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

do it anyway

Surrounded

My postcard to you this well-deserved Friday:

I remember reading someplace that to stay inspired and committed to excellence, you must surround yourself with people of the same mind, and that is what I have experienced this last month.

As the final four assignments this past month were all being hammered out on our laptops and created from the academic pages we mulled over, I started to feel a sense of camaraderie I hadn't experienced or even been particularly grateful for before. Being a bit of a lone wolf (perhaps from too many disappointments) I've spent the last two years keeping much to myself, getting my work done, and yes, making friends in the process, but this month I've realised how much I have needed others, and some moments where I couldn't have made it without that support. To keep you in the right path, to support and be supported by, and learn from - particularly since this is a human services degree it could not be more vital to each one of us - as we work together. And this is something you just can't maintain surrounded by people without the same aspirations and hopes and dreams and standards. 

That's why I went into higher education, because I didn't just want a job, I wanted something that would make a difference in others lives and change my life too. I also wanted to be surrounded by those type of people too, because no human being can carry the case load in human services alone. It's a niche choice of professionalism, and not everybody leads their careers this way, but believe me it is worth it going to sleep at night and knowing you've endeavoured to live to your full potential.

So here is a massive thank you to those friends who have shared their knowledge, learning and support with me this last year, from first, second and third years!

Congratulations to those of you who are beginning a new chapter of your lives as you graduate and a promise to those of us who are still getting there. To class 2015!

Note-Taking and Revision Ideas

Writing on the lines


 The old-school way of learning, and to be honest it still works perfectly for some people. You follow the lecturer and write down the things that are important, that stand out to you, or (if you're a visual learner like me) just so you can see it on paper and print it in your mind before filing it away and never looking at it again (okay, do as I say but NOT as I do on that one!).

Bullet Points


 I LOVE my bullet points, and to be fair they get involved with all kind of note taking, but rather than write odd words here and there, or complete sentences or phrases that are often repetitive and unnecessary, incorporate bullet points.

Highlighting and Different Coloured Pens!

 Okay, maybe  this is my OCD side coming out, but I highlight in a colour co-ordinated fashion, purple is references, yellow are key facts, and when it comes to trying to find out that key bit of information from hundreds of notes, it really helps.

Interacting with Printed Slides

 Lecturers will often put up their slides on BREO prior to their talk (and if they don't you can always ask). I did this a lot in my first year AND used it for revision to remember everything I had learnt.

Mind Maps

 I actually picked this one up recently at a training day in my school, and I realised I already used mind maps but perhaps not to its full potential! You start with your main theme, ideologies for example (but it could be childhood perceptions, welfare systems etc.) and create branches on the different stems like Marxism (or Universialism, Feminism, etc.). Marxism would then have branches to define what it stands for, how it is perceived in today's world, or you could even start a new mind map on a new piece of paper. This is great for in class note taking or for revision too.

 Check out this youtube clip on Mind Maps for language learning (we're learning our own academic language remember) and the guy explains how powerful it is for our brain connections.

and don't forget the Recommended Books

Essential

Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook, 3^rd edn., Houndmills: Palgrave

Moore, S., Neville, C., Murphy, M. & Connolly, C. (2010) The Ultimate Study Skills Handbook, Milton Keynes: The Open University

Background

Greetham, B. (2008) How to write better essays, 2^nd edn., Houndmills: Palgrave

McMillan, K. & Wevers, J. (2006) Smarter Study Skills Companion, Harlow: Pearson

Pears, R. & Shields, G. (2010) Cite them Right: the Essential Referencing Guide, 8^th edn., Houndmills: Palgrave

Stogdon, C. & Kiteley, R. (2010) Study Skills for Social Workers, London: Sage

#100HappyDays 1-9

If you're a social network surfer then you've probably seen the current trend of #100HappyDays; one of the more inspiring and meaningful trends drifting on and off our cyber-walls (check out nicknomination and neknomination if you don't believe me). 

Using a photo or just a simple sentence, document your life for 100 days in 100 things that has made you smile (one for each day). I've too many friends saying their life sucks, or they are unhappy, but in my opinion (and painful experience) it's due to not taking the time to appreciate, relax and enjoy your life! It's hard and terribly sad that we can't take two minutes to appreciate the sun shining after you've left a demanding day at work, or a precious moment with a friend, but it's not impossible.

By the time I am finished, 100 days later, I will have 100 photos captured (come rain or shine) that depict what has made me happy, made my day, and a little reminder of why my life is worth living. I definitely recommend signing up here and sharing it with your friends to enjoy this life that only comes once and is too short to be spent without happiness.

A Reflective Moment on a Wet and Gloomy Day

Wet, wet, wet week this week. Amidst the perks and excitement of student life, lies the plain old hard work of assignments, lectures and seminars that sometimes I just wish I could miss. But here is the moment when a professional is born - at least that's what I keep telling myself.

University and the professional world isn't always going to be a walk in the park, sure there will be days when you wake up and you can't wait to get started, but then there are the other days when you make yourself get up. Sometimes you'll love your assignment/work and enjoy the exploration and new learning that goes with it, other times you'll just want to quit, and wish it was all over. You'll go into university/work and hi-five your mates and roll with the day, and others you'll just want to go back to bed.

But it's in these moments that you keep going that greatness becomes you. Just don't give up, keep going and keep climbing, and through the pressure and stress and hard work, a diamond will form and believe me when I say you will be glad you kept going. When you look back on your life/university years, you will see the person you wanted to be, who didn't give up, who believed in his/her cause and ability, and achieved great things.

Good luck!