I'm about to get down and dirty with year three...reading lists, literature review of my dissertation, and getting in touch with lecturers over the learning outcomes from the units I have to choose from.

I understand that there are optional units in this my final year, and I already know which ones I am interested in, but after a brief conversation with a fellow students, I thought about how I want my CV to look in a years' time...what field I am looking at? I confess I am terrified of doing a sociology only unit, because I have found the assignments mind-boggling, but if I wanted to embark on a global scale, say the United Nations, then they would probably be looking for something like that. I think it would be helpful to know what I will get out of it (learning outcomes) as opposed to just what I'm vaguely interested in.

Those finishing their third years this year, thank you - as I am well and truly terrified!  So much work, so little time. So much to be done, so much panic! However in speaking to a few lecturers they have encouraged me that for the well organised, and those who think ahead, in can in fact be easier than second year! I have yet to prove that but it has inspired me to work harder now rather than the new academic year hits.

And if all else fails...at least I will live longer due to having a purpose to strive for in my life. See new study's find at this link...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27393057

2015 here we come!

In thinking over the last academic year, I find my mind going WWW (what went well) and EBI (even better if). Looking at the opportunities I've had and the ones that I've missed and would like to utilise in this new year. I'm also looking over my contacts built and who I may want to stay in contact with or need to "impress" in my last year before graduation.

Right from the beginning of my degree my lecturer's poignant words rang in my ear "Your career starts from today". And you've probably noticed the urgency in all my blog posts. :) Life is so short and we only get one chance to experience it to the full.

Particularly in our CAS Conference Day a couple of weeks ago (see previous article) , I've noted the opportunities relevent to Health and Social Science students. The Access Partnership Associates, the Children's Centre Volunteer Programme and now it's sister Family Engagement Officer Volunteers. We have the Blog Internships. The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) teams!

It's PAL that I am particularly interested in being a part of this year. It looks like a great way to develop skills in working with individuals and small groups, and give confidence in related work. I'll try to keep you posted on what happens there!

Student Experience Awards

My humblest apologies for being so late with this week's post, I wanted to wait until after Friday as June 13th was the UoB's annual awards event for the Student Experience. I was delighted to recieve an invite and also accompanied my best uni bud who had been nominated for the Community Contribution award.

So, all dolled up and refreshed after the end of the teaching year, we toasted champagne and cheered the awards for students and staff alike, those who had made a contrubution in some way: Inspirational Teaching, Role Model of Professionalism, team players and student achievments. It was terrific to recognise those who had played a part in the year and made a difference. Some who had been poorly but continued to shed light and guidance to their students, some who had given of themselves through volunteering alongside their studies, and those who through their friendly and genuine nature had made an impact. I left that evening (a leetle tipsy) but realising how human we all were but how we each had a part to play and whether recognised or no last Friday evening - I salute you as you go into the academic year 2014-2015. Keep up the good work!

CAS Conference 2014

This week saw the First Ever Child and Adolescent Studies Degree Conference - and I had the pleasure if being a part of it this last Wednesday.

Over two months in the making, and with the wonderful StEPs team joining us late last month to help make it a reality, we invited students and organisation representatives to talk about the power of volunteering, and how to apply what we have learned on our degree to our work field.

From crèche nannying to College lecturers, the university's Children Centre partnership with the local council, to The National Citizenship Service - I was amazed to see how diverse the experience and opportunities are to those coming from our degree. Students volunteered to speak for fifteen minutes about their experiences, hold poster presentations on their roles, and host promotional tables for the charities they were involved in. By the end of the day I was truly proud not just to be a part it, but to be a park of a community of professional learners to whom the sky is the limit.

Well done CAS students 2014, 2015 and 2016! X