One month later...

Hiya!

I just had a little look at when I last wrote a blog post and I am absolutely ASHAMED that it was a whole month ago. I should be sent to blogging prison.

Ever since we got back to Uni everything has been SO busy. In the first two weeks I didn't have one night in (I can't even remember what I was doing). Unlike when I came back to Uni after Christmas, I was really excited to get back into it after Easter. I didn't even cry when my Mum left. That's what I call absolute success.

The first week involved some fun nights out, lots of socialising and overall not much Uni work. The second week was Varsity, so I covered loads of different events with the student radio. From ice hockey to volleyball, most of the time I had no idea what was going on ("was that a goal??") but I eventually got the hang of it and found that sports reporting was really exciting! Also the final (which gets the biggest Varsity crowd outside North America) was SO much fun. I also didn't let claustrophobia stop me from getting on the tram to get there, which I was quite proud of. It was a long 15 minutes of my life but we made it there eventually and I had the best time. I also went home briefly for my Auntie's hen do which was a fab day. I'm SUPER excited to be a bridesmaid at her wedding this weekend! The second week didn't involve much (if any) Uni work either.

Horticultural Therapy session

So here I am in the third week, stressing because I feel like I have a million deadlines and less than a few weeks to complete everything. AGH. At the start of this week I went back to my patch in Sheffield (Burngreave), to talk to some women who were using horticultural therapy to combat mental illness. It was my first proper interview and I really enjoyed getting to know the women and listening to their stories.

ALSO, I got accepted to study in Madrid next year for a semester!! I'm SUPER excited. I'm doing it with Erasmus, so I'll have to find someone to live in my room from January to June next year (which I hope won't be too difficult). It's gonna be so weird going to Uni again but in a different country...

Hope everyone's good! I remember this time last year and 2 years ago that the stress and pressure was getting crazy at this point. Try to keep in mind why you're doing it- so you can get to Uni or start an apprenticeship or start working or whatever it is that you want to do. It will all be worth it in the end. And if you need to take a break, take one. A-Levels aren't the end of the world! (although it definitely seems that way at the time).

I feel so old.

Anna x

P.s you can vote for me as Blogger of the Month here :)

Opportunities

Hiya...

Writing blog posts on transport seems to be a recent habit of mine doesn't it?

I'm 6 hours in to a 7 hour train to wales and I am truly losing the will to LIVE. So what else to do but write a blog post?

This train was meant to take 4 and a half hours, but after loads of diversions and confusion, here I am, still miles and miles away from where I'm going (to see my family who are at our cottage in Harlech).

Obviously, its chucking it down. But to be honest, I dont mind, rainy Wales is when I'm truly at home (although I'd prefer a bit of sun).

My trip to Madrid with the spanish society was INCREDIBLE (pardon my enthusiasm), but we really did have the best time. It's such a beautiful city and sharing such a cool experience with new friends really made me appreciate the amazing opportunites which come with the whole 'going to uni' thing.

We ate ridiculous amounts of paella, discovered interesting spanish bars, saw a 'semana santa' procession (google it...) and even sunbathed.

Then I spent a nice few days with my Dad and Step-Mum back home, and now I'm back on the move again. (Sometimes I question whether I actually ever stay in one place for more than a few days). My step-mum is pregnant too, so I'm super excited to be a big sister (again!!).

But anyway I'm excited to spend some time with my family in Waaaeeels (did you read that in a Welsh accent??), after this dreaded train journey is over.

So far I've spilt mini eggs all over the floor, broken my suitcase and talked to a man for an hour who told me about his 12 horses and how he felt like a "nobody" in life. Interesting right? I do love speaking to new people though (I guess that would be an issue if not since I'm a journalism student). You can always learn things from new people and this particular guy told me to take every opportunity possible whilst I still could- he said he felt that he was getting too old now to truly do what he wants in life. He looked really nostalgic as he said that that particular feeling was "centuries away" for me.

I've carried about 6 different books with me on this train so maybe I should read at least one of them....But I guess the message of this blog post is to say 'yes' to everything you can, because as this man told me, one day you might not have such opportunities.

(THAT WAS DEEP IM SORRY).

Anna x

Ps you can vote for me as Blogger of the Month here: 
www.ucas.com/connect/blogs/voting x

Trains, Travelling and Tea

Hello!

I'm writing this post on a train to Leeds to see my friend, which is a definite new experience! Weirdly enough the last time I blogged on public transport was all those months ago when I was on a bus to school...on April 15th, to be exact. That was almost a year ago?!

So I just read that post back. (If you didn't see it you can read it here)

I remember so distinctly how worried I was about leaving my best friends. Upon reflection it has been harder and easier than I anticipated; harder in the way that nothing can prepare you for the shock apart from actually experiencing it....and easier in the way that I still see my friends a lot, and I've made some fab friends at Uni too.

Last weekend my friends and I all met up in Lincoln, as two of them are studying there. This was the first time that we've all met up in one of our uni cities, and we had the best time. It's really strange seeing some of your best friends in other groups, and "I can't believe you have other friends!!!" was a sentence used a lot whilst we were there.

I think that being apart for so long tightens your group so much when you all come back together.

One of the biggest worries for most people going to Uni is that they won't make friends, or at least won't make close friends. But in reality Uni is probably the easiest way to make friends- everyone's in the same boat and you're bound to click with someone.

Anyways- this is the last week before we break up for Easter! I'm going to Madrid next Monday with the Spanish Society which I'm really excited about, and after that I can't wait to get back home (and not have to worry about cooking tea and doing washing).

I was meant to spend this journey practicing my shorthand so I best get to it anyway. I did my 80 words per minute exam last week so I'm praying for a pass!

I hope everyone has a good Easter!

Anna x

P.s you can vote for me as Blogger of the Month here.

Before my brain turns to mush...

Hey!

I haven't blogged in AGES, so this might be a long one. I'm so tired today after spending last night watching the 2007 Britain's got Talent final with my flatmate until 2:30am...don't even ask. So before my brain turns to mush I thought I would take the chance to write a new blog post.

Since my last post...I've had some super fun nights out (see picture for evidence), been working a lot of hours...and missing home a lot. My friend came to Sheff for a spontaneous visit recently which was really fun too (plus she gives the best cuddles).


Ooh I also passed my 60 words per minute shorthand exam with 100% accuracy which was a huge relief! I'll hopefully be taking the 80wpm this month, then 100 in April....and then 9ams will be a thing of the past. I can't wait.

In Corp...obviously 

My 'Uni babies'

I'm also really enjoying my course at the moment, we've been given 'patches' to report on over the next few months. I picked the area of Sheffield where my Grandad grew up, in Pitsmoor. Since then I have discovered that it is in the top 1% of most deprived areas in the country, as well as having high gun crime rates! But hopefully that means that I'll be able to find some really exciting stories. 

I'm also going to Madrid soon with the Spanish society which I'm super excited about! I should hopefully get a chance to practice some of my (very poor) Spanish...Also, the Uni has said that we're not allowed to go to Barcelona for Erasmus any more, so I've been looking at going to Madrid instead. The thought of spending 6 months in another country is REALLY daunting but I feel like it would be the best experience. I've got to apply for it soon so I guess that's quite a big decision to make.

I can't wait to go home for Easter, too. It has been an (occasionally) stressful and very busy 7 weeks and I can't wait to go home to some nice home comforts (aka my dogs). I think before going to Uni the expectation is that everything will always work out in the way that you want it to. When it doesn't exactly happen like that it is a bit of a shock, which in turn makes you miss being at home (even if your brother does drive you crazy).

I joined The Tab team recently (an online publication written by students) and my first article for them got 21,000 views which I was so happy about.

I've also just had an email saying I've won the Blogger of the Month comp for February! I haven't won it in a while so that really is exciting. Good things always happen when you write a blog post eh.

You can vote for me to win again next month here :)

Hope everyone's good! I'm sure it's all getting very real for you Year 13's now...I can't believe it's March already, this time last year seems so long ago. Enjoy having your washing done for you while it lasts!

Anna x

127% ready

Hey!

I survived the 'State of Sheffield' project week! I majorly overestimated how terrible it would be....I thought it would be 9-5 but realistically I went in to Uni for about an hour a day in which I would gossip with my group and receive dirty looks from the other hard-working groups. Our project was on CCTV in Sheffield. On our research day we went to a random road and counted the number of CCTV cameras and based our entire findings on those numbers. Safe to say we didn't win the competition- after all on our poster the name of the place we'd researched was spelt wrong. OOPS. On the plus side my group were lovely and we're going to meet up soon for some J20's.

Also we had an interesting lecture on the first day by David Blunkett, former Labour Home Secretary under Tony Blair. He was a really interesting guy and at the end I asked him a question about the MP's expenses scandal (absolutely nothing to do with CCTV but at least I tried).

*My flatmate Lauren currently has her head out of my bedroom window and she's shouting "I love the smell of Sheffield!!!". Sorry if this post is a little rambly- as you can imagine I'm going to be a little distracted.*

ANYWAY. On Friday my Mum came to visit which was so good! She briefly saw the flat kitchen and didn't have to search for long (or at all) before she spotted a bottle of Pepsi with mould growing on it. Nice.

The next day Harika and I went to a vintage 'kilo sale' where we spent a little too much money. Afterwards I embarked upon a dreaded 9 hour shift. After lots of business and little sleep my mentality on Sunday was I AM SO DONE so I got the next train home and spend the day with my beautiful dogs (and family and the boyf).

Tom Odell: Reeeeeaaaal Love

I came back the same night and now I'm 127% ready to get back to Uni life and lectures and going out (obvs). Talking of lectures they started again on Monday, with shorthand at 9am. I just about survived it! I also found out today that I passed my 60 words per minute shorthand exam with 100% accuracy YAY! So no more 8ams.

Today I was given my first article of the semester, on the retirement age being moved to 65 for women. So I went in to the city centre and managed to find some women who were very angry about the sudden change! It was super interesting (and VERY cold. I thought my hands were going to fall off).

I'm thinking of doing another 'advice' post kinda like my relationships one but I'm not quite sure what to do it on...I would love to know any ideas!!

Anna x

P.s you can vote for Blogger of the Month here :)

Can relationships work at Uni?

Hiya!

I've blogged a lot about the changes which everyone goes through when going to Uni; leaving your family, your best friends (and your pets). But I realised that I've missed out one (pretty big) change...which is going to Uni when you're in a relationship.

I had mixed emotions when it dawned on me that whilst I'd be moving away to a new city, he'd be back at home carrying on with his apprenticeship. On one hand I thought OMG HOW WILL IT EVER WORK...and on the other hand I thought, you know what, whatever happens happens. Callum however took the opposite approach and refused to talk about it until pretty much the day before.

In the first few days of being here, one of the most common questions asked was "who's in a relationship?". I was hence bombarded with crazy 'facts' such as "80% of couples won't make it through University" and "9/10 couples will break up before Christmas". That was a little bit daunting but I didn't really dwell on it too much.

It's been very different to what I first thought. At first I found it difficult to manage settling in to Uni, working, socialising, seeing my friends and seeing my boyfriend. But we've been able to meet up more than what we originally decided (once every two weeks)...mainly because I always seem to 'accidentally' end up back at home. But of course, there are some negatives...it is more difficult for my boyfriend as he is back at home working whilst I'm having a brill time (and working hard too, obviously). Also with Uni being constantly busy it can be to find time to talk every day.

Overall, if you're nervous about going to University and being in a relationship at the same time, don't be! I tried to look at the positives- all the new experiences you can have exploring a new city together and showing him/her around your new home. We've had some fab days in the Peak District, exploring the city centre and Meadowhall (maybe the latter was not so fab for Callum). We've also discovered some really cool new restaurants and started cooking together when he comes to Sheffield (a spontaneous roast dinner was the BEST). There are lots of things that you can do to keep your relationship going too...watching the same TV shows (and in our case, racing to see who can finish them first. Prison Break is MY LIFE. I will definitely win) Also at the moment we're not talking at all on our phones, and instead writing letters to each other for two weeks. (Soppy I know...It's not me, honest).

How I miss sunglasses weather

And don't forget that University holidays are so long, so if you're going to be really far away from each other, it's never too long before another break where you'll both be back home.

Call me an optimist, but of COURSE relationships can work if you're at Uni. If you want to make it work then I'm sure it will :)

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Anna x

P.s the next Blogger of the Month comp has started; so you can vote here. Thank you!

"Uni is so weird"

Hey!

I thought this was an apt time to write a blog post as I have just woken up after a night of celebrating that exams are over. Yay! We went to a club called Plug last night as they bribed us in with 'free chocolate'. Moral of the story- never trust club promotions. They lie.

I had my last exam- 60 words per minute in shorthand- yesterday and it went really well. Ironically it went better than all my other exams and it isn't even part of my degree. Ah well. I'm super happy that they're all out of the way! However we still don't start lectures for another week which is a bit annoying...next week we have to do this project called 'State of Sheffield' where we are put in random groups to research something in our area. I thought it sounded interesting until I found out that it runs 9-5 every day. I'll pass. (I won't really because if you don't go you can fail your whole first year).

In other uni news my flat's cleanliness has seriously deteriorated since we have been back. I was delighted the other morning to empty the bins only to find that a jar of mouldy hot dog sausages had fallen out of the bin bag. These days you're lucky if you go to the sink and it isn't full of a combination of 5 people's dinners. Mmm. I'm definitely not selling university here am I? On the other hand, when you visit other flats it makes you realise that maybe yours isn't so bad....When I visited my friend in recently I was highly amused by her passive aggressive posters such as 'If the bins are full, EMPTY THEM'. 

I've also started exercising which is a surprising yet positive change. I discovered a really pretty park which is really close to my accommodation so I've been going there a few times a week. Also with my new app MapMyRun I can track how many miles I've ran and how long it has taken me etc. I was inspired to start because a) when I went for a jog with my Dad over Christmas and almost passed out I realised how unfit I was and b) the amount of hills in Sheffield means that I really need to be more prepared.

I had better get out of bed now as it is now 12:42 and I still need to eat breakfast. 'Uni is so weird' - a fact that my flatmate Lauren likes to remind me of every day. She's so right. 

Hope everyone's goooood! 

Anna x