Early-morning Ponderings

Hiya.

I'm currently blogging from the school bus, changing it up a bit. James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover" just came on shuffle and I'm feeling like it's 2005 or something..weird. A small (big) part of me wants to sing-a-long dramatically and pretend I'm in a music video.

I quite like bus journeys. Especially when it's sunny (like today) it gives you time to think and basically just stare out of the window and use very little brain power. Winner.

Anyway...how does this relate to Uni? Well. It seems like it's finally dawning on people that we have now started our last EVER not-even-half term, and in almost a month we'll be leaving school. Not going to lie to you, this thought absolutely petrifies me and makes me get all these funny feelings inside. It's just odd (and very scary) to think that soon,
the place that I've been at for seven whole years, with the same group of friends, won't be a part of my life any more. Not only this, but also my best friends will suddenly be scattered across the country and we won't be getting the bus together every morning (ironic since I'm on my own right now), being bored out of our mind's in lessons or (also ironically) wishing we could leave school and be "proper adults".

So, I'm trying to appreciate and remember every day we have left before the scary part -yet equally, the exciting adventure- begins.

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

"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

Decisions, Deadlines and Destinations

Hiya!

First of all, Merry (late) Christmas and a Happy New Year! Hope you've all had a fab break and are ready to get back to Uni decisions and A-Level fun. I turned 18 on January 1st, so now I'm feeling very adult-like and mature (kind of) as this is the age I'll be when I go to Uni. Unfortunately I don't have much to report on the University front..except that it's kind of hitting home that THIS is the year that it's all going to happen...flying the nest and all that malarkey. Is it just me who is absolutely excitedly terrified?

OH, I did get an unconditional offer from Lincoln during the hols. That was pretty cool. Basically if I put Lincoln as my first choice I can go regardless of what grades I get...so very tempting, those pesky admissions people. 

Also, the UCAS deadline is approaching as fast as a...train, so get on with it and apply or you're going to get left behind in No Man's Land (aka clearing). 10 days, tick tock...But in all seriousness, I've been talking to some people who just can't decide whether to apply or not and I'd say definitely go for it, even if it's just as a back up to an apprenticeship, work etc. What have you got to lose?

In other news, for Christmas (among other normal teenager-like presents) I got a kettle, an ice-cream shaped kitchen timer and some scales. Although having made my New Year's resolution for the past few years "I will learn to cook", I am conscious that these items will be hidden away in my "rubbish draw" for the next 9 months. Sorry Mum.

PS, I was so pleased to receive a cute little note from UCAS recently saying that I had won the first "Blogger of the Month" competition..thank you!

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

Lincoln, Lights and (contemplating) Life

Hi!

I am writing this with a looming thought in the back of my mind which is "history essay". But blogging seems FAR more appealing, so here I am. Ta Daaaa.

I survived my Lincoln interview! *round of applause* 
Despite getting a tad lost upon arrival and having a mini heart attack when I thought I was in the wrong place (I wasn't), it was all fine and dandy. First I had an "interviewing skills" workshop, in which we asked the person we were sat next to a few questions, and addressed them as "my new friend". Aah. 

-Side note- The man who lead the workshop was so fascinating, one of those people who has endless interesting stories to tell. His "unusual fact" was that he is an avid collector of Soviet watches. DOES IT GET COOLER THAN THAT? I felt very boring.

We then went on to a radio workshop, where we worked together to create a news bulletin, which was super fun and I got to interview one of the course leaders. I felt all important holding a microphone a little bit too close to his face. Oops.

Lastly we had a general knowledge test. As soon as I heard the words "general knowledge", I knew that I was doomed for failure. Call me a pessimist, but as I predicted I failed miserably with a feeble 4/10. *Bring out the violins*. 
What was especially embarrassing (mainly for the football lovers in my family) was that I had NO IDEA who the England football manager is. Soz Roy. 

We finished on an interview (which I realised I had to ACE given my (lack of) general knowledge. No pressure) It went really well, the interviewer was lovely and he suggested lots of ideas for the Sixth Form Magazine, which was great. He also said "You can look back at this magazine when you're the editor of Vogue and say "This is where it all started"; cue me dying inside. 

Overall it was a wonderful day and definitely not worth all the stressing. Walking out of the Media building and hearing people chattering, feeling the wintry breeze and seeing the bustly restaurants and lights of the city really made me think "I can totally see myself here."
-Having said that I'm a total sucker for pretty lights so maybe it didn't tell me much. Who knows.

Anna x