A very talk-y blog post

Hola amigos!

Sorry for the lack of blog posts! I promise myself from now on that I will make a conscious attempt to post once a week from now on. Honest.

Uni life is buuuusy! I've got a weekend job so I've been working on Saturday nights and Sunday days as a waitress at a restaurant in the city centre. At first it was super stressful as I wasn't used to working in such a busy environment, but I've settled in to it now and I'm really enjoying earning my own money again! If you have the time, I would definitely recommend getting a job at uni. 

Also, I passed my shorthand test that I talked about in my last post. Woohoo! So I now start at 9am instead of 8, which is MUCH more manageable and I now find that I can actually open my eyes during the lessons, and actually speak instead of just grumble. I also feel like I'm progressing so much more when I get more sleep. Overall shorthand is way more bearable!

I've also found time to go home a few times since my last post, which has been wonderful. Two weeks ago I went home for a long weekend and had such a good time catching up with my friends, boyfriend and family. Admittedly, on the train back to Sheffield I cried the whole way, until I eventually stopped by reminding myself of how tragic I must look to other train-goers who were staring by that point. (Embarrassing, I know.) It's not because I don't enjoy Uni, it's just that leaving home is something that you can't prepare yourself for without actually DOING it. I'm not going to lie to you, it is heart-breaking leaving your cosy family home to return to a big city where you've only lived for 2 months, where it will inevitably be cold and dark (Grrr winter). But what I can say is that it DOES get easier, and although I still get upset every time, I know that I'm coming back to Sheffield to friendly flat/course mates, and a life which I am really, really enjoying.

Glad I got that off my chest.

I'm happy to tell you that my cooking skills are improving, yay! Tonight I made a quorn chicken pie (I'm cutting down on meat after having a deep conversation with myself in Morrisons about becoming a vegetarian- but I'm not quite brave -or willing enough to give up bacon- to go the whole way). I've also discovered pesto (which I buy in a jar....so I can't really claim that it's cooking but it sure is yummy with pasta). I've also been making chilli, curry, spaghetti bolognese and fish with veg (SWEET POTATO IS THE FOOD OF ANGELS).

At the weekend I saw my friends and my cousin for a night out, which was amaaaazing. I love how Uni gives you so many new experiences and opportunities that you wouldn't have had if you were still at home. I'm loving that now I'm at Uni I can see my cousin Josh more, who lives super far away from home in Derby. But now he's in Leeds and I'm in Sheff, I'm seeing him more than ever which is indescribably fabulous:)

I've talked a LOT in this blog post. If you made it this far, wow. Thank you for reading!

If you would like to vote for me as your Blogger of the Month, you can do so here :)

Some pics in an attempt to balance out the excessive writing.... 

The Leadmill in Sheff for my flatmate Lauren's birthday!

My first article in the student newspaper! I was very excited about this:)

Record-shop shopping

You know what I said about it being cold? Yup. Beautiful, but freezing.

Anna x

Wimbledon in Wales

Hiya!

I’m currently writing this in my pyjamas whilst watching Wimbledon with Harika (she’s the one who wants to go to Leeds Uni. My only friend. JOKIN). We’ve got French baguette with cream cheese and salami, living the high life. We’re also in Wales! Having a chiiiiiiill holiday and celebrating the end of exams (and seven years of Secondary School) in style. If style consists of glamping it up in a caravan and bearing daily cold showers, that is. All in all, this is the life (and also why summer is most definitely my favourite season).

If you’re wondering, the sunglasses are an attempt to pretend that the overcast Welsh sky is ACTUALLY beautiful sun. I’m not just being a diva at the fact that I’m being practically forced to watch 3 hours of Wimbledon over being on the beach. Honest.

My main incentive for this totally Uni-related blog post (as always) is the fact that I went to the Sheffield Uni open day a year ago today! Weeeeeird, those 365 days sure did fly by. As Results Day gets closer, my blood pressure gets higher and the nightmares become more frequent. Only joking. Or am I? It’s definitely a waiting game, BUT in all honesty the days of Sixth Form and exams are long gone, and boring books about the French Revolution (Sorry Sally Waller) have been replaced with ACTUAL ENJOYABLE READING. Love it. I’m currently enjoying Insurgent –the second book in the Divergent series- but it has occurred to me that maybe I should be learning some Shorthand instead. Maybe. Another day? Most of all, I certainly need to treasure my sleep at the moment, as at Sheffield shorthand classes begin at 6am (HAHA).

In other news, I’ve started looking at jobs for Uni –Well. My Mum has a friend whose son knows someone who owns a restaurant in Sheffield…So that’s about the extent of my ‘looking’. But anyway, I have been advised by many people to start looking for jobs BEFORE Uni, and not just when you get there (when thousands of other people will be searching also.)

Hope everybody’s gooooood. I'd also love it if you could vote for me in the Blogger of the Month competition –all the votes go towards the Blogger of the Year comp next month. Oooooh. Click here to vote! Thank you!

Anna x

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

"That's your life sorted then!"....Really?

Hiya!

I better keep this short as my mountain of school work is metaphorically building as every second goes by. 

More importantly, approximately 6 minutes ago I made Sheffield my firm choice on UCAS! I am probably the most indecisive person on ever, so clicking that tiny mouse button was a BIG deal which involved a LOT of deliberation. This is mainly due to UCAS telling me that "Once you have made your decision, you cannot change your mind"...Thanks for that, NOT SCARY AT ALL.

But regardless, I clicked that button with confidence -maybe- whilst Dad cheered "That's your life sorted then!" I wish.

Overall, a daunting and exciting few seconds which certainly required their own blog post. All round YAY's.

Just to prove that this isn't one big conspiracy..honest.

Sheffield Steels my Vote

Hiya!

Wednesday 11th February marked the day of my second visit to Sheffield University (and the one year anniversary of me and my friend seeing Taylor Swift's Red Tour..but I guess that's besides the point).

My Dad's first impression of the Uni was "Oh my god, why is there a dual carriageway going through it", and to be fair, he had a point. At first sight Sheffield may not be the most picturesque uni -especially when compared to Lincoln- but it compensates in so many ways. After he had come to terms with the fact that the road was fairly large and consequently difficult to ignore (it takes time) we went on an accommodation tour. The student villages, Endcliffe and Ranmoor, are a 15 minute bus journey away- or 25 minute walk. My favourite thing about them is the homely atmosphere, which I'm sure will be comforting to many when battling the "I miss my boyfriend " blues. Aw.

Endcliffe Halls



ISN'T IT CUTE

We then went on a campus tour, run by a very fidgety man. He was so fidgety that I can't actually remember anything that he said...but basically the buildings were all really interesting, I especially liked this one below...the architecture was pretty snazzy.

Lunch in the Students Union cafe (CoffeeRevolution) was amazing...I'd go to Sheffield purely for a chicken tikka sandwich everyday. The lights in the cafe provided me with a good excuse to snap an arty photo too...

Since all I've talked about so far is food and nice buildings....in the afternoon we had some Journalism workshops with the course leaders. We got to see the Journalism building with the famous TV sofa and green screen, which was exciting! I also saw a girl who I remembered from my Lincoln interview...very comforting to see a familiar face.

As we have done after every open day, on the way home Dad and I talked about the Uni we had been to. We both agreed that overall, it's the best. The course is incredible, the Uni is part of the Russell Group, the accommodation is gorgeous, it's a vibrant city with loads of opportunities....and I'll only be 40 minutes away from my friend, who'll be in Leeds. So hopefully, that's me sorted for now...Sheffield's got to be a winner, right?

p.s... I hope all your uni-related things are coming together now! If you still can't decide though, definitely give an applicant day a try- they're really useful in helping you come to a decision (as demonstrated by moi). 
And Year 12's...get booking some open days, the earlier the better!

p.p.s, if the title didn't make sense, Sheffield is world-famous for the production of steel...geddit?

Anna x

Trinity, Tips and (bad) Timing

Leeds. My last interview of 2014!

At Leeds Trinity they combine interview days with open days. But as I had already seen the uni, I just went to the interview, which started half way through the day. Bad idea. You know in films, when the "social reject" character walks in to the school cafeteria and has to sit awkwardly by themselves? Yep, that was me.

To make matters worse everybody there was with a parent, so not only was I resembling a lost (and late) puppy with no friends, but also one with no family. Nice one. After the awkwardness was over -I breathed- and then found a girl who was also on her own, so we stuck together. First we did a writing test -which was based on the same news story as the one I had at Lincoln; oh yessss. Then we had a "group interview". About eight of us sat in a newsroom on swivel chairs (oh, the temptation to spin around in circles), and talked about current stories in the news. It was really relaxed and so interesting; more of a discussion than an interview (just like Lincoln..so take note, there seems to be a common theme here!).

As the interviewer mentioned that she used to work at Sheffield Uni in the Journalism department, I took my chance and asked her why I should choose Leeds over Sheffield since she'd worked at both. Although it did sound like I was interviewing her, it was definitely worth it as she explained that Sheffield was a very academic course in comparison. I then asked about Lincoln, to which she replied "Ooh, I don't actually know anything about their course..so that should probably tell you something..".

Cue my mental breakdown because decisions and opinions and more decisions. 

BUT, overall, I've learnt that in terms of interviews;
-Try not to get too nervous- after all, they do want you to go to their uni!
-Talk about experience as much as possible; you live and breathe work experience. You're basically never at school because you are just SO passionate about this course. Maybe not that extreme, but you get the picture. 
-Ask them questions, and use their knowledge to help you come to a decision.
-Finally; try to enjoy it! (Bet you didn't see that one coming eh...I am the cliche queen.)

Anna x

Pressure, Places and "WHAT A PALAVA"

Hiya!

Hope everybody's UCAS applications are going well, power through guys! When I say that the pressure is relieved when you've sent it off I mean it..

A few weeks ago I got an offer from the Uni Of Sheffield (yay!), providing I get ABB in my A-Levels. I was on my own at the time so after shouting "WHAAAAT" multiple times at the computer I rang my Mum, who was in the middle of a meeting at WeightWatchers..you can imagine the looks she got when she responded with lots of jumping, shouting and singing (maybe).

I've also had interview requests from Lincoln, Gloucestershire (remind me never to try spelling that word without auto correct) and Leeds Trinity. It's exciting but also scary because the word interview makes me think "PRESSURE", "QUESTIONING" and "INTIMIDATION". I don't like those things. 

On the plus side, it is comforting to know that even if all of my interviews go disastrously wrong, I've got Sheffield (which is my possible favourite anyway) to fall back on. I'm slightly (majorly) torn at the moment between Sheffield and Lincoln, they're both amazing in different ways...plus everyone who knows me will say that I am the worst decision maker EVER. (They wouldn't be lying.)

Hoping that my Lincoln interview will help me come to a decision..but then I'm naturally going to favour the place I've seen more...WHAT A PALAVA.

Anyway, if you're in the same boat as me then I welcome you with open arms (we can row away to a land of no decisions and stress if you'd like)..and if you're still applying to uni, remember to keep breathing and keep...the faith, like that Bon Jovi song.

Anna x