Go Global!

As previously mentioned, I had the great honour of participating in Go Global, a student exchange program with the university last July where I visited Beijing, China for two weeks. Definitely one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life, with some wonderful friends made because of it. So go! I say go! Yes you may find it a weird and out of your comfort zone, definitely a world away from our western European culture here in Bedfordshire, but you will learn so much seeing things from the other side of the world, and definitely have a story or two to tell the grand children - for example the time you tripped and fell while strolling along the Great Wall of China! Now that's got a punch to it!

A lot of our days were taken up in the classroom, so prepare yourself for that, learning about Chinese literature, history and language, and then out and about to practice that Mandarin! We visited the great Wall of China, the forbidden City, Summer Palace and more beautiful places with the individual flavour of China's rich historical culture. Alongside this we dined every day in a Chinese university and met with the students, thus getting the tourist as well as the real world of Beijing.

The application is straightforward until you come to the personal statement, and once again you must sell yourself! Think of every deep, intelligent reason why going abroad would be a great experience for your personally and career-wise, how you appreciate and want to learn about other cultures, and can apply this stepping out, exclusive experience to your psyche. And…here's a suggestion, even if you don't get on the trip, keep applying, or perhaps push yourself into taking your own trip abroad, doing some volunteering or staying in a hostel with some friends; university is unlike any other time of your life so I recommend making the most of it.

As my shot above represents, this year they are having two trips, one to China and the other to Vietnam, as well as the opportunity to report on your trip and achieve a Global Leadership Award, a fabulous plus.

Pictures speak louder than words so here are a few shots I took during our fantastic trip - thanks UoB!

The Working Student

When I first thought about going to uni I remember thinking to myself, It will be so great not to have a job! To be paid to study! What a luxury! Oh how life has taught me otherwise.

To be fair at least I do acknowledge that it was more serendipity than intentional for me to work my way through university. In working at a school before the summer holidays, I was given the opportunity to take on the job and part time to suit my studies. It hadn't been drilled into me yet how having a job role or work experience in a similar field to my course was beneficial.

Now - in 2nd year - it's all I hear! Work experience. Add to your CV. Experiment in job roles. Learn first hand about job roles. I hear this every day as well as through my emails, how valuable it is to have something to show for your years in university. They say that 2nd year is the best year because you've had a chance to get into your studies and have some ideas of what you're interested in.

And I agree completely. In working in a school I have seen firsthand what roles others play in schools, the social workers, teachers, SEN Coordinators, Language Support, to Counsellors to name just a few. All people I am working alongside and talking to and getting information from, some of them have even helped me in my assignments related to their job roles or just with advice. Great stuff. I have also mentally added ticks and question marks to the roles that I have found myself connecting with. Of course this is not the same as work experience or having those roles, but I feel competent should someone in an interview ask me what I know to expect of a role, PLUS (and a big plus) I know a little more about what I am interested in and would like to pursue.

Another advantage to working while studying, even if a minor role like mine, I feel that because my employers know I am studying in relation to my work, that I am serious about my career, and I believe that is the main reason why they gave me the job. After 9 months I have already been given new responsibilities that stretch my learning and capabilities (in a good way), I also have the prospect of a decent promotion in my role - something I am preparing for.

And yes, as they say, it is all something to go on my CV. The learning curves, the people-skills, and personal time management (who cannot respect someone who learns on the job and in a university in the same week?). Not to mention the fact that I actually manage to put something in my purse at the end of the month and am not one of those poor, penniless students - poor things.

However, having a decent job and studying at the same time usually results in an extra pile of this by the weekend …

PS:

I have also taken up the paperwork towards the EDGE Award (something I wish they did down at the Job Centre!), and it is teaching me about reflective working, applications and job research, plus interview skills when applying to the job you're dreaming of. I will have to keep you posted on this as I am right now working on it, as I know it is the same work I will need to submit for one of my unit's assignments. But pop over to the Careers and Employment Centre if you're interested.

Applying, Step 2: Applications

Although I usually post on a Friday I thought my wee words of wisdom might be useful to anyone out there who is at this moment struggling with sending in their applications for university next academic term - and who may just be sending it off for a social science's degree. The deadline is Wednesday, 15th January at 6pm - London time! Go to this link for any last minute decision makers or breakers!

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Writing my application was a lot harder than I thought it would be, a lot of question answering, online forms, and general digging for evidence. I originally considered it to be my grades that would be my downfall, however with encouragement from the lecturers and staff I had met at the Open Days, I applied first, rather than wait to get a chance through clearing. While time-consuming, most of it is straightforward clicking and personal details, but as I said, I just had to dig out all my old school days certificates, GCSE's, NVQ's, even things like ICT, or Child Safeguarding. I searched high and low for all the evidence I could find to show that I had worked hard academically and made as much use of my time as possible through experience and worthwhile projects. I also contacted my former NVQ Assessor, a wonderful, relaxed and experienced woman, who straight away agreed to be a reference for my application, as she knew my work ethic as well as the studious side of me in my written work. Someone like that is probably your best bet because you want the university to know you're a worthwhile person as well as can hold a pen and formulate some ideas on paper.

Finally, I needed to write my statement. Never ever written anything like it before! I decided to go for the straightforward approach, and just tell my life story from beginning to end, trying to join the dots to show that this degree was perfect for me. Perfect because I had done volunteering for a community centre who supported young people; perfect because I had worked in nurseries for two years and knew the foundations to childhood that could be built upon within the degree; perfect because although I've tried out different career paths, I have always been drawn to supporting others, especially children and families. Perfect because I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life! - but this degree could open up so many ideas and pathways to my future.

Your life story may not be as long as mine was, you may have nothing in the way of experience, but somewhere, inside, you have something that wants to give to and help others, whether behind the scenes or on the frontline. And it's that something that you need to put in your statement.

Good luck!

Applying, Step 1: Open Days/which Degree?

Thinking back to this time of year before I began uni: I didn't really have a clue to go about it. I knew I wanted to learn a new skill and have something more to contribute to my career, so I decided to take the time to find out about uni and if it would be what I needed (I had done an advanced National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and enjoyed it thoroughly, but uni is quite a different ball game).

First I found out about Open Days. I can't emphasis enough how important this is, if you are applying to universities away from home then it's equally important. Giving you a chance to walk about, meet students (ask them the questions you may be too embarrassed to ask the lecturers, you'll be surprised with their frank and insightful responses), and find out more about the courses you may be interested in. Keep your mind open to the other degrees under the umbrella of the area you are interested in, even if you think you already know what you want. Tell student ambassadors and lecturers that you are to meet what you enjoy and want to learn, maybe your idea of what you want to become once you graduate, and they will be able to direct you to some good choices.

I remember at the time I applied I was convinced I wanted to teach, so I asked for a degree that might prepare me for a PGCE but still explore other avenues within the care an education world - due to the fact three years is a long time, anything can happen and you can change as a person in your desired and decisions.

During the open day, in saying I wasn't sure on what degree to take, I was recommended a few, however I was also recommended to meet with the head lecturer of the degree. I remember being mortified! Meeting someone I didn't know with no idea of what to talk or what questions to ask, but I tried to come up with a few and I found the lecturers I spoke to very helpful and giving me confidence in the degree that I eventually chose (this also helped with my applying statement which I will cover in a following post).

Personally speaking I chose the University of Bedfordshire (UoB) because it was close and convenient to home and friends, but that's not to say I would have gone if I was not impressed with the staff and environment of learning. Someone else might find that in going to a few universities that they find one that fits them like a glove, and kudos to you, but two years on and I am still happy with the UoB as I find it gives me what I need.