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The benefits of joining a sports team at university

Arriving at university can seem like a daunting experience. For most people, it is the first time you’ve lived away from home, maybe moving to a new part of the country, or perhaps even a different country altogether, and chances are you don’t know many (or any) other students here too. And so whilst it …

The importance of routine when living away from home

It is said it takes approximately 66 days for an individual to develop a habit that will become an effortless part of their daily routine. However, what is often overlooked is the difficulty of adhering to this extended and sometimes gruelling timeline. Establishing good habits is a fundamental aspect of personal growth and being an …

If over-thinking burned calories, I’d be a supermodel

Being in your own company 24/7 can sometimes be tiresome – especially when every thought you have, every inconvenience, every problem is on a constant loop in your mind. Even if you don’t categorise yourself as an other-thinker, there is always that one moment, embarrassing or traumatic, that has daily reruns in your mind. Unfortunately, …

Podding along: studying a distance learning MA as a mature student

It seems a lifetime ago when I was timidly embarking upon the Applied English Distance Learning MA back in 2020. I remember feeling waves of self-doubt about completing MA – after so many years away from Higher Education – questions played on repeat through my mind, haunting me with fears of not being good enough, …

How Nottingham University has changed me for the better

As a beyond anxious yet excitable 18-year old stepping into the Derby Hall courtyard back in 2020, I saw university as a sort of adult playground, where making a solid group of life-long friends and having that “unbeatable” social life clouded any academic vision I left school with. Yet, looking back on almost three years …

How to handle writers block when studying a creative writing module

Creative writing is one of my favourite and most fulfilling parts of my English degree. Seeing a poem or a short story that I spent hours pondering over the word choice of materialise into a finished piece of work is often more satisfying than turning in an essay. For me creative writing is not just …

Why we should read poetry and prose aloud

Reading poetry or prose aloud has long been a popular tradition. It is an oral work of art, allowing an audience to take in the sounds and rhythms that the internal mind cannot emulate. However, it wasn’t until last year did I really come to appreciate it. As a child, my parents would read lullabies …

Working full-time, studying part-time and keeping long-term goals in mind

Lots of blogs will tell you about ways to manage your time with conflicting responsibilities, however, what I want to discuss is:  How I identified my ‘why’ which helped to focus my choices.     How I found alternative ways to pursue my long-term goals when plans changed.   Whilst studying part-time with Nottingham University’s distance learning MA …

How the University is tackling period poverty

What is Period Poverty? Period Poverty is a problem evident all around the world that can impact anyone with a menstrual cycle. Many factors have contributed to a rise in Period Poverty; one of the most prominent being inflation of prices. This has meant many people cannot access hygienic and safe sanitary products. As this …

What to consider when picking modules

Picking modules can be daunting. The number of options can be overwhelming and choosing something when you’re not certain if you’ll enjoy it can be scary, especially if you get to choose modules in first year where you don’t have the foundation of the first year modules to help you make your choice. For second …