Happy New Year!

In tradition of a New Year countdown, in order of awesomeness are 13 firsts from 2013. You’ll probably have a few questions that I will expand on these in the coming year.

Number 13: Finished academic year of university, something I doubted I could ever do – many thanks to my lecturers and partner for believing in me.

12: Wrote my first essay plan that I then wrote from in class.

11. Wrote my first 2,000-word report.

10: And my first 2,500 word essay.

9: Took part in my first mock case conference in the human services – terrifying but liberating.

8: Attended my first Portfolio Executive Committee (PEC) Meeting as Course Representative for my year group (more on this coming soon).

7: My first research project from secondary research - the research was already done and I applied my own research questions and reported on the findings. Lots of fun!

6: Took part in my first charity event with my society, such a good feeling of spending my time well and for others.

5: Learnt some of my first Mandarin words and phrases – “chigga chigga!”

4: Graduated from the University’s B-Innovate 12 week Business Course.

3: Organised my first social event, thanks to the inspiration of my course society.

2: Although not university orientated, my partner and I founded our own business in July and it has been growing since. This learning curve has boosted my confidence and flexibility in so many ways.

1: Visited Beijing, China, on the Student Exchange Summer Program. Definitely a coolio!

Happy New Year! – Here is to you following your dreams wherever they lead and living and learning to the full in the 365 days to come! x

Merry Christmas!

Whether you are someone who celebrates the Christmas season or not, the holidays are all the more sweet after your assignments in December. In speaking to students from other courses, I believe I am right to say that following Block 1 in Term 1 your tutors love to give you a nice big assignment to hand in…or two…or three! I was almost in tears this end of term, simply because I was so happy to have it all done and dusted and be able to travel home to see my family and take a couple of days to think about something else. If you aren't local to your university, it's precious time to go and see loved ones instead of just texting them every now and then to tell them how stressed you are (that would be me). But then I have a sneaky suspicion that in the third year of university you do not get the luxury as many of my third year friends tell me they will be working hard over the break to be ready for assignments once they return, so make the most of it!

As someone who likes to enjoy Christmas to the full, I was really happy to hear that the TreeHouse Faith and Community Centre were hosting a Carols by Candlelight service this month, in our beautiful St Mary's church which is right next to the Luton Campus. This is the second time I have gone, with mince pies and mulled wine it was a great excuse to go and soak up the essence of Christmas with traditional carols and thoughtful words that warm your heart in this icy, bleak time of the year. And it is bleak, with very little sunlight, heavy winds and dark, cold nights, you need a little pick-me-up to lift your heart and remind you that you are not alone.

The TreeHouse is located on the ground floor of the business centre, and offer  quiet and cosy rooms to pray, relax, meditate, or just make friends whatever your beliefs  With tea and coffee, couches and even their own real tree house, it's a great place to nurture that other part of your mind and heart. Coordinated by Reverend Andrew but run on the ground by other student volunteers, involved with happening events such as the Mandela Tribute earlier this month. I would definitely recommend this place if you need a little boost and friendship from like-minded people. Here are some of their details:

sign up:http://eepurl.com/bcrew

online: www.tree-house.org.uk and: www.beds.ac.uk/treehouse

on facebook: http://on.fb.me/uobtreehouse

on twitter: https://twitter.com/UoBTreehouse

Do forgive me for not wishing some of you a Happy Christmas in time, but I hope you all enjoy a terrific and exhilarating new year!

Group Work/Assignments

So it's official. 2nd year is where it all starts, forget your easy, chilled out 1st year where you pass assignments like a breeze, gaining experience and skill but not really bothering too much about the outcome. The second year is where your grades count towards what standard a degree you are getting, 1st, 2nd or standard, and the pressure is on! I don't even know where the pressure came from, I know I can do my work, and I know I have a decent standard to boot, but when you know you are capable of more, you have to attempt it, and it's a pain and joy at the same time.

This month I managed to complete 3 Assignments across 3 of my 4 units. A 2,000 word essay, an essay plan and consequently an in class writing of that essay, and a group work presentation on a case study.  And yes, a few times I thought to myself I don't know how I'm going to do it up to the standard I want.

Group work has always been a little touch and go on our course, with some people talking about how great it was (I got an A+ last year on my group work) and others hating it. However in the human services that we are studying, you have to learn to work with people - what more can I say except that this is another valuable opportunity.

THE SWOT OF GROUP WORK 

Strengths - Many hands make light work and represent a holistic (well-rounded) approach to the task at hand.
Weaknesses - Lack of mutual respect, one needs to learn to work together and tolerate the differences of style but recognise that the job needs to be done and it's gotta be done together.
Opportunities - You get to see things from different angles, and someone will always end up researching something that you hadn't thought of and just may be the key to getting that extra boost to your grade.
Threats - No matter how hard you try there will always be that possibility that your team mate will let you down. They might get a different message from what was in your planning, may do everything BUT sit down and work, but that's why it's so important to communicate, communicate, communicate, and take the time to bond as a group.

I considered myself lucky this time around as we did some quality work together and enjoyed ourselves too.

A very happy Anna after handing in all assignments before we break up for the holidays - the next one is the day we get back!

Thank You Mandela

Wednesday saw the University of Bedfordshire join with students to create a celebration of Nelson Mandela who died last Friday the 5th of December. This was when the staff and students of southern Africa came together; singing, dancing and reading of poems and prayers, I realised how much it means to be with people who know where you have come from, as Alexa told us in her interview below.

As 6 doves were released into the sky, symbolising peace and love for this great man and his nation, I thought about how a man of 95, across the world, had impacted and empowered so many lives, setting a precedent that we and our future generations will live with. This is what I wrote in the memorial book that was laid out for students and staff to write their thoughts in about this man.

Whenever I think of you Mr. Mandela, I remember how one man, just one, can make a difference. You maybe didn't know that your life would effect an entire nation, an entire generation, but you gave your life for others. Thank you for your gift to the world. Thank you for your inspiration.

Some background on Mandela...

the first one

In sitting here, wondering what I should dedicate my first post to, my thoughts wander back to just over a year ago, when I was merely entertaining the idea of university. Wondering if I would fit into the student pigeonhole.

If you're like most people wondering if they should put their hard earned GCSE's or NVQ's in and apply for university, in the UK you've probably heard comments such as "A degree doesn't get you a job!" "It's just a piece of paper!" or even "It's easy!". Well, now in my second year - head brimming with ideas, a fulfilling job on the side, a society full of talented and fun individuals, and a heart full of purpose - I will disagree with each one of those statements.

It's just a piece of paper

Yeah, like any year in school is just a piece of paper. In one year so much of your thinking and personality can change. You can find purpose, excitement and an era of your life never to forget. It is what you make it.

A degree doesn't get you a job.

Being able to speak with confidence about what you know of the ins and outs of social sciences and things happening today in this country; of volunteering you have done and work experience, THAT will get you a great job! It is what you make it.

It's easy!

Lol! No it's not! In my second year I find myself being stretched more than I ever thought possible, and yet I love it! I love finding out what I'm capable of! I love how the lecturers and tutors speak to you with such respect that you realise you deserve that respect because you're working your butt off on that last assignment! It is what you make it.

A degree or qualification can be as worthless as you think it is, or you can begin your career right at the onset and experiment and ask questions and try new things and meet new people, and be ready and raring to go once they let you out those doors after the graduation. I can't wait!