One month (and a half) in Madrid!!

Holaaaaaa, 

I am writing this from a class (which might tell you how Uni is going…) Whoops. We’ll get to that later.

One and a half months living in Spain tomorrow! Madness. Time literally FLIES here. We’ve crammed so much in to such a short period and I can’t believe how fast everything is going. On Sunday I got back from a crazy (and super fun) trip around Portugal, starting in Porto and ending in Lisbon. I had the best time ever: met people from all over the world, took my first trip in a tuk tuk, tasted Port, chilled on a rooftop bar….and somehow, survived three days on 13 hours sleep.

Sunny Lisbon!

Surprisingly smiley for 3 hours sleep...

thoughts on Port...

To those of you abroad or going abroad, I would 100% recommend going on a trip like this one- the 20 hours of travelling by bus may put you off, but don’t let it. We went with a group called City Life Madrid and they organised everything so well, from a trip photographer to a pub crawl (complete with a woman with a big red umbrella who shouted at us when it was time to move to the next bar.)

A few weeks ago I also took a train to Valencia with my boyfriend for a night, which is one of my favourite cities to date. I am already dying to go back! I’ve been to Toledo too- a beautiful little city just outside of Madrid, easily accessible (for most) by bus. I say for most as it took my travel buddy Rach and I three hours to get there instead of one! We are still getting to grips with the Metro…

Slightly stormy Valencia!

Oceanographic Museum in Valencia (aka the most futuristic place EVER)

Forgetting what I’m actually here for is VERY easy. That little thing called Uni. With 8/9am classes every day, and most of my classes being pretty useless in terms of a career in Journalism…missing lectures is extremely tempting. My fave module is photography, where we are developing our own film in dark rooms, manually taking photographs and learning about the history of photography. TV is also cool, where we’ve been taking industry cameras outside and filming news reports in groups.

Everything is just so chilled here compared to home, sometimes in a good way, for example handing in things late doesn’t seem to matter…but in other ways it is so frustrating, like when we had to queue up for 4 hours just to register for modules…It makes me appreciate Uni back at home and how well organised it is!

Speaking Spanish every day (and mostly getting in to awkward situations and ending up flustered and confused…) is definitely improving my language skills. When I have a successful conversation in Spanish it feels so rewarding! Also, one of my housemates is Spanish so I am enjoying practicing with her, as well as our cleaner who visits once a week.

I have also had visits from some friendly faces too- my boyfriend, my Step Mum's brother Jamie and his girlfriend Laura, my Mum and little sister and my friend Harika. It’s been so fun showing them all around this beautiful city. Seeing them has definitely made me feel more settled here and a lot less homesick. When it dawned on me just how soon I would be returning home it helped a lot....and realising that I'm only here for a few months, and soon I'll be back to life in Sheff for my last year.... all these things help to ease the pain of missing home, friends and family. FOMO back at Uni is a definite factor too, but video calling my housemates whilst they are having pre-drinks definitely helps....

Fun visit from my Mum and sis

Amigas...You can tell who is Spanish from the amount of layers!

I also had a slight disaster which I feel like every (clumsy) Erasmus student suffers from at some point...I broke my phone on a night out and had to pay €200 euros for the screen to be repaired. So my bank account suffered a big dent and working all summer is definitely on the cards...

Around a year ago I decided to study abroad after visiting Madrid for the first time….and I’m so thankful that I did! (especially when I’m lay in the park in 26 degree heat).

Thanks for reading!

Anna x

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 :)

A jam-packed January

Hiya!


First of all...A very late happy new year! January has been jam-packed- I turned 19 on the 1st (yay), after which I haven't really stopped. On the 4th my boyfriend surprised me with a mini-break to Rome for my birthday, which was AMAZING. It is such a beautiful city and I really would recommend it to anyone. After that I spent a weekend with my Dad and Step-Mum and we went out for an amazing meal (who would've thought oatcakes with home-made cheese could taste SO good.) This was the same weekend on which it dawned on me that my exams were in a week...Panic ensued and revision then started. Better later than ever eh.

Oatcakes...Mmm

I also met up with all my friends from school (in Wetherspoons, where else), which was so good. Callum and I went to Planet Bounce which was SUPER FUN...It's basically a room full of trampolines. However I did end up with an injured back...He said that if I managed to flip successfully that he would buy me some McDonald's chips. Of course, I obliged, and landed on a piece of wood....and not the trampoline. I still got chips though so who's the real winner??!

I went to see Derby play a (bad) game of football, and also went to work with my Dad at BBC Radio Notts which was SO fun. I got to answer the listener's phone calls which was so exciting- even when they were shouting at you about Junior Doctor strikes....

I basically spent the rest of the week revising, and now I am back in Sheff! It was difficult coming back- I had gotten so settled in back at home so it's weird having all this independence (and a leaking kettle) again. On Monday I had my first exam (Spanish), which went better than expected! I also had a Journalism exam yesterday and I've got two left. Powering through.

So there's the first half of my busy month- which brings me to my current position, in the Students Union typing this post. Yay!

With the UCAS deadline being last week, I'm sure it has been a busy month for all you Year 13's too. This time last year seems a world away now! I was talking to my friend over the holiday's and she's really nervous about going to Uni, so much so that she's considering not going. But as I said to her, everyone is nervous and we were all in the same boat. Please don't let it stop you from going! People always talk about bad Uni experiences, but I can guarantee that for every bad experience there are at least 30 good ones. (Please don't quote me on that. It's an educated guess ok).

As for Year 12's...If you're struggling at the moment just remember that you're going through the hardest part of A-Levels now. Okay that may not sound too great- but Year 13 will feel so much better as you'll know exactly what you're getting in to.

If you want to vote for me for January's Blogger of the Month you can do so here.


Thanks for reading!


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

THIRTEEN WEEKS (!)

Hiya!

I have FINALLY found time in my busy schedule -of watching films, making smoothies and sleeping- to write a much-needed blog post. Yay! Sooooo...the exciting part- EXAMS ARE OVER! Can you sense my happiness through the computer? I'm sending happy vibes right now.

Exams were okay. I think. We can always hope. Only the 13th August will tell *screams in fear*

It's odd to think that school is OFFICIALLY over...Not sure what to think about that one. I reckon it's going to take a good few months (or years) to actually miss it, but it still feels weird. Anyways, I'm not complaining, as it's a Monday morning and I'm still in my pjs watching Take Me Out on repeat. Winning. 

The other result of leaving school? University seems so much closer. I'm definitely excited now, and I think the element of being absolutely petrified is wearing off. I think. Somebody mentioned to me at work at the weekend that it's less than 100 days before we go! (I also just worked it out and it's now 13 weeks...THIRTEEN WEEKS. Maybe I was wrong about the whole not being scared thing??). One of my friends is already clearing out her bedroom ready to go, plus my Nan rings me on a regular basis asking questions like "What size tins of beans do you want for Uni?", or the latest "I've bought you a lovely fruit bowl"...my family are well prepared for September (or just crazy?). I'm also finding the University groups on Facebook highly entertaining- especially when full-scale arguments break out and people say things like "I hate you all already". Nice.

Anyways, I better get back to doing absolutely nothing:) Saying that, we've just got a new puppy so my current job is a puppy-sitter, which is actually a very demanding occupation. He's so cute though, I don't actually mind...

B&W for emotional effect

Little Ted...CAN YOU HEAR MY SOBS

I hope that everybody's exams went well! Year 12's, this is just the beginning for you...get

booking open days asap, as well as ordering prospectuses in bulk (that's the best part).

P.S, the Blogger of the Year competition is coming up soon, and it would be totally fab if you could vote for me:) The link is here....www.ucas.com/connect/blogs/voting
it takes approx 3.6 seconds and you could win some shopping vouchers! Woooohooo.

Anna x

Smoothies with a side of revision

Hiya!

Apologies for my shameful lack of posts at the moment *hangs head in shame*. My excuses are; revision, procrastination...and more revision. Well, kinda. Really, I've been wrapped up in the (emotional) turmoil of leaving school. On the 15th we officially "left"...which basically means taking excessive amounts of photos (only to return to school the following Monday for revision sessions). That evening my besties and I all went out for a celebratory meal, which resulted in lots of tears...in the middle of the restaurant. Only slightly embarrassing.

ALSO, we "officially officially" left our seven years of school last Friday on Prom night. 

Aaaaw

Anyways, enough about my social life...exams are approaching (too) fast! My first one is on the 8th June, but they're over by the 15th. I hope you all do as well as you hope...hard work in the next few weeks will be sure to get you there! (Ironic coming from me...After ordering a smoothie maker I've spent the past few days making very adventurous concoctions in a feeble attempt to avoid revision). But in all seriousness, this one last push to get to Uni is extremely daunting but very exciting...power through guys and gals.

And on the subject of Uni...it feels even closer now after leaving school! So far I've made a list of things I'll need to take, as well as eyeing up cute crockery wherever I go...pretty knives and forks are essential, right?

P.s If you're getting a bit fed up of never-ending note-writing (like me), you might want to try a FutureLearn course...I've been doing one for my Drama exam prep, and they're brilliant for offering a different way to revise. They've got a range of different courses which are all free...plus the website is pretty cool. If you fancy it, go to www.futurelearn.com. 

P.p.s I am super excited to be 'Blogger of the Month' for the second time:) Thank you!

Good luck with all your exams! And if you've already finished, give yourself a well-deserved rest:)

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