Summer Break Thoughts

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

job SOURCING

Thought I would refresh my memory on job sourcing this summer, whether exclusively for the holidays, a sandwich job, or your first step on the career ladder (ie. you're doing a Criminology degree and decide to do admin for the Police Department).

As far as I know both Child and Adolescent Studies, and Criminology have lectures/seminars themed around job hunting, interview skills etc, in their 2nd year. An assignment where your CV, cover letter, Personal Development Plan (look below at my sample of a PDP) and job research is graded. I'm not rubbish at CVs, but it was a good way to know I was on the right track, giving me confidence in my interview skills, and analysis of a job is something I'd never done professionally before.

The UoB has a great page for CV and cover letter writing (click right here) but not only that they offer a free drop in session at Career Services on the ground floor of I block. I found this terrifically useful in the assignment, with proof reading my CV and PDP, and one of the advisors even gave me a good hour and a half for some career guidance. They also do a similar certification called the EDGE. 

Having said all that, I'd like to put it out there that the formal "job hut" and CV saturation of your entire town/city, isn't always going to be YOUR route to the job you're after - in fact we may often find ourselves somewhere better than our dream job. For example, when I first signed up to university and was looking for work, I signed up as a Nursery Nurse with a local recruitment agency, staffing nurseries and creches when needed. This led to me staffing schools when Teaching Assistants were absent, which then ended up with my being employed in one (I went through the external interview process but from knowing the school I was much more confident). Now I am seeking what avenues I can pursue to benefit my experience and career, whether it's after-school-clubs, interventions, parent workshops - might end up doing a PGCE yet.

I will be honest and say I don't know where I'm headed, but if you keep asking questions, keep throwing yourself out there, you are bound to end up somewhere very interesting and possibly the best thing that could happen to you. Now to keep my eyes peeled and myself at the ready this summer holidays ….

read a little, live a lot

As I mentally prepare my reading list for the months before October term begins, I consider what type of reading I want to partake of.

Academic texts, a no brainer of course I must read this dreaded stuff, and make notes and arguments, and reference correctly and get what studies have been found to back up my arguments,

BBC News and other independent but reliable sources, yes I would like to stay connected with present day affairs and political impacts. The Metro, seeing as I don't read the celebrity tabloids and political inclined papers such as the SUN (Conservative), Guardian (Labour) (please see BBC News analysis of paper politics), the Metro is concise with it's stories and covers a wide variety including strange stories that local councils have to deal with.

Blogs have a wonderful ability of giving a view through an individuals eyes, which is fascinating regardless of what is happening and why, it's about how it impacts the common man and what us civilians live with daily.

Novels okay these are NOT going to benefit your reference list or your research arguments, BUT, they will benefit you. As the linked article explains (Why Readers are the Best People to Fall in Love With), readers are a dying but vital breed of people who know what it's like to touch a thousands lives, emotions, concepts and realities. Yes, a lot of novels are nonsense, but it is imaginative nonsense! And I truly believe that taking time regularly to read something completely opposite to academic will awaken integrity and the creative side of me.

And don't forget to reflect, as taking notes from academic sources are important so as not to lose what you have concluded, so is keeping a notepad or journal to documenting the findings and development of your own mind. I know I intend to.

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!

#100HappyDays highlights

As we are at the end of the academic year in UoB I thought I would share the last of my #100HappyDays and some of the joys of the last term and a half in my eclectic world called Luton, Bedfordshire.

1. Working in a Primary School isn't all fun and games, it can be quite draining and yes monotony creeps in, it's always nice to go on a field trip and London Zoo was a great time to enjoy some quality time with the children, I'm such a sop I know!
2. I'm not usually your A+ student but it was nice to get a few this year and see my academic skills developing nicely.
3. Enjoying my days at work as I've been given my own little classroom for interventions and groups sessions. Great practice in handling groups of children and opportunities for initiative taking - BLESSED to have a job that is letting me explore my abilities and take on new challenges.
4. Getting a sweet pick up from university by the fiancé rather than have to walk up my MASSIVE hill home, and did some sky watching instead.
5. Had some terrific weather and in between all the assignment madness it was nice to take a stroll through the town and St George's Square while all the kids were coming down to the water fountains.
6. Can't help but mention getting my blogging contract, a great feeling to be paid for being creative, even if it's just something on the side.
7. Ah yes, as noted I have a fiancé so naturally wanted to handmake my wedding invites with an eco-vibe, lots of fun and found these nifty card cutters from Tiger in the Mall - one of my favourite shops here in Luton!
8. Moutabbal at Damas Grill with the girlfriends. A great catchup after all our hard work of the year behind us.
9. Just loving the bluebells in my garden!

StEPs

UoB came up with something new last year: Student Experience Projects (StEPs). An opportunity for students to bid for funding from the university to put toward university student led projects. I went along to one this week as I was presenting an idea (I proudly came in the runnings, cheers!) and found it to be quite exciting and nervewrecking at the same time. I've NEVER volunteered to do a presentation, but somehow got intertwined in this one, which had its perks. As a professional in human services you have to develop some kind of presenting and people skills, so I was glad to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and although I fumbled and threw away my disorganised flash cards halfway through, I was glad to have done it and I know I will get better next time.

There were four other bidders, each with a unique suggestion, but I have to say that each one of us really needed to do our homework better. I realised that as students, I haven't met many that imagine they can step out and do something original in the way of projects and enterprises (unless already on a business degree). We get this idea that we are learning theory and academia to find our place in the employment world...but what if that is not for us? What if we have something bigger and better and new inside of us to develop? Scary no?

As I said we all needed to do more homework in preparation for the Dragon's Den type event last Tuesday, as such I would recommend the B-Innovate Programme (a european course run right here in our UoB) or Prince's Trust Enterprise Programmes. Any avenue to teach you about business plans, projected cash flows, budgeting and logistics. Perhaps in Applied Social Sciences or my own Child and Adolescent Studies, opening your own project is not what you had in mind, but we don't know what the future holds and at best it is good to look behind the scenes what occurs in welfare economics and national budgeting even in a small way.

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!

Summary of Easter Break and what's to come ...

Do the words routine and student fit in the same sentence?

My week is hardly routine, just when I think I’ve got it sussed, is when something else pops its head up to throw things around again. Perhaps it’s what being a student is all about; perhaps it’s because I enjoy it. From Society events, volunteering opportunities, to having an impromptu review with a peer.

The first regularity is my work life, which is related to what I am studying (hence why employers feel I am getting more educated and can load more work on me). But I keep reminding myself how valuable this is as this is what will guide me into the career of my dreams once I graduate, nothing gets a job better than having a job. Ironic I know.

Secondly, I daren’t miss lectures, seminars or even the workshops; I guarantee you that the ONE you miss will end up being the one that has THE most important piece of information just happening to crop up in conversation. I have missed some due to illness, and even when I couldn’t help it I wished I had been able to make it in. I also find that if I go to teaching hours then it gives me less to review in my research time as I have already been able to ask my questions and learn it well in class. NB: Your lecturers are likely to tolerate your incessant questions more when they know you've made the effort to come to their teaching. I mean, can you blame them from staring at you when they've already been over the same question with everyone else a hundred times already?!

Lastly I cannot go a week without going over my notes and reading up on what we have learned or dabbled in. I find this keeps my interest even after those few teaching hours when you’re struggling to stay interested (or at least trick yourself by pretending to be), something will ring in my ear and I’ll be like “Hmm…I wonder what that is all about.” And quite often it will be more than useful in the long run. I’ll end up watching a movie /documentary about it or researching online and finding that golden nugget - and commence the Hallelujah chorus!

Term 2 Portfolio Executive Meeting/Student Representative

This week is my second Portfolio Executive Commttee (PEC) where I get to play my part as Student Representative and bring up issues in the course, or conversely, positives that students want more of (i.e. effective teaching styles, support they have received, etc.).

To be honest we usually bring up negatives, but as a mentor of mine used to say: if a place is clean nobody notices, but if it's dirty you'll hear of it! So as Student Reps we usually take the opportunity to mention changes we would like to see, further clarification, issues among students, anything really that has impacted the positive experience of students that they have spoken to myself or other representatives about. Last PEC it was student behaviour, how some students had impacted negatively on others by consistently talking in lectures and we wanted to work unitedly to discourage this kind of behaviour. This PEC one of my current issues is a need our dyslexic student have with getting coloured handouts, handouts are not policy but for those who need extra help or cannot read clearly the information on presentation slides, this was a recognised need. One lecturer is very up to date on policies for the disabled or students with special educational needs backed up my point and we are now addressing it for our students.

I was terrified when I first was nominated for this role, public speaking it not my forte and I hated the idea of having to speak for a whole class. But I was flattered that I'd been nominated, and figured you can only try and learn from the experience. I'm really glad I have now, as it has boosted my confidence levels amazingly, on a personal level but also in my relationship with my lecturers, naturally we don't always see eye-to-eye, but I've come to respect them as individuals each with a professional history, with great ethics and wanting the best us and our dreams. I feel my levels of diplomacy and tact have developed also, and I've learnt to present my own ideas, refer to others and to come up with some solutions! Which is the whole point of a PEC meeting, not just to criticise but to find solutions and keep improving on what we have.

I would definitely recommend give Student Rep a shot, or utilising the one on your course for support.

#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.

Child and Adolescent Studies, Year 1 Units

This afternoon I found myself clearing out and filing the contents of a drawer with all my year one material. I ended up looking at some of my notes, unit contents, my old schedule, and mostly my assignments and their grades. Not horrendous grades, but in looking at the notes, I realised how the things that were picked up on by lecturers aren't a problem any more, and how much better my grading has become now in my second year. Sure, I'm not your A+ student, but it's nice to realise how far I've come and actually improved academically from one year to the next, and I know I will develop more in my final year. Having said that, in realising where I was a year ago, during the beginning stages of university and working at the same time, I realise I've developed in my professional capacity as well, with much more confidence in practice, understanding why we do certain things in the human services.

Some of the units in my first year were:

• Introduction to Working with Children, Young People and Families

The foundational principles behind working with individuals and families, respecting their choices and working with a person centred approach, as well as abiding by professional ethics.

• Academic Skills for Higher Education

A great way to get your head around academic referencing, note-taking, and (the biggie) plagiarism. 

• Introduction to the Human Services

Mostly a historical background and the reasons why we have the human services in this country, as well as some of the roles that are out there.

• Foundations in the Social Sciences

Not everybody's cup of tea, but personally a favourite of mine. I never really understood politics or how governments work, but this unit really help me to understand current events and things that are happening in the UK and other countries, and how they effect us. 

I think if I had taken the time to understand the units before I took them, I might have had a better approach to them at the beginning, as it were I was quite blank and naive initially, but hopefully this will help you get the better grades in your first year as opposed to your second.

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!