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A New Reality

When I wake up, the first thing I do is check my phone. This morning, it’s an email reminding me about a welcome talk – five minutes before it starts. I drag myself out of bed, turn the kettle on and find my laptop under a pile of clothes on the couch. I cleaned the …

Adjusting to Self-Motivated Study

One of the massive differences between A levels and your degree is how much of your study is dependent on you. Of course, you have a lot of freedom in terms of your attendance and optional exercises, worksheets and assignments – but what does that freedom really mean? It turns out that having that much …

How to navigate Online Assessments

Starting university in the midst of a global pandemic is going to be a bit strange. Many universities have had to adapt teaching and move courses online. With this move towards online learning, much of your assessments will also be online. Like many first-year university students, online assessments were completely new to me when I …

5 Places to Study on Campus Outside of the Library

We’re in the second week of the dreaded exam period. By this point, you’ve likely spent countless hours in George Green or Hallward library, having to get there super early to guarantee a space amongst the masses of students which descend upon UoN libraries during this busy time. Often revising in the same space day …

“What do you want to do when you grow up?”

“What do you do?”   I knew he was referring to what course I was studying at university. But instead, I responded the way I always have; with what I really do.   “I write. I also go hiking sometimes and I play tennis.” I tell him I like being creative and watching sunsets.  “I …

5 Ways To Survive The Library

When coming up with this blog post, I was trying to think of interesting things that I’d done this week. Of course, I came up with nothing because for the past week my life has been entirely consumed with trying to keep on top of deadlines and reading. Because of this, I’ve been spending a …

What do I do after university?

So I’m sat here after just applying for a scholarship scheme for an internship in China thinking what the heck do I want to do after university? I know I still have about a year to go, but is that really that long? Today my girlfriend and I had a chat in the car on …

5 Experiences At The Start Of Second Year

You will be incredibly patronising about The Freshers™ despite having about two seconds more experience than them. It is not uncommon to make slightly condescending comments about the “poor Freshers, wandering around campus like lost lambs” before being asked for directions by one and realising that you still don’t know your way around campus. And …

Working while studying?

Getting a part-time job while you’re studying can be a really great way to enhance your university experience. Obviously work is work – it isn’t always fun and oftentimes you’d rather be hanging out with your friends than clocking in (especially when you work at the bar where your friends like to hang out!) But …

Things I’ve Learnt When Doing My Dissertation

Already into the third month of 2016, your dissertation deadline’s probably getting dangerously close. We’re all dealing with it differently – denial, followed by another day in bed watching House of Cards. Rage. Frustration. Calling your mum in a panic. Worry. Even accepting defeat.   Don’t worry. We’re going to get through this.   Here …