Pancakes, Plaits and 10,000 views

Hey!

How's everyone doing? I'm sure things are busy at the mo as the dreaded month of May has arrived. Well it arrived a while ago actually but the end of May is always the worst...

My first exam is on June 1st which is scary (but also I'm not too worried which is reflected in my extreme lack of revision). But lectures ended last week which means that I now have all the time in the world to revise (and do other things like go out for spontaneous pancakes and learn how to french plait my own hair).

Post pancakes..

A few exciting things have happened recently! Number one, I have hit 10,000 views on my blog which I am SUPER excited about!!! I can't believe that so many people have read my little blog which I use to ramble about random life things. Thank you!!
Alsoooo, I have got work experience with the Derby Telegraph this summer! Recently I was Editor for our first newsday at Uni which was fab so I am super excited to experience a real newsroom.

Since my last blog post things have been really busy! I interviewed the best ametuer boxer in Yorkshire which was cool, as well as a woman who was starting up a healthy living centre in a deprived area to help the women there. Since almost every one of my articles so far has been related to feminism, I thought I would carry on, and chose to base my coursework essay on the tampon tax. For that I interviewed the woman who started the petition to end the tampon tax as well as feminists from all over Sheffield, which was fab. 

Also, my wonderful Auntie got married to her fiance Charles at the start of May, which was an incredible day. Seeing her get married after years of looking up to her (from across the globe as she lives in South Africa) was an amazingly emotional feeling. 

I also spent a day in the peaks a few weeks ago with my boyf which was fun! I'm loving the sunny weather at the mo (although it does mean that there is a massive distraction from revision...) Last weekend I went home to babysit my little bro and sis which was fun, and I got to see one of my besties Lucy who I hadn't seen in months. 

Last week I took my 100wpm exam which was exciiiiiiting (I literally can't wait to stop those 9am classes). Although I'm not sure it went too well as I missed a sentence out which could definitely mean that I've failed...But I'm keeping everything crossed at the mo so I don't have to re-take it again!

Anyways I best do my first bit of revision today before my exam next week. Sigh. I really can't wait for summer now (but at the same time I'm going to be so sad to leave Uni!)

Good luck with exams!!

Anna x

Ps, you can vote for me as Blogger of the Month on this link...www.ucas.com/connect/blogs/voting :)

41 Minutes

Who knew train stations could be so pretty...

Why hello there!

You'll be excited to know that I actually have something to blog about! Hurrah! So, fingers crossed - but I can't promise anything - this post will be insightful with no general life ramblings involved. Here goes.

Last weekend my friend Harika and I embarked on a journey to Sheffield on the search for prom dresses. Indeed, this was an exciting prospect- our first trip together to my future home of three years! Although we spent the majority of the day relentlessly searching for dresses in (CONFUSING) Meadowhall, we eventually made it to the city centre for some Sheffield-style adventures. Naturally, before we had even left the station I starting taking tourist-like snaps:

After lots of Google-mapping and back streets, we made it to the Uni. We headed for the Journalism building and I gave a mini tour...until we realised that the rooms were all locked. Oops. We swiftly exited after realising that students were staring at us. We then explored the Students Union, where I, um, cried. Ideally I would whisk over this part, however I do feel that it was an important part of the day. IN A NUTSHELL, we were outside, taking in the view, when I saw a group of students sat around a table all laughing and drinking together. And it suddenly hit me that soon I would be one of those people, but with new faces, new friends - See my last blog post for more on this emotional turmoil business - Can I just add that these were not a few small tears. These were full on can't-control-my-breathing tears. Not a pretty sight. Meanwhile Harika was crying tears...of laughter at how much of a loser I am. So am I just an emotional wreck or a caring friend? You decide....

After much fun in the oscillating lift, we asked a friendly student how to get back to the centre of Sheffield and got the train home to the home land of Derby.

Bright and early the next day we got the train to Leeds - Harika's top Uni choice - for an accommodation day. We were very excited by the HUGE map in the city centre, so took the opportunity to take some photos which put our future separation in to perspective.

Leeds University is beautiful, I must say I was very impressed. My mission of the day was to fully persuade Harika that Leeds should be number one, as she was debating between there and Newcastle (TOO FAR AWAY). So we took many tourist-like pics and received many stares from confused students.

Making peace with the tower block

We decided to visit the Uni halls of Sentinal, The Tannery, Devonshire Hall, James Baillie and Leodis. For any prospective Leeds students...we personally preferred James Baillie and The Tannery...until we experienced the social haven of Leodis. Despite the initial dodgy-vibe of the area due to the large tower block which it faces, all our apprehension disappeared when we walked in to the flats. We were met by bubbly and excitable students who seemed to be genuinely loving the Uni life. After Harika's auntie rather (un)tactfully asked the students, the accommodation manager, a passer-by and a taxi driver about the 'residential area', we eventually decided that when considering all the factors, Leodis was the best place - and indeed the place - to be. (I mean, who would say no to a double-bed?).

"Please stop taking photos, you are so embarrassing"

Overall, a very insightful two days! Sheffield accommodation was certainly a lot simpler to apply for with only two choices for flats. However, with somewhere like Leeds, where there are 16 different sites, it is definitely advisable to visit them beforehand just to ensure that the place will be right for you...For example, we had heard that Central Village was the perfect place to live at Leeds Uni. However, our minds were quickly changed once we went in to the flats themselves, which seemed deprived of all fun and life. We swiftly departed.

• Remember that all Uni decisions - firm and insurance choices - must be made by May 6th. If you're still deliberating, book some trains and get to your top two choices! Alternatively do some more research in to your choices and ask your friends/family for advice.
• Otherwise, keep working for those grades with help from a cup of tea and lots of biscuits:)

I must say I am BEYOND HAPPY that we have officially confirmed Sheffield and Leeds as our firm choices. A 41 minute train journey away from each other. We'll be fine and dandy.

Anna x

Late-Night Ponderings

Hiya!

I'm in a blogging mood. There's something about the hour of 12:04 (AM..oops), being on my window seat, and listening to Ed Sheeran's (dreamy) acoustics which makes my brain go TRALALALA. So here we go.

Today was the last day of term (!!), coursework has been handed in and all my stress went with it. Kinda. It's certainly another thing out of the way, but it also means that now focus is on revising. Which makes things a lot more serious. I can feel it getting to that time again, the time of "Oh no exams are coming and I am totally unprepared once again"...but I will attempt to stay in my cocoon of obliviousness for as long as humanly possible. 

To add fun to the...never-ending fun, this year there are Uni deadlines also. So that means firm/insurance decisions, finance applications and sorting out accommodation. I've now got 2/3 of that out of the way, but I have yet to sort out where I'll be living- no biggie...right? In order to achieve optimum peacefulness, definitely get your firm choice decided asap, purely to get another thing off your mind (and also so that during moments of procrastination you can start googling pretty pictures of where you'll be going, eek.)

There's your incentive to pick a Uni, GO. No pressure though, you've officially got until around May 6th (check UCAS for more specific dates as it can depend).

Anyways, enough from me, I'm probably rambling and making no sense. SLEEP IS CALLING.

Let me know how you're getting on!

Anna x