go. The festival was good, but I will touch more on this when I post my review of my first few weeks as a university student soon. I will say, if you ever get a chance to watch Scott Mills live, I would really recommend it as he was amazing!
Sunday 2nd October
I was really nervous about this day, because it was the day when we had nothing planned, and this was what I really struggled with earlier in the week, but this day was actually really good, and I think the turning point for me, in the sense that I could now cope with having 'nothing to do', because I would fill my time with TV shows, sitting in the kitchen with my flatmates and going food shopping, which easily filled up the day, and allowed for me to feel very chuffed with myself that I had managed to last a whole week at university by myself, and I was actually looking forward to officially starting lectures on Monday,
So a lot has changed since I last spoke to you, I've started university and moved into halls of residence at the University of Northampton to study Primary Education. I thought I would do an overview of my first week for you, I'll separate it day by day so it doesn't get to confusing. I have been here for 2.5 weeks now, but I will post my second week at university soon but spoiler alert I am loving it!!!
Sunday 25th of September 2016 - Moving day!
I woke up at 6.30am to start this new chapter of my life, and to say I was nervous was an understatement. I had so much stuff to fit into the car (which ironically probably has more room in than my bedroom), but we set off on the 2 hour drive to Northampton. I remember feeling physically sick when we pulled up to the university, trying to hold back the tears of knowing that I wasn't going to be getting back in my dad's car and driving home again. None the less, I went and got my keys and my student card, which all went very smoothly, and then went into my flat, which is to be my new home for a year. My first thoughts were, 'shit how am I meant to fit all my stuff into my room', it was a small, smaller than I remembered at the open day but none the less it was clean, and relatively modern, so I can't complain to much (at least I have my own bathroom!)
At around 1pm the time I had been dreading arrived....time to say goodbye to my dad. Although I was still nervous, feelings of adrenaline and excitement were also flowing through me at this point, I did cry but not as much as I thought I would, and once he had gone, I was fine starting to unpack my stuff and having those first awkward conversations with flatmates.
If we flash forward to the evening, I had jacket potato with a tin of chicken tikka on (dad took me food shopping before he left), I wasn't that hungry though I still felt quite nervous and wasn't really settled in, and hadn't really clicked with my flatmates. We went to a foam party in the evening, I was pretty much sober, so this wasn't really amazing for me, but it was fine and I'm glad I went because it allowed me to start to become closer to my flat mates. We got back at about 2 am, and I went to sleep.
Monday 26th of September 2016
The first few days of this week were quite difficult for me, it was very strange having nothing planned, and the realisation of my family being at home and normal life for them carrying on, without me there was very odd and upsetting. We went to the freshers fair during the day, which did not live up to expectations. and then went to explore Northampton, which I can officially say is no where near the level of Bristol, especially the shopping scene. This was also a bit odd as we hadn't really clicked as a flat mate and small talk was starting to run flat. None the less, I got some stickers for my keys and some labels for my food and we came home. However, despite the homesick calls to my mum crying down the phone, one of the best things that I realised on Monday was that one of my flatmates also doesn't drink and wasn't majorly into the party scene like me, which really made me relax, and have the confidence to say to my flat mates that I didn't want to go out that night.
Tuesday 27th and Wednesday the 28th of September
These were most definitely the worst 2 days of my university experience for me. I hadn't had time to adjust to the new uni lifestyle yet. and I really struggled when their was nothing to do, or when I was just by myself. Thoughts about home would just pop into my head, and I just would want nothing more than a hug from my parents. On the up side I had my first introductory lectures, and these seemed promising and this was what really kept me going throughout all of my feelings of home sickness.
Thursday 29th and Friday 30th of September
Although I still struggled with homesick a bit on these days, things were starting to look better, I was getting on really well with my flatmates, and lectures were starting to increase their pace, and I was starting to see that although university was going to be a challenge, that I could actually do it. I started to enjoy uni more, and the more I spent time with my flatmates the more the feelings homesickness subsided.
Saturday 1st October
This was one of my favourite days of freshers week, I slept in until 12pm, which I really needed, and when I eventually showed my face to the kitchen to go and get food it was about 2pm, which made the day go really fast, considering we had our big freshers festival at 7pm. By the time I had got ready, eaten some food and watched some netflix, it was time to go. The festival was good, but I will touch more on this when I post my review of my first few weeks as a university student soon. I will say, if you ever get a chance to watch Scott Mills live, I would really recommend it as he was amazing!
Sunday 2nd October
I was really nervous about this day, because it was the day when we had nothing planned, and this was what I really struggled with earlier in the week, but this day was actually really good, and I think the turning point for me, in the sense that I could now cope with having 'nothing to do', because I would fill my time with TV shows, sitting in the kitchen with my flatmates and going food shopping, which easily filled up the day, and allowed for me to feel very chuffed with myself that I had managed to last a whole week at university by myself, and I was actually looking forward to officially starting lectures on Monday,
Saturday, 24 September 2016
University Eve
The day is almost here! Tomorrow morning I move to Northampton and start this new chapter of my life. I can't say I'm not nervous, I am. I feel sick with dread that I won't like it, that I will want to come home, and that no matter what my family say I will disappoint them.
However, a lot of my friends went last Saturday and they are absolutely loving it, I think I just have to remember that I don't have to conform to pressure and that if I don't want to go out every night until 4am I don't have to, but if I do then I can.
I think the main reason I'm apprehensive is that I don't know how I will be, I think as long as like my flat mates and I don't go overboard on alcohol I will be fine (hopefully).
Recently, Alcohol has made me really sick, like one glass of wine, I won't be hungover but I will feel sick, and the majority of the time will actually be sick. This makes me nervous that I will look weak to my roommates and that I'm a bit different, but all I want is not to be sick, and to be honest I can have just as much fun on a night out having a cup of coffee before, rather than 4 vodka and cokes, strange ha, but at least I'm cheap!!
My plan is that I will assert myself, say I'm still a lot of fun just don't drink that much, and I think with in a few nights they will see that and who knows they might be the same.
In terms of missing my family, I think that will be fine because deep down I know they are only a phone call away, and if I want them to come up and visit me they will. Ultimately I think especially in freshers and the first few weeks I will be so busy that I won't really have time to think about it, that is what all my friends have said so hopefully I will be the same.
Its a strange feeling, it really is because I want to go to university, I want to get a degree and I want to be a primary teacher, and I think the overall experience will be amazing, but am I ready? I guess there is only one way to find out!
I will catch up with you sometime next week to let you know how I am getting on, and hopefully I will be loving it!
Speak soon
Lucy
xoxo
However, a lot of my friends went last Saturday and they are absolutely loving it, I think I just have to remember that I don't have to conform to pressure and that if I don't want to go out every night until 4am I don't have to, but if I do then I can.
I think the main reason I'm apprehensive is that I don't know how I will be, I think as long as like my flat mates and I don't go overboard on alcohol I will be fine (hopefully).
Recently, Alcohol has made me really sick, like one glass of wine, I won't be hungover but I will feel sick, and the majority of the time will actually be sick. This makes me nervous that I will look weak to my roommates and that I'm a bit different, but all I want is not to be sick, and to be honest I can have just as much fun on a night out having a cup of coffee before, rather than 4 vodka and cokes, strange ha, but at least I'm cheap!!
My plan is that I will assert myself, say I'm still a lot of fun just don't drink that much, and I think with in a few nights they will see that and who knows they might be the same.
In terms of missing my family, I think that will be fine because deep down I know they are only a phone call away, and if I want them to come up and visit me they will. Ultimately I think especially in freshers and the first few weeks I will be so busy that I won't really have time to think about it, that is what all my friends have said so hopefully I will be the same.
Its a strange feeling, it really is because I want to go to university, I want to get a degree and I want to be a primary teacher, and I think the overall experience will be amazing, but am I ready? I guess there is only one way to find out!
I will catch up with you sometime next week to let you know how I am getting on, and hopefully I will be loving it!
Speak soon
Lucy
xoxo
Monday, 19 September 2016
Nervous about starting university!!
On Sunday I am starting university and moving to Northampton. I have to keep repeating this phrase to myself as it just doesn't seem real. It is real though, and although I am excited about going, I am also a little bit nervous but I think that is bound to happen when you are moving home for the first time.
I thought I would write this blogpost because I think the nerves and worries that come with moving to university aren't talked about that much, and I really needed a blog post like this to read myself.
First off, everyone no matter what they say is nervous, I for one are most definitely nervous, but you have to keep reminding yourself of the positives, of the reasons why you are wanting to study at university in the first place. For me, I want to be a primary school teacher and Northampton University was my favourite place I looked at. You will make friends, at least I think I will make friends, I have found a few people in my hall and they al seem lovely, but the people on my course seem just as nice, and I'm sure I will click with some of them. I think what I am most nervous about is that I am not a massive drinker, and going to clubs in town is not my favourite thing in the world, but hopefully I will be able to adjust this and know my limits, and even better there might be some people who are the same as me.
It's a massive learning curve for everyone, but I have decided I am going to do weekly updates of my time as a first year undergrad student.
See you next week when I will officially be a University of Northampton student!
Speak soon xoxo
Lucy
I thought I would write this blogpost because I think the nerves and worries that come with moving to university aren't talked about that much, and I really needed a blog post like this to read myself.
First off, everyone no matter what they say is nervous, I for one are most definitely nervous, but you have to keep reminding yourself of the positives, of the reasons why you are wanting to study at university in the first place. For me, I want to be a primary school teacher and Northampton University was my favourite place I looked at. You will make friends, at least I think I will make friends, I have found a few people in my hall and they al seem lovely, but the people on my course seem just as nice, and I'm sure I will click with some of them. I think what I am most nervous about is that I am not a massive drinker, and going to clubs in town is not my favourite thing in the world, but hopefully I will be able to adjust this and know my limits, and even better there might be some people who are the same as me.
It's a massive learning curve for everyone, but I have decided I am going to do weekly updates of my time as a first year undergrad student.
See you next week when I will officially be a University of Northampton student!
Speak soon xoxo
Lucy
Tuesday, 13 September 2016
My thoughts on the world
Monday marked the 15th anniversary of 9/11, an act of pure evil, and the biggest major terrorist attack in my lifetime, with me only being 3 at the time. However, this event is not alone in its tragedy, with terrorist attacks happening all over the world, from France, Turkey, America and beyond.
After 9/11, many people said the only way is up, the world can't get much worse that this, but yet it seems that it has, with countless amounts of people dying as a result of terrorism, with whole countries being destroyed with people fleeing their homes, without anywhere to go.
It scares me, as an 18 year old to hopefully one day bring up a family into this world, what will it be like? Will it be a safe place for my children? I'm not even sure what there is to do about this problem, what can are security systems do, will any measures put in place ever be strong enough, or are we just waiting for the next attack to reach the news.
I realised what a horrible place the world was in, when I saw Belgium trending on twitter a few weeks back, and automatically presumed that another terrorism attack had taken place, and that another group of people had been killed, when in fact they had simply won a football game, when did the world change my mind to think like this.
Who knows what will become of the world but all I know is that I hope it gets better, because I am scared stiff of what it will look like if it gets any worse.
speak soon
Lucy
xoxo
After 9/11, many people said the only way is up, the world can't get much worse that this, but yet it seems that it has, with countless amounts of people dying as a result of terrorism, with whole countries being destroyed with people fleeing their homes, without anywhere to go.
It scares me, as an 18 year old to hopefully one day bring up a family into this world, what will it be like? Will it be a safe place for my children? I'm not even sure what there is to do about this problem, what can are security systems do, will any measures put in place ever be strong enough, or are we just waiting for the next attack to reach the news.
I realised what a horrible place the world was in, when I saw Belgium trending on twitter a few weeks back, and automatically presumed that another terrorism attack had taken place, and that another group of people had been killed, when in fact they had simply won a football game, when did the world change my mind to think like this.
Who knows what will become of the world but all I know is that I hope it gets better, because I am scared stiff of what it will look like if it gets any worse.
speak soon
Lucy
xoxo
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